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

  1. #1
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    Default 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

  2. #2
    #455 James C's Avatar
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    Welcome!

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

    Should cover most things on your list and some!
    Last edited by James C; 12-02-2014 at 10:34 PM. Reason: Spelling
    James Curgenven
    ZT 260 SE #455 "Hobbes - The Rumblebee"
    "By my deeds I honour him, V8."

  3. #3
    #242 V8 on tour colintf's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by James C View Post
    Welcome!

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

    Should cover most things on your list and some!
    Hi James and welcome.

    James has given you great advice
    colintf
    Colin Murrell
    vin 00242 - Probably the only 260 to have driven the full Le Mans circuit?
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    http://www.two-sixties.com/main.htm

    http://www.v8register.net/

    http://www.mgfregister.org/

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  4. #4
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    Quote Originally Posted by pistonbroke666 View Post
    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.
    Quote Originally Posted by pistonbroke666 View Post
    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.
    Quote Originally Posted by pistonbroke666 View Post
    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.
    Quote Originally Posted by pistonbroke666 View Post
    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.
    Quote Originally Posted by pistonbroke666 View Post
    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
    Good luck with your search, generally insurance can be about £200 - £350 P.A.

    Nich.
    Nicholas John Peter Tinker - # 484

    Manufactured on Tuesday 27th April 2004 @ 12.17.47.
    Commission Number: 24468.
    Brochure Model: M3 Tourer 4.6 V8 260PS.
    Specification Code: L01B.
    CICode: D1511.
    Trim Level: TL8.9 (M3).

    65th ZT-T 260SE to be made out of 115.
    11th ZT-T 260 SE in Pearl Black (PBT) out of 23 produced.

    Manufactured in the UK by MG Rover Group Ltd.


  5. #5
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    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.

  6. #6
    Administrator Nich's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by pistonbroke666 View Post
    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.
    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
    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.
    Nicholas John Peter Tinker - # 484

    Manufactured on Tuesday 27th April 2004 @ 12.17.47.
    Commission Number: 24468.
    Brochure Model: M3 Tourer 4.6 V8 260PS.
    Specification Code: L01B.
    CICode: D1511.
    Trim Level: TL8.9 (M3).

    65th ZT-T 260SE to be made out of 115.
    11th ZT-T 260 SE in Pearl Black (PBT) out of 23 produced.

    Manufactured in the UK by MG Rover Group Ltd.


  7. #7
    #455 James C's Avatar
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    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
    James Curgenven
    ZT 260 SE #455 "Hobbes - The Rumblebee"
    "By my deeds I honour him, V8."

  8. #8
    #242 V8 on tour colintf's Avatar
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    Whereabouts are you? Your profile doesn't say
    colintf
    Colin Murrell
    vin 00242 - Probably the only 260 to have driven the full Le Mans circuit?
    MG Car Club Z Register V8 ZT/ZTT Rep.
    MG Car Club V8 Register V8 ZT/ZTT Rep
    MG Car Club MGF Register Regional Rep for Devon & Cornwall and Cotswold Regions.
    MG Car Club MGF Register International Liaison Representative

    http://www.mgfim.org/

    http://www.two-sixties.com/main.htm

    http://www.v8register.net/

    http://www.mgfregister.org/

    http://www.racethemg.com/ http://www.triple-mracing.com/



    Member of MGCC (UK), MGOC, VSCC & TSSC (Triumph Sports Six Club)

  9. #9
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    Quote Originally Posted by Nich View Post
    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.
    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.
    Quote Originally Posted by James C View Post
    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
    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
    Quote Originally Posted by colintf View Post
    Whereabouts are you? Your profile doesn't say
    I'm based near the QEII bridge on the M25, by Lakeside Shopping Centre.

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    Quote Originally Posted by pistonbroke666 View Post
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