260's: Maintenance, things to look for and general advice

Hi guys

First post here but I've been on mg-rover.org for a while now under the same name.

I've always fancied a 260 but insurance has kept these ambitions at bay.
After 5 years driving and a no claims to match, they're starting to become a more viable motor.

I was hoping to pick your brains on a few things.... please feel free to redirect me to existing threads if relevant.

1. What should I look for when buying? Are there common problems I should look out for?

2. What parts generally need replacing at certain intervals? Is there an expensive 'cam belt change' equivalent to shell out for like on the KV6?

3. Is there a laborious service lifecycle? How often do I need to change the oil etc etc.

4. Are most parts easily sourced in the UK or is some importing required? Lets say the fuel pump died. Could I get a replacement fairly quick?

5. I'm a casual, weekend driver covering 3-4k PA - journeys may be short. Will the V8 like this or does it need to be fully warmed up?


Thanks for your help in advance guys, apologies if these questions are commonly asked.

James

Welcome!

Have a gander at Spunagain's site - http://www.spunagain.co.uk/ZT260page.html

Should cover most things on your list and some!

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Originally Posted by James C

Welcome!

Have a gander at Sunpagain's site - http://www.spunagain.co.uk/ZT260page.html

Should cover most things on your list and some!

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Hi James and welcome.

James has given you great advice :thumb

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Originally Posted by pistonbroke666

Hi guys

First post here but I've been on mg-rover.org for a while now under the same name.

I've always fancied a 260 but insurance has kept these ambitions at bay.
After 5 years driving and a no claims to match, they're starting to become a more viable motor.

I was hoping to pick your brains on a few things.... please feel free to redirect me to existing threads if relevant.

1. What should I look for when buying? Are there common problems I should look out for?

Check out Spunagain's site.

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Originally Posted by pistonbroke666

2. What parts generally need replacing at certain intervals? Is there an expensive 'cam belt change' equivalent to shell out for like on the KV6?

Nothing really major, no cambelt changes.

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Originally Posted by pistonbroke666

3. Is there a laborious service lifecycle? How often do I need to change the oil etc etc.

5,000 miles for oil and filter change, 30,000 for major service.

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Originally Posted by pistonbroke666

4. Are most parts easily sourced in the UK or is some importing required? Lets say the fuel pump died. Could I get a replacement fairly quick?

Most items easily available in the UK, lots of shared parts with standard ZT/ZT-T range, engine is standard Ford Mustang, lots of parts available.

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Originally Posted by pistonbroke666

5. I'm a casual, weekend driver covering 3-4k PA - journeys may be short. Will the V8 like this or does it need to be fully warmed up?

Once you get one you may find your driving habits change. Likes a long run every now and again but no-one who uses them infrequently finds this to be a problem.


Thanks for your help in advance guys, apologies if these questions are commonly asked.

James

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Good luck with your search, generally insurance can be about £200 - £350 P.A.

Nich.

Thanks a lot for all the input guys.

Is the suspension, ball joints, bushes etc shared with the rest of the ZT range?

I wish my insurance was closer to £200-350 P.A!
I'm 25 with 5 years NCB in May... Looking at £700 fully comp.

Is anyone familiar with this ZT on Autotrader?
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classifi...75je?logcode=p
It's quite local to me and the '07' plate weirdly makes it a little cheaper to insure.

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Originally Posted by pistonbroke666

Thanks a lot for all the input guys.

Is the suspension, ball joints, bushes etc shared with the rest of the ZT range?

I wish my insurance was closer to £200-350 P.A!
I'm 25 with 5 years NCB in May... Looking at £700 fully comp.

Is anyone familiar with this ZT on Autotrader?
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classifi...75je?logcode=p
It's quite local to me and the '07' plate weirdly makes it a little cheaper to insure.

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1/32 left on the road. extremely rare and needs a good home!, BLACK, 2 owners, Part service history, Electric sunroof, Electric windows, Satellite navigation, Parking aid, CD player, Heated seats, Height adjustable driver's seat, Height adjustable passenger seat, Folding rear seats, Sports seats, Alloy wheels, Power steering, Steering wheel rake adjustment, Steering wheel reach adjustment, Cruise control, Traction control, Central locking, Alarm, Immobiliser, Driver's airbags, Side airbags, Passenger airbags. £6,250

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Have no idea what 1/32 means, the later registration will mean higher VED per annum.

49,000 miles is good, but 'part service history' may bear some investigation given the 5k oil changes.

Nich.

Yes, as Nich says beware the tax rate change point - 23rd March 2006. Any 260 first registered past that date will be hit with the £490 a year tax band, the others are £280

Whereabouts are you? Your profile doesn't say :cool:

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Originally Posted by Nich

Have no idea what 1/32 means, the later registration will mean higher VED per annum. 49,000 miles is good, but 'part service history' may bear some investigation given the 5k oil changes. Nich.

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The part service history is a good point - I'd need to grill the owner on how long they've had it what they've done to service it. I completely missed the VED point. A very good point indeed.

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Originally Posted by James C

Yes, as Nich says beware the tax rate change point - 23rd March 2006. Any 260 first registered past that date will be hit with the £490 a year tax band, the others are £280

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That is a brutal level of tax and it's putting me off this example just a tad. There's a very similar example also close by but it's had an engine change. Seems legit but I'd need to look into it. http://www.pistonheads.com/classifie...xperiment=true

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Originally Posted by colintf

Whereabouts are you? Your profile doesn't say :cool:

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I'm based near the QEII bridge on the M25, by Lakeside Shopping Centre.

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Originally Posted by pistonbroke666

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