MG ZR Review (2001 to 2005)

Quick Summary

The MG ZR is a fun new buy and an even better used proposition. It's a great time to buy when the car's overcome its initial slug of depreciation and landing a bargain ZR is going to put a huge smile on your face. It's nowhere near the cutting edge of compact hot hatches but when something is this much fun, who cares? Most advertising catchlines don't approach the truth. MG's 'Outrageous Fun For All' just about encapsulated the appeal of the ZR range.

Overall:

Models Covered:(3/5 dr hatchback 1.4, 1.8 petrol 2.0 diesel [base, +, Trophy, Trophy SE])

ZEE-CYCLED

The MG ZR is a car that should never have worked quite as well as it has. Logic would dictate that a sporty car based on the Rover 25 would be off to a tough start in life, but MG's engineers excelled themselves. In turning the modest 25 into the hooligan ZR and pricing it at a level that was accessible to many, the ZR has done good business for the revitalised MG Rover. With a huge range of models and used examples now beginning to filter onto the used market, the ZR is well worth further investigation.
Used MG ZR for sale

History of the ZR

The MG ZR is a vehicle very much created from the wreckage that was BMW's stewardship of Rover. With such a difficult parentage, it would perhaps have been understandable if the ZR proved a duffer. It's no secret that the development budget for the car was almost non-existent, the Phoenix Consortium, as MG Rover's rescuers were then dubbed, having to get the maximum bang for their buck. They did a good job. The range consists of three and five door versions of the 101bhp ZR105, the 115bhp 1.8-litre ZR120, the 158bhp ZR160 and the 99bhp ZR2.0TD turbo diesel. A Stepspeed push-button CVT transmission was latterly made available on the ZR120. Trim levels comprised a choice of standard or '+' specification and a range of lurid paint schemes were instantly popular. A signal coloured 'up yours' to BMW was one interpretation of the in-your-face ZR.In the summer of 2004, a heavily facelifted model was launched. There were minor tweaks to suspension and brakes but the alterations were mainly cosmetic. The headlamps changed to sculpted BMW-style clear-lensed units covering twin lamps rather than the separate pods the original ZR sported. The rear end was made more distinctive with the number plate position moved downwards to allow for a bootlid with a bold MG badge on the centre line. Inside, a series of improvements were made including four Audi TT style round vents on the dash.At the start of 2005, MG Rover introduced the Trophy and Trophy SE models which ran concurrently with the existing range but rendered those models virtually redundant. The Trophy derivatives offered more equipment for less money and even borrowed some of the sporty styling accessories that had been reserved for the ZR 160 model. Production ended with the demise of MG Rover in 2005.
Used MG ZR for sale

MG ZR Road Test

The MG ZR range serves up surprises aplenty. Take the ZR TD as an example. Although it may seem odd to have an MG diesel model, the two-litre turbo diesel is a hoot to drive, the torque bringing a whole new dimension to cars of this size. You'll feel the added weight of the engine when cornering hard, but it's undoubtedly a novel experience. It's capable of hitting 60mph in 9.7 seconds whilst averaging 54mpg, making the ZR Turbo Diesel a quirky but affordable addition to the range. The star turn is, predictably, the ZR160, which offers a hefty wallop from just £14,560 for the three-door. This is the model that most drivers will opt for, the three-door shell looking agreeably more sporty than the five-door, and the ZR160's sprint to 60mph of just 7.4 seconds is even quicker than an Audi A3 1.8 T Sport. The chief rivals for this model are the more expensive Renault Cliosport 172 and the banzai Honda Civic Type-R, both of which offer more power but at a significant price premium.As befits its old school appeal, the ZR160 feels something of a hooligan to drive, forever wheedling and pleading with the driver to fling it into a corner with reckless abandon. You'll hear some bump and thump coming back from the road and the steering wheel with buck and jitter in your hands when you corner enthusiastically, but it all feels alive and full of the most infectious joie de vivre. In an age where cars become ever fatter, more remote and more anaesthetised, the ZR is a throwback, something that will reward the keen driver whilst keeping them on their toes. Really push the limit and the car will complain with some understeer, but it's nothing that can't be remedied with a quick lift of the throttle.
Used MG ZR for sale

Buying a MG ZR

The MG ZR, being largely based on proven Rover 25 mechanicals has yet to show any significant failings. Unlike the 25, the ownership profile of the ZR is a little younger and you should check that the car hasn't been leathered to within an inch of its life around a racetrack. That's not to say the ZR can't handle the occasional track day, but make sure the brakes, tyres, and suspension have all got plenty of 'oomph'. Check that the servicing work has been done, that there's no accident damage and you should be able to land a decent car.
Used MG ZR for sale

MG ZR Typical Pricing

Used ZR models are starting to appear in meaningful numbers, the range-topping ZR160 being the most popular variant. This is perhaps due to the aggressive pricing, making a new ZR160 a good deal cheaper than a Renaultsport Clio or a Honda Civic Type-R. Expect to pay around £5,000 for a well looked after 2001 Y plated ZR160 with around 37,000 miles on the clock. ZR105 models start at around £4,200 whilst ZR120s open at £4,600, again on the 2001 Y plate. Insurance valuations for the MG ZR range between Group 8 for the ZR TD and ZR 105 to Group 16 for the aggressive ZR160.
Used MG ZR for sale

MG ZR Parts

(approx. based on ZR105) For most parts the prices are quite reasonable and worth the money. Expect to pay around £95 for a full clutch assembly, £485 for a full exhaust system (including the catalyst), around £80 for a headlamp and up to £115 for a radiator. Brake pads should cost about £55 for the front and £50 for the rear, an alternator is around £175 and a starter motor around £140.
Used MG ZR for sale