My Pearl Black '04 ZT CDTi + 135

coolasacucumber · 8th February 2013, 22:35

Following on from my previous thread asking for a bit of advice, I have just arrived home with my new car!

Saw it advertised on the net for a reasonable price, 2004 54 plate ZT CDTi + 135 model in metallic, possibly pearlescent black(?).

I won't bore you with too many details, but the drive home was fantastic, much better than I'd anticipated.

The car has covered 91k miles, but it still feels so tight and responsive, everything from acceleration to handling, braking, steering etc, the feel of it is more like a car with half or a third of the mileage.

The handling especially impressed me. When accelerating out of A & B road tight corners, it just so, well, planted for want of a better expression. It gives a very sure, and confident drive.

If I'm honest, I am somewhat underwhelmed with a few things. The spec levels leave a bit to be desired... No trip computer, no cabin ambient lighting etc etc, but that's probably just the model that I have bought (?).

Here are some pictures:-

I do have a few plans for it, I'm not normally one to leave a car standard!

It no particular order, but things that I have have already noticed need (want) to change are:-

Stereo - it has the flip screen tape & boot cd changer. Although the quality is ok, I need to be able to attach my iPhone & Pod somehow... Any suggestions welcome.

The wheels, whilst not the worst that I have seen, really could do with some attention. Ideally I'd like to get them refurbished, possibly in a dark anthracite colour. I'll need a couple of tyres soon too.

The front MG badge has faded somewhat, so that'll need replacing, possibly with a black, carbon, or anthracite effect one.

The drivers seat, whilst in pretty good condition, does have some bobbling on the alcantara, so I'll try and tackle that, delicately!

The bodywork could do with a good t-cut, mop & polish, so I may look into getting that done professionally, then keep on top of it regularly. I've not had a black car for a while, but my memory is that they are a nigtmare to keep clean!

I don't like 'GB' number plates, so I'll be getting some new ones, possibly with the full size rear, but I can't decide if I'll prefer it the smaller size

As I was viewing it, the rear number plate lights both went out! It could be a fuse, or something more sinister, so I'll have to look into that asap. I'd like to replace the bulbs with LED's anyway.

On that note, I'd like to replace the interior light bulbs with LED's too, for a bit more of a modern feel.

The drivers mat, whilst original, has a little wear hole in it, so I'll probably replace them with a new set from ebay.

When I get a new car, I like to go way over the top and give it a really good clean, so that's coming soon too!

I'd appreciate any comments, ideas & suggestions please. This is my first MG, so I'm very new to this game!

Thanks for looking.

coolasacucumber · 8th February 2013, 22:40

One other strange problem occured on my journey home - when I got to 60mph & above, the red light on the dash for an open door, bonnet, boot etc came on. I pulled straight over to check, and all were shut properly.

Pulled off, and the same thing happened again, but only over 60, if I slowed down, it went off!

I'm guessing there is a faulty sensor, but that may be fun to locate & check...

Petetourer · 8th February 2013, 22:44

Quote:

Originally Posted by coolasacucumber

One other strange problem occured on my journey home - when I got to 60mph & above, the red light on the dash for an open door, bonnet, boot etc came on. I pulled straight over to check, and all were shut properly.

Pulled off, and the same thing happened again, but only over 60, if I slowed down, it went off!

I'm guessing there is a faulty sensor, but that may be fun to locate & check...

More than likely the bonnet switch

Easy fix.....

When you open the bonnet, you will see the swith on the slam panel...

Oh, and for your boobly alacantara, try shaving it

Seriously, it works....

spyder · 8th February 2013, 22:46

Congratulations on your buy. Use the search function for a lot of info on here. Badges are available and lots more.
The bonnet light is very common, just put a spacer between the bonnet and switch, the cover does come loose and get water in it as well. A small flat screwdriver is needed to slip it back into place.

coolasacucumber · 8th February 2013, 23:03

That'll be the first fix tomorrow then! Thanks for the advice. How did we all survive before the internet??

coolasacucumber · 8th February 2013, 23:04

Can anyone clear up my paint colour query? Is it pearl or 'just' metallic black?

