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General => General discussion => Topic started by: snifferdog on 30 July 2011, 20:17

Title: Best £400 I ever spent........
Post by: snifferdog on 30 July 2011, 20:17
....dunno what you guys think to em but Ive just fell in love with it on the way home (100 miles of motorways, A roads and B roads). Id rather be in the golf on the motorways but through the twisties and even on the A roads it really showed the mk4 up!  :lipsrsealed:

Its a one owner from new, FSH and recent headgasket and top end rebuild.

£400. Bargain.  :smiley: :smiley: :cool:

(http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i132/snifferdog18233/KGrHqNicE3WqgGyO3BOL9C4Tq_3.jpg)
Title: Re: Best £400 I ever spent........
Post by: tech1889 on 30 July 2011, 20:18
whatever floats ya boat mate
Title: Re: Best £400 I ever spent........
Post by: The Mighty Elvi on 30 July 2011, 20:18
Get out!


NOW!


Title: Re: Best £400 I ever spent........
Post by: Gavv8 on 30 July 2011, 20:19
Bargain mate, for £400 you can't complain :smiley:
Title: Re: Best £400 I ever spent........
Post by: The Mighty Elvi on 30 July 2011, 20:20
New head gasket and a top end rebuild on a 7 year old car.

Says it all.

Title: Re: Best £400 I ever spent........
Post by: JC on 30 July 2011, 20:27
mate, if its got 10months mot onwards then your sorted.

Rag it senseless for its mot, Then if it fails badly scrap it

:afro: from me

 :smiley:
Title: Re: Best £400 I ever spent........
Post by: snifferdog on 30 July 2011, 20:33
Oh yeah I forgot, MOT and tax until March!  :smiley:

I knew youd like it Chuff. :laugh:
Title: Re: Best £400 I ever spent........
Post by: JC on 30 July 2011, 20:38
nearly bought a diesel one meself  :shocked: :lipsrsealed:
Title: Re: Best £400 I ever spent........
Post by: Chris-White on 30 July 2011, 20:40
Like.

Got a serious soft spot for these late model MGR's ever since a mate bought a zs180 for pittance a few months back.

What engine?
Title: Re: Best £400 I ever spent........
Post by: snifferdog on 30 July 2011, 20:43
Its just the 1.4 16v 105 mate. Goes well though, the power is there when you need it  :laugh:
Title: Re: Best £400 I ever spent........
Post by: luke on 30 July 2011, 20:54
If you scrap it I'll want some parts off it  :laugh:
Title: Re: Best £400 I ever spent........
Post by: Horney on 30 July 2011, 21:01
Good cars for the money these. Get some underseal on it though, they like to rot!

Nick
Title: Re: Best £400 I ever spent........
Post by: PenguinGTI on 30 July 2011, 21:51
Cracking little buy. I too have always had a bit of a liking for these and the facelift just improved on the looks. At least you didn't get it in yellow  :laugh:
Title: Re: Best £400 I ever spent........
Post by: leegt5 on 30 July 2011, 22:18
Bargain mate...

I got a soft spot for the MG ZS180 as well. Been looking at them as well seeing as they are so cheap. I've had a couple of Rovers and they have been good cars, mind none have had the k-series engine and Rover were still trading at the time.
Title: Re: Best £400 I ever spent........
Post by: F17BAD on 30 July 2011, 22:23
looks a right bargain that, nice one  :smiley:
Title: Re: Best £400 I ever spent........
Post by: gibby on 30 July 2011, 23:58
Bargain. :afro: I'd potter round in one of those.
Title: Re: Best £400 I ever spent........
Post by: SoundillusioN on 31 July 2011, 00:02
Bargain. :afro: I'd potter round in one of those.

For £400 you would yeah!  I know these are cheap but  :shocked:

mate, if its got 10months mot onwards then your sorted.

