2003 MG ZR 105+ 1.4 from UK and Ireland

Summary:

A great little car with terrible build quality!

Faults:

Quite a few things:

Constantly leaks oil.

Passenger window won't close properly.

Passenger door sticks.

Immobilizer faulty and the car tries to start itself.

Interior rattles.

Cylinder head needed replaced at 14000 miles (why it was leaking oil)

Seats squeak.

Faulty lights on the dashboard.

Something to do with the injection system (which they wouldn't or couldn't explain properly)

And lots of small niggling things which shouldn't ever happen in a new car.

General Comments:

The MG ZR is a cracking car for a young driver with sporty looks, low insurance and tax and relatively cheap to buy new.

Its not the fastest, but its only harboring a 1400 twin cam engine under the bonnet. But with a 0-60 of sub 10 seconds and a 112mph top speed you can't complain. The performance is great considering.

The best point though is the handling. People say this all the time, but it does really run on rails. Point it in the direction you want it to go and it just does it. Not in the wet however...

But the build quality really lets it down. Its just unacceptable! And the dealers are very bad to deal with. Ill never go near MG Rover again which is a shame as the cars look good and drive superbly.

I'm going to get rid of the car as its just not practical having to take the car to the dealer every other week when another thing goes wrong. I didn't have this much trouble with my Focus, and I thought that was bad!

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 19th February, 2004

5th Feb 2005, 16:02

A top speed of 112 is a fair way off the truth I think. I've cracked a fair bit more than that. My MG survived the 3 years I had it remarkably well. I had no problems with mine what-so ever, but the dealers made my mind up about the next car I bought. It's a shame, MG have done amazing thinks with normal rovers, but it's a pity the dealers (the ones I've come across anyway) can't back up the MG brands hard work. I now own an ibiza cupra which is a fair bit quicker than the old MG, but I do miss it a lot. It really was a great looking car when its clean especially with the 17 inch wheels.

I would recommend it highly.

2003 MG ZR Atomix 105 1.4 from UK and Ireland

Summary:

Fantastic looks, handling and value, I love it!

Faults:

So far, only teething problems.

Rattle in the sunroof and one somewhere in the boot area.

Drivers window shudders when opened (electric window).

Handbrake pulls up so far it's almost vertical.

Haven't been back to the dealer to get them sorted yet.

General Comments:

This is my first brand new car and is my first experience of power steering and all the luxuries such as a gear box where you can find the gears! (oh how I loved my old MG Metro!).

I found it hard to get used to the gear ratios, but now I've done a few hours driving it's fine. The car performs (& sounds) better when revved quite high before changing gear.

My ZR was a bargain as it is a special edition Atomix and came fully loaded with extras. I managed to get a great deal from the garage after a lot of discussion.

The seats are really comfortable, everyone who sits in it comments on them.

The new Kenwood stereo has fantastic sound quality, looks good and is reasonably easy to use.

The reaction from people is great, although sometimes a bit disconcerting. A couple of times I have parked my car and come back to find people looking it over and peering through the windows, but with the amount of security features it has I feel quite happy leaving it.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 9th October, 2003

2003 MG ZR 105 1.4 from UK and Ireland

Summary:

Great sporty car.. from the outside

Faults:

The main problem I have found with my car is the driver side and passenger side door panels have both been sticking, and I have had to literally kick my way out out of the car on numerous occasions!

The window on the passenger side never seems to wind up properly, so therefore if you exceed 50mph, there is a whistling sound.

The other problems I've had with the car (which have now been fixed) are: there was no light in the glove compartment, the split rear seats wouldn't come down, and the string on the parcel shelf came away after about 1 month!

General Comments:

I think the car is lovely, it is very quick and holds the road really well.

However the inside is very basic and not very well made at all.

Overall it's a lovely car on the outside, but the inside needs lots of work!

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 12th September, 2003

4th Jul 2006, 12:01

I've had my ZR for going on 3 years, and performance wise it has been great. The problem I find, along with others, is my passenger door sticks and have to lift it to get in. My back seats also don't come down, due to the handles being faulty, and I don't know how to get inside the seat to the mechanism.

Other than these, the car has been very reliable and fun, although I do think it is on the heavy side.