Test drive the ZS120 and ZS180 this weekend. I was very dissapointed with the ZS180 and pleasantly surprised at how good the ZS120 is!!

I think the reason I wasn't impressed with the 180 is that the power only kicks is above 5500 revs, which would be fine, just rev the pants off it!! Except the imho the gearing is much too high on the 180 for such a peaky engine......

I was expecting more low down grunt from a 2.5 V6, but it felt as if the slightly lighter 120 had more low down grunt....

Anyone got any comments on this?

I'm not putting down the 180, the engine sounds great and has superb power just below the redline....

Suffice to say i'm going to be ordering a specced up ZS120 saloon with all the options, the employee discount makes it very affordable!

Originally posted by Mark_JC
Test drive the ZS120 and ZS180 this weekend. I was very dissapointed with the ZS180 and pleasantly surprised at how good the ZS120 is!!

I think the reason I wasn't impressed with the 180 is that the power only kicks is above 5500 revs, which would be fine, just rev the pants off it!! Except the imho the gearing is much too high on the 180 for such a peaky engine......


Are you sure you were in a ZS 180? The max torque is about 4000 rpm I think, and you begin to feel the thing pull at about 3500 upwards. The V6 might be a bit lazy below that but it's certainly not an engine that you have to rev the pants off to get the best out of. If you are running at 6000 + than you will be setting a very quick pace.

'Twas definately a 180. Can't mistake the howl of the V6.

Maybe it was this particular car. I still think it's geared too highly though.

If anything the 180 was much smoother and more refined than the 120. Better and quieter on the motorway.

I've looked at the figures and the only way I can see that the 7.3 seconds 0-60 is possible is by going to 60 in second. Not the sort of thing you want to do every day!

If I didn't do the 18,000 miles of B-roads p.a. I'd still probably go for the V6 though, the engine is very smooth.

On the plus side though, i'm absolutely bowled over by the handling, especially with the 17" straights.

Definately the car for me, whichever engine!!

Second gear to reach 60 is a must. My 200 BRM will do 70 in second which is good for rapid overtaking, although I agree you wouldn't want to do it too often if you want to keep the car a while.
I test drove a yellow ZS180 at a launch ride and drive day and I thought it was fantastic (especially the bit where I blasted past a bespoilered BMW).

Was the car you drove still being run in? The engines do loosen up quite a bit as the miles go on them. Certainly Dr Dave's 180 is like a damn rocket!

At least with the VVC engines, you still get decent fuel economy. For me personally the 29mpg of the 180 vs the 39mpg of the 120 means that for me to choose the 180 it would have to be much better than the 120.

Maybe it was my perceptions of the 180. Maybe I expected it to be far quicker than the 120.

It really was great at 80+mph (sorry Officer, it was just for the test drive!!). Exceptionally smooth. Droping to 3rd at 70mph and flooring it pushes you hard into the seat!

The 180 I drive had 12,000 miles on the clock and was a 2nd hand one for sale at the dealer.

Mine comes alive at 3500rpm........:D

Blimey mine kicks in nicely at 3.5k and roars into action (unless the wife's sitting next to me) :lol:

I have to agree with the DR. and bazza get over 3k near 3.5k and the beast throws you into your seat, also wheel spins alot if you don't control it!!:err:

Ah! Spotted!!! Knew I'd catch you out Nick!

"also wheel spins alot if you don't control it!!"

There's where your tyres are going!

I haven't driven a ZS120 so couldn't really offer a reasonable comparison of the two. I have to say that my 180 kicks in around 3.5 K and very rarely do I feel the need to rev it into the red to enyoy it. 5.5K sounds completely out of sorts with the car I drive every day.

I have driven both zs120 and zs180. I bought a 180 and there is no comparison for performance. The 180 is far and away quicker. I would agree though that the engine does need revving - below 3.5k it is nippy but above this it becomes very quick. My wife previously had a 200 vi (1.8 vvc engine) for 2 years and this seemed to be a more evenly powered engine spread through all revs.

Some people have remarked that the 2.5 kv6 might be expected to produce more power lower down in the range for such a large engine. Is this because it was originally developed with the intention of fitting it in the Rover 75?

well mark i fink you must drive my zs180.dont no whot zs180 you test drove ?you sure it wasnot too scary for you to floor it /

My reasons for choosing the ZS120 aren't to do with the engine. It's nice powerplant. Really smooth, and is more powerful >4000 revs.

My main issues with the 180 are the high gearing (maybe because MGR wanted to get the 140mph top end and 0-60 og 7s), and the very poor fuel economy (29mpg vs 39mpg).

I do 12000 miles pa just getting to work and back, down B roads and country lanes. Hence the fuel economy is a big issue.

And it's just my personal preference that I prefer the lower gearing of the 120 for more flexibility when choosing the gears.

If the 180 was even geared just a bit lower and did 34mpg (like the Leon Cupra I've test driven) i'd have snapped it up.

It would be interesting to see how the 1.8 Turbo from the new ZT would perform in the ZS?!!!!

