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obiwan
15-02-2009, 09:31 PM
Hi all,

I'm new to this caper - I picked up my Mk 2 260 SE yesterday (yes, it's silver). In the space of just over 36 hours I can honestly say I've never loved a car so much. I'm even surprised that I like it more than the E39 BMW 540 I used to own.

It might have something to do with MGs being in the blood. I've grown up with my family's 1949 TC and I forget how many Bs and BGTs over the years.

I was very eager to get my hands on a 260 and probably paid over the odds (£7250 for Mk 2 SE full spec, X-power exhausts and 32k on the clock), but hey ho, the plan is this will be a lifer. Everything works and she runs beautifully.

However I fear she might need some new tyres at next MoT. Can someone please let me know what the standard issue tyres were? I'm thinking Continental Sports 3s?

Also, I don't want to open a can of worms here but...where do you lads normally source parts?


Thanks alot and might see you soon,

Ben

AndyG
15-02-2009, 09:44 PM
Hi all,........................Ben

Hi and welcome.

If you trool the site you will find the answers to most questions.

Tyres are a talking point, but Toyos or Contis M3 are top of the list for road holding in most conditions.

Look in the Shop for some of the needed/mods parts.

When parts need from suppliers? Just ask!

:)

Tim
15-02-2009, 09:46 PM
Hi and welcome.

If you trool the site you will find the answers to most questions.

Tyres are a talking point, but Toyos or Contis M3 are top of the list for road holding in most conditions.

Look in the Shop for some of the needed/mods parts.

When parts need from suppliers? Just ask!

:)

Need your completed questionnaire Ben then everything Andy mentioned will open before your very eyes. :rolleyes:;)

Welcome to ownership.

pessling
15-02-2009, 09:49 PM
welcome to the asylum Ben, its like the hotel California "you can checkout any time you like, But you can never leave! "

i know prices have come down alot, but sounds like you got a good car for a good price, which will hopefully help in the future with all our cars.

GeoffW
15-02-2009, 09:54 PM
Welcome along and heres to many years of happy ownership :) In fact Ive had mine over 3 years and cant wait to get into it at weekends.

AndyG
15-02-2009, 09:55 PM
................ its like the hotel California "you can checkout any time you like, But you can never leave! "



Can I change it slightly?

Hotel MG "You can checkout any time you like, But you can never leave! "

;)

black olive
15-02-2009, 10:08 PM
welcome to the fold Ben.

Contemporary
15-02-2009, 10:15 PM
Congratulations and welcome to the fold........or the 'hotel':confused:

Malcolmr
16-02-2009, 04:36 AM
I still like the collective analogy best! Assimilation is what happens... Anyway, welcome from Downunder, Ben. You'll see a few of us posting from here while you sleep.

Malcolm

juzza0
16-02-2009, 03:28 PM
Hi Ben and welcome. I've not been on here long myself, but they are a fantastic crowd here! I know what you mean about the MG thing being in your blood... i have it too :D

I would say you got a good deal on your 260 by the sounds of it. The standard tyres are Conti sport contact ('2' - i believe).

As they say above - all the upgrade parts are available from the club. General parts are available from Rimmer Bros, SMC and X-Part etc.

Many specialist parts are listed throughout the site - the most exciting being the Dreadnaught supercharger kit!

Anyway.. enjoy your 260 :D:D:D

Phil
16-02-2009, 04:40 PM
its like the hotel California "you can checkout any time you like, But you can never leave! "

cool :cool:

colintf
16-02-2009, 07:11 PM
Hi and welcome.

Where abouts are you?

:cool:

pessling
16-02-2009, 07:39 PM
The standard tyre is conti contract sport M3, 225/45/18, same as the front tyres used on the previous gen BMW M3, there are better out there like the toyo's although haven't experienced them, but will properly change to them once the conti's have warn out

obiwan
16-02-2009, 10:09 PM
Thanks for all the replies folks - very welcoming. I look forward to getting full access to the site so I can see what you guys get up to.

colintf - I'm in Bromley, Kent.

Malcolmr - how many 260s owners are there in Oz? I saw a nice 385 for sale on the web the other day (was it Queensland?). I'm actually born and raised in Perth; have been in London for coming up to seven years. So my 260 will no doubt one day be destined for the land down under also...

obiwan
16-02-2009, 11:43 PM
Well I've spent the evening trawling through the full site (thanks, Tim) and apart from being hugely impressed (and somewhat relieved...) by the knowledge know at my fingertips, I'm also keen to make sure I 'tick a few boxes' before I get too much further into ownership...