Rag it senseless for its mot, Then if it fails badly scrap it

:afro: from me

 :smiley:

Surly that will just blow the head again!   :grin:
Title: Re: Best £400 I ever spent........
Post by: MBChB on 31 July 2011, 00:05
All of the K Series engined cars I have known have had gasket problems. £400 means you have nothing to lose, but sequential gasket failure on these cars is very common, so good luck!

Has it got the MLS gasket and strengthened oil rail? You have a marginally better chance of avoiding disappointment if it has :)
Title: Re: Best £400 I ever spent........
Post by: dragongreengolfgti on 31 July 2011, 06:49
my mum drives one of these shes 64 shes old the cars out dated and the parts are non existent plus the  headgasket will fail no matter if its been done  :laugh: apart from that its a cool little car however as im hungover im confident to say my dads mate would love to run this over in his tank (yes i live in the country and yes i know someone with a tank!)  :laugh: please dont see me as coming across wrong i just hate anything with a rover/mg badge !
Title: Re: Best £400 I ever spent........
Post by: Gavv8 on 31 July 2011, 08:54
Had an earlier diesel version and it was a cracking little car right up to the moment where i put it on it's roof. :sad:
Title: Re: Best £400 I ever spent........
Post by: MK3GTI_16Valve on 31 July 2011, 09:19
I've spent more on tyres i'n the past...best of luck with it...
Title: Re: Best £400 I ever spent........
Post by: trog_nfs on 31 July 2011, 10:10
The 1.4 K series in the Zr wasn't as prone to headgaskets failures as the 1.8 in the TF at least.

BTW, if it does die, the facelift front end is worth big money as it is impossible to get hold of them.
Title: Re: Best £400 I ever spent........
Post by: snifferdog on 31 July 2011, 10:12
Well, some love and some hate for the MG. Ive had a ton of grief on facebook, I didnt realise they were so disliked.  :huh: :laugh:

Ive just been out and had a good look over the vehicle and seems in good shape, no rust underneath at all but plenty on the doors and the inner door shuts.

Also, it looks as though its been cleaned with brillo pads for most of its life  :grin:

Im happy at the minute anyway, gonna take it out for a nice gentle drive later.  :evil: :grin:
Title: Re: Best £400 I ever spent........
Post by: snifferdog on 31 July 2011, 10:13
The 1.4 K series in the Zr wasn't as prone to headgaskets failures as the 1.8 in the TF at least.

BTW, if it does die, the facelift front end is worth big money as it is impossible to get hold of them.

Oh, nice one, I'll bear that in mind. I am missing a fog light cover on the drivers side though so I guess its gonna be a pain to get hold of one?!!
Title: Re: Best £400 I ever spent........
Post by: andyj775 on 31 July 2011, 10:32
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/MG-ZR-GENUINE-FOGLIGHT-COVERS-SURROUNDS-FACELIFT-MODEL-/140580102553?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item20bb3a2199

40 for the pair, sell passenger one on. winner!
Title: Re: Best £400 I ever spent........
Post by: The Doc on 31 July 2011, 10:35
I like it @ £400 thumbs up from me  :wink:
Title: Re: Best £400 I ever spent........
Post by: snifferdog on 31 July 2011, 10:49
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/MG-ZR-GENUINE-FOGLIGHT-COVERS-SURROUNDS-FACELIFT-MODEL-/140580102553?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item20bb3a2199

40 for the pair, sell passenger one on. winner!

Nice one! Im about skint now though, maybe next month  :grin: :cry: :cry:
Title: Re: Best £400 I ever spent........
Post by: apie2004 on 31 July 2011, 12:03
Had an earlier diesel version and it was a cracking little car right up to the moment where i put it on it's roof. :sad:

I had a 220 sdi and almost killed myself in it!
Title: Re: Best £400 I ever spent........
Post by: Toby on 31 July 2011, 12:15
at that price, cant really go wrong!  :laugh:
Title: Re: Best £400 I ever spent........
Post by: snifferdog on 31 July 2011, 13:58
Only just realised, the guy left the auction running and it ended for £871  :shocked: :shocked: :cool: :cool:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=330592556888&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT#ht_500wt_1156
Title: Re: Best £400 I ever spent........
Post by: PenguinGTI on 31 July 2011, 14:07
Only just realised, the guy left the auction running and it ended for £871  :shocked: :shocked: :cool: :cool:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=330592556888&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT#ht_500wt_1156

