2003 MG ZS 180 from UK and Ireland - Comments

Bought my zs180 last august2006 love it to bits even though its poor on petrol the excitment you get from it when you give it a good thrash about. would like to know the best place to get parts for it though I lve in south yorkshire.

Get my parts from rimmer bros, google it. A few simple breathing mods has got my 03 ZS180 0-60 time down to down to 6.6 seconds so how is a fabia faster? It's a well known fact that MG-rovers 0-60 time of 7.3 was very conservative.

Cracking drivers car and bargain of the century if you want a performance hatch or saloon.

In gear torque does not a fast car make.

The Skoda Fabia vRS is a great little car, and it does feel quite rapid, but like all diesels when taken through the gears, it's just not very quick.

It also comes with decided average handling (stiff, but lacking in feedback) and would, make no mistake get thrashed by a ZS180, on any road or track when the engines are used properly.

But, side by side in 4th gear at 30, yes the vRS would probably be quicker.

The fabia vrs is quicker than the mg zs180. It handles better, has "much more pull" in gear and will match the rover to 60mph. Its also slightly quicker to 100mph.

Don't talk daft. "The ZS is quicker than an Impreza"; if you were to believe that, and then believe the VRS is quicker than the ZS, then that would make the VRS quicker than the Impreza! But clearly it's not, and it's not faster than a ZS! The VRS has lots of torque, but then so does a tractor! You need both a decent amount of torque and high bhp for a true performer.

No, the Fabia Does NOT handle better than the ZS.

The Fabia is great don't get me wrong, it is a torquey little beast, with stiff springs, but...

You are confusing the large torque, which makes it feel fast in gear, with outright pace. I often feel that my Mondeo ST TDCI (standard, similar in gear times and 0-60 as the Skoda, and both diesels) at 80-90 in 5th feels rapid. Almost an equal for my Audi S6.

Then I took the mondeo to a track day, and while it remained fun, well balanced and good handling it was completely outclassed speed wise. The Audi, frankly, does not handle quite as well. It doesn't feel as well balanced, and sheer grip they are similar. The Audi is far faster though, and I learnt then that when driven properly, a torquey diesel will not match a screaming petrol.

Also, while the Skoda is firmly sprung, it is like all VAG product, the balance (which the ZS is KNOWN to have) is not quite there, neither is the feedback.

I hear frequently people tell me that a Golf mk4 outhandles a Focus, any review by any magazine you care to mention will tell you different, but people confuse handling and ride all the time.

The Skoda is a great little car. Fun, torquey, spacious (for a little 'un) and economical. And like I said, in gear time would probably be quicker than the ZS180.

But, go for a proper drive, particularly round a track, the the MG will be far, far faster, better balanced, better handling, and more fun to boot.

If all you lot who are complaining about fuel consumption, try running a TVR Chimaera, with a 4.0 Rover derived V8 under your right foot 0-60 4.7 you can't help, but press the loud pedal, fuel consumption? it's in single figures!!! Now that's hurting the wallet!

Hello, I have driven over the last 5 years, an Audi A6 TDi, a Seat Toledo 150 BHP TDI, a MGZS 115BHP TDI, a 2.2 Vectra Turbo and now a 2004, 54 plate MGZS+ 180 in Black, 4 door with the shark gills. It looks ace, with 24,000 on the clock, it drives fantastic, and let me tell you something; I am a designer for Nissan, and Jaguar and have test driven many competitor cars to the supercharged jags over the years. My ZS is a marvel. Any one who thinks that any TD engined car, can hold a torch to this fantastic piece, of what made Britain Great, engineering, is a wrong!

Move away from paper figures and consider this, the ZS has a thumping powerhouse of an engine, but made primarily of alloy. No diesel engines are made of anything other than mostly pig iron, and in any front wheel drive diesel application this means a massive weight over the front end. Despite the best efforts of us designers, you cannot compensate for this. It causes huge under steer, massive strain on braking components, and exceptional tendencies to make the back step out mid corner, especially if you have no choice but to back off mid bend.

I have a degree in automotive engineering, worked for 20 years in chassis, fuel and cooling, and have test driven cars at some of the fastest tracks across the world. the MGZS 180 is and always will be, a Q car. Sadly, this will become common knowledge amongst the "oh a journalist said so, so it must be true" brigade in a few years, but mean while, us ZS 180 owners are living a dream. Super car performance, from 0-140MPH + and from 1500 RPM up to 7000 (Try that in your Turbo Wheezel).

I have just been offered a full LPG conversion for 1400 pounds all in, and I'm having it.

Incidentally, for the "my diesel is best because the magazines told me so" boys and girls. I now work on the fuel system for the RT-Flex 96 diesel engine. The most powerful engine in the world, loads of torque, massive turbo. etc etc. but it goes in a ship. Even they have problems coping with the pig iron mass of a diesel engine, and the lack of sophistication used in Diesel engine design. Enough said.

I don't think you are giving car journalists enough credit there.

Most of the reviews I read praise the chassis, handling, and great engine in the ZS.

Autocar, Car, Evo, and of course Tiff all rate the ZS very highly.

The lady only said the fabia 'feels faster' which is probably true as it's a lot smaller car with torque putting you back in the seat, whereas the 180 is smoother and bigger as well as better handling which all adds upto 'feeling' slower, even though it is quicker. No need to argue about the vrs, it's a completely different car.

Just bought a 2004 ZS. It has 26000 genuine miles on the clock. It's a fantastic car that sticks to the road like glue. Will add another comment to let everybody know how I'm getting on.

Hi, I have just brought ZS 180 2003 in xpower grey unmarked. I love it every time I turn the key. It has a throughflow rear box; it's bit louder, but not too loud. I only paid 3650 pounds for it with 26000 on the clock. I am going to fit a viper induction kit to it. BRITISH AND PROUD OF IT.

Hi everyone first time on here, got my zs 180 a week ago and its brilliant.

I had a supra 3.0 24v v6 before and sold it to my mate, the zs is on par with that and just leaves it through the corners.

This car is welded to the floor through corners and id put it against any hot hatch!!

I own a mgzs 2.5 v6 180,, it is the most brilliant car I have ever owned,, and I have had lots of performance cars in the past,, and none of them rival my mg. Quick and strong power-full engine that just seems to pull for ever,, handling that is so correct, brakes that work well,, its just confident inspiring,, and the exciting thrill of turning that key and hearing that roar of engine just brings a smile to my face every time knowing that fun is about to begin on my journey.

Hi all, just paid £3495 for a 54 plate ZS 180. 1 owner from new with full service history all at the same garage.

Only took it out for a test drive and I love it already and don't pick it up till tomorrow.

It sounds gorgeous and even has 4 doors for the kids!

My wife thinks I'm mad because in her words "it's a Rover" but i'll leave her with the Mondeo ST220 and i'll stick to the MG.

Pity they don't make em anymore!