My MG ZR 160 progress thread. ***Pic Heavy***

[sonic_160zr]

Most of the pictures from the other thread have been moved so rather than faff around with finding the new links I thought it would probably be easier to start again, in the right section

I bought the car in August 2006 on pretty much the cars 5th Bday! I am the 3rd owner..And for those that are interested the car was first registered on the 8th August 2001 (Y reg) and is commission number 518

The car had 33k miles when I bought it in and is now on 94K The head gasket and all the other bits and bobs were replaced at around 39k

The car was completely standard when I purchased it and since ive owned the car i have done the following,

Tinted rear windows (fronts to follow.)
ZS180 Rims with Conti's tires all round.
Fitted Arm rest
Customised centre console
Blue L.E.D switch conversion
De oranged Speedo dials
Focus Smoked side repeaters
Removed chrome wipers
Lowered
Custom exhaust
ABC rear lights

To come:
Mk2 Rear
Re-spray
Refurb rims
Laguna splitter

Here are some pictures of the car as standard just after I bought it:








In some of the pics you will notice the window tints. This was something that I attempted myself as at the time I couldn't afford to get someone else to do it, so I gave it a punt on my own. I think they came out ok. One is starting to bubble now but that's not bad for 6 years!

The car remained standard for a couple of years, before I decided that it could do with a few little additions. I started with the obvious choice of the Mk2 MG ZS 180 wheels.





I then went about getting hold of an armrest from a coupe and doing a few mods to the centre console. Being a non smoker I wanted to do something with the ashtray to make it a bit different. I managed to find a switch unit cheap at Halfords and then took it apart and used the switches for all my internal electrics such as my DVD screen, sat nav and footwell lighting.

I stripped the console out and set about making a few tweeks (and a lot of mess!!):







And here is the state of the inside:



All done with Metal monkey heater dials fitted too:



The next couple of mod were fitting some Avo Black lowering springs and a new cat back exhaust system. Really improved the stance although the exhaust is a bit marmite.






before:




After:







After moving 'oop' north the car got a bit of a beating:
First of all the day I was supposed to be moving up the starter motor stuck on and after 5 miles of constantly firing, it decided to catch fire. Just as I pulled up at a petrol station. I wasnt the most popular person at the Tesco's petrol station that day!
Car getting towed home:


And then in June the following year this happened:










Basically 3 lads decided to break into 6 cars along our street and the next street along. Mine was the only one that was alarmed and as soon as the alarm went off I was out of bed shouting at them out the window as the Mrs called the plod, the lads were arrested about 10 mins later breaking into another car. 2 of them needed macing as well. I hope it hurt! although nothing of real value was stolen, they made a right mess of the car. smashing a window (with a pallet) and kicking in the rear quarter panel. (**** knows where the pallet came from!)

Any who the car was sent away to get repaired and here it is a week later with some nice new ABC rear lights too :









The car was Dyno'd at Auto Sport North in April and here is the chart. The car is completely standard performance wise so I was quite happy with the result. The figure is the BHP at the wheels so you need to add about 35 BHP to get the figure at the fly. which would be about 143 BHP. Not bad for a 12 year old car!


Video of it on its dyno run:



Thats about all so far, the next load of pics are ones from various stages of my ownership.








































That's it for now, there are some plans but nothing concrete yet, still trying to decide what to do regarding the rear. I need a new rear bumper but also thinking about getting a different exhaust. Im thinking either keeping the exhaust and getting a MK2 rear or getting a single exit exhaust and getting another MK1 bumper...



Opinions and comments welcome.



Cheers,
Matt

[wolle18]

nice build thread mate was a good read and some great pics and the little sods that broke into your car want shooting but who ever repaired the body did a super job and if i was you i'd just keep her as she is mate wouldn't bother with the mk2 rear as its a great example of a mk1

[Deor15]

That's a really nice looking car - love the wheels!

[Bren T]

Very clean Zed there mate, dont see many on a Y plate. Didn't get to prperly meet you at POL either, but I did have a good look at your ZS

[matthew1kings]

As been said, keep the mk1 rear its very clean and tidy example, just maintain as it is looks great

And btw who smashes a window with a pallet? Seriously? Did they not think a hammer or the like would be just as easy? Idiots, glad the ploce had them though and its been repaired to a very high standard.

Just dont forget "wax on, wax off!" (Karate Kid )

[sonic_160zr]

Originally Posted by wolle18

nice build thread mate was a good read and some great pics and the little sods that broke into your car want shooting but who ever repaired the body did a super job and if i was you i'd just keep her as she is mate wouldn't bother with the mk2 rear as its a great example of a mk1

Thanks matey. I was so angry when the police told me that the CPS decided not to press charges because of lack of evidence. meant I was left to foot the repair bill. Bare in mind that one of the blokes was arrested wearing my coat, the other had glass from my window on his clothing and the other had his shoe matched to the lovely boot mark on my rear quarter panel! Work that out!

Originally Posted by Deor15

That's a really nice looking car - love the wheels!

