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mrmanbag
09-02-2011, 12:08 AM
Hi all,
I was considering buying an Mg zt 260 se from elite car in Hampshire. ( the black 04 mark 2).
However, after discussing it with my local Mg mechanic, he suggested that upkeep would be VERY costly, due to the availability of parts as so few were made, and due to the fact that they are made up of hybrid parts from Ford, Rover and BMW.
Any considered thought on this matter would be appreciated.
I currently have a 190 SE and love the MG!

greeners
09-02-2011, 12:16 AM
Welcome along....

Not strictly true regarding parts...90% are bog standard MG Rover, 8% are Ford,a and about 2% are unique to the V8, and most of those the club can source or can get made. It's no worse then any other car that's out of production.

ColinE
09-02-2011, 12:33 AM
Agree and the members on here are quick to spot any parts that appear on the open market.

We've just remanufactured handbrake cables for less that half of the xpart price, - and our rear discs (genuine) are also less that half the xpower price

Are they expensive to maintain - generally no, though there are some big ticket items such as a clutch - as they require an engine out. They are not cheap to run, especially given todays fuel prices.

Take a test drive - you'll be hooked

I bought mine from Elite and happy to recommend them

mrmanbag
09-02-2011, 12:51 AM
Many thanks for the prompt replies!
I am very interested, but I must admit, running costs do concern me as petrol prices do seem to go up on an hourly basis!!!
how do the running costs compare to the 190?

ColinE
09-02-2011, 12:54 AM
Best I got from my 190 was 30 mpg, best I've got from the 260 is 24 mpg, average is around 22 mpg

mrmanbag
09-02-2011, 01:15 AM
Ah, good show, if you had a 190 how would you say they compare? I live in rural Oxfordshire. I would be using the car to commute to work 15 miles away on rural roads (great driving roads)!. At present I get 26-27 mpg I guess I would barely be getting 20 mpg in a 260?
Is the performance between the two that different?

ColinE
09-02-2011, 01:25 AM
They are totally different animals

The 190 is, probably, more nimble, but the 260 is just, well it's 'just', brings a grin to my face no matter how crap my day's been.

I know the oxford roads - great drivers roads,

I've pushed the front end of the 190 too far but the back end of the 260 is so planted and controllable

I'd never go back to a 190, if I needed economy it'd be a CDTI with the 260 for pure fun

ColinE
09-02-2011, 01:27 AM
Group of us are going up to the MG spares day at Stoneleigh on the 20th - grab yourself a ticket and come and see a collection of the beasts

mrmanbag
09-02-2011, 01:32 AM
Cheers, will do. However, am I right in thinking that your sending me to Coventry?!:~

ColinE
09-02-2011, 01:34 AM
Inviting is different to sending

AndyG
09-02-2011, 01:42 AM
Cheers, will do. However, am I right in thinking that your sending me to Coventry?!:~
............~JJ~








Only if you don't buy one. ;)




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2V8s
09-02-2011, 11:26 AM
yeah the engine/drive train ford stuff is easy to come by as they are mass-manufactured in the US and widely used in the late 90s to current Ford Mustang, of which there are now more of them in the UK than ZT260s.

So I wouldnt worry about those parts.

A clutch kit was £200, pretty good value and off the shelf - its the labour that costs for that particular job.

So yes, if your unlucky and some of the few rarer V8-only items need replacing you may have to hunt around a bit, but generally in use and wear and tear/servicing they can actually be run on a relatively small budget, I find.

colintf
09-02-2011, 01:30 PM
Hi and welcome. Might be that your local MG mechanic doesn't know much / enough about them?

insurance could work out cheaper for the 260 than the 190 (my 260 is cheaper to insure than my Diesel ZS!)

:cool:

Tim
09-02-2011, 09:56 PM
Yep welcome along :)

Can't say anymore than whats been said. Can confirm coming from a 190 that I would also not go back to the V6. It was a lovely car to drive but the 260 is the ultimate in drive, handling and looks. But you are going to hear that from the owners club :D

Take a drive in one, the two extra cylinders sound the business.

mrmanbag
09-02-2011, 10:01 PM
Many thanks for all your valuable opinions. I will hopefully be going for a viewing on monday, so fingers crossed.
I think the local MG mechanic was referring to the suspension mainly.
I have read on this site and other MG Rover forums about problems with the serpentine belt not being at the right tension and causing damage. Is this a serious problem or a storm in a tea cup?

ColinE
09-02-2011, 10:14 PM
Storm in a tea cup

ksilver
09-02-2011, 10:53 PM
I have read on this site and other MG Rover forums about problems with the serpentine belt not being at the right tension and causing damage.

I have been a 260 owner for 3 years and 80,000 miles and I don't think I've heard anyone on here having this problem?

mrmanbag
09-02-2011, 11:06 PM
I did hear it somewhere, promise.:GMC

AndyG
09-02-2011, 11:08 PM
I will hopefully be going for a viewing on monday, so fingers crossed.

I think the local MG mechanic was referring to the suspension mainly.

I have read on this site and other MG Rover forums about problems with the serpentine belt not being at the right tension and causing damage. Is this a serious problem or a storm in a tea cup?

Good luck with the viewing.

Suspension is solid, No problems.
Brake bits no major problems.

Belt can squeel on some cars,
Bearing can wear out (replaceable).
AC pump can be a challenge, again fixable.

The tea cup is for after a great drive ;)

mrmanbag
13-02-2011, 10:38 PM
Alas, I was due to see the car tomorrow, but The car sold over the weekend. I have pm'ed gjt100 about the silver 260 with LPG. Does anyone know if it is still available?

ksilver
13-02-2011, 10:40 PM
Alas, I was due to see the car tomorrow, but The car sold over the weekend. I have pm'ed gjt100 about the silver 260 with LPG. Does anyone know if it is still available?

I think he was on a few days ago saying it was still available.

ColinE
14-02-2011, 04:42 PM
I think he was on a few days ago saying it was still available.

https://www.two-sixties.co.uk/mgoc260/html/f0rum/showpost.php?p=80780&postcount=31

2V8s
14-02-2011, 06:08 PM
yes good choice. If my car had have been written off then I would have been after that silver car with LPG.

my car also has LPG. Well worth it i'd say. makes the running costs reasonable.

then again, if you're not likely to do many miles maybe its not a concern for you. You do loose 1/2 the boot space

ksilver
14-02-2011, 07:21 PM
Greeners car is also for sale.

ColinE
14-02-2011, 07:39 PM
Greeners car is also for sale.

https://www.two-sixties.co.uk/mgoc260/html/f0rum/showthread.php?t=7283

Keith
14-02-2011, 08:04 PM
Hmm how does the handling of the 260 compare to the 190
like several here I have had both.

Try driving your 190 hard in the wet, under steer is probably quite noticeable. Drive a 260 in the same conditions and well it is a totally different and far more satisfying experience.

The most striking difference between the two will be the Torque, by comparison in 5th the 260 pulls from almost tickover whereas the 190 well not at lot happens really below 3000 rpm does it .

The 260 is not for everyone though it requires a degree of physical effort to move it about so t if you are a bit weak at the knees stick to the 190 everything is lighter and easier in comparison. The 260 has a real clutch and a gear change probably designed for ham fisted Red necks

Your main decision has to be can you afford the fuel.
I personally never got more than 25-27MPG from my ZTT so the 260 compares well unless I start using all the blowers abilities then it is rapidly sub 20s but I would never use my 260 for the daily commute anyway.