We tried to fix everything on this £1500 estate car at Richard Hammond's workshop 

If you'd like your own daily to look as sparkly as our MG, check out Gtechniq's products here: www.gtechniq.co.uk/

Such a treat to see Neal and the whole crew at the smallest cog doing their thing. Hats off to the camera crew and editors too!

Nice one mate that ZT-T is looking awesome! White wheels suit it very nicely and clean headlights make a huge difference. Are the brakes the bigger ones from the 190 model you've fitted? If so got the same on one of mine, makes a decent difference. Shame the 160 v6 didn't come with them as standard. If you're looking for more power, a decent remap and cat back stainless exhaust will give you much better gains than the air intake. The v6 160 is actually detuned from 177hp. The air intake kit you've bought can be fitted to the v6 but you need a 45 degree bend pipe from the throttle body. Some motobuild lowering springs improves cornering nicely as well. Couple points which may be of help: There is actually a large access panel on the bulkhead that is removable to give you a lot more access to the rear 3 spark plugs, makes it easy to change them. Took be about 15 mins to change them 3 on my old 190SE ZT-T. The airbag light being on is a common problem due to the naff connector plugs under the front seats having a poor connection in case you found the warning light to be on after removing the black tape. Some get away with cleaning up the plugs, I personally cut the old plugs off and replace them with new ones and you'll never get a problem with them again. That was the worst attempt at covering up the airbag light I'd ever seen lol! Usually I find them covered up using blutack blocking out the LED for the warning symbols when stripping the clusters for repairs/modifications. Your new cup holder is actually broken lol the little plastic bit that holds your cup/bottle in the holder on the right hand side of it is broken/missing. Also the cup holders just pop out of that center console section so you could have removed it from your new dash panel and slotted it into your existing one, saving the faff of swapping the whole panel ;) you can actually get one for the driver's side as well but they are rare. If you haven't done so already when clearing out the plenums, cut off the bottom of the rubber drains to opem them up and prevent them blocking up. You can get plenum guards to stop debree getting into the plenum. If I had the space I would have been interested in your ZT-T, miss my old v6 tourer. If you fancy any custom bits to jazz it up give us a shout ;)

Wow, turned it into a truly groovy car! Really dig the white wheels and the matching green calipers, did a lot to the look of the car 🤙🏽

Big brake kit for MG ZT-T in stock! Said no one ever!

Looks awesome, only thing I’d change is silver wheels over the white.

C H E E S E

Don't like the white wheels, I'm afraid. They don't fit with the rest of the car.

A soft cover Haynes manual? The horror!

LOL when he can’t open the thingy on the dash and he says “It’s a bit Rover” I cracked up.

My only concern about the headlight restoration is whether or not they were coated with a UV protectant after the polishing process. If not, then even in the UK they’ll start to yellow again after several weeks. To my knowledge a clear acrylic lacquer with UV inhibitors should be the final step.

I love these cars, they've aged very well. Have had two and I might have to go back for a third helping.

You really should have found a sponsor for those run-off tires. It can help on the track too. Also it would worth checking the geometry.

I think the car looks amazing, I also think the white wheels make it look awful

White wheels ! Come on now Mike it's a Rover with go faster badges,which is nice,but White wheels like white stilettos belong in Essex on aFord.

No wonder the old cup holder was broken 😂

This guy basically gets all his cars done up for free

That LED at the end truly ruined all the great work they've done

Thanks for watching guys, I took the MG on a road trip immediately after this if you fancy watching my vlog: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-UEGQ2uD3g_s.html

Big up Gtechniq for cleaning the motor. Not sure he had to do the wheels though lol. Just showing off the range I guess

Hit me up for a proper set of plates with the smiley rear. Top supplier to the MG Rover scene

