Hi All.....

[penfold118]

Morning all ?

Long-time lurker, recently registered.

I think I mentioned it in my first post but Long story short, I have been driving the Z range for 10 years plus (Zr, Zs + 2 180's) until 12 months ago I had the option to have avery nice (imo J )car for a couple of years, this comes to an end early / mid next yearand I have decided I want to opt out and buy a car ( there was never really an emotional attachment to this car as in my eyes it wasn't mine, un-like all my previous cars )

I would like to go back to a MG, the 6 just doesnt do it for me ( sorry MG ). Which leaves the ZS180 Mk2 , a car I know and love, but getting harder to get a "gud un" A ZT, I guess I could go for a 190 but always liked having the best model available Jand there is something about a V8 !

I have done lots of reading thanks to this forum and its members and understand some of the extra costs like specialist rear discs,front shockers etc and the standard up-grades like the coolant pipes and Throttle body etc. Luckily I don't do crazy miles pa ( under 5k ) so fuel isn't too bad.

I would be looking for a face lift SE, with the standard retro fixes like pipes and Throttle body and hopefully some zero's J for between £5/7 k ish ( I would consider anyif price was right) Don't mind most colours or Saloon or Tourer.

After a bit of pub chat over the weekend and the typical " Don't buy a MG you can't get any parts " !! someone made a logical suggestion foranother contender. A Jag S Type V8, I know even less about these than the 260 but they are in budget and on paper at least seem to tick the box's but obviously there are pros and cons to each.

At the moment the 260 gets me more exited and let's behonest its great being in such an exclusive club, I also like the fact most people see an "old Rover" and only Petrol Heads would get that the 260 is a bit special, were as the S type on the face of it if a little less exclusive /every day. I just wondered if anyone had driven both and what there conclusions where ? it would be the standard V8 not the R.

Anyway in the meantime if you spot ant 260's for sale let meknow, not many out there at this time of the year J

Jez

[stevemiller]

Sorry can't help on this one as I have never driven an S however although of the same period and to many look a likes they are more things separating them than just the manual v auto. All that said I do like them and given your position I would seek to drive both before spending my money. The Rover V8 would be a closer starting point but far more rare than either.

Best of luck which ever way you choose.

Steve

[penfold118]

Cheers Steve, to be honest I am 99% fixed on the 260, with the remaining 1% split between the rest ��. I had never even thought of the the S type until mentioned....

[Slickster]

I had a MG ZT 260, then went to a Jag S Type R, then (and currently) on to a Rover 75 V8.

I went from the ZT as I got a bit annoyed with the heavy clutch and long gear change (and it was a non-SE). The S Type R was much more rapid, but...*very* boring. It was so well insulated that you just went quick, without the 'fun' and enjoyment of the loud V8 found in the MG/Rovers - just a bit of supercharger whine. Have to say I really like the auto box on it, that you could use very well almost manually. The R75 V8 is a perfect compromise, with the auto box and then the lovely sounding engine.

[bernard lpg]

I have driven the S type a few times and I would consider it a replacement (maybe) for my car. BUT it would be a replacement for my V6 75 and not for the V8.
Our 260s are just so different. OK, the S is a comfortable, quiet, luxurious and quick car but in comparison to the 260 it is a wallowing, sloppy whale of a creature with no real character.

[penfold118]

Wow Slickster you've covered all the options there ����. The car I have now is very quick but like you mentioned with the s type it's so insulated you lose the connection and feel of the car. I am going to try and sit, feel & drive them. I hadn't considered the 75 but sounds a good compromise. Just not much out there for sale at the moment

As you say Bernard there is something special about the 260 and the Jag can't get close to that...

jez.

[David]

Agree, Bernard. I've owned many Jags over the years (mostly V12's, E's and XJ's) and surprisingly I still have lots more pleasure from driving and owning a Rover V8. I've still got 4 regular 75 V6's and love them all.

Problems? Yes, there are -- you've seen all the threads here, I assume! But S-types have them a plenty, not to mention their incredible thirst, and there are thousands and thousands of them.

As ever it's a question of going with your head or your heart.
Your head would send you to the Skoda or Kia showroom.

MG 260 or Rover V8? Depends what you want. If you are happy with owning and driving ANY auto car, then you've mentally crossed that bridge and I think you may be better off with a R75, like me. Outside of that, excluding S/C cars, they're essentially the same, although the Rovers are much rarer of course and potentially more valuable in the long run. Plus it may have been driven like a Rover not an MG (sorry guys; I'm sure I'll get lots of agro about that!). Mine has 200,000 miles on the clock and still going strong.

Best of luck with your decision and your search.

David

[Jez Marsh]

Well here goes. Had 260 2004 -09 52k miles driven. Then 2.7 xf then 3.0 xfs now ztt 260 mk2.
Both 260s stock and drive pretty much the same. 22,000 and 42,000 miles covered in jags, Heavyish clutch but not too bad. Chassis amazing, sound gorgeous, cabin businesslike. Jags. Silky,smooth quiet and great auto box. But too sanitised. The jag v8 sounds like a sewing machine. Almost Teutonic. The jag s diesel 0-60 in 6 sec but nowhere as involving as 260.
Jags better internal finish and luxury than zt but rover 75 close to jag on that. For me R75 box too slow acting.
All of these cars miles ahead of the mainstream.

[ton]

My father has been jaguar dealer for a long time i have diven them all and stil bougt a ztt 260.

[penfold118]

Went for a ride ( as a passenger ) in the S Type V8, very impressed pulled well, interior was v nice although a little grown up for me the one big downside in my opinion and not sure if it's true of all the S type v8's but it was to quiet, normally this would be good but when you have a stonking V8 I want to hear it ?! So overall a great car, ticked nearly all the boxes but just missed that one important thing, not sure what the word is but just makes you just not for me so it's either the MG or the 75, was good to have something else to compare....