2004 MG ZR from UK and Ireland - Comments

Nothing, but only one month old.

This is the first car I have bought from new, and I couldn't be happier. My previous cars have only been 1.0 to 1.2 litre 8v engines so this is quite a step up.

I've got the new ZR facelifted model. It's the 105 with the 1.4 litre engine, which may not seem much, but boy does it shift when you want it too. The k-series engine in this car sounds sweet, and how they've managed to squeeze 105 bhp out of a 1.4 is incredible.

The car loves to be revved to get its best performance, and the ride is excellent despite the firm sports suspension. The best thing about driving it however is its maneuverability. It corners like no other car I've been in. You can actually accelerate hard on sharp roundabouts and you won't lose grip, and body roll is non-existent. All this adds to a driving experience which I've never had in other cars.

It looks great too. I ordered mine in X-power grey, and it just looks mean. Forget your girly saxos or chubby looking golfs, this is how a performance hatch should look. The only extras I ordered were the side sill finishers and the 17 inch straights alloys. The front end with the new lights and grille look great, as does the cleaner tailgate with the recessed number plate and ZR logo.

The inside is a massive improvement over the last ZR, with a cleaner finish, new switchgear, and comfy sports seats which hold you firmly in place. Electric windows, remote alarm and immobilizer, adjustable steering wheel, remote tailgate release, power steering all come as standard.

I didn't buy this car because I'm especially patriotic, but when you consider what you get for the money, this car cannot be beaten. I tested many other cars, but didn't have half the fun that I had in the ZR. If you also consider that the basic car came with dealer discounts taking it to only £8860, it becomes even better value.

In addition, although I haven't had it long, there were NO rattles or falling bits of trim, and nor do I expect any. It feels very solidly put together.

It always puts a smile on my face when I pull up to a junction and other drivers look at me with envy, not realizing that it costs thousands less than their ford focus did. If they had any sense, they would get one too. I wouldn't blindly defend an ailing British car company if it didn't deserve it, but MG-Rover seem to have got their act together.

Hi. I've just sent my face lifted ZR back it was only a 105 and you are right it was quick, but at nine days old id been back to the garage three times and the petrol gauge kept going into the red. It handles suppurbly and was lots of fun to drive. So rather than scrap the whole idea cheap car for uni I opted for the Turbo diesel model which I hear is even faster and good economy to boot. ps 17" are a must.

QUICK!!! LOL...

Its only quick if you are used to driving Very slow cars!...say 900cc to 1.2litre 8v.

Otherwise its SLOW, its not even a warm hatch its only got 105 bhp and it weighs some! It rivals Nissan micras for performance.

It rivals a nissan micra for performance?

That comment was obviously from a person who has never driven one. The 1.4 does not pretend to be a sports car, but for a 1.4 it is very very quick. It beats the last generation 2.0 Golf GTi 0-60mph...could a nissan micra do that? I think not. It gives very similar performance as a citroen saxo VTR... does that rival a nissan micra? NO.

From a person who has owned a ZR 1.4 for 14 months and currently owns a ZR TDi I can say both models are value for money, very quick for what they are, and excellent handling, the car never seems to lose grip! Always puts a smile on face every time I get in, despite the cheap looking interior (i own a 2004 pre-facelifted model) which is why I went out and bought another one.

Well I have a 120 zr + and I've had a bunch of problems with mine. Its just 2 years old, the biggest one involved taking it back multiple times as it kept cutting out the engine and dying on me when I was driving along and I had to turn the key to kick it back in as I start to coast... blamed on a bent connector. My MG approved Arnold Clark garage also managed to leave me with loose wheel nuts after needing new tyres (at 10k miles) and an oil leak after a service...

I used to have a Micra Sport+ 1.4. TBH, I reckon it could keep up with a ZR 105. However, that's not really much consolation for having to drive a Micra!!!

Neither a Micra or a ZR 105 will match a 2.0 Mk4 Golf GTI to 60... I know, my dad had one, and it could do 0-60 in 9 seconds, and 120 mph, which is hardly fast I know, but its still faster than either of those!

