Description
This car has been my daily driver and only car since July 2024. Since then I have put over 15, 000 miles on it, and it has visited the far reaches of the UK - to this day I would happily jump in and drive it anywhere.
As a 2. 5 KV6 car with the 5 speed Jatco automatic transmission it represents one of the most reliable combinations available in this platform. It always receives compliments on the colour and wheels, and with the (factory fitted) Premium/ V8 bumper it stands out from most other 75s.
During my ownership the car has had lots of money spent on it, and as such it stands in very good mechanical condition:
- 4x 225/ 45 R18 Continental PremiumContact 7
- New front shocks, springs, top mounts, drop links
- New thermostat + elbow pipe
- Upgraded ZT190 spec front brakes (brand new calipers and carriers, Pagid front discs and Mintex pads + new spare master cylinder)
- Powerflow exhaust rear section (slightly louder than stock but without any motorway drone, just allows for a bit more V6 burble)
- Taillight seals replaced
Car has been thoroughly serviced in my ownership, oil changed @ 103k, 106k and 113k. Coolant flush and change at 106k.
I bought the car originally with the plan to treat it as something of a rolling project as it needed some TLC, unfortunately due to changing jobs and now needing to commute much longer distances I have been unable to get the car where I would like it. Being a well optioned Connoisseur SE it comes with:
- Ice cold air conditioning
- Functioning cruise control
- Electric heated* front seats with driver's memory
- Highline IPK
- Power folding door mirrors
- Power retractable rear sunshade
- Electric tilt/ slide sunroof*
- Rear parking sensors*
* The electric sunroof has not worked as long as I've owned the car but the motor operates fine. I suspect the cable from the motor to the panel itself has snapped but have not looked into the problem in any great detail. Additionally, the rear parking sensors have recently stopped working. I suspect some of the pins in the control module are corroded and all it needs is a good clean, I will try and get this fixed before sale. Furthermore, the heater elements in the front seats have had it and no longer work.
In addition, the heated rear windscreen doesn't work at all. It is getting power but neither me nor a local auto electrician have been able to get the defroster actually working. I suspect a new screen will be required, these are available at a reasonable price but I haven't been able to sort the logistics of getting one here.
Originally it was fitted with Highline infotainment but a previous owner has replaced this system with an aftermarket Xtrons head unit with Bluetooth. It works fine and the sound quality is adequate so I have left this in.
The bodywork is in fair condition for a 21 year old car, but would benefit from some love. The sills have been repaired in the past and are still solid (no advisories on the current valid MOT) but the paintwork is starting to fail and some surface rust is creeping through. The lower grille in the Premium bumper recently came loose so I removed it, but the grille will come with the car. The spec of this particular car is what drew me to it in the first place. It still stands out, and when clean it really does present well. The 18" MG grid spoke wheels fill the arches very well without sacrificing the ride quality, and of course the distinctive front end means it always attracts a second glance from onlookers who often can't identify what it actually is. It was originally registered to the MG Rover press office at Longbridge and I have been told that it was originally a management car, but haven't been able to verify this. I wanted to hold onto the car long term as I have a lot of fond memories associated with it, but unfortunately it just doesn't fit into my life right now. It is a perfect example to use and tinker with, or to fully restore and take along to Pride of Longbridge. It needs some love, but this is a car with plenty of life left in it and is far too good to break for parts.