On the plus side, the ZS absolutely blows away the Leon Cupra for it's handling.

After trying a ZS, the Leon feels like you're steering solumn is made of porridge, and your shocks are filled with jelly!

Originally posted by Mark_JC
After trying a ZS, the Leon feels like you're steering solumn is made of porridge, and your shocks are filled with jelly!

Just like anything else from the VAG stable then really :bgrin2:

I'd partially disagree.

The Golf platform is limp, very limp.

The old Polo platform had potential. Shown by my (soon replaced by ZS180) SEAT Cordoba. Although not meant as a spots model, is actually a good handling car. Particularily the steering, which SEAT had managed to put the feel back into!

Sorry, meant to say soon to be replaced by ZS120

Originally posted by Dr Dave
Ah! Spotted!!! Knew I'd catch you out Nick!

"also wheel spins alot if you don't control it!!"

There's where your tyres are going!

Oh B:***:r cought out!!

The problem with comparing a leon with the ZS180 is the fact that you are comparing a hot hatch with a sports saloon.
The ZS has more room and generally feels like a big car, unfortuanately weighs more...:(

LOL!

If you ever get anywhere near 39mpg out of your ZS120 (after running in) then I will pay for your petrol!

Ross!

MG ZR+ 120 - Average - 32-34mpg.

Having only driven and bought the ZS120, I would have loved to have test driven a ZS180, but given the fuel and insurance issues I didn`t (tempt myself) :)
Would still love to test drive a ZS180 tho now that I`m commited to the 120 :D
Q

My ZS120 was brilliant, absolutley brilliant on fuel

Never recorded the consumption but could fill it up every week or so whilst I am filling the '180 twice a week!

All I can say is that the 180 you drove was duff, as with everyone else mine pulls like a train from 3500, upto the limiter 7000, and midrange it leaves the 120 standing.

In my opinion you have picked the wrong one.................


Stu

I considered both zs120 (+ model) and zs180 but on paper and performance aside, there is a hell of a lot more equipment for the money with the 180. Standard 120+ comes with 16" alloys, air con and electric windows. 180 comes with 2.5v6, close ratio gearbox, uprated brakes, half leather interior, fog lamps, side skirts, 17" alloys, leather steering wheel and all for 2k more new. Only about 1k price difference if buying second hand. A lot more kit for the money.

The only bugbear is no rear headrests. I had these in my '97 416sli!

Unfortunately for MG-Rover, i'm eligable for the employee discount (I work for the IT Outsourcer that runs MG-Rovers systems!!)

I've ordered the ZS120+ Saloon in Trophy Blue, with Half Leather, 17" wheels, Uprated Head Unit & 6 disk CD, Rear Headrests, Leather Knob & Wheel.....

Because they have just allowed the discount for the cars to include the options, and the fact that the saloon is the biggest discount (22%), and the fact that I negitiated a good deal, i'll be paying just £13,000 for this.

A whole lot of car for the money, considering you only get a mid-range Focus for this!!!

Originally posted by Mark_JC
Because they have just allowed the discount for the cars to include the options, and the fact that the saloon is the biggest discount (22%), and the fact that I negitiated a good deal, i'll be paying just £13,000 for this.


That's always been the case - one BIG advantage of picking a car with a large discount on. A 24% discount doesn't half reduce the price of the Monogram paints! :D

With reference to the 39MPG 120, driven reasonably, this wouldn't be hard to achieve IMO, after all, I got 48MPG from the 105. (Steady motorway driving at 60-70)

Because they have just allowed the discount for the cars to include the options, and the fact that the saloon is the biggest discount (22%), and the fact that I negitiated a good deal, i'll be paying just £13,000 for this.
[/B]

That's strange. I was also entitled to employee discount and when I checked the hatch was much cheaper than the saloon. Discount of about 22% on the hatch but only about 10% on the saloon.

This was the 180 though and it was December price, not January.

Anthony.

Yup, I got mine on the Employee Discount Scheme too, I work for BAE Systems.

22% on my ZS180 at the time, can't be bad.


Stu

Originally posted by spacemanstu
Yup, I got mine on the Employee Discount Scheme too, I work for BAE Systems.

22% on my ZS180 at the time, can't be bad.


Stu

Funny! I get my discount because I work for CSC to whom BAE's IT Systems are Outsourced (and MG-Rovers!)

CSC :cus:

the company of the devil........................


Stu :D

Funny I thought Equifax were the company of the devil?
Q
:D

Steve - 39MPG from a 120 if driven reasonably....

We own Zed's, you are one of the only people I've heard that drives ur Zed reasonably. You may get 36mpg or so maybe ever so slightly more if you change gears low down. But if you do that you are defeating the object of having a Zed IMHO.

*yawn* driving a zed reasonably, don't you hate b:***:y sunday drivers!!;)

Mine comes alive just over 3k rpm. Revs cleanly to red line in every gear but 5th although I see little point taking it over 6k.

Test drove a 1.8 ZR non vvc and the engine was awful - my mates 1.6 r25 is much better, think that is a good engine due to it beign large bore, short stroke?. The ZR 160 was a hoot but dances all over the road and not much low down torque.

