Had it with these cars
 

Latest pain in the rear is rear screen finisher on the ZT.

The old one was well gone and looked a disgrace, I eventually got a couple of new ones, but due to one reason or another took a month to get round to fitting it, and had it on the list of jobs before fixing the broken driveshaft....

So, fitted it yesterday, and there are gaps where it doesnt even meet the screen, and at least a 5mm gap between the two halves at the top of the screen.

The quality and shape of these parts is shocking, not fit for purpose. They were of course made in China, and there are pretty much none left now.

So that's it, I'm stuck with a car that I cannot make look decent, with what looks like a rubbish poorly fitting rear window trim, where there are none left and as I understand it no plans to find another supplier.

What an embarrassment.

It feels like for the last 3-4 years my entire life has been focused on sourcing parts, fixing things, replacing things, upgrading things, maintaining things, trying my best to make the car decent, and it was pretty much giving me an anxiety complex I think, and affecting my nerves and state of mind.

I think this was the final straw and it can sit and rot for all I care now.

This has been a journey trodden by plenty on here, different disasters of one type or another tend to plague us, some major, some not so bad.

You have come this far for a reason or two.

Like me, you have dedicated so much time and effort into a car that seems to love attention, but remember this -
"When it's happy, driving well and looks great" Its down to you, your dedication and skills, drive your motor with pride and passion. Not many left that are worthy of your efforts, so try not to give up, your reasons for coming this far are because you find pleasure in owning a truly great British car !

I do feel the pain though, a few pints, relax and return to the car when chilled out.

Enjoy the week end, and take it steady !

I felt the same way a few weeks ago, and I've only recently bought mine.

But I do agree with Heinz.

It's a great car, but yes, it does require attention.

As to the quality of parts from China, don't get me started, as I own a classic Mini, and it's a constant bug bear trying to get things to fit, often if you find second hand parts, they are a better option than the "new" copies.

I'm not sure where things will end up long term, and I'm not just talking about supply of parts. :shrug:

Stick with it, the Rover 75 / MG ZT is a great car with a personality, not a dull euro box!

Richard

At the end of the day, its just a trim, could you not fit a chrome 75 one instead? Or repaint the original? There are people on Facebook had great results doing this.

Originals off the car and the rubber is all cracked and crusty not sure it can be saved!, maybe the better option is to buy a chrome one on the ZUA part number and paint it black.

Really cant be bothered any more though. Not even any guarantees that one would fit right either.

T16

I bought a whole car for £100 a few years back, best thing i ever did, i just take off what i need when i need it, i have not really had much off it, however the chrome bits and glass and little details stuff is still on this car, i suggest you look at this option the British built ones are built and OE.

Last year my Rover 75 gave me hell, however walked away for 12 months and realized i missed the car so much, went back to it bit , by bit replacing a worn seatbelt (frayed) placed a new outside sensor on it as the old one showed minus 72F.

It dawned on me i was thoroughly enjoying it again, serviced her at my local MG Rover specialist and had a MOT failed on one handbrake got that done full ticket... WOW since her return to the taxed road condition shes drove absolutely fantastic after one year rest!

and now theres getting less of them the glances of when a "MIGHTY GRACEFUL ROVER 75 COMING DOWN THE ROAD" IS NOT replaceable

stick at it, but think about a whole car, rather than buying bits....if you can, best £100 i ever spent, i have had sensors, seatbelt, one horn, 4 tyres, 4 alloys off it and theres buckets still on it!! lovely , seals and glass will be hard to get in years to come, i have every pain of glass spare on my parts car.

The Facebook peeps stripped the rubber off and started again. They sprayed a rubber type spray on it, but I don't know where the post is to reference. Sorry. :(

If it helps I have join you at this low point in ownership of these cars. Only had my car back from its MOT and service and a £800 plus bill and have clutch issues (thrust bearing) so another £600 plus will need to be shelled out to drive her. But we need to keep the faith, love and passion.

You have to remember these car like the R75 are not designed to last more than 10 years. Newer cars even less! You will get to a stage with all cars if the parts are non existent.
The R75 is past using daily for most as the parts wear and break on a weekly basis. Buying a good spare car is good but not all have the room or the wife who wants a scrap car on the drive or lawn lol!
I feel your pain but you have to be realistic money wise also.

That's the plan I have for mine, a previous owner has stripped the black coating off so it looks chrome but I think I want it black again.

I used plastidip on the trim at the bottom of the side windows on my old ZS that had the same issue with the black coating peeling (think it had some replacement doors at some point from an old 400 or civic)

you couldn't tell it wasn't the original finish, it's really easy to do, you don't even have to mask it up very well as any over spray will just peel off so can be done without removing the trim from the car.

There are thousands of videos on youtube of people using plastidip on their badges and wheels, even whole cars. the process is exactly the same.

Here's a handy example