I assume your purchase of it won't be affected though?  :huh:
Title: Re: Best £400 I ever spent........
Post by: JC on 31 July 2011, 14:13
as its home with him i doubt it  :laugh:
Title: Re: Best £400 I ever spent........
Post by: marcford86 on 31 July 2011, 14:17
The zr's aren't bad aslong as they are looked after properly, I've had mine for 3 years now, done 52,000miles and 6 track days and apart from service items and wear & tear items the only issues i've had were headgasket - done 40,000 ago with MLS gasket, different oil ladder and a starter motor! They're cracking cars to drive hard!
Title: Re: Best £400 I ever spent........
Post by: JDM82 on 31 July 2011, 14:57
Only just realised, the guy left the auction running and it ended for £871  :shocked: :shocked: :cool: :cool:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=330592556888&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT#ht_500wt_1156

I assume your purchase of it won't be affected though?  :huh:




The sellar can wave bye bye to his 100% feedback though  :grin:
Title: Re: Best £400 I ever spent........
Post by: THE_Liam on 31 July 2011, 16:19
Can't beat any car with plenty of MOT for that price really, that's the way I look at my mk3. Lumpy idle, running a touch rough, knackered ARB bushes, worn brakes and a slightly noisy wheel bearing but I gave 250 quid with a years test and 6 months tax. At that kind of money you can't complain :)

I had a 420 GSI when I was 18 because it was the same insurance as a 1.2 Corsa, but it had a 2.0 130 bhp engine, leather, AC, cruise and electric everything! Paid 550 quid with a years test, 2 owners and FRoverSH, nice shade of royal blue. Stuck some MGF wheels on it, lowered it on Civic springs, and colour-coded all the chrome bits, then had a daft exhaust made and fitted an induction kit as you do at that age. Hammered it around everywhere, didn't spend a penny other than servicing, 2 tyres and a set of pads, stuck it in for it's test and it passed, sold it to a mate for 800 quid. Result!
Title: Re: Best £400 I ever spent........
Post by: luke on 31 July 2011, 17:29
found out my rover has a landrover headgasket which is the mls gasket, had it dyno'd, 75bhp standard, serviced yesterday and it runs 74.2 which is good and around 90 ft lbs torque  :grin:
Title: Re: Best £400 I ever spent........
Post by: Gavv8 on 31 July 2011, 17:35
Yes....but they are still............Rovers :undecided:
Title: Re: Best £400 I ever spent........
Post by: MK3GTI_16Valve on 31 July 2011, 17:40
My golfs have never really been reliable.....prob not much better than the rover
Title: Re: Best £400 I ever spent........
Post by: luke on 31 July 2011, 17:47
Yes....but they are still............Rovers :undecided:
which are quicker than mk3 8v's :grin:
the only troubles i hear are about the headgaskets on the k series, but if its got the mls gasket then it will run fine, oh and rust
Title: Re: Best £400 I ever spent........
Post by: F17BAD on 31 July 2011, 17:50
found out my rover has a landrover headgasket which is the mls gasket, had it dyno'd, 75bhp standard, serviced yesterday and it runs 74.2 which is good and around 90 ft lbs torque  :grin:

And i still beat one in a ford KA 1.3 with 60bhp  :laugh:
Title: Re: Best £400 I ever spent........
Post by: luke on 31 July 2011, 17:55
found out my rover has a landrover headgasket which is the mls gasket, had it dyno'd, 75bhp standard, serviced yesterday and it runs 74.2 which is good and around 90 ft lbs torque  :grin:

