What to look for when buying a 260?

[Rob Bell]

Hi Guys,

Just joined the forum, and this is my first post! I am currently seriously considering buying a ZTT260 to replace our not so trusty ZTT CDTi+.

I don't need to tell you chaps how these cars get under your skin, and despite the diesel suffering from every diesel-related malady (plus a few unusual ones like failing PAS hydraulic pumps), we as a family still love it! It drives and handles so well and it is perfectly sized for us.

Thing is it is hard to love a diesel. V8s on the other hand are easy to love, although with road tax at twice the price and fuel consumption half of the diesel, the economics never really stacked up - and why despite multiple temptations, I have never taken the plunge.

The running costs problem hasn't changed, but if you are going to run one of these cars, it might as well be the one you've always loved. And you have to love the ZTT260.

Now I doubt that the 260 is any more immune to those little 75/ZT foibles than our CDTi has been, so I'd like to go into an ownership situation with my eyes wide open...

So firstly, what should I look for when buying? (there's at least one ZTT260 on the 'bay at the moment)
Secondly, what are the common faults that I am likely to encounter over long-term ownership?

Apologies if these are the commonest questions that are always asked... but I haven't found an enthusiast's buying guide yet!

Many thanks! :D

[colintf]

Hi Rob and welcome

a good point of reference is this site written by a fellow forum member http://www.spunagain.co.uk/ZT260page.html

Let me know if I can help at all. Cheers

:cool:

[Rob Bell]

Thanks Colin, will do! :)

[James C]

Spunagain's site is a goldmine of things to look out for! It was my shopping guide when I was buying (well that and having Tony selling it to me helped too :))

[Rob Bell]

Thanks James! :lol: Nice to find some familiar faces here!

Just been spending some time reading through Spunagain's site - very useful, just what I was after!

Any one know this ZTT?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2004-04-MG-ZT-T-4-6-V8-260-SE-ESTATE-1-LADY-OWNER-FMGSH-/170910988821?_trksid=p2045573.m2042&_trkparms=aid%3D111000%26algo%3DREC.CURRENT%26ao%3 D1%26asc%3D27%26meid%3D5612434540781812878%26pid%3 D100033%26prg%3D1011%26rk%3D4%26sd%3D261153899384% 26 - looks lovely, but £8250 seems a lot for a near 100k miler

I know Andy's selling his ZTT400... but that might be a little bit more than I was looking for ;)

[colintf]

Andy is, I am 99% sure, not selling his ZTT400 Rob, but Brian (Scooter on here) is selling his ZT400

Spunagain's site is the bible :)

Yes, several of us F/TF'ers have V8's as you know Rob :thumb

[Rob Bell]

Probably got that wrong then Colin :)

Yup, I know - you got one MG, and then you want to collect the set! :D

I believe that Andy "Scarlet Fever" Phillips still has his Le Mans green 260 - although I think that is currently in storage. If his had been a tourer, I'd probably have bought it off him!

[Rob Bell]

Just a question - has anyone fitted LPG? I am not sure that I would - there doesn't appear to be anywhere to put the LPG tank, but just curious really.

[James C]

It's in storage at the moment, according to his FB post last night it's ready to come out for 6 months of fun now!

[colintf]

It's in storage at the moment, according to his FB post last night it's ready to come out for 6 months of fun now!

hope he brings it to MGFIM :thumb

Yes Rob, LPG has been done, but you will lose boot space I am afraid :cool:

[tonybubble]

Just a question - has anyone fitted LPG? I am not sure that I would - there doesn't appear to be anywhere to put the LPG tank, but just curious really.

Hi Rob and welcome. There are a number of LPG saloons, including Bernard LPG's car and 3Disco has a LPG Tourer.

[Rob Bell]

It's in storage at the moment, according to his FB post last night it's ready to come out for 6 months of fun now!
That's good news!

What's Facebook? ;)


Hi Rob and welcome. There are a number of LPG saloons, including Bernard LPG's car and 3Disco has a LPG Tourer.
Thanks Tony. Are there any pictures of the fuel tank installation in 3Disco's tourer?

[Herman]

Welcome Rob.................:)

[AndyG]

........................

