2001 MG ZR +120 1.8 from UK and Ireland

Summary:

Fantastic car, great motor, worth every penny

Faults:

The only problems I have encountered was incorrect tracking after hitting a kerb, and a few little rattles in the cabin.

General Comments:

Not the fastest on the road, however I found it very reliable and very economical, returning 40+ miles per gallon at 70 mile per hour.

Can be a little uncomfortable over long motorway journeys, but great fun and handling on country roads.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 27th June, 2003

2001 MG ZR 160 1.8 vvc from UK and Ireland

Summary:

Stunning looker, but that's as far as it goes!

Faults:

When I went to see the car, there was a big patch of black soot around the manifold area, which indicated a leak.

A few days after I had the car, I started to notice a whining noise coming from the gearbox, particularly when I changed down to 2nd and when cruising in 3rd. Spoke to my mate who is a technician at Jaguar, and he said it was the gearbox bearings.

When the car is stationary and you try to put it into 1st, it just doesn't want to go in. You have to force it! Also reverse gear is a pain to get in, which indicates a clutch or gearbox problem again!

When the car has been driven for about 30 minutes or so, or when the engine is at its normal temperature, you can hear a heavy tapping noise coming from the injector area. This car doesn't sound like it's done 9500 miles, it sounds more like 95,000!

General Comments:

The car is pretty quick, and the handling is good too. You get some serious feedback from those 17 inch alloys, which is also a good thing. However the interior has a lot to be desired. Looks very dated and boring. Compared to the other cars in its class, they will win hands down!

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 7th May, 2003

8th May 2003, 08:49

They just can't take hard driving and if you do, the wear shows up very quickly. That's what happens when you trade a Calibra for a zimmer with a bodykit!

11th Oct 2003, 01:48

These cars are designed for hard driving. If they weren't then the K series engine wouldn't be in the Lotus Elise and many other kit cars. Just don't rev the engine from cold.

23rd Dec 2003, 04:50

If you were worried about the engine and noticed the black patch when you went to see it, why on earth did you buy it instead of getting one that had a better engine??

That doesn't make sense to me?

6th Jan 2004, 07:19

I owned this car, but sold it for a Puma. It looked quite nice at first, but the more I looked the worse it got. It just reminds me too much of the old Rover it is based on. It is too high to look at all sporty/aerodynamic (perhaps it isn't), the engine is all show and no go, being too noisy for its lack of performance, and it's interior is terribly cheap.

Only upsides are the price and the 4-seater practicality. However, price is only relative to how much you enjoy it, so for me it is too much. Practicality: ha. Not too high on my list of priorities anyway.

2001 MG ZR 105 1.4 twin cam petrol from UK and Ireland

Summary:

A real bargain at £10000 new, if you get a good one from a decent dealer!

Faults:

Badly crinkled headliner, complete with a large amount of fibre glass that fell onto the cars occupants, even though the vehicle had undergonr the PDC.

A new steering wheel, because the plastic textured effect cover was tearing from new. Big gap in the glove box.

The drivers door interior panel came loose and locked onto the rubber soundproofing strip, so that you could not get in or out of the car. It was out of action for eight weeks whilst MG Rover sources replacement clips.

At the service, they put over a Litre too much oil in.

At 13000 miles the cylinder head gasket blew, traced back to a faulty expansion tank cap. I had to drive the car for a week before they would repair it, they just told me to "keep a gallon of water with me to top it up"

General Comments:

Nice to drive.

Incredibly figure gripping seats.

Perky little engine, moves when you want it to, and is a quite economical beastie when you are just tottering about.

Pleasant interior with a nice splash of pretend aluminium and carbon fibre.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Don't Know

Review Date: 8th December, 2002