And i still beat one in a ford KA 1.3 with 60bhp  :laugh:
probably a 1.1 spi with a granny behind the wheel..
Title: Re: Best £400 I ever spent........
Post by: JDM82 on 31 July 2011, 18:32
I'd love to see the e-mail from the seller to the winning bidder  :undecided:


Congratulations on winning! But there's a problem  :tongue:

 :grin:  :grin:  :grin:  :grin:
Title: Re: Best £400 I ever spent........
Post by: bobbarley on 31 July 2011, 18:44
I think they're great little cars, I just prefer the old front end though before they "improved"  :rolleyes: it.  My dad used to own one of the ZT's, damn fast little car.  I prefer his Mondeo ST now though  :smiley:
Title: Re: Best £400 I ever spent........
Post by: Gavv8 on 31 July 2011, 19:25
Yes....but they are still............Rovers :undecided:
which are quicker than mk3 8v's :grin:
the only troubles i hear are about the headgaskets on the k series, but if its got the mls gasket then it will run fine, oh and rust
Jeez :rolleyes:
Title: Re: Best £400 I ever spent........
Post by: Jamin on 31 July 2011, 19:35
One of my mates used to have one of these but the 160bhp version. It was fast.

You have to wonder though, had Rover decided to introduce these sorts of models when they producing the 200/400 late models, maybe things wouldn't have gone the way they did. They may not be the best of cars but these MG models are popular cos you see loads of them about.

Got a soft spot for the MG ZS V6 models in Touring car guise  :smug:
Title: Re: Best £400 I ever spent........
Post by: snifferdog on 31 July 2011, 19:50
Came up lovely after a cleaning/detailing session this afternoon.

(http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i132/snifferdog18233/IMAG0389.jpg)

(http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i132/snifferdog18233/IMAG0388.jpg)

Ive told the mrs she can have the mk4 cos Im keeping this. Its a great laugh to drive :laugh:
Title: Re: Best £400 I ever spent........
Post by: snifferdog on 31 July 2011, 19:50
I'll get my coat....................................................
Title: Re: Best £400 I ever spent........
Post by: bobbarley on 31 July 2011, 19:51
Has someone ripped the rear wiper off it?
Title: Re: Best £400 I ever spent........
Post by: JC on 31 July 2011, 19:51
I'll get my coat....................................................

going out to lower it  :huh:
Title: Re: Best £400 I ever spent........
Post by: richw911 on 31 July 2011, 19:57
I'll get my coat....................................................

going out to lower it  :huh:

 :grin: :grin: :grin:
Title: Re: Best £400 I ever spent........
Post by: Chris-White on 01 August 2011, 00:30
One of my mates used to have one of these but the 160bhp version. It was fast.

You have to wonder though, had Rover decided to introduce these sorts of models when they producing the 200/400 late models, maybe things wouldn't have gone the way they did.

r200/25 VI & BRM both had the vvc lump that the 160 had.
220 coupe aswell if you look a bit older, turbo model having 190ish bhp and an LSD. There were also various GSi models of the 200/400 that werent particular slouches. 
Title: Re: Best £400 I ever spent........
Post by: danny_p on 01 August 2011, 01:28
they are horrible cars IMO.  cheep tho

also rovers can prove to be quite reliable if you don't give a f**k the trick is to never open the bonnet ever.   just drive it till one day you sell it or it stops moveing
Title: Re: Best £400 I ever spent........
Post by: Jamin on 01 August 2011, 09:54
One of my mates used to have one of these but the 160bhp version. It was fast.

You have to wonder though, had Rover decided to introduce these sorts of models when they producing the 200/400 late models, maybe things wouldn't have gone the way they did.

r200/25 VI & BRM both had the vvc lump that the 160 had.
220 coupe aswell if you look a bit older, turbo model having 190ish bhp and an LSD. There were also various GSi models of the 200/400 that werent particular slouches. 

