MG ZR, Are they worth it?

Question

Im looking to buy a car and have always wanted a MG ZR. My mate is selling 1 and i'm tempted to buy however im a bit worried about some issues. Are they still worth the money, what are the running costs like and should any problem occur is it still easy to get replacement parts?

If not can you suggest an alternative car around the same price (4-5k) with similar looks/nippy performance?

Thanks.

Answer 1

The demise of Rover should have brought prices down, so I should assume these things are a bit of a bargain. Of course, getting new parts might be tricky with Rover now dead, but the car it's kased on (Rover 200/25) has been around for donkeys and there's quite a few around, and it's the same story with the K-series engine the car comes with.

However, with this engine, you need to be aware of head gasket problems. The K-series is notorious for this.

They're probably a good laugh, particularly on B-roads, but remember this is a 10yr old car, so don't expect all the clever interior design or space of more modern cars.

As for insurance, it all starts at grp. 7 for the rather modest 1.4

Answer 2

I looked at a ZR and liked it but found it a bit basic inside. i ended up getting a 2003 ZS with 25,000 miles on the clock and I love it! It is nippy and sticks to the road like glue. I don't think there are any parts issues. Go for it! MGs are quite cheap now because everyone has been put off by the Rover name.

Answer 3

It's not really the head gasket that goes on the K series engine, the fault is normally the head itself. In the post BMW years at Rover their quality control went out the window. I went to the engine factory in 2003 as part of a training course and we were told then that the alloy used to make the cylinder heads was full of air bubbles, hence its a bit hit and miss to get a good one. There was also a lot of corners being cut to save money. If the head does go it sinks into the head gasket and normally ruins it completely. It is extremely easy to overheat the K series engine, and most of the time you won't realise it happened.
Apart from that the cars are fairly easy to maintain. You'll spend next to nothing on suspension and brakes, unlike Fords!

Answer 4

Do you really want a Rover? Really? Oh well, you'll learn. Why do you think Rover went bust in the first place? They were practically giving these things away towards the end.

Just had a thought - MG got involved with Austin some years back, to produce the rather crappy MG Maestro and MG Montegeo - Austin went under soon after that little episode as well.

Save ya cash for a decent car that has decent materials and no serious known engine probs.

For that sort of cash, you'll find something better, for sure.

It's a Rover, after all - last half-decent car that they made was at least 2 or 3 DECADES back with the 3.5 V8 SDI......MG is a solid, historical name with many many years of fine heritage, shame that the name gets associated with just about any dying-on-it's-ar$e British car manufacturer.

Plus, with all those crappy MG badges and spoilers hanging off of every available surface, they look shite as well. Let's face it - it's a Rover 200 with a body kit. And a 1.4 engine? Wowser - you go careful.

Answer 5

Don't be a badge slave - look at a Hyundai Coupe 2.0 - the last of the original shape and the first of the face lifts (which are cheap because no one liked the look). As practical as the MG, handling sorted by Porsche, decent performance, hugely well equipped - full leather, stereo, electric everything - and absolutely bomb proof reliability. Much better looking than the MG (even the ugly ones - it's a coupe after all). Only criticism is poor rear headroom, extremely usable.

Answer 6

DON'T!! u will be throwing money away depreciates like hell. esp being a mg, also this car has existed for 10+ yrs, essentailly its the same car underneath, built quality is bad, technology is old too its not even risking- its meltdown, it may look good, but they use nice alloys, offers to entice u to buy go for any german(except vauxhall)= u will be laughing as they hold value. when mini was launched, second hand were selling at higher price than new. go bmw 3 series, audi a4, vw golf

Answer 7

no!!!

your friend willbe laughing if you bought it.

the mg is basically a rover taht hasn't change much for over 15 yrs, except some cosmetic changes, the fancy looks doesn't mean this car is good.

built quality is bad and this will mean lots to repair or replace, also because mg is nil, cost of repair/parts is high.
the mg's are notorious for there bad reliability issues and depreciation is awful. also running cost is very high, not forgetting all the problems it will incure!

go for a golf gti, exceptional quality, fast, built quality is great, relaibilty is good and because it is built well, will last long without problems.

Answer 8

I recommend that you contact Stanley
at www dot BetaMarine at pamlico dot net. Ask him the same question. He is well plugged in to the brit
motor vehicles and parts supply industry.
I feel certain that he will steer you in the right
direction. He has been a mechanic for years
and knows the ins and outs of vehicle repair.

Answer 9

Don't bother u can buy a better car that holds it's money for 5k. Like a Citreon Saxo or Ford Fiesta RS

Answer 10

the cars themselves were okay and spares should not be a problem for at least 10 years as Caterpiller have agreed to produce them for that length of time.

Running costs are reasonable but the cars' value has dropped like a stone, they should be very cheap to buy so your mate might decide to keep it