Thanks!

Dragrad · 8th February 2013, 23:08

One very important check...... the PLENUMS

Nice looking car btw.... hope you manage to sort out the niggles and enjoy the car.

One thing I have always done with every vehicle I have bought is to change all the fluids, filters and check the brakes (regardless of service history).

You then have a bench mark of what has been done when

Dragrad · 8th February 2013, 23:11

Quote:

Originally Posted by coolasacucumber

Can anyone clear up my paint colour query? Is it pearl or 'just' metallic black?

Thanks!

The paint code should be on the front passenger door pillar.

Some useful links nicked from Reebs' signature

Check your trim here . Check your spec here
Check your colour here . Check Project Drive here
Check your original price here

Brabus · 9th February 2013, 08:44

Car looks great .The MK2 ZT looks best in black. Good luck with her.

suffolk boy · 9th February 2013, 09:18

re the warning light as mentioned most likely the bonnet.open it up look at the x2 holes where the pins go in.you should see a lug sticking out.if not slacked of the x2 bolts a tadge they will then pop out.oil well and they should be ok.you also find by doing this the relase lever in the car will no longer be slack.failing all this if it still happens get a felt pad the type you put on the bottom of chair legs to stop them marking the floor and stick that under the bonnet above the switch.do not press down hard on the front of the bonnet.otherwise you will end up with two hand size dents in it.

8th February 2013, 22:35	#1
coolasacucumber Gets stuck in '54 Black MG ZT CDTi + 160 Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Blackburn Posts: 749 Thanks: 24 Thanked 21 Times in 17 Posts	My Pearl Black '04 ZT CDTi + 135 Following on from my previous thread asking for a bit of advice, I have just arrived home with my new car! Saw it advertised on the net for a reasonable price, 2004 54 plate ZT CDTi + 135 model in metallic, possibly pearlescent black(?). I won't bore you with too many details, but the drive home was fantastic, much better than I'd anticipated. The car has covered 91k miles, but it still feels so tight and responsive, everything from acceleration to handling, braking, steering etc, the feel of it is more like a car with half or a third of the mileage. The handling especially impressed me. When accelerating out of A & B road tight corners, it just so, well, planted for want of a better expression. It gives a very sure, and confident drive. If I'm honest, I am somewhat underwhelmed with a few things. The spec levels leave a bit to be desired... No trip computer, no cabin ambient lighting etc etc, but that's probably just the model that I have bought (?). Here are some pictures:- I do have a few plans for it, I'm not normally one to leave a car standard! It no particular order, but things that I have have already noticed need (want) to change are:- Stereo - it has the flip screen tape & boot cd changer. Although the quality is ok, I need to be able to attach my iPhone & Pod somehow... Any suggestions welcome. The wheels, whilst not the worst that I have seen, really could do with some attention. Ideally I'd like to get them refurbished, possibly in a dark anthracite colour. I'll need a couple of tyres soon too. The front MG badge has faded somewhat, so that'll need replacing, possibly with a black, carbon, or anthracite effect one. The drivers seat, whilst in pretty good condition, does have some bobbling on the alcantara, so I'll try and tackle that, delicately! The bodywork could do with a good t-cut, mop & polish, so I may look into getting that done professionally, then keep on top of it regularly. I've not had a black car for a while, but my memory is that they are a nigtmare to keep clean! I don't like 'GB' number plates, so I'll be getting some new ones, possibly with the full size rear, but I can't decide if I'll prefer it the smaller size As I was viewing it, the rear number plate lights both went out! It could be a fuse, or something more sinister, so I'll have to look into that asap. I'd like to replace the bulbs with LED's anyway. On that note, I'd like to replace the interior light bulbs with LED's too, for a bit more of a modern feel. The drivers mat, whilst original, has a little wear hole in it, so I'll probably replace them with a new set from ebay. When I get a new car, I like to go way over the top and give it a really good clean, so that's coming soon too! I'd appreciate any comments, ideas & suggestions please. This is my first MG, so I'm very new to this game! Thanks for looking. Last edited by coolasacucumber; 4th April 2013 at 08:44..