Paul Taylor five hours ago posted here a point about Fuel Tank issues. Yes, some cars have these. Depends if its the Diesel BMW engine cars or the MG-Rover K16 and KV6 engine cars. The petrol cars have an in-tank fuel pump and filter. The diesels have fuel pump problems. Both easy inexpensive fixes if you know what to do. More on costs later. Ten years ago, the very first MG ZT I bought was from a frustrated previous owner who was considering scrapping the thing. It was the MG ZT with the Rover 1.8 K16 Turbocharged engine. He had just filled the tank to the brim and was home when the engine just died. Would not start. That after spending big money on upgraded brakes to get the car through its annual safety and emissions test. That engine trouble was the last straw. He had been professionally advised that repairs would be in the region of ££££/$$$$ four figures. I took a chance and made an offer for it "as is" which he accepted. Got it to my place on a trailer and investigated the short list of usual suspects systematically. First up. Sparks. OK, big and healthy. Next fuel delivery. Switch on ignition could clearly hear the in-tank fuel pump prime up for a few seconds as they always should do. Still no start. Next, check the fuel lines for evidence of fuel pressure. Only a trickle. Squirting some ( About fifty ML ) of RON 97 Grade Fuel directly into the Inlet manifold via the Brake Servo Vacuum Take Off using a syringe ... immediate start and runs for a few seconds then dies. Fire up the laptop and check the various MG-Rover enthusiast WEB_SITES. That soon revealed what is known in MG enthusiast circles as the "FOC".. Fabled Orange Clip. It appears the BMW style In-Tank Fuel Filter ( not Pump) is prone to loosen its cap as the miles and years tick by. That means no fuel pressure to the Injectors. Off to my favourite Car "Remove it yourself" Breaker Yard and I soon had access to the In-tank Fuel FILTER on an accident damaged car. As I removed the Filter assembly from the emptied Fuel Tank, I saw an Orange Clip had been fitted to the Filter Assembly. That locks the Lid to body interface so no chance of loosening. Back to my project car. Not looking forward to working inside the Fuel Tank full of RON 97. Syphoned some off but where can you store 50 litres of the stuff. Fitted the Orange Clip to my car's Filter assembly after carefully realigning the Lid to Filter body in the correct orientation. Fitted the Orange Clip ( I had bought the whole Filter Assembly from the scrap car for £8 ( UKPound about $12 US ) and slipped the Filter Body back into the fuel tank. Turned the ignition key and and waited for the usual couple~three seconds for the fuel system to prime up. IMMEDIATE start and car been fabulous ever since. An EIGHT QUID FIX! Win some lose some. Cars, their owners and those "in the trade" can be like that.

Every real KV6 owner is well versed in removing and refitting their inlet manifold.

I've never seen one but LOVE it. I'd argue about those rims though 🤮. The white...not for me at all.

Nice job. Sorry the white hubs don't look right. Maybe a shinny black. But it's all in the eye of the beholder.

Not sure this crossover is working. The Smallest Cog is more and more sounding like a bodging shop for expedient jobs...

Did you put clearcoat over the headlights to give it uv protection?

I've just noticed the number plate of the MG. That's my dads old car 😂

I do love these motors! It was going so well until the White wheels were fitted 👎

Alpha Tauri hat and white rims... perfect combination

Sad to see the app going. 😥😥😥

Takes 5 minutes to remove the inlet manifold would have saved you some time, airbag light is due to connectors under drivers seat commonly fail. Standard airbox with a panel filter is your best option otherwise it will rob you of power, if you have just brought the cup holder would have been 2 second job wheels and brakes look very nice.

There is no excuse for putting tape over the warning light, the person who did that should be ashamed.. they should have removed the bulb and done the job properly!

Is the whole of drivetribe shutting down?

Not sure bigger brake discs will stop you quicker - if the original ones can lock up the wheels, then that's all you need. The friction between road and tyre is what determines your stopping distance. On track days, however, bigger discs will dissipate more heat, therefore giving you longer before they fade. Ps, bigger brakes also add to the unsprung weight, and increase the gyroscopic stability of each wheel. Just my twopenn'orth.

Looks amazing, really turned it around in one day. I could do without the 2001 underglow but otherwise looks great.

I wish they sold those in the US.. I love wagons and that looks awesome.

Almost perfet ,the only thing i would change is the wheels colors .....can`t be white .

Airbag Light could mean Its had probably a accident.

Access panel on the bulkhead can be removed to access rear spark plugs. Much easier that way!

Season 2 news !!! i needz it ! pls

Well done on everything except the LED under-lighting. That is hideous.