I'm wondering if you might assist me with a sort of 'new owner's checklist' of things I need to check and modify if necessary. Based on what I've read tonight, I'll have a go at getting the list started:

1. replace heater hose(s)

Question: is it only one hose that needs replacing? What are the symptoms of a problem (apart from cooking the engine...)? When the hose goes does the coolant leak into the cabin/footwell/engine bay?

2. upgrade radiator fan resistor

Why? (I can see the post(s) recommending this but couldn't find a reason why it needs doing)

3. replace fuel clip

Er...fuel what? I assume this isn't as trivial as it sounds..?!

4. replace pollen filter whilst changing heater hose?

5. upgrade air filter (if necessary?)


Anything else?

Finally, can anyone let me know a specific make/source of suitable coolant? (I vaguely recall going through this exercise for my wife's Rover 25 GTi VVC - pretty sure I got some of the orange Havoline stuff from Texaco).

Thanks again


Ben

pessling
16-02-2009, 11:53 PM
heater hose yes, but you shouldn't lose any coolent if it is changed on a cold engine as there will be no pressure in the system, make sure that the flow restrictor is replaced from the old hose, if you don;t have one, i can machine one up for you. the hose can burst more than anything, causing coolent onto the hot engine with lots of steam every where.

fan resistor only needs to be done if you can see one through the bumper, not all cars have it, its more of a precaution to change it, as the original is a little under rated and can fail.

fuel clip is to stop the fuel pump assembly coming apart, early syptoms can be miss firing and lose of power. it secures the two halves together stopping them from coming apart, can also be done using stainless steel screws

yeah pollen filter is easy to change is worth doing whilst heater hose is off, also if available from black olive is to change the heater valve but we are waiting on them

air filter yes, whilst bumper is off resister can be done, and to up grade to the dual horn instead of the single.

check rear springs ensuring they are not broken

John Newey
17-02-2009, 09:30 PM
Hi and welcome, I'm on my second ZT 260 and lurve them. Eventually gave in and had the Kenne Bell Supercharger fitted and now got 413.5 PS. As for tyres, it pays to find a decent tyre supplier/fitter and keep friendly with them, cos you'll be needind to pay regular visits! Maybe as little as 6000 miles on the rears!! The Toyos do seem to last a little longer and I'd certainly use them again. Good luck and happy motoring

1POWERRACK
18-02-2009, 01:25 PM
hi,
welcome to the group, had mine nearly 2 years still a a great car, people set their watches by my car!!

T16
21-02-2009, 01:44 PM
Was this the one that was on the South Coast?

obiwan
21-02-2009, 06:48 PM
Yep. Why?

david gard
06-05-2009, 06:48 AM
i have had my 260se three years now and i am on my third set of tyres.
please dont waste your money on contis or bridgestones as these cars eat tyres. i have just bought a set of four kaiser kendas from ebay for 241 pound delivered and they are the best so far. really low road noise and the feel of the car is great. also up the tyre pressures by 2 pound for a more even wear.
Hi all,

I'm new to this caper - I picked up my Mk 2 260 SE yesterday (yes, it's silver). In the space of just over 36 hours I can honestly say I've never loved a car so much. I'm even surprised that I like it more than the E39 BMW 540 I used to own.

It might have something to do with MGs being in the blood. I've grown up with my family's 1949 TC and I forget how many Bs and BGTs over the years.

I was very eager to get my hands on a 260 and probably paid over the odds (£7250 for Mk 2 SE full spec, X-power exhausts and 32k on the i clock), but hey ho, the plan is this will be a lifer. Everything works and she runs beautifully.

However I fear she might need some new tyres at next MoT. Can someone please let me know what the standard issue tyres were? I'm thinking Continental Sports 3s?

Also, I don't want to open a can of worms here but...where do you lads normally source parts?


Thanks alot and might see you soon,

Ben

Mike H
06-05-2009, 10:13 AM
Best place for online tyres
http://www.camskill.co.uk/products.php?plid=m4b0s322p49233
Might try a pair of Kendas on my ZR to see if they are any good.