Nick

Originally posted by Ross100_uk
Steve - 39MPG from a 120 if driven reasonably....

We own Zed's, you are one of the only people I've heard that drives ur Zed reasonably. You may get 36mpg or so maybe ever so slightly more if you change gears low down. But if you do that you are defeating the object of having a Zed IMHO.

hehe, me drive reasonably - as my g/f will testify, that's something I can't do in the ZR ;)

I only did 48mpg, to see how efficient it could be. I tell ya, driving home at 60-70 was hard work ;)

i have had 44 mpg on a run in my zs180 normall driveing is about 30mpg

don't know how you managed that! Best I've had is 34mpg, long run (265 miles) barely touching throttle. Normal is 30mpg.

How did you calculate it?

The best I've had in my zs180 so far is 24mpg! However, this is a lot of short runs, stopping and starting, and a very heavy right foot when possible.

Anthony.

hehe now that's my kind of driving!! :naughty:

Booo, CSC!:cus:

I work for BAE SYSTEMS too and mine was 21% off ZS180 I paid £13480 for 180, metalic paint and spare wheel. The saloon was cheaper at the time but I wish I got the hatch because i've had massive problems with the torsion bars in my boot and it's still not sorted out.

Nick

Seein as were talking about mpg I've got 43mpg out of my coupe turbo, fully laden aswell!! :D

As an MG Rover Virgin and having been the proud owner of a Yellow ZS 180 4 door for a month now i gotta say i'm pleased and not pleased

Bearing in mind im in the forces and got my ZS180 for 11,400 quid with MP3 player. Handling - spot on - Power - Kicks in at 3 and a half and never fails to thrill (even though im a superbike freak by trade)

Hopwever, real world ease of use is ****e - You cane it on the autbahns over here at 100 miles an hour and a full tank of petrol is good for 160 miles

Ive had to get recovered already (only 2000k on the clock) as the car decided not to unimmobilise - thought it needed keycode reset etc etc - spent two days trying to start it - no joy - turns out it was a new part needed for the steering column?

My door speaker distorted from the day i picked it up (faulty at the factory obviously) - got it replaced under warranty

Guess what - next 2 weeks the other side door speaker decides to go - not because of excess volume - just crap speakers

The turning circle is crap - you have to do a five point turn when you could do a 3 in a Vectra

And my yeallow interior seats are turning blacker by the day

LOL!

But i tell you what = i wouldnt swap my 180 for anything!

The dogs danglies and i love her!

:D

Originally posted by Birdy


Hopwever, real world ease of use is ****e - You cane it on the autbahns over here at 100 miles an hour and a full tank of petrol is good for 160 miles




Blimey :yikes: that really is canning it. My worst so far is about 230 miles to a tank, you're not dragging an anchor are you? ;)

My door speaker distorted from the day i picked it up (faulty at the factory obviously) - got it replaced under warranty

Guess what - next 2 weeks the other side door speaker decides to go - not because of excess volume - just crap speakers

The turning circle is crap - you have to do a five point turn when you could do a 3 in a Vectra




Agree here. The speakers are awful (same applies for rover 400/45 and 200/25). My 180's front drivers speaker also needs replacing.

The turning cicle thing is odd too. My 400 was fine but the ZS is terrible. Is this because of the huge alloys? Just makes you look as if you can't drive sometimes.

As for the economy you pay your money and take your choice. Don't think any manufacturer has an economical V6 motor.

These are small faults though - the car is generally superb.

Anthony.

I should have said caning it at speeds in excess of 100 miles an hour - Over here in Germany - 100 mph is for slow lane drivers - They are mad out here!

THe turning circle is embarrasing! I think it's got a physical stop on it to stop the alloys catching on full lock.

No wonder it is less turns lock to lock!

I have never got less than about 270 miles on a tank of fuel.

I didn't go above 3000 revs for first 500 miles, then went up in small increments from there. Didn't really open it up until after about 2000 miles. Don't know if it helped running it in or not but feel better for it!

Good MPG - the BMW 3.0 apparently has about 230 bhp and does 31 mpg, that's pretty good.

Nick

Originally posted by Nick G
Good MPG - the BMW 3.0 apparently has about 230 bhp and does 31 mpg, that's pretty good.

Nick

Taken from the *** Website for a 325Ci (330Ci is almost the same)

Urban (mpg) 22.1
Combined (mpg) 31.4
Extra-urban (mpg) 40.9

as we all know these figures are always ******, compared to the MG ZS180's figures of 20, 29.7, 41.4 respectively.

Theres not a lot in it is there ??

and besides I get an average of 22 each time I fill my 180 up, because most of my journeys are Urban. Long journeys I have seen 29, but never anymore...................


Stu

You compare the Vectra to the 180 in turning circle ability.......which would you rather be seen in?

The handling of the 180 is superb (The ZT is better btw) and that's a small price to pay - but I know, it can be 'frustrating' ;)


'Nuff said methinks