Please don’t go. This was the closest thing to the OG Top Gear.

White wheels just don't work on that car and they never work with disc brakes. They end up looking filthy and need a clean every time you use the brakes.

Ugh the underlights are entirely awful. Needs coilovers too

6 programs doesn't make a series , stop ripping the public off

RIP Drivetribe

The airbag lights in MG ZT and Rover 75s - they all do that, it's a... err... 'feature'. Usual cause is the connector under the seat corroding. Fix is easy - disconnect, apply electrical connector cleaner. You do need to unbolt the seat for easier access, but that is simple enough.

Tidy car at end love the British racing green 👍 best colour

Do some Saab's up, they need saving not scrapping ❤

C H E E S E

The headlights part is one thing I'm very happy about with older cars. Glass seems to just remain clear :P

If Clarkson, Hammond, and May ever feel able to pass the torch along to the next round of presenters for a full up Grand Tour/Top Gear style show/spinoff, Mike needs to be at the top of the list!

lol.. the white wheels will be looking grand in a few days time ah

For the airbag light - common fault..spray wd40 in the 2 pin yellow airbag plugs under the seats..known rover fix

The MG ZT-T looks great. Amazing how much you got done in a single day. I agree those wheels make the car pop.

Nice car! Theyre rare overhere in Holland, but by coincidence one zoomed by yesterday, and they sound lovely. I usually like white wheels but on this one the dark grey was better imo, and the green ledlight.... This car deserves better, and doesnt need gimmicks, its a modern classic.

How many days does it take to take the tyres off then? lol

beautifully made video.....especially the editing...pace, music and style.

Poor old chap (I mean the car) For first sight it seems to be the perfect production car. Nice boot, you're not tired when you get out after a 16 hours day, even if the location is 150 miles away, it fits when you are in a hurry etc. But after the 25th time you carry lighting equipment you realise all the carpets are hanging, when you get off the paved road the under armor will scratch everytime, and after a while it will be broken, the suspension wasn't made for film production, etc. Mine experienced all these and much more (the best are the scratches on the hood made by improper rigging) but now it waits for it's restauration hopefully beginning this spring, and after that it can enjoy it's pension years, it really, really earned it.

The wheels look terrible. Otherwise they are nice cars.

"We're starting with something old, cheap, and British... But enough about Clarkson, let's talk about the car..."

i love there dog :D such a cutie !

Honestly just here for the dog more than the cars.

You guys need to talk to a 75/zt specialist!

Any chance of English subtitles with this? Especially for Neil?!

Underglow? On an mg… really?. And white wheels on a green car? No just no

This car deserves all those fixes to stand as one of the best performance wagons of it's era! Such a forgotten jam!

Got a diesel 75 estate needing tlc badly hope to restore it soon

You need to apply a clear coat/uv protector to the lights after polishing, and/or apply a plastic film. Its not as sunny in the UK as some other places but they will fog up again REAL quickly if you don't put a protective coating on them.

Love my MG ZT-T. Still going strong with 215k

Hmmm. A day's work?? Pity there didn't appear to be time to remove the wheel sand do a proper refurb (blast & epoxy/powder coat). Maybe if they hadn't wasted 15 seconds of filming and editing that idiotic Haynes Manual segment they would have had a bit more time. Fitment of larger disks and new callipers? Need to tell the insurer's about that. Should have stuck with standard size but Brembo or EDC with better pads. Did they change the brake fluid? Probably 'cos the callipers were taken off. Old brake fluid degrades and causes spongy brakes. Unfortunately a typical millennial quick fix, instant gratification with a load of detailing (shampoo) at the end. The mechanics are spot on, just can't get away with most of the 'tribe presenters.

My local garage's courtesy Rover 75 permanently has one dashboard light lit because it had an aftermarket replacement for a component (since you can't get OEM spares) which the ECU didn't like.

I just noticed how much Antony looks like Older Harry Potter but without the glasses......... Hmmm Explains the Magic they work at Smallest Cog eh? :-)

Rip Drivetribe

I'm still convinced this company isn't real outside of TV land, I've tried to contact them numerous times to no avail, it's like they have to come to you to work on your car...