WELCOME :D

MG ZT260 FAQ (http://www.spunagain.co.uk/ZT260page.html)

Two-sixties Blog (http://two-sixties-blog.com/)

Items For Sale in Public Section (https://www.two-sixties.co.uk/mgoc260/html/f0rum/forumdisplay.php?90-Items-for-sale)

List of possible 260s Meetings 2013 (https://www.two-sixties.co.uk/mgoc260/html/f0rum/showthread.php?12486-2013-MG-etc-Diary-Dates&p=132261#post132261)

BTCC Media Day (https://www.two-sixties.co.uk/mgoc260/html/f0rum/showthread.php?10763-BTCC-Media-Day-(Public-Thread))
BTCC 2012 (https://www.two-sixties.co.uk/mgoc260/html/f0rum/showthread.php?10843-BTCC-Brands-Hatch-1st-April-2012-Photos)

(We have many lists in the Members Section that will help you when you own a 260/75V8)

[tonybubble]

Thanks Tony. Are there any pictures of the fuel tank installation in 3Disco's tourer?

Rob, Suggest that you send him (Ian) a PM.

[tonybubble]

Spunagain's site is a goldmine of things to look out for! It was my shopping guide when I was buying (well that and having Tony selling it to me helped too :))

Thanks, James - much appreciated. :)

[Rob Bell]

Welcome Rob.................:)

WELCOME :D

Thanks for the welcome chaps!!! :D


Rob, Suggest that you send him (Ian) a PM.
Okay, will do :)

[Captain Slow]

Hi Rob and welcome from another 2 faces you know :)


Nigel & Jo

[HLMG_fan]

Welcome Rob, and good luck in your quest ;@)

[zt954]

Not wishing to crush your dream but don't think your running cost will be double the diesel they won't I know I own both,diesel average 50 mpg v8 average 20 mpg ,road tax diesel 185 v8 250 ,service interval diesel 15000 miles v8 5000 miles ,it goes on & on.i don't want to put you off but you said you wanted to go in to it with your eyes open ,if you want one get one,you won't regret it,but its never going to be cheap good luck with your search john

[Herman]

Not wishing to crush your dream but don't think your running cost will be double the diesel they won't I know I own both,diesel average 50 mpg v8 average 20 mpg ,road tax diesel 185 v8 250 ,service interval diesel 15000 miles v8 5000 miles ,it goes on & on.i don't want to put you off but you said you wanted to go in to it with your eyes open ,if you want one get one,you won't regret it,but its never going to be cheap good luck with your search john

Oil change every 5K, roughly 40 quid, 20 mpg @ 134.9 a ltr = 30 pence a mile..............doesn't sound too bad :)

[slydog]

yea and a bloody great big grin to go with it . you only live once
Oil change every 5K, roughly 40 quid, 20 mpg @ 134.9 a ltr = 30 pence a mile..............doesn't sound too bad :)

[Scarlet Fever]

Wow, hi Rob - welcome to the two-sixties...

My one is out of storage, the deal with it & SF is that they come out for the summer months, but I alternate them - it's the only way I can afford to run them both. Last year was SF's turn, this year the V8 is out and about. 6 months on, 18 months off.

I personally get 21 mpg, used to get 27 mpg from my old ZT 190, so not as big a jump as I had expected. Difference between the two is that at 70mph, the V6 would be doing 1000 rpm more than the V8 more or less. However, the best mpg I've seen is 24, but if you give it the beans, you'll be lucky to see double figures. Of course, the noise of the car more than makes up for its drink problem!

Once you have one, you'll never go back, I'm sure. Tried selling my one once, never again - head vs heart, the heart will always win!

Oh, and my one is BRG, not LMG (my old ZS 180 was LMG and Emma's current ZS Diesel is also LMG) hmmm, i'm seeing a pattern here, we seem to be collecting green MGs!

Emma's MGF - BRG(M) - check
Emma's ZS Diesel - LMG - check
My V8 - BRG(P) - check
My MGF - Flame Red & Sandalwood beige... oh well, scratch that theory... ;)

http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f30/Scarlet_Fever_MGF/ZT%20260/IMAG0379.jpg (http://s44.photobucket.com/user/Scarlet_Fever_MGF/media/ZT%20260/IMAG0379.jpg.html)