According to parkers guide the mk4 golf gti gets to 60 in 10.2 seconds and the zr 105 does this in 10.0 it only does 111mph, but that's not too bad only 9mph out and its not legal on uk roads anyway, it's a good value car for the money, it has been built on and old chassis, but they have obviously had time to develop this, and those who put it down have probably never driven one they just follow press reports etc, that still hold a grudge against them for the problems they had years ago. I don't even own one, but I have had rovers and they have been just as reliable as any other european car on the road just a lot more value for money and better performance with like for like engines i. e zr 1.4 compared to say a golf 1.4, clio 1.4 or 206 1.4.

Just talking in general, not just about the MG, it really gets my goat when people say "you can't go above 70 anyway" that's just quik answer for not having a fast car when you want one. If you had it you'd speed, I'm not saying its wise to speed everywhere, but fast cars are for fun and there are places to push them hard. Just be carefull!

! was just pointing out that its geared for accelleration rather than top speed, its only 9mph difference, everyone goes over the speed limit at some point, I think the fun is in reaching the speed limit as quick as possible and for that you would still need a powerful car.

I have a ZR “115” TDI and when I first got it I immediately realised that it was a little quicker than my last car, a VW golf mk4 GTTDI 130 with better fuel economy and without a painfully loud turbo whistle! 9.1 sec 0 - 60 (standard) is rather good from an oil burner and I recently got mine chip tuned, £530 well spent as its now pushing out 150bhp and gets to 60 in 7.2 seconds, outstanding.

I have had a couple of problems, the power steering pump has failed once and the interior door trim clips that hold the trim to the door panel will brake at the drop of a hat, but who really cares when your leaving the driver of the BMW Z4 chocking on diesel smoke at the lights!

Just don’t tell my insurance company.

I have a zr 105 and have spend some money modifying my engine. I have only spend just over £100 and have had my car up to 120 mph, so for that small price your 9mph is made up on the golf. Also the car was still going , i only slowed down as there was a car approaching.

Hey All. I'm currently looking around to buy a second hand car. I came across this MG 105+ ZR FaceLift model that is being sold for £7000. I'm only 19 and a student so I know my insurance would probably cost me something like £1000 too.

The car is registered August 2004 and looks great by the looks only. Now tell me how is the petrol consumption? I'm only a student I don't want to end up paying all my money for the petrol!

(The car has all the options!)

I'd appreciate if you help me out. Or if you can suggest any replacements for this car, preferably Convertible.

Whats this top speed of 111mph in a mg zr 105 all about? I've had 125mph out of mine with a full car on a trip to oakwood without the rev limiter bouncing. it didn't seem to have much left in it at all though. Yeah the fuel consumption isn't bad either. I usually get about 80 miles to £10 but you can push it to 95 miles, but the needle will be just past red. you will need to fill up quickly in this case.

I've got a mg zr 105, and the car is brilliant. The car flys! A saxo hasn't got anything on this car. I drove both. The mg pulls you back into the seat unlike some! And the golf GTTDI is 0-60 in 10.2, the mg is 10 check for yourself at http://www.channel4.com/4car/ft/null/null/1709/10 mg quicker than a 2.0 golf on pull off haha!

I just bought a ZR 105+ about a month ago and I love it.

It's pearl black and I have the Rally Pack 2 (17" wheels).

The car always puts a smile on my face, the higher it revs the bigger my smile.

It's faster and better looking than any VTR I have came across, and the grip I amazing. solid build.

When I got the car my Dad was giving me a hard time because it was a small engine (the only bad thing he ever said about it), that was until he had a go on a back road and he has never had a bad word to say since.

Would I buy another ZR, in a heart beat, but the 160+.

I had a crash yesterday in my 1.7 Puma yesterday and it's pretty much a write off (R-Reg with 117000 miles on clock). Been out and bought an 04 ZR today, but must say, either I've been spoilt by the Puma, or I've REALLY forgotten how slow 1.4s are.

The puma did 0-60 in 7 seconds, but anyway... I like the look and feel of the way the ZR drives (else I wouldn't have bought one...), just PLEASE...Don't call them quick.