No Budget Reviews: 2004 MG ZT-T 190+ (Rover 75/MG ZT) - Lloyd Vehicle Consulting

-One 2004 MG ZT-T 190+
-One Mobile Phone
-No Fancy Outfits
-No Obscure In-Jokes
-No DSLRs
-No Shotgun Microphones
-No Fluid Head Tripods
-No Idea about Exposure
-No Budget Whatsoever
It is time for the newest instalment in that beloved cinematic automotive KZbin experience where we film practical cars that can be bought for less than £1,000 in a manner befitting of their inexpensive value! This may go horribly wrong...
This time, we examine a 2004 MG ZT-T 190+ and see if it is any good for the modest amount of money one costs these days. Be prepared for dreadful sound quality, absolutely appalling editing, surprisingly effective drive by shots, bad video quality, poor camerawork, some very nice seats, a rather lovely period DVD navigation and entertainment and an awful lot of equipment and power for not very much money! Nothing untoward, then...
2004 MG ZT-T 190+ Walkaround (Rover 75/MG ZT): • 2004 MG ZT-T 190+ Walk...
As an independent vehicle consultant, I take potential buyers through the whole car buying process from choosing a make and model to a vehicle handover and road tax. In addition to information on this service, I also have a selection of written and video reviews of cars that I have owned, hired, borrowed or have somehow come into my possession. Please use the Contact Me page on my website to get in touch, visit my Facebook page for latest updates and share this video if you like it! Thank you for watching.
Website: www.lloydvehicleconsulting.co.uk
Facebook: / lloydvehicleconsulting

[@mattsbeamer]

Hey, I really love the new format of videos.i must admit, these videos are my favourite. Please do a lot more of these! I really do like this car, it’s got to be one of my favourite cars from this brand and rover

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

Oh sir, don't worry, we are planning on doing lots more No Budget Reviews next year! Glad to hear that you have been enjoying the No Budget Reviews. There are a lot of BMW parts in the Rover 75 and MG ZT, so I am not surprised that you like them so much.

[@zugbug1986]

Good review once again Joseph, I for one like The No Budget Review. Lovely car and as you say now is the time to buy while prices are so very reasonable. It's a shame that you haven't quite made 1K subscribers in time for Christmas but hopefully in the New Year your numbers will grow. Seasons Greetings to you Sir.

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

Thanks Andy! Yes, I don't think that you are the only one who likes No Budget reviews, it would appear to be unexpectedly popular on my channel. Seasons Greetings to you too! There is still time to buy a nice 75 or ZT before the prices start to get silly, and that is what No Budget Reviews is all about.

[@Thanos.m]

The KV6 does not suffer from head gasket failure as they had multi layer steal gaskets you also had the 1.8 Turbo on the MG

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

I understand that the KV6 did suffer from head gasket failure with the earlier units fitted to the Rover 800s, but the later ones in the 75 and ZT were better as they had a redesigned cylinder head with enlarged coolant channels.

[@seancooke4127]

I really enjoyed this video. A sporting car that is comfortable and can carry passengers and luggage. Don't think I enjoyed it quite as much as you did Sir. Lovely car.

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

Yes, Jordan has a great car. Gave me confidence to buy a KV6 engined car in the first place, actually. a ZT-T 190+ is quite a mighty car.

[@seancooke4127]

@@lloydvehicleconsulting it certainly stacks up to the modern Audi A4 Avant parked next to it. Maybe it's an A6, hard to tell sometimes, and I own an Audi. 😂

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

@@seancooke4127 , gosh, I filmed this over a year ago, can't really remember! Jordan has rebuilt virtually the entire top end of the engine since this video, and she is running even better now.

[@rarevhsuploads4995]

I have returned to rewatch this video four years on from it’s release. After five years of driving Rover 75’s & loving them I’ve been casting around for something different but familiar. The ZT-T might be just that & a V6 too. Back in 2019 I used to think they were just a 75 with a body kit & big wheels but I now understand they were quite significantly reworked. I’ve always liked a waft barge but sometimes I wish I had something more ‘tight’ to drive without wanting to feel like I’m on wooden wheels. The MG ZT might offer that ‘sports touring’ cruiser compromise, that’s not an outright race car but doesn’t pitch & roll on roundabouts so much.

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

Mr Partridge actually still has this car four years later, but it has had some problems. Some quite big ones in fact! It is due to have its second replacement engine quite soon. Having driven a 75 fairly recently, they do feel very different from these, although they still are not harsh riding at all. This was the second episode of No Budget Reviews, so I don't think it was necessarily the best...

[@PlanetautoUK]

Beast of a British estate, tankified love it.

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

Glad you like it! Need to do a Jaguar X-Type next...

