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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WELCOME :D

When you buy a car and fill in the questionnaire and return it you can access the answers to most questions (till then just ask us)

and:

(Lists of your brothers and sisters)

List of 001 to 883

Pictures of cars in VIN order
..To add your car

Car Names

Estates
Supercharged Cars

Locations
Location Map

Rolling Road Results

Past & Future Events

Articles about our cars

Technical Index

The SHOP

List of possible 260s Meetings

MG ZT260 FAQ (in the Public View)

Two-sixties Blog

Items for sale 260 members only
Items For Sale in Public Section
List of MG ZT/ZTT/75 V8s For Sale

BTCC Media Day(in the Public Section)
BTCC 2012 (in the Public Section)
BTCC 2013
BTCC 2014

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Originally Posted by AndyG

WELCOME :D
When you buy a car and fill in the questionnaire and return it you can access the answers to most questions (till then just ask us)

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Hi and thanks

I did see the questionnaire but being as I can only answer three questions out of fourteen, I wasn't sure if it was worth completing, not being an owner just yet...

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Originally Posted by pistonbroke666

Hi and thanks

I did see the questionnaire but being as I can only answer three questions out of fourteen, I wasn't sure if it was worth completing, not being an owner just yet...

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Good Luck with your search.

There are a few car available at the moment, Have a look at the 1st post here
The list is not completely up to date as I am sure a couple have been sold but I don't have the details.

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Originally Posted by AndyG

Good Luck with your search.

There are a few car available at the moment, Have a look at the 1st post here
The list is not completely up to date as I am sure a couple have been sold but I don't have the details.

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Thanks, I'll have a good mooch through the list.

Bit late but welcome along, also some info here. :)

https://www.two-sixties.co.uk/mgoc26...4-Did-you-know

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Originally Posted by Tim

Bit late but welcome along, also some info here. :)

https://www.two-sixties.co.uk/mgoc26...4-Did-you-know

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Cheers Tim, useful stuff there.
It seems like the 260 isn't too bad for maintenance - less so than the MKII ZS 180s I've been looking into.

You know 260 ownership makes sense :thumb

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Originally Posted by colintf

You know 260 ownership makes sense :thumb

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I keep telling myself that I should get one, if not for the love of the marque, but for residuals hehe.

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Originally Posted by pistonbroke666

I keep telling myself that I should get one, if not for the love of the marque, but for residuals hehe.

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You'll never get tired of people who ask about the car. The jaw pops open, the eyebrows go up, the reply 'Did you say 4.6?'

Just had another one today. Try hard not to, but wow you feel smug...

The old chestnut of...

"Ah, nice V6"

No, it's V8

"No, no, they never made a V8"

*pops bonnet*

"Oh, blimey"

Is always good too

I've had "how did you make it rear wheel drive". Did you convert it. "That v6 sounds meaty" grrrrrrrrr .. And the best one of all was from a youth in a chav chariot "yeah man how did ya do the twin exhaust conversion" grrrrrrr. But the amount of people that hear it are not looking for aZT. Which makes me smile. So buy one and you to could be asked stupid questions. But also people take a nice interest which brings a warm smile that something British made still can catch peoples eye. Good luck on your search

I like the uniqueness of the 260... and that big fat V8!

I've been looking at a variety of motors to replace my ZR TD but I just cant get the ZT out of mind. It's got something about it.