There used to be a rather grotesque mynheer kitted rover 220 turbo coupe round my way. Out of all the old rovers I like the 600t the most and you don't see many about
Title: Re: Best £400 I ever spent........
Post by: luke on 01 August 2011, 12:01
craig please say you're not cleaning it in wykin, you'll find no wheel bolts left!
in burbage on hinckley road at the garage there's a zr similar condition for £2995, so you got a steal!  :wink:
Title: Re: Best £400 I ever spent........
Post by: SoundillusioN on 01 August 2011, 12:16
craig please say you're not cleaning it in wykin, you'll find no wheel bolts left!
in burbage on hinckley road at the garage there's a zr similar condition for £2995, so you got a steal!  :wink:
  Overpriced by about 650%  :grin:
Title: Re: Best £400 I ever spent........
Post by: snifferdog on 01 August 2011, 16:37
craig please say you're not cleaning it in wykin, you'll find no wheel bolts left!
in burbage on hinckley road at the garage there's a zr similar condition for £2995, so you got a steal!  :wink:

I was cleaning it in Wykin, you can tell from the pics??!  :grin: :lipsrsealed:

Which garage do you mean? Might take mine down and see what he'll give me for it  :grin:

Anyway - switched my insurance over from the golf today  :lipsrsealed:
Title: Re: Best £400 I ever spent........
Post by: SoundillusioN on 01 August 2011, 16:39
craig please say you're not cleaning it in wykin, you'll find no wheel bolts left!
in burbage on hinckley road at the garage there's a zr similar condition for £2995, so you got a steal!  :wink:

I was cleaning it in Wykin, you can tell from the pics??!  :grin: :lipsrsealed:

Which garage do you mean? Might take mine down and see what he'll give me for it  :grin:

Anyway - switched my insurance over from the golf today  :lipsrsealed:

Nice knowing you then  :grin:

On a serious note you may have a point, could you not make a good profit out of this car?
Title: Re: Best £400 I ever spent........
Post by: snifferdog on 01 August 2011, 16:48
I probably could but I prefer it to the mk4. :lipsrsealed:

Besides we are moving to a house with a garage soon that is further out of town so the mrs is gonna need a car (she wants another polo).

And Im hoping to have a mk3 project in my garage  :smiley:
Title: Re: Best £400 I ever spent........
Post by: Seanl on 01 August 2011, 16:56
I probably could but I prefer it to the mk4. :lipsrsealed:

Besides we are moving to a house with a garage soon that is further out of town so the mrs is gonna need a car (she wants another polo).

And Im hoping to have a mk3 project in my garage   :smiley:

Thats better then. I was gonna say that you will probably get bored with it once the novelty of a new car has worn off, and u want something a bit quicker as its a pain in the arse when you try and overtake, put your foot down, and nothing happens!............
At least that what I was hoping! Swapping a VW for a Rover in drag!  :rolleyes: :evil:
Title: Re: Best £400 I ever spent........
Post by: luke on 01 August 2011, 17:08
craig please say you're not cleaning it in wykin, you'll find no wheel bolts left!
in burbage on hinckley road at the garage there's a zr similar condition for £2995, so you got a steal!  :wink:

I was cleaning it in Wykin, you can tell from the pics??!  :grin: :lipsrsealed:

Which garage do you mean? Might take mine down and see what he'll give me for it  :grin:

Anyway - switched my insurance over from the golf today  :lipsrsealed:
because i used to deliver down there  :grin:
the garage near the church, the cars are always clamped up  :grin: :grin:
Title: Re: Best £400 I ever spent........
Post by: tg1 on 02 August 2011, 16:47
I probably could but I prefer it to the mk4. :lipsrsealed:

Besides we are moving to a house with a garage soon that is further out of town so the mrs is gonna need a car (she wants another polo).

And Im hoping to have a mk3 project in my garage   :smiley:

Wouldn't a pond or marina be better suited to a mk3 project  :grin: :laugh:
Title: Re: Best £400 I ever spent........
Post by: snifferdog on 02 August 2011, 20:05
OK, flame proof suit on.





