2005 MG ZS 180 from UK and Ireland - Comments

Saxo vtr only have a 1.6 8v engine producing 80bhp. They are slow.

Just like to write a little comment (or maybe not) saxo vtr keeping up with a mgzs 180 is a joke. first off a bog standard saxo vtr (100bhp) is book time 0-60 9.2 seconds. a bog standard vts (120 bhp) is book time 0-60 7.6-7.8 seconds (it varys). I have a vtr (90bhp) with custom full exhaust and manifold and other mods and I think that isn't bad for a 1.6 8v. mine cousin had a mgzs 180 and we had a race and up to about 25 mph it was pretty even (due to power to weight ratio) but from then on he killed me. even a tuned vts would struggle to keep up with a mg zs180. they are after all still only a 1.6 block and cannot match the torque and pull of a bigger n/a engine. people who think that their saxos would even keep up with bigger engined cars are all living on dreamstreet.

Thank you, I reckon that last comment was honest.

The Saxo aint a bad car, it is known to be a pretty tidy handler, and even the VTR doesn't feel slow, and the VTS is quite quick.

They are not, however on the same playing field as the ZS180, and this has been said to death.

One point though, there are ZS owners here saying silly things.

Who was comparing their ZS to an impreza saying "it was quicker, but not by much"

Well bear in mind that the difference between the ZS180 and an impreza is about the same as the difference between a VTS and an MG. MG would be faster, but not by a huge amount. Over 1 lap, it would add up, and the ZS would be a fair bit ahead.

However I notice a comment a while back from a ZS180 owners saying he "wiped the floor with a Jag XJ 4.2 supercharged." No you didn't, that's the XJR, and its very, very fast.

The ZS is a car I love, and defend to the hilt, my Friend owns a ZS 2.0CDTI, and slow though it is, its handling feels brilliant, super responsive.

However its not really helping the argument to make overblown claims about it. It won't beat an Impreza, it won't beat an XJR. It will keep up with a TYPE R and a Clio 172, depending on the driver, it will beat an ST170, it will beat a Saxo.

Check the links that chap posted in some of the ZS reviews. On a track, in an experienced drivers hands, he is overtaking Elises, and Imprezas, it is a weapon. But make no mistake, a large part of that is his driving.

If the Stig was to drive all these, the times would be: Impreza and XJR, then Clio, closely followed my MG and Civic, then ST170, then Paxo VTS.

However who would be having most fun? I reckon the MG is more fun than the Civic, the Civics chassis doesn't match its engine.

The Clio is Brilliant, the Impreza and Jag both give a very different driving experience, and the Paxo? Well it might be slower, but it would still be fun.

Oh and although people say MG has an image issue, but I would far rather be seen in an MG than in the Saxo, mainly because I dont want to be associated with the typical owners, Chavs who would rather do a burnout with the engine bouncing off the rev limiter than take 10 laps of a track.

Absolutely right! and lets face it, I'd rather be in a 106 GTi! lol Only kiddin.

Just my last on the speed debate - the Peter Stevens body kit featured on The ZS 180 as standard was also an option available on ANY ZS including the 120 so its possible that our chavtastic chums in the Clio were confused or misled by a 180 clone rather than the real thing.

Either way, the ZS180 is in a different class. Despite the dated interior, the underpinnings and DNA are solid - Honda mechanicals with a BMW inspired overhaul for the MG range... its very far from a 45. Double wishbone suspension front and rear, stiffened bushes, 20mm race tuned and lowerred suspension, a silky smooth V6 and DECENT build quality - just read all the owner web reviews and remember that Tiff Needel rated the ZS180 as the '"Best front wheel drive car I have ever driven"... and that includes the Clio182, Honda Type R and Focus STi.

No it's not an EVO or an Imprezza Type UK, but then again it's not a Ferrari or a Masserati so why compare it to a completely different market? It doesn't cost a squillion pounds, need a service every 3 months and do 12 MPG either. Doh!

And finally, the head problem is on the 1.8 VVC NOT the KV6 in the ZS180 - it's a old fault going back some time when it was used widely in the 45, Rover 600, 25 (hot versions), Freelander and even the Elise I think. It actually happened to a friend of mine on a test drive in a Rover 800 1.8T (turbo) around 94/95. These reputations are hard to lie low, not least since they are still surfacing in older MGTF's. But it isn't a problem in the ZS180... different engine and better built post 2000.

