Interms of reliability and overall performance which is the best engine
 

For myself without doubt the 135CDTI. Superb engine in both examples that I own - one with 262,000 miles and the other with 120,000 miles. I do about 25,000 miles pa in the current 05 plate.


Followed by the 4.6l ZT 260 which I have had for eight years and apart from the replacement compressor it has been no problem.


Next in line is a ZT 190 which I have had for five years and no problem.


Bringing up the rear was the 75 1.8Ti Conti - now replaced by a very reliable 400 1.6l

Have to agree that the Diesel is a superb engine made even better by the 160 Re-Map 182974 miles and still going well


Next is the K series 1.8 at 94K followed by the K series 1.4 at 98K..all running well....I shall now run off to find some wood to touch..:getmecoat:

You've opened up a can of worms here!

The diesel probably offers the best balance of reliability/performance/economy but having had two and now a 1.8T, I prefer the petrol. The worst I would say is the 2.0V6 which, though refined, is slow and thirsty.

I think the general consensus is that the 2.0 diesel is the best engine in terms of reliability - Mine has been pretty flawless so far, i've not had any mechanical problems, but then again it's only on 70K miles, and I've only owned it for 3 of those 70 thousand. It's not too slow either, I recorded a 0-60 time of 10.3 seconds, I think the official is around 10.6 (So i'm not sure what was going on there) and mine's not been remapped. It's perfectly respectable, but aside from a remap and a performance air filter and some intake mods, I'm pretty sure that there's not too much potential for tuning. As for performance, obviously the 4.6 is the best, and you can whack a supercharger on it to increase power to something like 400HP, but aside from that, i've heard the 1.8 has a few modifications able to be done that can increase power to over 200HP, which is pretty decent.


That being said, i've never owned any other MG Rover cars aside from the one I have now, so I can't comment on the reliability of the other engines.

The diesel is normally perceived as the most reliable as it is seen to rack up the miles, as it happens its probably the version that needs the most maintenance!

Underbonnet fuel pump.
In tank fuel pump.
Wet ECU.
Injector leakback.
High pressure pump leaks.
Failing thermostat.

Apart from that, they are not too bad :D

A remapped 1.8T will see off all the others bar the V8. They are surprisingly quick actually (especially in the cold), and it obviously weighs less too which also helps including in the twisties.

I've owned three K-series engines over the last 15 years, never had any real issues at all. I really cannot understand how some people apparently have so many problems with them. :shrug:

I also have a T-series, which is OK, but it's a heavy lump and constantly leaks oil out of somewhere.

Diesels
 

I have always owned Diesel 75s & ZTs (Since around 2003) and in total around 7 of them.
I still enjoy the way the car pulls,especially from low down in the revs (much better than my Mazda Diesel).
But I have to agree, they are very maintenance heavy, In fact, I have had the AA out to every single one of them, at some point, (The only person in my street !). And one of them was, without question, the most unreliable car I have ever owned! and would have gladly paid the showroom to take it when part exchanging it.
They are, However, mostly very easy to diagnose and fix (mostly because of this forum), and very easy to service, with parts cheap and easy to get.
Will struggle to find any kind of replacement.

Diesel for me too. All the talk of slave and master problems are probably true, but once sorted they go on and on. They don't get HGF and don't need timing belts changing. Peace of mind really, and the fuel economy is great. I can jump in and go anywhere in the UK with confidence.

Just like me, which is probably why I like it! :D None of those quart in a pint pot turbos, no stinky diesels, just press the pedal and it goes.... and goes.... and ....:shrug:

Do people ever wonder why it is always diesel owners that start and mostly contribute to these posts?

Perhaps due to a need to prove (or disapprove) something? ;):D

For me, the order would be as follows, taking account of the character of the car in which the engine is fitted.

1. 1.8k/1.8T

2. V6

3. Diesel (I actually own one, so not biased against diesels)

The V8 is in a specialist category on its own - if you own one, it will be the best. If you don't you will either dream of owning one or will constantly argue that the diesel is more powerful! :eek:

I posted on a similar topic a few years ago here.

https://the75andztclub.co.uk/forum/s...7&postcount=30