Thanks! I love the wheels, one of the best mods Ive done I think, just a shame that every man and his dog has them know

Originally Posted by Bren T

Very clean Zed there mate, dont see many on a Y plate. Didn't get to prperly meet you at POL either, but I did have a good look at your ZS

Cheers for the comments! I know of a couple but there aren't many about. Most were press cars but I've not been able to find any previous history out about mine.

Originally Posted by matthew1kings

As been said, keep the mk1 rear its very clean and tidy example, just maintain as it is looks great

And btw who smashes a window with a pallet? Seriously? Did they not think a hammer or the like would be just as easy? Idiots, glad the ploce had them though and its been repaired to a very high standard.

Just dont forget "wax on, wax off!" (Karate Kid )

I know what you mean, I want to keep it as a Mk1 but the exhaust was originally built for a Mk2 hence it sticks out a bit. I reckon that I will go for a new exhaust system, and do the whole lot from the mani, I really want to get some extra ponies from the car now, Ive been looking into all the different ways and the pro's and con's of each.

Yea I dont know what the kids were thinking, I'm just glad that we have moved from that area now and live in a much nice part of the world now.





Cheers,
Matt

[matthew1kings]

Originally Posted by sonic_160zr

I know what you mean, I want to keep it as a Mk1 but the exhaust was originally built for a Mk2 hence it sticks out a bit. I reckon that I will go for a new exhaust system, and do the whole lot from the mani, I really want to get some extra ponies from the car now, Ive been looking into all the different ways and the pro's and con's of each.

Yea I dont know what the kids were thinking, I'm just glad that we have moved from that area now and live in a much nice part of the world now.


Cheers,
Matt

You could get a janspeed manifold and janspeed sports cat and then get a custom exhaust place to make the pipes in between and a cat back? Would save you some dosh?

Could save even more by getting a normal sports cat from these custom exhaust places instead of a janspeed one too? Their still 200cpsi catalytic convertors, just not a big name thats all.

And they are kids, they never know what they are thinking Same here I moved a while ago and since (touch wood) not had a single scratch anywhere Currently looking into getting a mk2 zr 1.4 as my astra 1.8 obviously has a bigger engine, and weighs 250 ish kgs more so with the weight saving, small engine, lower tax and cheaper insurance etc i'll be making a nice saving

[wolle18]

Originally Posted by sonic_160zr

Thanks matey. I was so angry when the police told me that the CPS decided not to press charges because of lack of evidence. meant I was left to foot the repair bill. Bare in mind that one of the blokes was arrested wearing my coat, the other had glass from my window on his clothing and the other had his shoe matched to the lovely boot mark on my rear quarter panel! Work that out!

sounds about right does that mate if only they let you in a cell with them but the cheek of some people wearing your jacket they stole but o well i guess nothing oyou can do aleast the zr is looking amazing again

[ROVER-25X]

Looks crap, proper chav fest.

[Benny Dub]

Woah, cool streetwise in some of those pics!

[Battman]

Looking good mate, I had a nose around your ZR at Fast show very nice!

[sonic_160zr]

Originally Posted by ROVER-25X

Looks crap, proper chav fest.

Thanks that was the look I was going for.

Originally Posted by Benny Dub

Woah, cool streetwise in some of those pics!

Yea Its a pretty cool 'Wise.. Only an gayboy would have sold that!

Originally Posted by Battman

Looking good mate, I had a nose around your ZR at Fast show very nice!

Thanks Battman, glad you liked it, was that your car in some of my pics from Fast show? Tbh the car looks better in the pics than in real life, its starting to show its age now, going to be getting loads of body work done over the summer to get it back to how I want it




Cheers,
Matt

[Battman]

Yes mate, that was mine! Was a good show, only my first so ididnt know many people but had a good laugh.

[ROVER-25X]

I like it realy.


Mk2 front end ?

[gnu]

Looks great - and what a clean engine. I'd eat my dinner off that! I suppose she's ignored and unloved now you've got the 180...

[sonic_160zr]

Originally Posted by gnu

Looks great - and what a clean engine. I'd eat my dinner off that! I suppose she's ignored and unloved now you've got the 180...

Thanks for the comments, considering Ive only properly cleaned the engine bay twice Im amazed at how clean it stays. I still use this car every day for work. At the moment its the ZS thats being ignored. Because were so busy at work the cars park a bit too close together and I dont want to risk the paint on the ZS getting damaged

Ive not driven the ZS since PoL.... A shame really as its such a nice drive.



Cheers,
Matt

[ROVER-25X]

Chat to you about this on Sunday bro.

[Chris 160]

love this car! made me even more tempted to get a twin exit exhaust fitted now haha! looks so beasty!

[Fluffy72]

I love the dash, makes me want to have a go myself. You know the screen you have bolted into where the clock would be. What's that doing?

Did you do a thread on the progress of your dash?

Sorry to be a bit dumb lmao.

[ROVER-25X]

I'll make sure he knows to reply to this.