2nd May 2005, 03:35
Just to make one point, as you've said, it's a K-Series engine, and they have problems!
The cylinder head gasket keeps going on them!
But I love the car, I don't own one, but wouldn't mind driving one...
17th Mar 2006, 07:32
Can I just point out (for the person that left the review on the 13th Oct 2004) that your 1.4 engine in you mg is exactly the same engine as in my 1993 rover 214 sei so our engines have a stomping 103hp from a 1.4 engine that is well over 10 years old. Not bad eh.
8th Apr 2007, 13:13
I agree that the MG ZR goes faster than 112, because I had mine screaming at 127.
It's a fantastic looking car, and drives superb. I also recommend it to any person.
Luke.
13th Apr 2007, 09:48
I have a ZR105 and I would never buy one again, the exhaust system rotted after 1 year, so I replaced it with stainless steal. interior built badly and lots of squeaks. I have had the mg at 120 on the dial, but its only doing 110, and 5th gear is a joke. It's a good car to drive for the 10/20min test drive, but to live with not so good.
22nd Sep 2007, 04:28
Hi there could any one tell me what make of engine is in a mgzr 2.0 tdi thinks 2005.
5th Dec 2007, 08:36
I have recently bought an MG ZR 105+ (03 plate). I managed to scrape 330 miles from 9.9 gallons (the needle was below red, but the tank still had a gallon in it, if the 50 litre tank capacity is right?) According to the manual it should average 41 miles to the gallon, which would leave me 80 miles short. What mileage does anyone get?
Chris H.
18th Dec 2007, 09:32
I have an 03 plate MG ZR 105+, probably getting around 30-35 MPG, however, it's superchipped, K & N and pipe, which I should imagine this would reduce MPG by maybe 5 miles. So 40 odd miles per gallon seems the right estimate. Matt.
21st Dec 2007, 10:11
I own an MG ZR+ 1.4...I love it! It's electric blue which, I admit, is my favorite part about it.
However, we've had no 'real' probs with the MG (apart from when we had an accident). The only thing I would say is that the brakes aren't brilliant. Buuutt - I would recommend the MG to anyone and everyone. It looks good, it sounds great and handles corners beautifully - which is amazing.
9th Apr 2008, 13:47
Hey I have a mg Zr on a 02 wen I drive it and rev it up it vibrates from the accelerate any ideas thanks.
9th Aug 2008, 18:14
I've just bought a 1.4 (105 bhp). It's on 53 plate and is my first car, so I cannot compare to any others apart from my friends and cars I learnt in.
It is considerably quicker than any other 1.4 made on the road today, and handles like a dream; it just sticks to the road.
I have heard of the head gasket problems, but this tends to only happen if you have it chipped or if it has been mistreated when driving or when maintaining.
My brother had a 1.4 for 2 yrs and had nothing wrong with it at all, so maybe your cars that are going wrong have been previously owned by people who don't have a clue about cars, and he has now bought a 1.8 (160 bhp), which is stunning.
However my 1.4 has come with the full service history, and no problems that have occurred. It ticks over perfectly starts first time on a cold day, and beats the majority of the 1.6 engines. One problem is that it does seem to drink the fuel, but what can you expect from the twin cam injection.
Highly recommend the vehicle to first time drivers, but I really wouldn't mind having one of the new MGs when they are in production.
Lloyd.
10th Aug 2008, 10:05
Well I had one and maintained it to a high degree and it still went on me. These engines are renowned for HGF, its not just a myth, and you will find the 160 bhp version is even more prone to it I'm afraid.
6th Sep 2008, 10:37
I am looking for an MG ZR as a first time buyer. I just like the car. It looks superb. manex
2nd Oct 2008, 12:07
Hi guys. Well before I start, I would just like to say that I have a 105bhp yellow MG ZR, and I love it... but...
A few weeks ago I put a new radiator in her and filled her with the recommended flush (pink stuff), and for 2 weeks she ran sweet as a nut, then one day the ECU light came on out of the blue, so I popped the bonnet and noticed the water ex tank was emptyish, so I put enough in to take it to the max mark, and ran her for ten minutes and away I went.
Two weeks later I was returning from Scotland and the ECU light came on again, but I was in the middle of nowhere so I just left it, but 10 seconds later the temp went sky high and the engine cut out, so with hazards on I looked under the hood, and to my utter disgust, I noticed there was oil in the water expansion tank, so I took off the oil cap and all was revealed, BLOWN HEAD GASKET.
I got the car taken to a garage I trust and paid 341.00 for it to get fixed. 3 days later when I picked it up it felt fab, BUT... the next morning I noticed a pool of fluid under the car. I put my finger in and it was sticky, so I knew it was coolant, so back to the garage I went, only to get told that the water pump had gone; 150 to repair... well I've booked the car in to get the new water pump, so we will see what she is like when I get her back next week.
So to sum up, YES I do agree that the K-series 105 is a bad head gasket failure, but I have a few good pointers to other 105 owners out there:
1. Check your water weekly.
2. Use the recommended fluids; oil, coolant, etc.
3. If your ECU light comes on, stop and turn off engine ASAP.
4. If you're unlucky enough to have a head gasket failure, make sure you get the head skimmed AND pressure tested, and make sure the gasket they use is the Land Rover triple layer gasket. I would recommend getting a new water pump fitted at the same time as the head gasket; the pump is only 23.50 so it makes sense.
5. If your engine feels flat or stuttery in idle, replace the sparks, but be ready to pay 30 quid as they are platinum sparks.
6. If your heaters go cold instead of hot, you have air in the water system. Get it bled at a garage you trust, if you don't get it bled properly I can promise you your head gasket will go within 300 miles.
7. Pay attention to a lack of power; it's normally the first sign that something is about to fail (head gasket, water pump)
Well I hope that this comment helps a few MG ZR owners out there..
You can view my car at www.themgzr.co.uk or on Myspace at xboxtech@hotmail.com. If you would like to ask me anything about the ZR, you can e-mail me at xboxtech@hotmail.com
HAPPY MOTORING PEOPLE
PS. THE 105 CAN RUN RINGS ROUND THE VTR, FIESTA 1.6, C2, ASTRA 1.6, VECTRA 1.6, AND LOTS OF OTHER CARS. You can trust me on this as I have been racing in my ZR for 5 years.
5th Feb 2005, 21:23
Well my ZR certainly struggled to hit 110mph so I think 112mph is about right. I have been told speedos are way out on the ZR so I probably didn't hit the top speed anyway. I agree it is great car is some respects, but the bad points let it down...badly! And it is craving for more power. it will have a bright future I think, but it will be with boy racers and people who want a bit of driving fun with little money. they are ten-a-penny now so prices are silly low. I found it to be a good learning curve car. it gives you a taster of what the serious performance cars are like, without the 'go'. felt a bit sad when I traded it in, but my Evo 5 GSR was a dream come true. totally rapid machine. and unbelieveable handling. having said that I have still to drive a better handling FWD car than the ZR in the dry, it was useless in the wet. glad your happy with the Ibiza. I used to have one too. well made cars and they look the business as well like you said with the big wheels etc.