MG ZR/ZR-160 - Talk to me.

[Waugh-terfall]

My car may well be fubared and so I might need to look for a replacement, I've seen this and it's got me thinking, I rather like the look of the end-of-line MG ZRs, it's smart, this one is the right spec and it's rather nippy. However, I know nothing of MGs or Rovers, I don't know how reliable they are, though I've seen some of MGZRod's woes, and I do not trust the Head Gaskets...

Anyone with some knowledge to feed me?

This is the car I rather fancy...

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2011...

[MG CHRIS]

As far as i know the later zr dont have as much of the hgf as the earlier ones but do keep a regular check on the temp gauge and check the coolant level ever week. Most cases of hgf are due to a coolant leak that goes unnoticed and then car loseing to much water overheats then blows the head gasket. Apart form that i am tempted to get one my self as the zs i have is getting old now. The handling on mine i good and the zr handle about the same. Fuel economy if good on motorways i can get 50 mpg on a run drops to 35 around town. Go for it good car for the money couldnt get anything similar to it for the money.

[Waugh-terfall]

Thanks, that's not bad, I get 35 on a run, 23 around town in my current car... Dad doesn't sound convinced as the one in my first post will need its cambelt doing soon (just had that done on my current car), but it's had a new HG and camshaft, sounds a bit iffy to me..?

[MGJohn]

That looks a lot of car for £1695. If no part exchange, that price could be negotiable ..

That ZR 160 will have the VVC top spec of the K-Series engines. VVC = Variable Valve control. We've had and have three VVC cars in the family and its a fine engine if looked after. Get a good one and you'll be pleased with it.

All used cars are always an unknow quantity. I'd want to drive it for 15-20 miles to assess the engine with a reasonably good chance of accuracy. That should show up any faults which a quick spin round the block never does. Even so, if you get it, keep and eye on the coolant level until you are confident all is well.

Yes, the K-Series has a reputation for cylinder head gasket so called failures. They rarely actually fail and as above explained, lack of coolant leading to overheating can damage the cylinder head gasket so that it "fails". In my experience, coolant loss is often the result of a worn or wearing Water Pump. Most garages renew the wtaer pump whe replacing a 'failed' CHG to be on the safe side. Worn pumps are hard tp spot until they really wear out and then lots of coolant is lost quickly. Any spots or wet patches under the water pump. It's on timing belt side of the engine as it's driven by the timing belt so look for leaks under there when parking up after a long journey if the car is losing coolant even if only a little each weak. It will rapidly get worse as the pump wears progressively.

Even if the CHG does get damaged and so 'fails', changing the CHG on these front engined MGs is a doddle and should not cost more than say £350 if the problem is identified in time before further engine damage is done. I've done four cars for a fraction of that cost; three 1.4s and a 1.8 all cars still running strong. Two friends' cars and two Rovers I bought with known CHG failures now giving good service in my family.

I've noticed that some cars have a CHG failure soon after a change of ownership, even after only two days since driving away from the showroom. That is rarely coincidence or simple bad luck. That gasket was almost certainly on its way out long before it finally lets go. For this reason, insist on a longish test drive minimum fifteen miles being all eyes, ears and nose ~ to smell any escaping coolant. A healthy K-Series will not lose any coolant and if it does, something is wrong.

The two NEW K-Series cars I've purchased for the family have not had any CHG problems. One we've had for eighteen years and the other coming up for eight. On that basis, despite what you may have read or heard, I can confirm that they do not all do that ...

[Waugh-terfall]

Aaah, I've been waiting for your font of knowledge

Thanks for that, what do you make of the fact that this one has already had a replacement HG and a Camshaft..?

[MGJohn]

Waugh-terfall said:

Aaah, I've been waiting for your font of knowledge

Thanks for that, what do you make of the fact that this one has already had a replacement HG and a Camshaft..?

No idea. Best to investigate. Could be a simple explanation. There were some reports of a loosened retaining bolt on the trick valve gear on some VVC engines which gave problems. It's the Inlet camshaft which has the VVC Camshaft feature.

Good luck ~ we all can do with a little of that when buying a used car irrespective of FSH and previous owner assurances.

Check ALL fluid levels on the car and the coolant expansion bottle should look like these. Clean and with the right colour coolant. If it does, that is always a good sign of a well cared for and maintained car. If oil is black and old looking that is a negative.

My ZS:~



My 620ti :~



Signs like these are always more reliable than stamps in a service record book. If the oil filter looks as though it has never been changed ~ filthy and knocked about, another bad sign . This is what it should look like under the car.



Indicators like these are far more reliable than stamps in a book.
.
..

[Waugh-terfall]

That's brilliant, thanks a lot John