MG ZR 105 - Cheap Thriller

Advantages: Cheap, looks good, performs well
Disadvantages: dated interior, parts not produced in mass

...The MG ZR 105 was the first car I personally owned, opting to go for the + edition, it came with electric windows, sun roof, and central locking and on alloys as standard. So from the off it's a stylish little number with the goodies list continuing with half vinyl leather effect seats, digital dash, roof spoiler and a front splitter fitted too. This is a 1.4 K series engine knocking out around 103bhp, a lot more than other 1.4's available on the second hand market including some of the vw golf range. Overall the car is very attractive, available in MK1 and a facelift MK2 model, my bias would suggest that MK1 is more athstetically pleasing and indeed many would agree, those who own the facelift model likely would not. The steering of the car is nice and if you give it enough throttle you'll feel a new lease of life in every...

kofigc 16.10.2009 · Read review
Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful
Review of MG ZR 105

MG ZR

Advantages: None
Disadvantages: Too many to list here

...okay here goes, bought my MG ZR 105 3 door brand new, and within 3 months this is what happened, tappets started banging, the inside door frames kept coming away from the doors, the gearstick handle came off, the cloth part of the fronts seats started wearing away, the front seat tilt mechanisim snapped on the passenger side, the left hand horn button was sunk into the steering wheel, and the steering wheel wasn\'t even aligned properly, had to hold the wheel 1 inch to the right in order to drive straight. After a 1 year service by the very garage I bought it from, it started backfiring and took another 2 visits to fix, and the door trim problem again, and tappet problem again and the exhaust went at the coupling between the 2 back sections, 4 years on the car is falling apart, it is as though it was designed with the throw...

tumpshy 09.08.2007 · Read review
Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful
Review of MG ZR

MG ZR 105, fast and fun

Advantages: Cheap, fun and looks good
Disadvantages: occasional poor quality plastics in interior

...I think that driving should not only be practical and affordable but fun. I feel that the ZR encompasses all of these factors. Some say it has max power looks, well thats their opinion. It does have extended wheel arches and more aggressive bumpers than the Rover its based upon. The alloys suit the arches nicely without looking like an afterthought. The interior of the car is basic but who needs a tv or a mini bar in a car. The front seats are snug and will hug you around corners, they are also padded enough to ensure that even with the stiffer sports suspension you arent shaken too roughly. The steering is direct and the grip is amazing, I think its the best i've felt in a car this size. The engine is pokey and fun, it has a pleasant burble at idle and opens to more of a roar after 3000 rpm. I dont ever feel that it is an unwelcome...

Guitarcrazy 24.10.2009 · Read review
Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful
Review of MG ZR 105

XPG MG ZR105

Advantages: Bucket Seats, 17" Wheels, British Classic (of the future!)
Disadvantages: Fear of the dreaded Head Gasket Failure.

...I have owned my Grey ZR 105 for a year now, Through out this time I've realized it to be both fun and cheap to run. 0-60 the car is as good if not better then any other car with similar eninge sizes whilst the suspension as standard is relatively firm meaning the car has good handling especially when driven briskly on country roads. An insurance group of 7 it is average for its class and fuel efficiency if driven sensibly is very good at around 39mpg in my case. I have had no problems with my ZR personally though it isn't uncommon for the head gaskets to go. If caught soon enough though this can be repaired relatively easily and at not too great a cost. I would certainly recommend a ZR to anyone wanting something sporty but cheap to run, it can match and in many cases beat every other car in its class whilst second hand value...

Crispy12a 29.01.2009 · Read review
Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful
Review of MG ZR

MG ZR

Advantages: Cheap insurance, Cheap running costs
Disadvantages: Poor Build Quality

...to 19k for a ZT-T. Diesel or Petrol its entirely a preference of the consumer. My personal favorite is the ZR Diesel Turbo - which insidentaly gave BMW 1 series Diesel a view of its pipes and boot as it shaved 1.2 seconds from the 1 series equivelent diesel. Great fun, good looking, cheap running cost and since the demise of MG Rover Group... low priced low milage examples are readily available. Build quality is a let down. You dont get Germany build quality or Japanese reliability from MG but as my nan says, 'you get what ya pay for' Go on.... give it a try, you never know... you may love the Octagonal badged 'British' beauty....

ventris739 11.09.2007 · Read review
Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful
Review of MG ZR

MG ZR TD - See how it pays to buy British

Advantages: Stunning looks, good performance, decent spec, makes you make excuses just to go out and drive it
Disadvantages: None

