My mates considering this 240bhp MG ZR - thoughts?

[R20 CWH]

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1257467.htm

hes seriously interested in it, just needs to find a home for his car.
Whats the thoughts peeps? Im thinking that at 3,5k its not bad value, but as its an 04 regger, what is it really worth if the engine wasnt clowned around with?

thoughts/ criticism etc welcomed.

I have indicated that a cup of the same value is likely to be more reliable, but hes not interested in the old clios :S


:clown:

 

[Marv-C]

Used to own a 220 turbo coupe and apart from the head gasket, the engine is quite reliable. Not too bad on fuel either. I had 5 years of fun with my turbo, and yes it was quick.

Check the condition of the gearbox (assuming it is also from a 220 turbo) as a rebuild can be expensive and find out if the brakes have been upgraded.

You can't put a value on heavily modded cars. If you like it, buy it :approve:

 

[Ali]

Tell him to wisen up!

You'd think with a transplant like that, he'd post a pic!!

 

[Beef-Mc]

Everyone seems to mention them being bad on headgaskets failing, £400 to sort if it's caught early enough supposedly.

 

[matt200vvc]

The T-Series engine don't really suffer with HGF, thats just people jumping on the K series bandwagon.

The later engines were fitted with klinger gaskets, this is the only gasket to use on the engine really, can be identified by the tab sticking out by the cyclinder head.

Also 240bhp? max power figures to be honest. Unless he's changed the turbo for a T28, Different downpipe, and a FMIC along with a couple of other things.

Ask what psi it's been running too, do not exceed 12psi on standard internals (chocolate pistons), the t25 turbo pretty much runs out of puff after that anyway.

In terms of brakes the standard 262mm setup is crap, coupe turbo standard fitment. If that ZR was a 160 then you'll be fine as they came with bigger calipers and discs - the upgrade isn't a costly one either and can be had for £150.

Listen for whines on the gearbox, this is quite common, to cure it involves a rebuild with uprated bearing (about £200). Find out what box is on it, and make sure its got the torsen Diff, if it does it will either have a type A or B diff in it. A is better but B is stronger. If its whining use this as a bargaining tool, you can put any T series box on them whilst you get it rebuilt, expect to pay no more than £50 for a standard good condition box (no torsen).

Hope this helps.

 

[nicknick]

New ngk iridium spark plugs which increases ur 0-60 time by 0.7 seconds they say..

hmmm...

 

[cat171]

For them money it's ok, but i've never really been keen on the look of them.

 

[Triki]

The T-Series engine don't really suffer with HGF, thats just people jumping on the K series bandwagon.

The later engines were fitted with klinger gaskets, this is the only gasket to use on the engine really, can be identified by the tab sticking out by the cyclinder head.

Also 240bhp? max power figures to be honest. Unless he's changed the turbo for a T28, Different downpipe, and a FMIC along with a couple of other things.

Ask what psi it's been running too, do not exceed 12psi on standard internals (chocolate pistons), the t25 turbo pretty much runs out of puff after that anyway.

In terms of brakes the standard 262mm setup is crap, coupe turbo standard fitment. If that ZR was a 160 then you'll be fine as they came with bigger calipers and discs - the upgrade isn't a costly one either and can be had for £150.

Listen for whines on the gearbox, this is quite common, to cure it involves a rebuild with uprated bearing (about £200). Find out what box is on it, and make sure its got the torsen Diff, if it does it will either have a type A or B diff in it. A is better but B is stronger. If its whining use this as a bargaining tool, you can put any T series box on them whilst you get it rebuilt, expect to pay no more than £50 for a standard good condition box (no torsen).

Hope this helps.

+ 1
Man speaks wise words right there !

 

[R20 CWH]

hmm. i dont buy the 240bhp chat either, dont know what the donor car was to start with etc.

the lack of detail would scare me away, but my mates up for it and he had a 1.8 120bhp version before and liked before, guess what, the head gasket went.

some good advice here, the price is what is appealing, he also is getting tickled by the 240bhp which i find a tad laughable.

 

[matt200vvc]

some good advice here, the price is what is appealing, he also is getting tickled by the 240bhp which i find a tad laughable.

The t series is 10 years old at its best now, it came in 2 variants. 180bhp which was found in the 800 vitesse, and then the 197bhp version which was in the vitesse sport, 620ti, coupe turbo, hatch turbo.

Difference between the 2 was the psi they ran (some say cams too), the 197bhp runs 11.7psi and is modulated through the revs using a boost module valve. The chances are that zr will have a bleed valve, scrap it as they often spike and you cant risk that on these engine, replace it with a ball and spring controller (more stable)

I'll promise you that will have no where near 240bhp, infact id be very surprised if it cracked 200.