Some corrections on the Rover 400: The 400 was a fine platform, it is derived from the Honda Integra chassis, which is an award winning platform. The K series engine is often slated for reliability problems. In reality, every engine ever made has some common fault. Pre 1998 K series engines had head gasket failure issues. Rover rectified the problem and post 1998 there were no common faults. The K series also benefitted from having the best power to weight ratio in its class. People see the rover badge and think drab, ignoring the fantastic engineering that went into this era of Rover. Few people realise Rovers replacent for this generation was the Mini, which was developed at longbridge, not by BMW as most think, and the R30 platform, showcased as the Rover 35 concept car, which became the BMW 1 series. Development for both platforms was done by Rover, in the UK, BMW took both completed programs back to Germany and left Rover with nothing to show for their years of development work. Then the company was sold off.
superb car, had a 110+ gun metal grey 06 plate great handling car,downside the door handles and heater matrix... but easy to fix, a very underestimated car indeed
I know what you mean about the prejudice. I never looked at these because they're based on old Rovers but saw one in town the other day and it caught my eye (hence i'm watching this video!) I have to say for something based on such an old car the styling has really stood the test of time.
I like the honesty and the natural way the presenter does his stuff. I'm test driving a blue MG ZS 2.5 V6 today, 30,000 miles, one owner, service history,only 2 grand... a BMW in that condition would be 6 grand easy!
...just adding to some of the comments I made early in the video; to be honest the more I drove the ZS the faster it seemed. Once you get used to the 'way' it accelerates then driving this car can get quite addictive. The only real down side is a growing craving to find better & better roads to blast this car on! I think a possible track day beckons. Many thanks for positive feedback. Next up we're going back to the 90's with a Peugoet 306 GTI-6. It's another surprisingly good car to drive fast!
I saw this review last year. I took your advice and bought one and I'm really impressed. 05 reg 70k. £1300. They are really good value. A bit heavy on petrol and high insurance for young people but what a great sound above 3000 revs. I'm enjoying driving again! Many thanks!
I bought one two days ago (Thu 15 Jul 2021). A 2005 1.8 5 door hatch with 37k on it for £1500! Happy so far,few bits n bobs to attend to but that was to be expected.
I'm thinking of buying one of these cars and been looking at old reviews and used car reviews. After watching your vid I'm really tempted to get one now and the best thing is they are going really cheap.
These really are superb cars for the money. Ignored by badge snobs but better than most of the competition at the time. The engine was a peach, the handling exceptional, steering brilliant, driving position faultless even for a 6ft 4ins bloke like me, massive boot, great seats etc. The build quality could've been better in places but it was still better than anything French. I had a mk1 180 and put 55000 more or less faultless miles on it. Uprate induction and exhaust for best sound and results!
I get a few of the badge snobs ay has rover broken down yet 🙄? Ive had it a year it sailed through its mot and on have had to change a rear bulb and the battery since I got it.
just got a 180 2 days ago 54 plate mk2 .53,000 miles fsh , mots the lot ,2 grand. absolutley stupid price they are great to drive and look awesome. this is a pretty good and honest review of one of the most underrated cars on the road.
These are brilliant to drive, i had one till it got written off, inside the cab not the best as far as switch gear goes, no toys either, fuck all that drive it and youll love it, there so addictive and AS the man here says the steering and handling are spot on, the power is surprising for 180bhp, big car some how it just goes and will give most warm hatches a shock thats for sure, i had a just a piper back box and sounded just right, lift off the power the exhaust pops and burbles,,
Great review of the car! Here in Australia I've just bought one of only 40 face-lifted 2004 models imported from new by MG Rover Australia. Its 54,000 miles and like new, not a mark on the body with full and important service history.
A real drivers car, best car I have owned and had one for 5 years now with no intention of changing. Lightened flywheel , larger exhaust & manifolds and LSD transforms it into another league.I wouldn't call it a peach isn't that Slovak for a lady bit? It is a dream car though.
They are great cars, I had my 180 for 8 years and did lots with it. One of the biggest things I miss is the sound it made, I genuinely hear few cars that make a better sound that my old one.
Yeah realised my model mix up too late, nevertheless you are forgiven. Just good to know the watchers of the show are so knowledgeable. Thanks for watching.
Nice video, I came here after seeing reference to it on a PH thread on the ZS180. Just an observation, but when I worked in a sales job and talking and presenting to people I was told to keep the hands away from the face, and around the mouth. It messes with the communication. Good work and a pleasant surprise. :) :)
two mix ups he said mg zr was based on rover 45 its based on rover 25 he said zs comes with 18" alloys it comes with 17" but otherwise good video nice to here good comments on truly a great car!
@Gumprect: I agree these cars do sound amazing! I commented on the sound quite a bit but I think in order to shrink the video down the comments seemed to have been edited out. Hopefully you can hear for yourself on the video just how fruity the engine note is!