...I really dont know where to start on this one. When I first saw MGRover release this motor I knew I had to have one. In recent times I had bought classic cars including an MG Maestro and a Triumph TR7. I'd always liked my British cars but due to promotion at work I no longer had the time to spend working on older cars, nor could I be bothered with tinkering when I had been at work all day. It was time to by my first ever brand new one, and i couldn't have made a better choice. I had always liked the zr and as I say i've always liked to buy british where I can so I popped down to my local dealers (Inchcape, Buron On Trent) one morning and had a word. I'd heard bad things about some MG Rover dealers so was pleasantly suprised with my local dealer. A very warm welcome was enjoyed and they'd be quite happy to let you browse...

CyrixDes 22.07.2004 · Read review
Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful
Review of MG ZR

MG ZR 105+ (1.4)

Advantages: Great looks, performance
Disadvantages: Build quality, basic equipment

...I bought my Trophy Blue MG ZR 105+ in Septemper 2003. This is the 1.4 petrol engine so the smallest of the range. I opted for the '+' spec as it included electric front windows and fog lights. I also had air conditioning, single slot CD player and metallic paint as optional extras. These add a few crucial touches to an otherwise poorly specced car - it is very basic inside which was one disadvantage of this car when compared to other makes. Having said that, this wasn't a problem for me. I bought this car as it had that wow factor when I looked at it, something that I didn't get from any other car in that price range. Combine its head-turning looks and the performance you get out of the 103 bhp (105PS) engine and that is what really makes this car. Nothing else matters. You don't mind the basic interior as the drive is superb. It...

ahills 18.09.2004 · Read review
Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful
Review of MG ZR

MG for ME -Oh...and my brother.....!

Advantages: Sporty, sleek, zippy, excellant range of colours and add ons
Disadvantages: Price - Just a wee bit expensive!

...2005 Version of the MG ZR+ 115 TD My brother was lucky enough to have gotten an excellent deal with his employers, who agreed to pay part payment on a brand new car for him. Wish I had the opportunity like this, but it was to allow him to travel the some 200 mile round trip to work, as he was thinking of leaving to get a new job closer to home. After trawling through quite a few garages before Christmas, I was drawn to the MG one, just to have a look! There were many models, but the one that caught my eye, was the MG ZR+, 115 Turbo Diesel 5 door. Perfect. It was a 5 door, so suitable for ?the family? i.e. his wife and child, and a zippy little thing which means I could drive it, as apposed to his last, massive Megane Saloon which was just way too big for me. I also?helped? well pushed my brother to get my choice of colour...

Evil_Irish_Twin 24.01.2005 · Read review
Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful
Review of MG ZR

MG ZR160, top of its class...

Advantages: Sporty but stylish
Disadvantages: Bit slow off the cuff

...I like the look of the MG ZR160. So much I purchased on myself a year after I had my Rover 25. I must say this is a sexy car. It has a sleek body, comes in an array of colours and looks like a sport car. I feel proud driving my ZR. Unfortunately the inside lets it down. Having had a Rover 25 I expected a different interior to the ZR. But alas, it has the same interior and dash, only difference being you have a chrome top to your gear stick and a part chrome dash. The gadgets are exactly the same, you can opt for air conditioning and front and rear fog lights, but it you go for the fully loaded version like I did, you will get those anyway. You do have the option to have half leather seats but iit would have been nice if they offered you full leather seats, but hey, I can’t complain, the red leather part seats look good in...

Nickz 07.03.2003 · Read review
Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful
Review of MG ZR

MG ZR - Thoroughly Recommended

Advantages: Great value, lots of features, British built
Disadvantages: Based on a old car design

...I bought a brand new MG ZR from a discount car dealer in December 2004. I bought the most basic model available at a cost of £7995 on the road. I would thoroughly recommend the car to anyone. It's now April 2005 and I've done about 2100 miles in the car without any problems at all. For less than £8000 I cannot think of a better car you could buy in terms of features, styling and performance. The engine is only a 1.4 litre but gives quite good acceleration compared with other 1.4 litre engined cars on the market. You get loads of great features for your money including driver's airbag, single-slot CD player, seatbeat pre-tensioners, electric windows, remote central locking, remote boot opening (from the keyring), alarm. There's plenty of smart places to store drinks and CDs. The interior has just been revamped and looks as good as...

joeblackie 13.04.2005 (04.07.2005) · Read review
Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful
Review of MG ZR