The head gasket is gone. The guy I bought it from screwed me over, he mustve put some fresh oil and water in cos they were fine when I checked it! Now I know why he couldnt find that particular bit of service history :undecided: :angry:




Anyway - Im getting it fixed. I have really fallen for this little beaut! £300 for the MLS gasket, cambelt, water pump and oil rail. All done in 5 hours at my home address on Saturday morning.

If anyone gives a sh!t then I'll let you know how it goes! :tongue:
Title: Re: Best £400 I ever spent........
Post by: Horney on 02 August 2011, 20:15
Still works out as a bargain.

Nick
Title: Re: Best £400 I ever spent........
Post by: F17BAD on 02 August 2011, 21:42
unlucky that mate, still works out a decent deal tho IMO
Title: Re: Best £400 I ever spent........
Post by: JC on 02 August 2011, 21:44
and you have his address, revenge is a dish best served with a VERY good alibi  :grin:
Title: Re: Best £400 I ever spent........
Post by: The Mighty Elvi on 02 August 2011, 21:51
New head gasket and a top end rebuild on a 7 year old car.

Says it all.








OK, flame proof suit on.





The head gasket is gone. The guy I bought it from screwed me over, he mustve put some fresh oil and water in cos they were fine when I checked it! Now I know why he couldnt find that particular bit of service history :undecided: :angry:




Anyway - Im getting it fixed. I have really fallen for this little beaut! £300 for the MLS gasket, cambelt, water pump and oil rail. All done in 5 hours at my home address on Saturday morning.

If anyone gives a sh!t then I'll let you know how it goes! :tongue:


Like I said.    :rolleyes:
Title: Re: Best £400 I ever spent........
Post by: snifferdog on 03 September 2011, 20:03
Well, the head gasket replacement went well and the car has been running like a dream for over a month now. I had the waterpump and cambelt changed too to be on the safe side.

Ive done a few other little bits, painting the calipers etc but mainly Ive been trying my hand at cosmetic repair work as it was covered in swirls and scratches. Its getting there slowly and Im learning a few new tricks along the way.

I'll put one more pic up on here, I wouldnt want to get chased out of town  :grin:

(http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i132/snifferdog18233/IMAG0491.jpg)

I would also like to say that the car has been brilliant fun to drive and has also done most of the load lugging while I moved house in the last week! I honestly cant fault it.

I now have a garage where the golf rests until sold

(http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i132/snifferdog18233/IMAG0529.jpg)
Title: Re: Best £400 I ever spent........pg 7.
Post by: Deano2711 on 03 September 2011, 20:33
Looking good Mate.....thought the Golf was sold  :huh: :huh:
Title: Re: Best £400 I ever spent........pg 7.
Post by: snifferdog on 03 September 2011, 20:58
Looking good Mate.....thought the Golf was sold  :huh: :huh:

Nah, still here mate. Had nothing but messers  :angry: I mustve waited in 4 or 5 times for no shows in the last couple of weeks!
Title: Re: Best £400 I ever spent........pg 7.
Post by: Jimp on 04 September 2011, 13:36
Dare I say, that MG looks pretty good  :lipsrsealed:
Title: Re: Best £400 I ever spent........pg 7.
Post by: snifferdog on 04 September 2011, 15:15
Dare I say, that MG looks pretty good  :lipsrsealed:

Cheers mate.  :wink: :lipsrsealed: :lipsrsealed:

The golf sold today, it turned out the head gasket was gone. I hadnt even checked  :embarassed: :cry:
Title: Re: Best £400 I ever spent........pg 7.
Post by: Deano2711 on 04 September 2011, 20:11
Oh dear....you're not having much luck with HeadGasket's then Mate.....how much did you get for the Golf ??  (If you don't mind me asking)
Title: Re: Best £400 I ever spent........pg 7.
Post by: snifferdog on 05 September 2011, 16:45
£500  :cry: :cry:
Title: Re: Best £400 I ever spent........
Post by: Neo Badness on 05 September 2011, 16:50
and you have his address, revenge is a dish best served with a VERY good alibi  :grin:

