Wanting to join the fold, just got to find the car.

[JakeWilson]

Hello folks,

Firstly want to wish everyone a happy new year and all the best for 2012.

For those who frequent the Community and OC sites, I've been involved with these cars for a fair few years now, having purchased our first ovee 3 years ago.

We've had a series of cars and are currently using a 55 and 04 Plate Tourer as our everyday drives, having also had a 54 plate ZT-T and an 04 ZT 190.

Prior to this our background has been in BMW's and our long term planned project has been a 1993 BMW M5 Touring, which we have owned for around 5yrs.

The car is interestingly similar to the V8's in that there were less than 900 built, but with currently only 12 left in the UK. We purchased it with a comprehensive service folder of £25,000 worth of work shown, yet due to a 'specialist' not checking valve clearences, has a misfire on one cylinder.

To cut a long story short, we don't have the time or facilities to give the car the attention and work it deserves. The final nail in the coffin was having Mannie take my father out today in his supercharged beasty and as a result, we've decided that a 260 Tourer is the way to go and that it's time the M perhaps moved on to pastures new.

What I was hoping to establish, is what the market for tourers is like (been told it has to be a mk2!) and what sort of costs do the V8's face. (For example how much are a pair of rear discs?) and what availability there are for parts here in the UK and also what things to look out for?

Best wishes and thanks in advance,

Jake

[ColinE]

Hi Jake and welcome

I'll let others more in the know comment on tourer prices, as I cannot afford another one, I don't monitor the prices too closely, though given fuel costs now is a good time to buy as prices are as low as I can remember.

Parts are generally not an issue, rear discs are available through the club shop (that'll be me then) for about 50% of retail (for full members of the club), we actively work to secure additional parts, have had some excellent support from Xpart recently in securing supply of previously NLA parts, and if that does not work we do what we can to remanufacture ourselves.

in terms of what to look out for, to be honest it's pretty much as per any other ZT, Famous orange clip on the fuel pump, water ingress issue, etc. Heater valves can fail but we've re-engineered these, check for while from the air con compressor, and take a look at the rad, we've seen a few fail

The engines are pretty bulletproof, a good service history is, of course, preferred though I bought mine at 44k with limited history and the only failure I've had is a manifold to downpipe gasket.

Post 04 cars get hit for the 460 tax bracket (I think that's the figure)

Other than that biggest expense will be tyres (depends how you drive) 5 - 7k a set is about my limit but others have seen a lot more - but if you start modding the car then..........


Hope this helps

[Herman]

Hi and welcome.

Just to add what Colin stated above, higher tax bracket applies to cars registered after March '06 regardless of build year.

Oil service every 5k, including filter, bigger service every 15K.
Engine parts are not a problem due the the fact it's a Mustang one.

Cars with sunroofs can have water leaks at the drains, other niggles pretty much the same as other ZTs in the range

HTH

[Martin]

Morning Jake,

Firstly a big thank you to you and Dad for fitting the new seats in to 34 looks at treat, but I am sorry to cause stress in the household by taking your dad for a spin afterwards.

AS for the usual suspects rear discs, heatervalve, which you can get here, the rest as said is either in some form a 190 or American ( I have brought from both Aaironline (air con compressors or Mustangs unlimited for most other stuff, quite inexpensive...... compared to UK sourced stuff and here quite rapidly.) oh and Sweden for one other bit.

Both you and your father would be a great asset to the fold with your enthusiasm and skills and an ability to find the most obscure of stuff.

Good luck with the hunt................

Again thanks

Martin

[colintf]

Hi Jake and welcome

Post 04 cars get hit for the 460 tax bracket (I think that's the figure)

It's the 2006 registered cars (on an 06 I belive) where the car tax jumps up. My 54 reg was £260 last time

[JakeWilson]

Evening Gents,

Thanks for the warm welcome - think I am going to like it here.

For quite some time now I've been really impressed to hear about the way you guys do certain things on here, that others clubs should do.

Been talking to Mannie over the phone a couple of times today and I think we've an idea of what we need to be doing and what to look out for. As has been said on other posts I've read, a pre 2006 would be ideal, unless it's some amazing spec and price. He was amazed to hear the news that infact the entire household is keen to move onto a V8 and yes I was sat down at the time! :-)

Out of interest, what is it that makes them go through tyres as much (my last zt-t did over 30k to a set!)

Oh and P.S. I've been looking into organising another day at Bruntingthorpe again if of interest to anyone.

Best,

Jake

[ColinE]

Evening Gents,

Thanks for the warm welcome - think I am going to like it here.

For quite some time now I've been really impressed to hear about the way you guys do certain things on here, that others clubs should do.

Been talking to Mannie over the phone a couple of times today and I think we've an idea of what we need to be doing and what to look out for. As has been said on other posts I've read, a pre 2006 would be ideal, unless it's some amazing spec and price. He was amazed to hear the news that infact the entire household is keen to move onto a V8 and yes I was sat down at the time! :-)

Out of interest, what is it that makes them go through tyres as much (my last zt-t did over 30k to a set!)

Oh and P.S. I've been looking into organising another day at Bruntingthorpe again if of interest to anyone.

Best,

Jake

Biased as I am this is a great place to be - I should know I spend a lot of my time on here

Tyres - depends what tyres and how you drive, I bought mine to drive, and I drive it pretty hard when I do, so it gets through tyres (Toyo, Vredstein, and Hangkook) at a fair rate, others have used the likes of Federals (and may not push as hard) and they last a lot longer

BRUNTINGTHORPE - YES YES YES

Cheers - Colin

[JakeWilson]

Biased as I am this is a great place to be - I should know I spend a lot of my time on here

Tyres - depends what tyres and how you drive, I bought mine to drive, and I drive it pretty hard when I do, so it gets through tyres (Toyo, Vredstein, and Hangkook) at a fair rate, others have used the likes of Federals (and may not push as hard) and they last a lot longer

BRUNTINGTHORPE - YES YES YES

Cheers - Colin

Cheers Colin, hopefully once we've got one I'll be on here more too as am I right in saying that there's more to see as an owner?

That's interesting as we've been a user of Federals on our other cars for a good few years, infact I rated them more than the Potenza's I had on my ZT-T.

Regarding Bruntingthorpe, been talking with Woolleysox so watch this space. However the last e-mail I had with the owner stated that anything we did would have to be on a Friday afternoon which I appreciate might be problematic!

Best,

Jake

[jimbo]

BRUNTINGTHORPE YES YES YES x2 Fridays are fine by me

Glad to have you with us

[005]

Hi Jake, great to see you're finally looking towards the "proper end" of the MG's mate, oil squashers just don't cut it seriously though, good luck in the hunt for one, I'll keep my eyes open for you whilst on my travels. Best regards to you & Dad