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MG ZR ZS ZT Technical - What I do not like about my new ZS..

The way the front seat belt slots location is tucked away flush with the seat and centre consul. If I'm wearing a heavy jacket or coat, not unusual this time of the year, it can be a bit of a fiddle before they click into place. I'd like them to be of a higher profile and thus more easily located 'blind', like they are on the old Montegos.

The fact that like many new cars, some Zeds do not come with a proper spare wheel or even a car jack. Just a canister of gas to reinflate a punctured tyre. Anyone had to use this yet and what were the results? Solved it quite cheaply with a visit to a local breakers. Unused Honda Jack is perfect fit, good wheel nut brace and spare Rover alloy with good tyre less than 20 quid all in ... my lucky day I guess. I had expected to pay much more. No big deal really because yet to get a puncture. But, my wife frequently drives this car and Sod's Law being what it is ..... anyway, sorted now.

When reversing on full right or left hand lock, the rear window pillars are much wider than I've been used to for over twenty years and like far too many so called 'modern' cars, is effectively a considerable blind spot when reversing.
Had I not been used to driving a Montego for the past twenty years, which incidentally has the best all round vision I know of on any recent saloon car, I might not have noticed this. I've also driven one or two new people carriers recently with the now fashionable very steeply raked front screens which mean steeply sloped and thicker A posts. Boy, do those babies restrict your peripheral (side) vision particularly when approaching T-junctions or roundabouts.

That's it I guess. Now I'm going to write about the things I DO like about the car...... I may be some time ...:O))

JMcF.
John McFeely

I have to agree with John here. After being in the 'moderns' I feel like I'm in a glasshouse in my Monty (but still prefer driving it - all round vision is almost perfect and the laugh-at factor is now disappearing as values of Montys and Maestros continue to rise). John's comment about reversing is also spot on as more 'moderns' need reversing sensors in bumpers. This latter newish in-thing is a help when reversing but vastly expensive for what it is - d.i.y. kits retail at over 200 quid for a few sensors in rear bumper, although I am reliably informed that Woolies of all shops stock a diy kit for less than 20quid with ecu, wiring and sensors - must look that out.
John

Drove a Peugeot 307 today which has that silly MPU styling. I though it was quite dangerous as the pillars are so far forward and thick that approaching roundabouts is quite perilous.

I have read an article in a national newspaper that claims that despite being safer in a crash, you are much more likely to crash a newer car because of the poor visibility.

My 20 year old MG1600 is a far better drive than many newer cars I have driven. Much more responsive and nimble. Yet to drive a Z-saloon so will have to reserve judgement on those - but at least they don't look like mini Ford Galaxies.
Matthew Semple

Good Eveing John
Might i say that perhaps you should look at the Skoda vRS. I thinking about this my self because 215+ BHP is just a quick re-map away!

Hear that many Police forces now use them to great affect. I think they came 3rd out of 137 cars in the J D Power survey. Father runs an 1.6 estate and its a nice car (Gear change a bit notchy).

You thoughts?
Cheers
Mike
Mega

Where's ya bin Scouse-Mike? No mention of the Honda news either ....why?

One of the many things I DO like about my ZS is the gear change. Are they all like that I wonder. Only driven three to date and my one is really ideal and suits me. Nice action which encourages frequent changes just for the hell of it ...:-)

Nice as it is though, even after nine months of ownership now, still prefer driving the Tomcat Rover 220CT or Montego Turbos .... but then that's me ...lol.

>>215+ BHP is just a quick re-map away<<

Hmmmm ..... I've been creeping about with a mere standard 197 BHP in the old Tomcat .... and that's now 11 years old ....lol.

Had a close look at a Starlight Silver MG ZT V8 this afternoon. Now, that's my kind of motor ...... complete with solid silver effect galloping Mustang displayed on the engine .... way to go and all that!!!

John
John McFeely

This thread was discussed between 25/01/2004 and 20/02/2004

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