 :grin:
Title: Re: Best £400 I ever spent........pg 7.
Post by: MK3GTI_16Valve on 05 September 2011, 16:58
500...Christ prices have gone to sh@t
Title: Re: Best £400 I ever spent........pg 7.
Post by: snifferdog on 05 September 2011, 17:05
I know mate, I had it advertised at £750 for months and had no interest at all (well, apart from messers (one on here  :angry:)), it got to the point where I just needed whatever cash I could get for it.
Title: Re: Best £400 I ever spent........
Post by: Ant1981 on 05 September 2011, 17:06
OK, flame proof suit on.





The head gasket is gone. The guy I bought it from screwed me over, he mustve put some fresh oil and water in cos they were fine when I checked it! Now I know why he couldnt find that particular bit of service history :undecided: :angry:




Anyway - Im getting it fixed. I have really fallen for this little beaut! £300 for the MLS gasket, cambelt, water pump and oil rail. All done in 5 hours at my home address on Saturday morning.

If anyone gives a sh!t then I'll let you know how it goes! :tongue:

He took your head off, got a milling machine out and machined the head on your drive all in 5 hours?  :shocked:


I give it a few months.
Title: Re: Best £400 I ever spent........pg 7.
Post by: snifferdog on 05 September 2011, 17:47
No, hes an MG specialist, he bought a skimmed and pressure tested head with him. He then swaps them over, if mine had been scrap then it wouldve cost me more to buy the head off him.
Title: Re: Best £400 I ever spent........pg 7.
Post by: snifferdog on 05 September 2011, 18:18
Head gasket replacement really isnt a problem on K series engines anyway. In fact, after watching him, Id feel confident in doing it myself if there is a next time!

You could pay more than that to get a cam belt/ chain fitted to some golfs.
Title: Re: Best £400 I ever spent........pg 7.
Post by: golf-sib on 05 September 2011, 18:52
What are the dervs like on these  :lipsrsealed:
Title: Re: Best £400 I ever spent........pg 7.
Post by: snifferdog on 05 September 2011, 19:16
Ive heard theyre a bit crude but great on fuel.
Title: Re: Best £400 I ever spent........pg 7.
Post by: Neo Badness on 05 September 2011, 19:38
What are the dervs like on these  :lipsrsealed:

Rattly, loud with a crashy ride and uncomfortable seats. Quite economical but that may be because you never want to get in it to drive it anywhere?
Title: Re: Best £400 I ever spent........pg 7.
Post by: snifferdog on 05 September 2011, 19:49
Or as car enthusiast magazine words it -

The real benefit of this engine manifests itself at the fuel pumps; or rather it doesn't because you don't spend much time there. MG claims an extra urban figure of 67.3mpg, which is impressive to say the least. As per usual we never got anywhere near the claimed figures, but an average in the mid 40s (mpg) is no mean feat for a car in our hands; particularly a warm hatch, and especially one that serves up the driver enjoyment that the ZR does.

My most recent MG encounter, the ZR Express van, left me literally shaken and stirred whilst largely under whelmed by its real world ability. It was scintillating on the right road, but the journey to that road would be a filling-loosening cringe-fest. Anticipation was not a key word when I got behind the wheel of the diesel ZR. However, it only took a couple of hundred yards and a roundabout to reveal something very different in this new ZR chassis: compliance and subtlety. The chassis springing and damping is a world apart from the ZR Express. We're not sure how much the higher profile tyres and heavier engine contribute to this newfound ability; whatever, the result is very pleasing. Whereas the old ZR bobbed, weaved, bounced and tramlined under almost all conditions other than racetrack bitumen, the new one flows.

Your average UK B-road becomes the playground it should be as the revelatory compliance keeps the ZR planted to the line you chose with the excellently weighted and direct steering backing you up. I actually think that most modestly talented drivers could guide the ZR diesel down any given stretch of road as quick as they would the previous generation ZR Express (that car is lighter and significantly more powerful) and you would be a lot less rattled and drained at the end of it. The diesel's torquey nature complements the chassis well pulling the nose out of the bends with the kind of poke normally associated with a significantly bigger petrol engine. The brakes are also full of feel as well as plenty powerful and fade free. The ABS works well allowing you to modulate things right upto the limit, only really being required in an emergency.