Forgive me if you've already heard this by now, but the ZR (The hatch) was based on the Rover 25, the ZS was based on the Rover 45 (which itself was an updated 400/civic) and the ZT (the big one) was based on the Rover 75. Good review. The MG versions were a different kettle of fish from the Rovers, and great to drive. They now make performance car bargains IMO!
@DreamCarGarage1 On that note my mate came for a quick blast in mine, and the first thing he said when getting out was "gotta get myself a V6". He has an Integra Type-r, a car most people wouldn't complain about the noise of.
This video is in a different league to your dodgy BMW seat restoration video. Absolutely first class. Glad you liked the ZS: I own the ZT, its slightly bigger cousin. I think you'd like that too, but you do notice that it's heavier, not so much in the acceleration which is still very good, more to do with the fact that you can certainly tell your in a car weighing nearly one and a half tonnes.
I had mine on track at the weekend- it's way better than it has any right to be. It does seem to thrive on being revved too- the crashy suspension(around town) and the quick steering make sense at speed. You can pick up early ones with reasonable miles for under £1k. Complete bargain. The engines are really restricted on breathing too- so a decent cold air induction + exhaust should see 15bhp. Good review btw(although I don't agree on rear seat room!- I have more leg room in my misses Ford Ka).
Don't forget that the rover 400 is actually a Honda MB6 chassis. I've converted my Rover 400 to a Honda Civic MB6 inside and out. Only thing left is the 2.0 turbo diesel engine
I've owned 2 400 diesels and I now own a Rover 25 with facelift MG ZR panel conversion and a 2004 MG ZS 180. Even though the ZS is just a Rover 400 with a facelift, you would never think so. Great cars, even with all it's vis problems lol
@Shaun442k Which track was that, and how much did it cost? The MG is now up for sale but I'm thinking it might be fun to film it on a track day as a last Hoorah.
I had a MK1 ZS 180 in British racing green with big spoiler and i loved it. I had to sell because it had problems and i couldn't afford to repair it. Was so upset. inlet Manifold went and the Gearbox seals kept leaking. I think i trusted the salesman too much when i got it. :-( But yea its one of the nicest cars i have ever driven, they're fast, stick to the road. They're really smooth and sound beautiful. I would definately get another one. But make sure its been well looked after before hand.
I shed a tear when i sold my 180. But the car guzzled fuel. A girl at work said to me if you're only getting 18mpg then you may as well have a Skyline. So that's what i did. Still miss that exhaust note though.
If you drive it right you can get quite good mpg out of one, I managed to go from Birmingham to Grantham then from there to Spalding and 3 days worth of small trips and was just above 3/4 tank from full
Got a ZR 2 days ago.Only 56k miles for 1200 quid.Tiny bits of rust which i will correct to bring it up to my standard.I got the 1.8 ,120 version.I love it to bits.My wife has a rover 25 which goes like a bullet which is surprising for a 1.4 il.That one only cost 290 quid with a years mot and no advisories.I got lucky
I got the ZS as well brilliant car in xpower grey amazing to drive. There is the rover 45 that is the lower version that is a smashing car also, great review and honest. You've got yourself a new subscriber. MG ZS rating 8 out of 10. Video review rating 10 out of 10. Well done 😊😄😃
I've had my mk1 mg zs 180 for a few months now. Yes the ride is alittle stiff and the interior is basic. But to drive they're excellent, the handling is so sharp and precise, you can chuck it into corners with hardly any body roll. It's quick but not too quick by modern standards, but that v6 sounds great and once you go over 3000 rpm and the vis kicks in you get a nice torquey shove. Anyone thinking of getting one of these I'd say do it as they can be picked up for less than £1000. They're so underrated and you won't be disappointed.
@DreamCarGarage1 I recently swapped my merc c250td for a mk 1 zs 180 in blue,It's got the inlet rattle but what a car,It would definately p*ss all over the the old 3 door cossie rep i had running a 180 bhp highly tuned pinto lump.I intend stayin with the 180 for many years to come and i'm already looking at swapping my hatchback 180 for a 180 saloon which i'm sure will achieve classic status.steve
Great Car!!!! I own this car, anyone want to buy it? Lol - since this video it has had new stainless exhaust, new discs and pads all round, new plenum and thermostat, new alloys, oil catch tank, etc etc...... Great car, but my third car and just buying a bigger motor :D Nice review by the way!
I own this car now done a few changes its got 192bhp waiting to have a remap done . Its still a lovely car to Drive loads of power and sounds Great had to put a new gearbox and clutch in it spent well over £1500 on it just lately and plenty more to spend on it. It has a Piper exhaust cat back with a decat plus an open ended induction kit and she Roars best sounding car I have ever owned and I will keep her till she dies I love driving her and taking her to shows MY MG ZS 180 ON FRESH ADDITIONS ROLLING ROAD DAY sorry about the sound quality the fan drowned it out