[@gaznoo]

A bit late but this vid brought back a lot of memories for me,I had a ztt for a long time and loved it,and I had a lpg conversation on my one,one of my favourite car's

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

The owner still has this car, and it is having another new engine fitted soon... As for No Budget Reviews, this was the second ever episode, and there are now almost 200 on the playlist!

[@ash7990]

Really nice car great value for money. Like anything old and BMW (and theres a lot of BMW design in this) there are some common issues etc. and some things that may need sorting that need sorting on one if it hasn't been owned by someone who has cared for it. By the way the kv6 in the 75/ZT didn't overly suffer any head gasket issues. It got its reputation of that from when it was in the Rover 800. There was also the option of a 1.8 turbo in the ZT, also called the 160. There was the 160 turbo, and 160 v6. Not heard of subframe rust, but definitely need to check rear sills for rust.

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

Unfortunately, this very car blew both its head gaskets and the plastic thermostat housing all at the same time a couple of months after we filmed this... This did mean that Jordan knew how to put the engine in my 45 V6 back together when my plastic thermostat housing also failed in July! So they clearly do occasionally suffer from head gasket failure, but it is absolutely nowhere as common as the four cylinder K Series. I actually reviewed a 2006 ZT 160 with the K Series Turbo on the channel last month! Yes, same old place as on lots of cars from the era in terms of rust, the good old sills. If you want to see the worst sills ever, look at the Citroen C3 episode of No Budget Reviews... Yes, Jordan knows all the common issues and still loves it, he brought it to the BMC and Leyland Show earlier this month! Now that the engine has had a virtual top end rebuild (he put in a new water pump and three cambelts at the same time), it goes even better...

[@ash7990]

@@lloydvehicleconsulting ah right so sounds like the head gaskets were damaged by overheating from the failed thermostat housing. The kv6 head gaskets don't really fail for no reason only if they overheat - which any engine would do. Unlike the 4 cylinder k series which can suffer HGF without any overheating at all.

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

@@ash7990 , yes, I think the water pump/cambelts also failed at the same time, which made it even worse. It's all fine now, though. I would agree, you can blow the head gaskets on a KV6, but it is normally caused by the failure of something else, and the number one suspect is the good old plastic thermostat housing. The K Series, well, that can go whenever it feels like it, which good quality replacement parts and a knowledgeable mechanic can fix permanently, of course.

[@scottishcarenthusiastsandtrain]

Excellent review as always Sir and I have to agree with you these window switches do seem poor quality and having owned my 75 for two months I find it's one of my major dislikes on the car but otherwise still pleased with it.

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

Yes, a strange bit of inconsistency with the 75s and ZTs in that some interior bits are brilliant, but some are not great.

[@SuperFIFTHGEAR]

Is there any particular reason as to why that car has another engine? Are there any common failure points in the KV6 engine? I thought they were relatively reliable, despite being a b*****d to work on. The ZT suits you, sir! Very interesting to hear about all the specifications and extras. Lots of valuable information in this video. :)

[@simulatoraddict]

Hello I am the current owner of the ztt :) I was told by the previous owner the engine was changed. He says there was always something off about the engine and considering he had a low mileage 190 he was breaking he fitting that engine whilst doing all the belts etc in the process :) The engines are normally fine aslong as you keep them maintained. Thermostat housings seem to be one of the biggest things form what I've seen. That and the vis motors can die which doesn't kill the car it just means you don't get that kick at 3000rpm but all repairable. I've owned the car for a couple of months now and covered over 1700 miles and absolutely love it and have not had an issue. May have to get myself a 75 tourer next though..... 😂

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

Thanks Luke! I see that Jordan has already got back to you. Yes, I can see why he loves this car. I think both of us do want a 75 next, though... It certainly does fit like a glove!

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

Thanks for this, Jordan! This is really helpful for anyone looking at a 75 or ZT with the KV6 engine. I also loved driving it, and I think I may need a 75 in my life as well. Thank you again for offering it for No Budget Reviews!

[@chriswood1832]

All mg rover vehicles were euro 3 compliant ,the kv6 is apparently euro 4 which is unbelievable really,during liquidation a few euro 4 diesel cars were found but they were prototypes, I am not aware of any pre project drive cars having drivers cup holders, some are retrofitted from lhd cars but never seen a standard fit one, I may be wrong though. Good in depth review though overall 👍 It's about time people started appreciating these cars for how good they actually are instead of just scrapping them willy nilly.

