Had it with these cars

[T16]

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.

[RogerHeinz57]

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 !

[Odd Job]

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.

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

Richard

[Dawn]

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.

[T16]

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.

[Olde faithful]

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.

[Dawn]

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.

[T16]

Originally Posted by Dawn

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.

I know, its silly, but its more what it represents.

I've spent years worrying about what needs done next, where to get XYZ part, avoiding Chinese/Indian bits etc.

Im mentally worn out and exhausted with just having so many things constantly on my mind. It feels like I am constantly thinking about the ***** car and what needs done. Now its come to a point where I am looking back and realising its actually affected my mental health and state of mind.

I can't go on anymore with the spares situation, I dont want to be running about in a car with badly fitting trim, worried about what is going to break next, and poisoning myself on the fumes.

Whenever I start the car up outside the house, the ZT Cdti really has a noxious output and its awful. I almost hope that these old smokers get banned to force me to move to something else.

The only more depressing thing than all the above, is the thought of paying back a car on a monthly loan, but that seems to be fine for 90% of the cars on the road these days, so not sure what my problem is.

I know what the next thing will be.... when I remove the trim for another, or to bend/fettle this one and see if it can be re-shaped, I bet the clips under the screen crack into bits, turning a simple job into the usual MG Rover nightmare, and I am back to square one sourcing new clips and finding a place to remove the rear screen without breaking it. A nightmare rabbit hole. Fortunately I now cycle a lot, and its given me some freedom as the diesel is off the road with a clonking CV/RH Driveshaft.

I will also add... even that is a joke.. the "new" MGROver CV boot kits are rubbish, and not even the right size compared to the originals not to mention a garage I know says they only seem to last 2 years on his customers cars. I was lucky to source old factory stock in terms of a pair of CVs and a few boot kits, but the parts quality is a depressing disgrace.

All this on a car which was a one owner from new garaged all its life CDTi with only 60k on the clock at the time. Its in great condition compared to what I see out there. Perhaps the solution is to find a ZT-T Monogram in near mint condition, I don't think I am fussed with having the V6 any more, the Diesel is so revolting.

[Mike Noc]

Originally Posted by T16

Im mentally worn out and exhausted with just having so many things constantly on my mind. It feels like I am constantly thinking about the ***** car and what needs done. Now its come to a point where I am looking back and realising its actually affected my mental health and state of mind.

I can't go on anymore with the spares situation, I dont want to be running about in a car with badly fitting trim, worried about what is going to break next, and poisoning myself on the fumes.

Well my advice is get rid of it pronto and find a something you are happy with.

These cars don't suit everybody, there are plenty of alternatives out there, and it really isn't worth letting any collection of metal and plastic on wheels get under your skin.

[marinabrian]

Originally Posted by T16

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.

Excellent, don't let the door hit you on the backside, when you leave them at the scrapyard

Brian