Reminds me of Honda Civic Hatchback/Aerodeck Vti, believe similar shell/ chassis. B18 4pot better than any K-series inc. V6 for everything

Is it true drive tribe is going to be ended at the end of the month 😭

"Blairs and blows on the motorway like..." perfect opportunity for a top gear/grand tour style metaphor there... how about, "like a rhinoceros with piles?" Anything creative at all?

I have to be honest, as much as I like the ZT/ZTTs, I really don't think the white wheels work. Certainly not with BRG anyway. Just my opinion, if you like it, what I think doesn't matter.

James, stop making sandwiches and get back on drivetribe. The content ain't bad but it clearly ain't special. Start reviewing some cars and get back the boys more. You are the founders of the channel, start supporting it.

Love everything except the wheels. The white is wayyyy to contrasty. The black although chipped made the car look tough. Headlight transformation was unreal

It's a BMW E46, hardly British. Just like the Rover 400 series, was all Honda lol. Only thing Rover is the Powertrain KV6 engine, even the diesels used the M47.

Need for speed lighting>underglow. #bringneonsback

10:35 it is a major issue the water drainage, we had a 75 diesel that suffered a catastrophic electrical failure, everything stopped working inside, radiator fan blasting fullspeed with engine off nothing made sense turned out water submerged and corroded the body ECU. Water drains were clogged.

Can you do a berlingo?

Nice job and everything, but why use Richard Hammond's name in the title if he's not even going to be bothered to appear in it. Seems pretty much like clickbait

I wonder how much the Big Brake Kit is, because it might be 2x or 3x the cost of the car not counting the other work done... Would have been nice to have the cost of all this detailed, otherwise it seems a bit pointless, isn't it?

Hammond car mechanics are too slow.There is no chance that there ever going too make Richard money.mr Hammond treats them more as friends rather than working staff.Other car shops who repair and do restoration on cars don't run there shops like Hammond.is scared of being a boss.hes probably scared of his own Shadow nevermind his wife..who he needs to start to listen to...I can see smallest clog being closed within six months

Given Hammond is already a shareholder in Drivetribe is he not basically paying himself for this build?

Only a cowboy garage would say they couldn't do a list like that in a full day, feels like these are the type of mechanics that would have you doing more work than is necessary just to boost their own figures, I lol'd at the " didn't have the time to take the tires off to do it properly " would take 15mins max to get all 4 of em off, so clearly the type to take shortcuts

Btw, that ZT-T badge is wrong for that model! That badge comes from a facelift car which is supposed to go in the bottom center. It's waaay too large to be there

And it's UV light that ruins headlight plastic. The UV coating only lasts so long, so if you do buff out your headlights make sure you apply a UV coating.

Nice job except for the white wheels. Those arent rally wheels and thats not a rally car. LOL. Also, would have preferred a volvo turbo wagon but thats just me…

Engineers are the bane of mechanics. Engineers design things as if they do not require maintenance and do not break down. I made up my mind years ago to hate all engineers and change my mind on the occasion I find one that is actually human. Darlington, South Carolina USA

had one of these v6 auto, leaked oil like exxon and drank the petrol like Stella. Lovely car though, got it for £250 on ebay with a full mot.

Occasionally miss my ZT-T diesel. But it kept destroying brake discs. And it was €720 a year to tax.

Hello everyone, I wanted to ask the staff of Richard Hammond E drivetribe if it was possible to translate the subtitles into Italian in such a way as to be able to learn the English language as well as being passionate about cars to go out to better understand the context of all video, thanks for the help, Bye bye Enrico

the airbag issue is a common problem with Rover 75s the light goes on for no reason. A fix for this is under the passenger seat there is an airbag wiring loom unclip those clean up the contacts and reconnect this works every time! You'll also get a warning for the airbag on the LCD screen even though the light has been taped up. Also, the person who took that display apart didn't know what they were doing if you unscrew the back it all comes apart without damaging anything!!!

Awfull tast in cars mike. A have a metro turbo dont really like only drive to mot station and back it mint a just love it when get people at the door trying buy it. A just tell them find me a mint standard uno turbo and a will swap them or will keep it till somone is deserpate enough to give 10k for it. Witch way the world is going wont be long