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MG ZR ZS ZT Technical - Rover 75 Vitesse / MG ZTT 260

The lease on my BMW 320 tourer runs out soon and Im keen to replace it with a non lease MG/ Rover, preferably used. Took a MGZTT 190 for a test drive recently but wasn't too keen as 1. the ride was too hard for a lot of urban driving with speed humps, 2. the boot seemed to be smaller than the BMW and 3. seemed a bit sluggish even with 190 psi - probably cause its a big car. Have now just taken a zt260 for a test drive - certainly not sluggish! Also the ride seems softer (or am I imagining it?). Can't do anything about the boot but 2 outta 3 solutions aint bad. However, there was a roumour that they would be doing a Rover 75 v8 vitesse. The dealers tell me no but I spoke to one who said he'd seen a v8 lump being lowered into a 75 on a recent factoy visit. Wouldnt have chosen a 75 in the past as I didnt like the front, but I think the new front improves things a lot (although paradoxically I think the old front looks better on the ZTT). So the choice now seems to be a ZTT 260 old shape (used, theres only one available in trophy blus in Leeds - hopefully more in summer when staff cars go on sale) or , if there will be one, a new 75 tourer vitesse. Alternatively, how easy is it to soften the ride on the ZTT 190?
marc hanson

The major modification to the 75 to make the ZT was hardening the ride. The general view was that the ride was too hard and was subsequently soften with the hard ride available as an extra cost option. I suspect you drove one of the old hard ones.

Changing a second hand car from hard to less hard must be possible – but why bother in a sellers market – find one with the softer set up.

Are you confusing the ZTT which is the estate with the ZT which is the saloon. We have a 75 Estate and find the space in the back ample and would have thought bigger than the 3 Series Estate.

I too would only be interested in the V8 if it is available in the understated and discrete guise of a 75. If the V8 is a success in the market I cannot see by MGR would not want to increase sales by changing the grill and putting the classier interior in and calling it a Rover! I suspect they are being quiet until they know the demand.

Cheers

Patrick
Patrick

Patrick

Im pretty sure the ZTT I drove was the one with the softer suspension (it was new autumn of last year. As to the boot of the ZTT (at the risk of begining to sound a bit nerdy but with 2 kids and a wife who likes to pack to suit all potential weather these things are important to me) I believe at its maximum its something like 12oo litres whereas the BMW 3 series is 1400 litres. I think the reason is that the ZTT boot is a lot shallower than the BMW boot. Top in terms of size is the new Jag X type tourer (c1450 litres) but the front on that is even uglier than the front on the old shape 75...
marc

Had the choice between a new ZTT190 and a 2nd hand 325 tourer. Same cost for us. I still have the specs to hand.
(We ruled out all other in the general area through test drives)

Make sure and drive both. I was after a sportier ride... and drove the ZTT with and without sports suspension... and also drove the 3 series in SE and Sports trim. The 3 series was a little "faster", but the handling really wasn't that good. Was quite dissapointed really. The ZTT190 was "slower"... until bends appeared. Basically the ZTT was able to be faster point to point in either guise than the 3 series.
So if a ZTT190 is able to be faster than a 325... then I'm really surprised that a 320 felt faster as it's slower on paper as well as not being as good round the bends!!!

The ZTT 260 will feel very different as the suspension has been reengineered somewhat when it became rear wheel drive.
Anyways... if you are sure that you drove a car without the sports suspension and it was new enough to have the softer setting... then maybe the 75 has to be the one for you. But check! :-)

As for boot space... the ZTT comes in at 1222 litres (400 in just the boot with the cover over and 680 in just the boot filled to the roof) and the 3 series tourer comes in at 1345 litres (435 in just the boot)so the 3 series is marginally bigger.


It's a tricky one if you don't like the suspension of the "soft" ZTT. I doubt very much that you can soften the suspension of the ZTT for a reasonable cost. Probably something can be done with different higher profile wheels... but you might just have to wait for the V8 75... which is certainly rumoured to be happening soon. I have no dates for production... :-( ...but I too have heard people comment on having seen the V8 Rover first hand.

P.
Paul Nothard

Just bought a brand new ZT260 for 25k with nice new alloys and Harmon Kardon. BTILL!
Ann MG Nut

No relation...
Ann MG Writer

MG Nut must be Jerry!
Eric

I have brown mercedes german nazi car. This has estate back and is made in the 1979 or other period I forget.

This is not fast and I hate this car becase of the person who I by this car. I will in the most future time wish to fight with this man for this stupid thing he sell me. I am not know where the bastur light on this car are playing. I cannot make the road light and drive home most many time in the dark. i am sure the rover is like this because their name are the same.
Yoram Shevach

This thread was discussed between 09/02/2004 and 15/02/2004

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