2005 MG ZR TD+ 2.0L turbo diesel from UK and Ireland

Summary:

Like living with my wife! Love it, but a pain also!

Faults:

Rattles, clutch arm, boot leak, smokes badly, badly fitted trim inside.

General Comments:

Great looking car. Drives fantastic. But I have had to put so many things right. Only go for the diesel, if you want to buy one. They are far better than the petrol. Just be aware of the the noisy engine!

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 17th June, 2010

2005 MG ZR 160 1.8 VVC from UK and Ireland

Summary:

Great looking car with performance to match

Faults:

Nothing major has gone wrong with the car. At the moment the only problem I have had is the exhaust back box needed changing the other week at around 37000!

Only other fault was the alarm that stopped sounding at around 27000.

General Comments:

After owning a 105 ZR, I knew how well a ZR handled. But I wasn't ready for the acceleration difference between the two when I first put my foot down. The 160 is an amazing car for the size engine it has. 0-60 7.4 speaks for itself on a 1.8 without the aid of a turbo.

The interior on the face-lift models in my view is much better and looks more modern. Only downside is you get a lot more rattles than the mk1 as the build quality seems to be worse.

Also can't fault the car for MPG I'm getting; around 33 MPG on average, which I don't think is bad at all.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 19th April, 2009

2005 MG ZR VVC 160 1.8 from Romania

Summary:

Performance balanced at low cost

Faults:

Battery fault (because of low temperature - I didn't start the engine for 2 weeks though).

The knob can fall off if you change the gears aggressively.

General Comments:

Although I knew the car from magazines from a fair amount of time, I wasn't aware of its performance. It's simply amazing.

Consider this: 160 HP, 1.8 petrol engine, 5 gears speed box and 1180 KG, plus 10.5 lit res/100 KM consumption.

This car blew me away when I drove it, and it does a decent job when driven on the rush hour, even though the suspension is firm, and it gets bumpy.

It doesn't have any luxury inside (except for some leather seats), and is a simple car which can boost you out on the highways (210 KM/h) and take you where you need inside town.

The real threat is the interval between 3500/5000 rot/min, then your heart is beating faster. And it provides exclusivity, when I answer somebody: "I drive a MG" he replies: "what is that".

So if you want a car that connects to satellites and rubs your behind while driving, you can go for other things (Mercedes, Lexus), but if you want a compact (little and mean) beast you can have an MG ZR.

The things that aren't too good at this car are: you can't find it anymore (production stopped, actually has been moved to china, for the TF manufacturing) and the cockpit looks pretty cheap, large amount of brute plastic, manual A/C, generally small details problems.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 8th February, 2008

2005 MG ZR 1.4 from UK and Ireland

Summary:

Best car in the world

Faults:

Nothing has gone wrong with this car, it is extremely reliable.

General Comments:

When I first got the car I thought it was reasonably quick and handles brilliantly.

However now it is a hell of a lot faster, and I can beat a Ford Focus ST in a straight line, and also an Astra VXR. I have had the ECU reprogrammed, fitted a supercharger and a cat bypass kit.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 28th March, 2007

29th Mar 2007, 16:10

Amen to that.

27th Dec 2012, 12:00

MG 1.4, supercharger? Beating an Astra VXR, not a chance in hell!

2005 MG ZR TROPHEY 1.4 from UK and Ireland

Summary:

Looks nice, but complete rubbish

Faults:

Very poor steering! car veers all over the road and is hard to keep in a straight line.

Bulbs and fuses keep blowing.

Problems with the stereo breaking.

Alarm goes off for no reason.

Dealer we got the car from are the worst I have ever known.

General Comments:

This car is my 10th car and would not entertain an mg again after my experience.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Don't Know

Review Date: 6th May, 2006

31st Mar 2008, 15:40

I'd get your brakes looked at if it's veering all over the road.

15th Oct 2008, 17:12

Sounds like the tracking needs looking at on the front wheels.

16th Oct 2008, 05:33

Although generally I think you had a poor one and were unlucky, I agree with the bulbs, LOL! What is up with the Rover bulbs? I have to replace a few every time it comes to MOT'ing her.

2005 MG ZR zr plus 1.4/105 from UK and Ireland

Summary:

Stunning to look at and drive

Faults:

Nothing, the cars great, just one problem.

Brakes constantly squeal when braking

{not brake dust}.

Any remedies.

General Comments:

This car is very nippy and fun to drive plus you get a lot of attention off other drivers at lights and slow moving traffic. All the looks are of disbelief of how sporty these cars really look, and then you get the other "look" from the raging 40+ males that wish they were 20 again so they could buy one. Anyway enough about the old folk. I am proud to own the FACE LIFT model with all extras and in what I think the nicest colour, ignition blue. Paid £8495.

I can't believe they won't be made again, sad.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 15th January, 2006

17th Jan 2006, 20:59

They won't be made again because they were poor.

20th Jan 2006, 17:21

Got any substance to back that statement up?

23rd Jan 2006, 16:31

I agree with the comments about 40+ drivers wishing they had one, which is why I went out and bought mine. It is a 2005 zr+.It is great fun to drive and will be for years to come.