Big up to the man who wrote the last comment. how can you compare a clio 182 to an mgzs180. first off the clio will only seat 4 average sized people and that will be about it. then theres the boot, you can't fit 3 sets of golf clubs and three trollys in the boot of a clio. you can't even fit one set in there. you are comparing two different classes which is silly. each has its pro's and con's, you would be better off comparing the mgzs to a bmw 325,330 or an alfa 156 or something that can hold more than a pea in its cabin.

And I think folk, that we can be pleased.

We got this thread back! Its no longer taken over by the daft Saxo, my car vs. your car rubbish.

Entertaining reading, though.

The k series was never fitted to the 600, the only rover engine in the 600 series was the 2.0ltr T series turbo and the L series diesel.

Also there was never a 1.8 turbo 800, there is a 2.0ltr turbo (id know because I've got one)

Unfortunately any car that is designed to be sporty will get compared to saxos purely because they are the chav/bad boy bench mark for cars.

I agree with previous comments the saxo and the zs are in different leagues, the saxo is biased on a small town car and the zs on a medium sized family car.

They are what they are the markets for these cars are different also as the saxo is a hot hatch aimed at the younger driver with its more insurance friendly 1.6 where as the zs is for the driver that's been driving for a few years and needs a bigger car for kids? or anything else.

I would imagine the zs would make a better long journey cruiser as well.

Sorry above poster, I am not sure you are entirely correct...

I think earlier versions of the V6 in the ZS and ZT (the KV6) were in the 600 series, and back then, did have (minor) headgasket issues.

It was well resolved by the time the ZS and ZT came about. And was never as bad as the K series anyway.

Which, whilst we are on that was not THAT bad anyway. In fact, as someone mentioned above, it was a problem that affected the 1.8 mainly, the 1.4 k series (like rover 214) did not suffer. And even the 1.8, it was usually a coolant shortage causing the problem. Regular checks on the coolant level will avoid problems. (Engine was designed to heat up quickly, but hammering it before the thermostat has opened, or even a slight loss of coolant would result in headgasket going.)

If you have a 1.8 rover engined car, 2 simple steps to ensure your headgasket will last. Check coolant level regularly. And do not thrash the engine before it is warm. Which applies to all cars anyway. Done.

The kv6 made a brief appearance in the 800 series and that was it after that it was only used in the 45 and the mg series cars the v6 in the 600 was a honda sorry. As to all the kids who think there saxo vts or what ever can beat a zs180 dream on and buy a decent reliable safe car not a baked bean tin with pedal power.

I own a civic type r EP3 and used to own a MG ZR but since getting the civic I have raced a few MG-ZS and have left them for dust. To be fair the civic is more powerful and lighter, but the ZS is still a nice enough looking car, my friend has one and even he said its not as quick as the civic as he owned a type r previous to this, but he said its good due to the fact there is more room and is more practical for family use.

Hi, I've owned an MG ZS 120 for the past 2 months, and it's the best car I've ever driven, handles well, roomy and responsive, looks great too, can't understand why the ZS is so underrated. Love it so much I'm upgrading to the 180 next week. Can't wait ;0)

The zs 180 is very good value for money now as most mg rovers are now, i ve had a zr 160 in the past and thought it was a good car! I ve never heard review saying the zs 180 was better than a civic type r etc as all of tiffs reviews favour the civic and he loves the dc2 integra!

Also the zs is miles faster than a saxo vtr not as much as you d have hoped though with a vts as they have a power to weight of about 130bhp per ton and do accelerate well.

A civic type r and clio sport etc are faster in both a straight line and round a track and have significantly better power to weight ratios-166 compared to the zs 180 s 144!

Having owned a ZS180 in the past, I would you advise against getting one as you will be asking for a whole load of problems. The head gasket is a MAJOR cause for concern, as is general reliability!

Fuel consumption is also very bad... for the amount of petrol the ZS180 uses per mile, you would expect it to be a lot quicker! Also 2.5v6 and ONLY 173bhp...NOT GOOD.

The plus side is you can pick them up for next to nothing. Cheap to buy... EXPENSIVE TO RUN!!!

MG ZS 180 you are simply the best!!!!Thank you