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

Thanks ever so much indeed for watching the video and leaving a comment! I regularly use the London ULEZ checker as I used to live on the Greater London boundary, so I sometimes do still drive around there. Post Summer 2003 Rovers and MGs with K-series engines are Euro IV compliant, which is handy, but the KV6 ones are very hit and miss. As this is a factory LPG conversion, it is Euro IV compliant, but I have seen plenty of other 2004 and 2005 KV6s which fail the ULEZ checker... I am just going on what I was told by others in terms of the cupholders, sadly! There seems to be a huge amount of speculation about them online... I have owned six Rovers from the 1990s and 2000s, so I absolutely love them, and I don't think I am the only one!

[@trackingcalin1988]

What Rover 75 is better to collect? Year 2000 or 2005-100 years anniversary?

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

The general consensus with 75s these days seems to be the earlier cars are more desirable (with the exception of the V8s).

[@trackingcalin1988]

@@lloydvehicleconsulting I have a big apreciation for the first cars where they didn't cut any costs. But I like the 2005 annyversary model too. Anyway I think a good choice is always the best maintained R75 you can find, and I have two nice annyversary models for sale in my town. I will go for the break, or both:))

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

@@trackingcalin1988 , numbers of Rover 75s and MG ZS models are starting to dwindle now, so values of decent examples are starting to climb.

[@roadrunnerblink]

How do they get the extra 30bhp from the ZT190 compared to ZT160 ?

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

That's an excellent question! Let me ask the owner. I don't think that it is just a matter of software tuning.

[@simulatoraddict]

A little late of a reply I know but the to make it a 190 it had different camshafts fitted, a different computer tune and also had a different gearbox with better ratios :)

[@roadrunnerblink]

@@simulatoraddict Thanks much appreciated 👍

[@NeilW80]

Any details on that aftermarket system with Android auto?! It almost looks standard!

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

Oh, lots of aftermarket audio systems will fit straight into a 75 or a ZT without any problems, which is brilliant! I agree, it looks pretty good. I will have to ask Jordan, who owns the car, if he has any more details about it....

[@simulatoraddict]

Hello Neil the headunit is an xtrons android unit. Running android 9.0 with the octa core option. They are produced for BMW fitment but with a different wiring harness adaptor and two little plastic tabs cut off they fit straight in. There's lots of different makes but after alot of research I went for xtron in the end :) This was why I went for this style as it looks as if it should be there. Recently there has been a larger screen version without the cd player released running the same system but the screen just looks far to big and looks out of place. Hope this helps more than happy to answer any questions :)

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

@@simulatoraddict, thanks ever so much indeed, that is really helpful!

[@williamegler8771]

Had these been available in the United States I would have violated my own personal rule against buying British vehicles. I owned a couple of Jaguars Range Rovers and a Land Rover. Had I not been covered by the new car and subsequent aftermarket warranty the repair costs would have been ruinous!

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

Yes, best to have a good warranty with these older British cars. I have a car with the same engine myself, and it can have...problems! I remember the infamous ex-Carmax Range Rover that Doug Demuro had, which earned back the cost of the warrranty several times over.

[@williamegler8771]

@@lloydvehicleconsulting TFL had a brand new Land Rover Discovery which suffered catastrophic engine failure with only 167 miles on it.

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

@@williamegler8771 , no surprise there, then!

[@trabali5168]

You really dont like them elec. window buttons do you! Is this model a euro4? Oh and thanks for not singing the theme tune to "home and away"!

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

No, the electric window switches on a 75 and ZT are surprisingly poor quality, in contrast to so much of the rest of the cabin especially! I thought that Jordan's ZT-T may not be Euro IV compliant, but I have just checked, and it turns out that it is, although this may well be because it has a factory LPG system on it... Yes, no singing or silly jokes in No Budget Reviews. Oh, maybe I lied about the last part of the sentence!

[@trabali5168]

@@lloydvehicleconsulting jokes/humour/satire and parody are all good, even the shoe/foot on the engine/grill with the slightly cheesy grin are fine!!

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

@@trabali5168, ah, excellent! You do un the reference to the foot on the bumper, don't you?

[@user-itschad1954]

I still pine for my Rover 75, 2006 Connoisseur 1.8, ( am no speed freak so the 1.8 done me) the most comfortable car ever. I had some preventive maintenance done to ward off head gasket problems and bought two new caps which I fitted Viton O rings to. And the smell when you got in was amazing, took me back decades.

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

Yes, I have tested three MG ZTs on the channel now (see the No Budget Reviews playlist for those and others), and I do very much like them, but I still prefer the 75s, especially as we own a Rover 45 V6. I do like the Connoisseur specification.

[@eugenmarian98]

It is euro 4 or euro 5?

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

It's a Euro IV, but only because of the LPG system.

[@Sid3300]

Talking about diesels… 🫢😮

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

I was young and foolish.