MG ZR – The Time Is Now

If the Rover 25 was a sandwich, it would have been mild cheddar on generic white bread. It wasn’t a bad car, per se, but it wasn’t anything exciting. It was, to quote Mr. Clarkson, “an car”. Nothing more, nothing less. Though it did make people over the age of 65 very happy, given they were about the only people who bought one. Based on this, then, the MG ZR – the so say sporty version of the 25 – was just the same cheese sandwich but with some piccalilli for a hint of zing, right? Wrong. The MG ZR was a leap forward so vast it made the the 25 seem like a distant memory. Tight, agile, powerful with the right engine and an utter riot to drive – the MG ZR was and still is a blinding hot hatch. And it’s currently a bargain, meaning the time to buy one is most definitely now.

The MG ZR wasn’t a simple case of dolling up the Rover 25 in a cynical bid to cash in on the youth market. It was a properly engineered machine, built with some real passion and heart. Yes, it had the snazzy body kit and funky alloy wheels, but it also had revised suspension, brakes, steering and of course, a cracking range of engines. It was all things to all buyers, too. The younger crowd could opt for the 1.4, then there was the 1.8 and then the range topping 1.8VVC model. It could be bought as a three-door, or a more practical five-door, and for those looking to promote their business in a fun way, it could even be bought as a three-door van in MG Express guise!

An Introduction to the MG ZR

The MG ZR was the entry point into the MG Rover’s new line of sporty, more youthful cars. You had the MG ZS next, and then the MG ZT topping the range. The idea was to have something sporty, cool, fast and useful for the buyer throughout their lives. Get them in with the ZR, then encourage them to build up and finish with the 75-based ZT. Clever. But again, these cars weren’t cynical marketing examples. The engineers took real pride in what they were doing, and put their heart and soul into making the MG versions as good as they could be. If you want proof, look no further than than the sales. Tens of thousands of ZRs were sold, it was MG’s most popular car and it held its head up as one of the UK’s best-selling hot-hatches. It was, and still is a good car.

All petrol MG ZRs were fitted with the K Series engine, starting with the 105, a 1.4 unit. Next up was the 120, a 1.8 litre version, while the top of the range boasted the 160, a 1.8 VVC K series with variable valve timing. Think Vtec, but with with a midlands accent. VVC just kicked in, babs. There were two diesel options, too – a 100hp TD and a 111hp TD – but they are hard found today, as they weren’t all that popular. All had full disc brakes (apart from the 105, which was drum at the rear), lowered suspension, louder exhausts, alloy wheels, body kits and bucket seats.

What Should I Look For?

Given the MG ZR is a hot hatch, the first thing you should look for is evidence of abuse. Check the suspension, the bushes, the steering, the body for crash damage and look for any signs of poorly applied modifications. Then, because it’s a Rover at heart, check the cooling system for any signs of head gasket trouble. The reality is that any running, driving MG ZR around today will have been fitted with the upgraded version. However, it never hurts to check the oil cap and the expansion tank for any mayo. And of course, check the car runs to and stays at temperature.

Rust is an issue, especially on the sills and rear arches, so have a good poke about. Front wings, while not structural, rust too and are hard to find in good condition. The big area to check, simply because the build quality was terrible, is the interior. The clocks fail, the fan resistors go, meaning you only have two speeds (a simple fix though), the carpets are rubbish, seats wear and the headlining will drop. But this is something you can do at home cheaply and with good results.

What Are Prices Like? 

See that yellow one? Snazzy, even it was three hundred shades of yellow and a bit rusty. However, it had full MOT and it cost this very writer a mere £200. It was only a 1.4, but it proves they’re out there. In fact, £500 will put you in one that needs a bit of home tinkering, while £1,500 will put you in a 1.8 that’s worth having. Spend over £3k and you’ll be getting the best of the non-VVC cars, while £4k upwards will put you in a VVC.

Why Should I Buy One? 

We all need a bit of fun in our lives, and the MG ZR is a great way to get it. Fun to drive, practical, great to look at, cheap to run and with a strong enthusiast base to help support ownership, it’s a real box ticker. And now really is the perfect time to buy one. The enthusiast market has caught on, but the prices haven’t. You can still get one for a bargain price, and if you look after it, you shouldn’t lose any money. There is a shift happening that is seeing some real appreciation for the MG and Rover cars of this era. Get on the train before it leaves the station.