What to look for on 75/ZT

Kandyman · 2nd November 2006, 02:50

What to look for

It is said that the 75s produced by MG Rover at Longbridge are better than those built by BMW at Oxford, and the handling is superior, too. The easiest way to distinguish a Longbridge example is that they have body-coloured sills rather than the Oxford-made cars' black ones.

Checklist
* Interior: cabin can suffer water ingress (causing ECU problems), although this is fixed in later cars by a redesigned drainage system. Check drain points - there's one on each side, plus a centre one at the base of the pollen filter and ECU.

* Electrics: ensure everything works, as problems are known. Be especially wary of SRS connector to seat, which can lead to the airbags failing; dealers can eradicate fault by retro-fitting revised connectors.

* Engines: the 2.0 diesel and 2.5 V6 petrol units are reliable, but head gasket failure is known on 1.8 petrols because of low coolant capacity. Small leaks soon lead to overheating - the weakest point is the water-heated inlet manifold gasket.

* Keys: make sure you get two keys and test them both when you buy the car, and check neither of them has broken. Replacing them could cost you up to £150 apiece by the time the necessary reprogramming has been carried out.

* Tyres: rubber often wears unevenly, especially at the rear. Some cars had cars had misaligned suspension when new. Check back tyre wear on early models; best solution is to get a four-wheel alignment done. Front coil springs also prone to breaking.

Recalls
March 2000: Engine may cut out while the vehicle is being driven (Feb 1998-Oct 1999 cars).
July 2002: Front suspension spring problems (Dec 1998-Oct 1999 cars).
May 2004: Possible damage and deflation of tyre due to road spring (Oct 1999-Feb 2002 cars).

Thanks to http://uk.cars.yahoo.com/ for the Information

Keith · 5th November 2006, 10:42

Ooooo that will set the cat amongst the pigeons

The Cowley brigade will retaliate with a barrage or real wood veneer's no project drive related parts missing better suspension (so I am told)

The ZT guys will say nothing as it does not apply to them although a bit of drive did

We as Mods of the forum couldn't possible decide one way or another

But some of us have the best of both worlds, pre drive vintage early Longbridge. Sounds like a fine wine in the making doesn't it!

No, not gearbox 'Whine'

Commodore · 5th November 2006, 11:55

Hi Keith

Quote:

Originally Posted by Keith

Ooooo that will set the cat amongst the pigeons
The Cowley brigade will retaliate with a barrage or real wood veneer's no project drive related parts missing better suspension (so I am told)

I thought the Longbridge 75's had the better suspension - and the better handling?

Keith · 5th November 2006, 12:18

By better I mean from a ride perspective and only based on things Brad was saying I think he mentioned the early 2.0V6 had a different suspension setup

I could be completely wrong though!

shifter · 5th November 2006, 12:52

Hey-At least they were both built in ENGLAND!!!

JP53 · 5th November 2006, 15:21

Quote:

Originally Posted by shifter

Hey-At least they were both built in ENGLAND!!!

YES, and they don't have a BMW badge on :lol:

Phil · 5th November 2006, 15:28

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kandyman

What to look for

* Keys: make sure you get both master and ignition keys when you buy the car, and check neither of them has broken. Replacing them could cost you up to £150 apiece by the time the necessary reprogramming has been carried out.

Thanks to http://uk.cars.yahoo.com/ for the Information

They have master keys? I've only got two regular keys! Do they have learning keys then?!

Mike · 5th November 2006, 15:44

Quote:

Originally Posted by Phil

They have master keys? I've only got two regular keys! Do they have learning keys then?!

No the cars don't. It's a Yahoo foul up

If you've got 2 keys then you are fully equipped.

hth

Mike

Commodore · 5th November 2006, 15:58

Quote:

Originally Posted by John Phillips

YES, and they don't have a BMW badge on :lol:

Better still - if you look at the interior light inside your boot (on the saloons at least, don't know about the tourer) said light actually has the old 1980s Austin Rover logo on it!!!!

Chris

JP53 · 5th November 2006, 16:22

Quote:

Originally Posted by Commodore

Better still - if you look at the interior light inside your boot (on the saloons at least, don't know about the tourer) said light actually has the old 1980s Austin Rover logo on it!!!!

Chris

Well I never knew that. I bet they are the ones they used as interior lights.

2nd November 2006, 02:50	#1
Kandyman Banned ROVER 75 2.5 V6 Connoisseur SE Limousine 2004 Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Welling Posts: 10,995 Thanks: 0 Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts	What to look for on 75/ZT What to look for It is said that the 75s produced by MG Rover at Longbridge are better than those built by BMW at Oxford, and the handling is superior, too. The easiest way to distinguish a Longbridge example is that they have body-coloured sills rather than the Oxford-made cars' black ones. Checklist * Interior: cabin can suffer water ingress (causing ECU problems), although this is fixed in later cars by a redesigned drainage system. Check drain points - there's one on each side, plus a centre one at the base of the pollen filter and ECU. * Electrics: ensure everything works, as problems are known. Be especially wary of SRS connector to seat, which can lead to the airbags failing; dealers can eradicate fault by retro-fitting revised connectors. * Engines: the 2.0 diesel and 2.5 V6 petrol units are reliable, but head gasket failure is known on 1.8 petrols because of low coolant capacity. Small leaks soon lead to overheating - the weakest point is the water-heated inlet manifold gasket. * Keys: make sure you get two keys and test them both when you buy the car, and check neither of them has broken. Replacing them could cost you up to £150 apiece by the time the necessary reprogramming has been carried out. * Tyres: rubber often wears unevenly, especially at the rear. Some cars had cars had misaligned suspension when new. Check back tyre wear on early models; best solution is to get a four-wheel alignment done. Front coil springs also prone to breaking. Recalls March 2000: Engine may cut out while the vehicle is being driven (Feb 1998-Oct 1999 cars). July 2002: Front suspension spring problems (Dec 1998-Oct 1999 cars). May 2004: Possible damage and deflation of tyre due to road spring (Oct 1999-Feb 2002 cars). Thanks to http://uk.cars.yahoo.com/ for the Information Last edited by Kandyman; 20th November 2006 at 21:41..

5th November 2006, 10:42	#2
Keith This is my second home ZT400 Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Ellesmere Posts: 5,948 Thanks: 0 Thanked 43 Times in 29 Posts	Ooooo that will set the cat amongst the pigeons The Cowley brigade will retaliate with a barrage or real wood veneer's no project drive related parts missing better suspension (so I am told) The ZT guys will say nothing as it does not apply to them although a bit of drive did We as Mods of the forum couldn't possible decide one way or another But some of us have the best of both worlds, pre drive vintage early Longbridge. Sounds like a fine wine in the making doesn't it! No, not gearbox 'Whine'

5th November 2006, 12:18	#4
Keith This is my second home ZT400 Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Ellesmere Posts: 5,948 Thanks: 0 Thanked 43 Times in 29 Posts	By better I mean from a ride perspective and only based on things Brad was saying I think he mentioned the early 2.0V6 had a different suspension setup I could be completely wrong though!

5th November 2006, 12:52	#5
shifter Avid contributor Mg Ztt Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Maidenhead Posts: 137 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Hey-At least they were both built in ENGLAND!!!