ZT V8 information please...

[Stu C]

Hello all, well i'll be starting my new job soon, Thursday in fact :lol: so doing some homework for myself. Hopefully after a couple of months in this position i want to change my car to something more tasteful and fun. A ZT :cool:

I only work 5 minutes round the corner so the car will only get used at weekends for pleasure, so i'm thinking of a ZT 260. Now, i'm totally new to these cars (been on dervs for last 3 years or so) and a bit dubious about buying something like this without knowing the cons - and pros! - of having such a unique car.

I don't really want to spend a fair chunk of dosh on it, only to have to spend even more money putting expensive things right on it. So if you guys can give me some handy tips and stuff to watch out for, i would be mostly grateful! :o

Regards

Stuart

[AURORA MG]

Where abouts are you from as my old ZT260SE is for sale at a dealer in the Epsom area & it's a lovely car!

[Keith]

Welcome to the site Stuart

Rather than double guessing what you may or may not know about the 260 and repeating what has be written here previously which I am sure you have already searched for and read why not tell us what you already know and what specifically you would now like to know about the 260

for example do you have any experience of any of the 75 and ZT range?

If not then get out and drive some :)

[Stu C]

Thanks for the welcome, bit of a lurker as ive only got a 600 heh.

I don't really know much about the 260, ive read some snippets about different problems, but sort of goes over my head at the moment, although i'm starting to take more note as i'm looking into getting one.

I've had experiance of the ZT, driven couple of the CDTi's and some 190's too, really nice cars, i'm a fan of big cars none of these little puddle jumpers you see people driving at my age ;)

Done some insurance quotes, and being with elephant at the moment, quoted me a rather (what i consider) good figure, but would sound high to everyone else! at the ripe old age of 21 (22 in July).

I know what everyones going to think now i've said that, but when i'm driving 44 tonnes of weight every day, i consider myself a tiny bit safer then some young chaps, no offence to anyone though! :jig: :o

I know from talking to a chap who bought one to a meet that its a very sexy motor and was just in awe looking at it. But if some big problems are straight forward to fix then i can consider this and (get someone else) to do it ;)

Thanks all!

Stuart

[GreyGhost]

You'll not be the youngest owner on here Stuart, in any event we are not an ageist community, some of us may be a little jealous of your youth but then we've all been there. :)

[Keith]

Stuart
the V8 motor is virtually unburstable not in a high state of tune at 260BHP but comes with bags of Torque, Rincewind has gone from 0 to 155 in 5th gear alone!

I drive mine like a big Diesel letting the grunt of the engine in 4th and 5th do the work the car is very rapid on the move it is far far quicker than my 190

The bits that matter engine drive train suspension etc are well sorted and the rest of the car is virtually standard ZT so no different from a day to day point of view

Where they have problems is probably down to lack of development money for sorting out the V8 unique design differences primarily the air con/heating system on some cars can be a pain for a variety of reasons

Although my car has 40K on the clock and the AC is fine
The original top hose to the heater mixer valve is prone to bursting but a better hose is available for less than the MGR oem one so not a problem now.

The heater mixer valve can leak both internally which causes the interior of the car to get hot and is probably the prime reason for the AC to be blamed as not being good enough and the valve can also leak externally

These valves are just horrible and I am looking at alternatives or at least getting a cheaper version of the same valve

Some cars chew their front belt

Tyre wear is poor fuel consumption is poor around town but better on a decent run

Common sense says get one in Band F (pre march 2006) for cheaper car tax

Biggest Achilles heel at the moment is the price of rear disks £300+ each if replacements are required until we get a third party company to make some

Otherwise same issues as any other 75 ZT one thing they don't suffer from is drowned ECUs as they are above the glovebox

Insurance for my 260 was less than my 190 on a classic car policy
but only MGs are eligible not the Rover 75 V8

[Jules]

Hello Stuart
Welcome to the world of ZT's!!

Just to add to Keith's bit' there are a few querks with these cars but most don't cost anything or very little to put right just time

The little list is summerised here and just use the search tab to find these topics:

1. Bonnet cable release mod.
2. Plenum chambers/ drains.
3. Heater hose mod.
4. Cooling fan resistor check.
5. Bonnet Gap

Final word buy a 260 NOW:o

[Keith]

Final word buy a 260 NOW:o

Don't say that I am in a bit of a quandry and I seriously thinking of selling my ZT saloon :( as I really should have bought a ZTT version :)
At the moment I keep finding too many reasons not to sell my 190 ZTT apart from it looks so very nice! but I really can't justify running three cars for much longer and do need an estate!

I wonder if anyone wants to do a swap!

[JohnDotCom]

In my opinion the Tourers are Great Work Horses and carry every thing I need. They are of course great for everyday driving.
The main thing is you still have all the Comforts of the Saloon Ranges plus more and looks great when out.

[Mike]

Best stick with the slow and steady Diesel Stuart - much safer for an oldie like you ;)

[Keith]

Only one (arguably) down side with the V8 Tourer or at least the two I test drove, they felt a little bit looser at the back due I assume to the extra weight behind the axle than the saloon but seeing as I tend to use mine for fun only and wouldn't even think of driving it on ice that is not such a big problem.

[Stu C]

Best stick with the slow and steady Diesel Stuart - much safer for an oldie like you ;)

Mike! :p: Well, as you know bud, i've had derv for the last 4 years now for the economy of uni etc... and now ill be driving a 13 litre derv every day, so somthing for a huge grin will be a great suprise to me!

Thank you everyone for the information, it's really appreciated. Reading about the information put up, it is a matter of having the time and patients to fix any what is essentially "niggly" problems..

Or pay someone on here to come do them for me :grouphug: heh..

My mum asked me the other day when i was looking at some tourers and saloons, "oh you dont want an estate do you?" i was like hell i dont care, there both beautiful, and the estate would be awesome when i go abroad in it!

All being well, come the end of May, after ive had couple pay packets gone in, ill be getting one. Be good timing for Germany in July too!:jig: :driving:

[pmessling]

as a youngster aswell, 24, i was 23 when i got my 260 and would recommend one, it always gets looks at shows and suprises people because they don't know what is lurking under the bonnet and has a massive grin factor when ever i drive it.