8th February 2013, 22:46	#4
spyder This is my second home 75 CDT Auto Tourer , Rover 45 , Astra, Zaffira, Chev Captiva Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Wilts Posts: 3,342 Thanks: 203 Thanked 436 Times in 360 Posts	Congratulations on your buy. Use the search function for a lot of info on here. Badges are available and lots more. The bonnet light is very common, just put a spacer between the bonnet and switch, the cover does come loose and get water in it as well. A small flat screwdriver is needed to slip it back into place. __________________ Chrome skull caps, EGR cleaned (original housing), Mondeo lower mounting, 12V outlets in the armrest and tourer boot, cat fixed, working FBH, Lidl plenum covers, DD with reverse camera.New speakesr/Tweeters with MDF rings. wood dash, Memory leather seats, wooden finished steering and handbrake, Xenon headlights.

8th February 2013, 23:08	#7
Dragrad This is my second home *None DROWNED** Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Cardigan Posts: 33,339 Thanks: 1,257 Thanked 1,664 Times in 1,081 Posts	One very important check...... the PLENUMS Nice looking car btw.... hope you manage to sort out the niggles and enjoy the car. One thing I have always done with every vehicle I have bought is to change all the fluids, filters and check the brakes (regardless of service history). You then have a bench mark of what has been done when __________________ Andrew Ich Dien Problem solving is... lateral thinking SEARCH FIRST ...ASK LATER...

9th February 2013, 08:44	#9
Brabus This is my second home 01 75 tourer cdt,1973 Rover 3500S,,1974 Rover 3500 Auto,1998 216 SE Coupe, 1968 Morris Minor 1000 Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: bangor/down Posts: 4,839 Thanks: 62 Thanked 184 Times in 158 Posts	Car looks great .The MK2 ZT looks best in black. Good luck with her. __________________ Regards Neale [SIGPIC][/SIGPIC] 121st 75 Tourer to be made 15th 75 Tourer CDT Club SE to be made 36th 75 Tourer in Zircon Silver Metallic to be made Membership No 903 I was one of the 541

9th February 2013, 09:18	#10
suffolk boy This is my second home fiat panda Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: haverhill Posts: 6,720 Thanks: 96 Thanked 586 Times in 526 Posts	re the warning light as mentioned most likely the bonnet.open it up look at the x2 holes where the pins go in.you should see a lug sticking out.if not slacked of the x2 bolts a tadge they will then pop out.oil well and they should be ok.you also find by doing this the relase lever in the car will no longer be slack.failing all this if it still happens get a felt pad the type you put on the bottom of chair legs to stop them marking the floor and stick that under the bonnet above the switch.do not press down hard on the front of the bonnet.otherwise you will end up with two hand size dents in it. __________________ fiat panda 1.2 eco

8th February 2013, 22:40	#2
coolasacucumber Gets stuck in '54 Black MG ZT CDTi + 160 Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Blackburn Posts: 749 Thanks: 24 Thanked 21 Times in 17 Posts	One other strange problem occured on my journey home - when I got to 60mph & above, the red light on the dash for an open door, bonnet, boot etc came on. I pulled straight over to check, and all were shut properly. Pulled off, and the same thing happened again, but only over 60, if I slowed down, it went off! I'm guessing there is a faulty sensor, but that may be fun to locate & check...

8th February 2013, 23:03	#5
coolasacucumber Gets stuck in '54 Black MG ZT CDTi + 160 Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Blackburn Posts: 749 Thanks: 24 Thanked 21 Times in 17 Posts	That'll be the first fix tomorrow then! Thanks for the advice. How did we all survive before the internet??

8th February 2013, 23:04	#6
coolasacucumber Gets stuck in '54 Black MG ZT CDTi + 160 Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Blackburn Posts: 749 Thanks: 24 Thanked 21 Times in 17 Posts	Can anyone clear up my paint colour query? Is it pearl or 'just' metallic black? Thanks!