MG ZS advice before buying!!

Petey89

Hey, so as the title says im thinking of buying a 2005 MG ZS 1.4 105+ from a local SIMI dealer. Iv always loved them but I don't know much about them. I know that the head gasket can give trouble but this one has been changed 20k kms ago and has had a new clutch fitted this week. He is also offering me a 3 month warranty with the car.
Can anybody tell me anything else about them good or bad? I don't want to end up with a car that will cost me more on repairs.

ba_barabus

Have you a link to the ad?

How much are you paying?

He had to give you a 3 month warranty btw

Petey89

ba_barabus wrote: »

Have you a link to the ad?

How much are you paying?

He had to give you a 3 month warranty btw

http://www.carzone.ie/search/MG/ZS/105+-4DR/36513711967581720/advert?channel=CARS

well he didn't have to he could just sell it as seen. I would be trading my 02 astra against it so not too sure how much he will give me for that.

bazz26

That's a very strong asking price there for an 8 year old MG imo.

ba_barabus

Petey89 wrote: »

http://www.carzone.ie/search/MG/ZS/105+-4DR/36513711967581720/advert?channel=CARS

well he didn't have to he could just sell it as seen. I would be trading my 02 astra against it so not too sure how much he will give me for that.

No he couldn't sell it to a general member of the public without a warranty.

Anyway the price stated is 3350. How much does he want along with your car?

Weak points are the coolant system and gearboxes. Not a bad car apart from that. Good power from the k series and a light enough body. Won't win any races but I must admit I do like them a lot.

ba_barabus

bazz26 wrote: »

That's a very strong asking price there for an 8 year old MG imo.

I have to agree.

Petey89

bazz26 wrote: »

That's a very strong asking price there for an 8 year old MG imo.

I thought that it was a bit on the high side but its always guna be a lot dearer than a private seller, there was one on donedeal the very same just blue for 2700 but I would have no come back on it and I want to trade mine against it.

Petey89

besides the price, what would you say about the car itself?

ba_barabus

Petey89 wrote: »

besides the price, what would you say about the car itself?

Looks fine. I'm on the phone but can't make out any respray of damage from the pictures.

Petey89

ba_barabus wrote: »

Looks fine. I'm on the phone but can't make out any respray of damage from the pictures.

Yeah iv been to see it and I couldn't see any signs of any damage, only thing was a small tare in the driver seat. it is in very good condition I haven't got to drive it yet though due to the clutch not been fitted till 2moro.

goochy

Petey89 wrote: »

Hey, so as the title says im thinking of buying a 2005 MG ZS 1.4 105+ from a local SIMI dealer. Iv always loved them but I don't know much about them. I know that the head gasket can give trouble but this one has been changed 20k kms ago and has had a new clutch fitted this week. He is also offering me a 3 month warranty with the car.
Can anybody tell me anything else about them good or bad? I don't want to end up with a car that will cost me more on repairs.

Hi mileage and price u should get it for a lot Less ! Doesn't bill Cullen work there ? U can get a rover 75 for that price much better car !

Petey89

goochy wrote: »

Hi mileage and price u should get it for a lot Less ! Doesn't bill Cullen work there ? U can get a rover 75 for that price much better car !

I wouldn't consider it that high for an 05 the average yearly mileage on a car would be 10k like so its not too far off being 8 years old. his picture is on the side of the building alright think he could be the owner.
I did look at the 45 they are cheaper but no where near as nice to look at.

colm_mcm

Try to imagine what a garage would buy an mg zs without a clutch for.

Petey89

colm_mcm wrote: »

Try to imagine what a garage would buy an mg zs without a clutch for.

Oh I know he probably got it for nothing, if I do go for it i am going to try and get the price down on it. there is only one other 05 ZS on carzone and they are looking for 4500

JohnBoy26

Petey89 wrote: »

besides the price, what would you say about the car itself?

They are nice looking cars Imo but they do have their issues. Later cars are fitted with a pektron bcu which does give problems leading to the car developing erratic electrical problems. Other issues are noisy tappets(if you could call that an issue) and of course as you know hg failure is common. Earlier cars also gave gearbox issues due to the peugeot gearbox that they were fitted with being a bit soft. Later cars had a more robust ford unit and should be fine.

They imo really are only worth considering if they are going cheap as they are basically a reworked 1992 honda domani undearneath except the mg rover comes with an inferior engine gearbox to the Honda. One positive thing though is that the suspension being based on a 90's Honda is sophisticated with fully independent suspension and double wishbone on the front which makes the mg zs a great drivers car with great handling.

goochy

Petey89 wrote: »

I wouldn't consider it that high for an 05 the average yearly mileage on a car would be 10k like so its not too far off being 8 years old. his picture is on the side of the building alright think he could be the owner.
I did look at the 45 they are cheaper but no where near as nice to look at.

Its high mileage for the type of car it is I was talking about the 75 not 45

Petey89

goochy wrote: »

Its high mileage for the type of car it is I was talking about the 75 not 45

aw right I see, I don't like the 75 at all

JohnBoy26

goochy wrote: »

Its high mileage for the type of car it is I was talking about the 75 not 45

105k miles is not high mileage on this type of car. Most superminis can handle more mileage than that with ease.

These cars are based on a Honda chassis which is well proven to be able to handle mega miles with ease.

If any thing were to fail due to mileage it would probably be the engine which kind of nullifies your point as the 75 shares the same type of engine as the 45.

Petey89

JohnBoy26 wrote: »

They are nice looking cars Imo but they do have their issues. Later cars are fitted with a pektron bcu which does give problems leading to the car developing erratic electrical problems. Other issues are noisy tappets(if you could call that an issue) and of course as you know hg failure is common. Earlier cars also gave gearbox issues due to the peugeot gearbox that they were fitted with being a bit soft. Later cars had a more robust ford unit and should be fine.

They imo really are only worth considering if they are going cheap as they are basically a reworked 1992 honda domani undearneath except the mg rover comes with an inferior engine gearbox to the Honda. One positive thing though is that the suspension being based on a 90's Honda is sophisticated with fully independent suspension and double wishbone on the front which makes the mg zs a great drivers car with great handling.

To be honest I don't know what tappets are! I thinking because the HG was changed that it should be ok now.

goochy

Petey89 wrote: »

To be honest I don't know what tappets are! I thinking because the HG was changed that it should be ok now.

I was thinking about how u can get a BMW engine dsl 75 for simalar money I quite like rovers and Mgs but this car is priced too high for what it is unless a car is German or Japanese over 100 k mls makes a car worth peanuts