MG-Cars.info

Welcome to our Site for MG, Triumph and Austin-Healey Car Information.

Parts

MG parts spares and accessories are available for MG T Series (TA, MG TB, MG TC, MG TD, MG TF), Magnette, MGA, Twin cam, MGB, MGBGT, MGC, MGC GT, MG Midget, Sprite and other MG models from British car spares company LBCarCo.

MG ZR ZS ZT Technical - just how british are the z cars?

Im thinking of getting an mgr saloon but want a car thats as british in terms of design, engine and fabrication as possible (ie like my F and my metro turbo). I like the ZS but isnt this just a civic with a different badge? ok with the engine and fabrication but did mgr have any input into the design itself? ditto the ZR? Also, looking at some of the older rovers, I like the look of the rover 600 but again thats a honda isnt it? I hear that even the engines on those were honda engines. What about the 800? As Im not particularly keen on maestros or montegos might that only leave the ZT? How much of the design of the 75 was done in Germany by BMW and how much in the UK?
marc h

Marc
Depending on the earlier Rovers (800/600/400/200) you may find Honda engines, but from about the mid-90s onwards most got either the K4 or KV6 engines. Also, with the earlier 200/400 range, Rover went much further with 3drs, coupes, cabriolets and tourer/estates so much input there.
The Metro/100 and F/TF is all up UK.
The Current models, all use variations of either K4 or KV6 engines, or in the case of the ZR/ZS-25/45, a Rover group Diesel, but BMW diesel in the ZT/75 -
ZR is based on the 200 which was an all Rover operation using primarily Honda switch gear as the only recognisable carry-over, although the floorpan is a modified 400 IIRC, but with an older Meastro rear set-up?
ZS is Honda based as per the 400/45, and Honda have recently destroyed much of the equipment and IPR relating to the 45/ZS.
ZT was all UK design with some BMW componentry used in the switchgear etc. ZT Diesel uses BMW unit.

So for an authetic all UK car probably ZR or ZT (25 or 75). Or even better for a trend setting car, the Streetwise (see Polo and C2 copies).

Don't forget that some of the components would be sourced from abroad as is the case with many cars (UK BMW RHD 3 series made in South Africa now, for example), so unless you buy a TVR, there's probably no such thing as a British car (not even Morgan).

As to the SV, or ZT 260, they use the US V8 engine.
Martin Williamson

ZT 260
Ford USA Mustang Engine and associated Tremec gearbox.
Floorpan beleived to be very similar to BMW 3 series but madly changed to fit big engine and powertrain.
Front brakes BMW, you can see the BMW letters cast into the calipers.
Rears AP RAcing
Diff similar to TVRs made by DANA
electrics by Yo Awroiyt!

Whole car about as British as a Bristol or a Jensen... about as Brit as you can get... Fly the flag and get one!

SV is heavily Italian, production zig zagged between Longbridge and the old Qvale ( de Tomaso) factory in North Italy
Neil

Get a ZT Marc - you won't regret it (I certainly don't!)

Development wise, it is almost completely British (obviously using BMW money, and some BMW componentry, as these parts were readily available then from the combined corporate parts bin). Even on my Longbridge built, 2003 ZTT, the fuel cap still has a BMW roundel on the inside... Ignore that.

However, if you are after an MG with as much shared Austin Rover componentry, you'd have to go for a ZR. It's got a Maestro rear torsion bar suspension, it's got the R8 front end (MacPherson struts - engineered by Rover for the Mk2 Rover 200 and Honda Concerto) and of course, K-series engines. A hoot to drive too.

A ZS180 makes a cracking case for itself. That 180PS KV6 engine has plenty of latent tuning potential too. A 2WD British Scoobie ;o)

How big a car do you need?

PS Sorry to have missed you last week.
Rob Bell

thanks guys. sounds like a 200/ zr or 75/zt. I do like the zs but its too much of a honda i fear. having said that im not too keen on the zr (i dont like how it looks)and a good v6 zt is probably outside my budget. That leaves a brm 200 (i love the orange mouth and vvc engine (and didnt they come with a ltd slip diff?))or an early 75 v6 conniseur. the car is just for me to pootle up and down to the coast from london and to lug stuff around. the metro turbo is fine but a little fragile and too frentic for motorway cruising.

rob, sorry i missed you. my little daughter wasnt at all well (ended up in hospital) but is now much improved. Im going to try and get up to tech speed later this week.
marc h

Yes, I heard that Marc. Glad to hear that she's better.

I'll probably be up at Techspeed on Friday to collect my F - needed some TLC following the split hose incident. And then for Gavin to complete some of the many jobs that I have simply not had time to attend to!

Hmm - we had a Rover 75 KV6. A 2-litre. A very nice car. I'd probably go for the 2.5 litre as it isn't any less economical, but usefully more powerful/torquey. A modified 75 would be rather nice- with Mesh grilles, lowered suspension and ZT wheels... Oops - there goes the Darkside again! ROFL

A BRM is a car I was very seriously tempted to buy. The quality of the fixtures and fittings is superb. Shame about the shape of the seats - I don't find them particularly comfortable. And the quilted red leather is an acquired taste!
Rob Bell

This thread was discussed between 15/08/2005 and 16/08/2005

MG ZR ZS ZT Technical index

This thread is from the archives. Join the live MG ZR ZS ZT Technical BBS now