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MG ZR ZS ZT Technical - ZR rear spoiler

at some point, the Mark One ZR, suddenly acquired a centre fin to the rear spoiler, I suppose to improve the quality and performance of the part. But sometimes, it's one visual clue that a number of minor tweaks happened in the background.

Anyone know anything?

Extremely curious
Gary

Gary
The original ZR was launched with a bi-spoiler, that is, the original 200/25 visor was left in place and colour matched, and a spoiler added to that. I seem to recall in the early days (2002) that many ZR owners were frustrated at the quality ossue of the spoiler and that the gasket kept slipping out from between the original visor and the spoiler. To counter the problem in late 2002, MG R developed a new one piece spoiler and I think this is when the central fin was added.

Hope that clarifies.

Martin
Martin ZT

well Martin, I've just got my second ZR, a pre-face-lifted one with a centre fin, and I just can't get over the difference in this car compared to my 51 plate ZR, and this was the reason I posed the question. Absolutely everything about it is much much better, so I thought it had some kind of mini makeover denoted by those in the know as the one with the centre fin. And, by the way, the only difference between the 1.4 and the 1.8 VVC was engine, gearbox and brakes - right? With the cosmetics being the wheels and sideskirts. Are they the only differences?

My cars -

51 plate ZR 1.4

&

54 plate Mark One ZR 1.8 VVC

cheers -
Gary
Gary

Gary
From what I read on the forums in the early days, the ZR suffered with a lot of bodykit problems which were addressed by the end of 2002. The smaller ZRs now also have a Getrag gearbox as opposed to the PG units.
I cannot recall all the various differences but yes, I think you have it regarding the cosmetics and drive train.

Yes, sadly, MG R have not made enough of a feature of the improvements that continually go into these cars.

Martin
Martin ZT

with the first car, I was eventually going to join the merry band of modders. The car with it's niggles that gave me pause for thought, but then modding would fix all that and the learning curve and the pleasure would be all mine. (But then ........ if those green springs are that good, shouldn't they be on the cars anyway?) The second car is just so outstanding in the handling department and feel for the road, and in a way that wasn't quite there in the "dumpiness" of the first.
Gary

ZR was introduced with what was previously a Rover 25 additional upper spoiler styling extra, listed in the Rover accessory booklet. The movement between the standard for all 200/25/ZR rear visor spoiler that carried the high level brake lamp (HLBL) created many problems for paint finish and so in 2002 a new single piece moulding was introduced that included the 'shark fin' as an additional brace. This continued to the introduction of the 05 model year new shape facleifted ZR which has a listed different part. Having one of these cars I see the only difference between the current and the older set up being in the use of a clear lens HLBL.

Other body changes introduced in the same period includes moulding in the added body kit parts to the front and rear 'bumper mouldings', again to reduce the quality problems that were associated with these.

Originally all 200/25/ZR used two distinct gearboxes the R65 derived from a Peugeot design that was applied to all 1100, 1400 and 1600 engines and then for the 1800 and 2000TD models the old faithful PG1 series was used. During 2003 the Getrag IB5 gearbox replaced the R65 (complete with Ford cast into many points I hasten to add to indicate the volume user) and the PG1 continued with ongoing updates. Clutches are different also with a considerable advantage coming from the PG1 applications using a bigger 215mm diameter clutch.

In line with the different gearboxes you have different front subframe assemblies and there are a number of smaller additional differences, for example the dmapers are the same for all ZRs, but the front springs are different between 1.4 and 1.8 compared to 160 VVC and compared again to the diesel models. The other main differences are as you indicate.

Rog
Roger Parker

This thread was discussed between 29/10/2004 and 10/11/2004

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