2004 MG ZS 180 review from UK and Ireland

Other than the crankshaft sensor needing a clean, this car has not missed a beat.

The ZS must be the most underrated car of recent years. The handling is awesome, and plenty of power is on tap.

The seats are very supportive, and the interior of the MK2, although having some texturing belonging to an earlier era, does not look like a very cheap stereo, unlike most of its peers.

The V6 can be driven in a leisurely fashion with good progress. Open it up, and it does not disappoint; with no noticeable power peaks, it pulls very well from low revs, all the way to 6000+. An induction kit and other mods will make it pull well up to the red line if you wish.

Gear change does not like to be rushed too much; this is a product of uprating the gearbox to take the V6 torque.

The traditional weaknesses of this car are the variable intake system, which has been fixed in advance of failure, and the clutch hydraulics, again, replaced with what should be a much more robust system.

Surprisingly, the ZS can become a good cruiser with the addition of some sound deadening. A rare treat of a fine handling yet refined car.. at least for the price!