So, the latest ZR delivers all that the blurb suggests in terms of driver pleasure and I can honestly say that I'm surprised and pleased by this in equally generous amounts.
Title: Re: Best £400 I ever spent........pg 7.
Post by: snifferdog on 12 November 2011, 14:42
New wheels and side skirts!  :laugh:

(http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i132/snifferdog18233/IMAG0766.jpg)

Still loving this car although I am getting more and more tempted to get another golf. Been looking at MK4's again for some reason even though I hated my last one?!  :huh:
Title: Re: Best £400 I ever spent........pg 9.
Post by: Neo Badness on 14 November 2011, 19:47
Looks tidier now. What are those wheels called, I know they're OEM rover just wondered if the had a name?
Title: Re: Best £400 I ever spent........pg 9.
Post by: snifferdog on 15 November 2011, 18:36
Looks tidier now. What are those wheels called, I know they're OEM rover just wondered if the had a name?

Theyre called 'straights' mate. :smiley:
Title: Re: Best £400 I ever spent........pg 9.
Post by: Egg On Toast on 15 November 2011, 19:26
ZR straights look great in gun metal mate :)

the other ZR alloys are called Hairpins for anyone wanting to know...

Looks great mate, I owned a couple of rovers before, never had any problems at all.
Title: Re: Best £400 I ever spent........pg 9.
Post by: cняis on 15 November 2011, 19:41
ZR straights look great in gun metal mate :)

the other ZR alloys are called Hairpins for anyone wanting to know...

Looks great mate, I owned a couple of rovers before, never had any problems at all.

My old bubble 200 had nothing but problems  :sick:
Title: Re: Best £400 I ever spent........pg 9.
Post by: snifferdog on 15 November 2011, 20:24
No problems with this so far apart from the early teething problems when I got it.

From all the people Ive spoken to, you either get a good one that goes for years with no problems or a cr@p one that breaks down every other week  :grin:

My mate sold his car and bought one after having a go in mine  :cool:

(http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i132/snifferdog18233/IMAG0501.jpg)

Title: Re: Best £400 I ever spent........pg 9.
Post by: mcgee9t2 on 15 November 2011, 20:29

From all the people Ive spoken to, you either get a good one that goes for years with no problems or a cr@p one that breaks down every other week  :grin:


2nd'd my mate got one which he bought for 1100, got home and it broke down, spent a few hundred quid fixing it, then gave it a good servicing, then it broke again a week or so later, he bought a tb sensor for like a hundred odd quid, then it had a boost leak, spend loads on new pipes ect. broke down again fixed it again, broke down again fixed it again, then it sh!t itself all over morisons carpark so he drove it to a scrapy and gave them it for £300 (he spent 1900 on it all togeather )  :lipsrsealed:

we all told him not to get it either haha  :grin:
Title: Re: Best £400 I ever spent........pg 9.
Post by: snifferdog on 15 November 2011, 20:31
....and that is the reason they have a bit of a reputation  :grin: :grin:

Anyway, no problems with mine or my mates so far, touch wood!! :laugh:
Title: Re: Best £400 I ever spent........pg 9.
Post by: mcgee9t2 on 15 November 2011, 20:33

Anyway, no problems with mine or my mates so far, touch wood!! :laugh:
glad to hear it, looks tidy like :)
Title: Re: Best £400 I ever spent........pg 9.
Post by: Egg On Toast on 15 November 2011, 21:00
I must be dead lucky not having any issues with either of mine!
Title: Re: Best £400 I ever spent........pg 9.
Post by: original on 17 November 2011, 06:32
nice thread read it all. I think even with head gasket needed doing 700 is a good price for a 54 plate even with 121k  :cool: