75 and ZT corrosion issues v other makes.
 

I have both a 2004 (facelift) ZT and a 2004 Nissan K12 Micra.

Washed them both this morning (when you have, and have to park one car under a very large tree you very soon lose your love of our larger feathered friends).

They are both the same age to within a few months, and both on similar miles (126k & 121k) and I know the micra has never been garaged.

Unfortunately, I have to say the Micra has aged much better than the MG.

Corrosion.. ...

The MG has rust starting in the usual places on both sills, both rear suspension arms rusted out and been replaced along with all brake pipes.

The Micra on the other hand has not a spot of visible Corrosion anywhere and has not needed any major components replacing unlike the MG

In fact, washed, polished and buffed, the Micra looks the same as the day it rolled out the showroom.

The interior hasn't fared as well as the MG , BUT, it's had a lot more abuse (it's the general runaround and dog car) but is still very presentable.

Overall I am very surprised.

There can be reasons for this other than steel or build quality. For example a car which has spent much of its life in London where roads are generally not gritted in Winter will fare better than one kept elsewhere. Likewise cars in coastal towns generally fare badly with corrosion.

My 05-reg has just needed its first corrosion repair, an offside rear sill panel welded in. Back in the day it wasn't uncommon to see Austins, Morrises etc with the wheelarches rotted away at 18 months old.

Couldn't agree more, you very rarely see rusty cars these days which until cars of the late 80's/90's was almost the norm.

My own father bought a brand new 1979 Lada 1300 ES (BVV 984T), and although it wasn't in any way cosseted it certainly wasn't neglected, but at just 7yrs old corrosion took it to the scrapyard.

One of my first cars was a 1974 rover p6, low mileage with perfect interior. Yet it was scrapped less than 9 years of age with shocking rust.

I've had several 75's and, touch wood, never had a corrosion problem. My present 2004 CDTi seems to be excellent. On the other hand, I had an S type Jaguar, (2004) that was rotten. A check of MOT histories on a large number of these cars advertised for sale showed it was a very common problem. This was followed by a 2009 X type, also with corrosion problems. The 2.7D S type was beautiful to drive but was forever going into limp mode without bringing up a code. The X type 2.00D had seemingly impossible to correct limp mode problems, drove like a tractor and was going to cost more than the car was worth to sort out the rot. On my rovers I was let down by a high pressure pump solenoid and with my 1st one, a flooded and wrecked ECU. Otherwise, many years of reliable motoring.

Of even more value, this forum has members able and willing to help with literally any problem. I was on 2 Jag forums and it seemed that there was little knowledge and little interest in helping other members.

I had the same issue with my 5 year old 2.0d x. Although it sounded like a transit, it drove superbly, when it did start and continue to run. Forums as you said were useless. But now the Facebook group appears to be excellent, much the same as this forum is. Unfortunately about 7 years too late for me to find out the likely cause for the limp mode - turbo actuator, main dealer could not sort it either. I am.led to believe that it was scrapped or broken for parts at 6 years old, no corrosion, and only a small crack on the rear plastic lower balance to let it down.

I still have a jag itch to scratch, but the x experience makes me reluctant (an xj 2.7 or 3.0 is coming.some.day lol)

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I had a Toyota Corona 2.0 coupe. Excellent engine and gearbox, very good underneath but the I eventually gave up on the body. A quick rubdown and an even quicker spray with some left over 2 part paint from my coach respray managed to make it look respectable for an extra year.

When it was going well I drove the S Type with a huge smile on my face. It was smooth, fairly quick and for a reasonably high performance car, an excellent ride.

Have to say I’m impressed with the lack of rust on my Rover. 2004, 200k on the clock. No rust on the bodywork as far as I can tell, though of course the rear upper arms went.


My 3 previous cars were Beemers – my 1989 325i rotted like crazy, 1995 M3 nearly as bad. 1997 M3 almost none, but it spent most of its life before I got it on the Isle of Wight, where I understand they don’t have to salt the roads… the Rover is way better from a corrosion point of view :D

My elderly mum had a 2000 W reg micra purchased with 98000 miles on the clock. Had it 7 years never did any real miles in it approx 3000 miles done mainly by me and the family when our cars were in for repairs etc. Never changed the oil or put any water in it and it was as reliable as a new car. Two rear patches at the end of the rear sills was all it had. Sold it 5 years ago when my dad passed away to get her a newer car. The Micra is still going strong today!:} No two cars are the same, different environments and accident history etc can have a huge effect on the body works longevity.