ZT ... terrible in the wet ...

Hengist · 9th June 2011, 16:48

We've had a bit of rain today, and the gf has come home a nervous wreck. She says the ZT was all over the place, a thing she never experienced in the 75. She actually put it through a hedge a couple of weeks ago, which I put down to a slow puncture on the front, but now I'm not so sure.

So - 18" wheels and how to improve handling on wet roads? Is it possible without buying expensive tyres? All tyres currently on the car have loads of tread at 225/45/18 size.

Is it worth thinking about smaller wheels? I have half an eye on a set of 17" wheels, but they'd still be 225/45 tyres. Would the smaller radius make any difference to handling on wet roads?

All advice greatly appreciated, as usual! Off to Europe in a couple of weeks, and would rather do it reasonably safely ...

Angus

jn12 · 9th June 2011, 16:52

Hi,

what brand of tyres do you have on? how worn?

i have budgets (nankangs) on mine at the moment which are hopeless in the wet however driving 'normally' it is far from all ove the place.

John

Simon.h · 9th June 2011, 16:53

Have you checked the tyres are fitted right and not spinning the wrong way?

calibrax · 9th June 2011, 16:54

Handling of the ZT is impeccable. It's one of the best in it's class, if not the best. So something definitely isn't right!

Check your springs VERY carefully... from what you've said, you may find one or more is broken, which can actually be hard to spot, but it's getting more common what with the state of the roads these days.

Also, you should check your dampers and anti-roll bars, tyre pressures etc. A lot of things can contribute to handling problems.

EDIT: Also, is the ZT a diesel? if she's used to driving your Rover 75 CDT, and the ZT is a 1.8, it will be a bit lighter than the 75, and will feel very different to her, which could be quite unsettling!

Hengist · 9th June 2011, 17:04

Driving normally in the dry, she's fine.

Don't think it's a spring problem, I checked all round when we got the car a few weeks ago. Tyres are all on the right way round. Pressures are at 34 all round (recommended 32, I know).

Tyres are <goes out for a look> Dunlop and Ventus on the front, Autogrip and Rotalla on the back. Hmm, not exactly matching! :lol:

What you reckon - try with decent tyres?

(The ZT is a diesel, same as the 75 was.)

Angus

jn12 · 9th June 2011, 17:07

That certainly is a mix! Try new tyres with the correct pressure. Alot of members opt for mid range tyres like Falkens, Khumos which get very good reviews.

John

ScottRTQ · 9th June 2011, 17:14

I find my ZT cdti loose on the rear end when its wet and totally glued the the road in the dry so I put it down to the rear tyres. Its manageable though I just need to be careful in the wet and not throw it around like I can in the dry.

Simon.h · 9th June 2011, 17:30

Are they spinning the right way, there may be rotation arrows?

suffolk boy · 9th June 2011, 17:42

as i suggested after the last incident which got no response .change the rubber i have nexens on at the mo which are superb before that falkens which were also good.however the biggest improvement to the ride .wet weather handling .grip levels in snow is to get the 18"wheels and put them on ebay.changed mine for 17"running a narrrow cross section but with a increased ride height.the wide profile you have on spreads the weight over a wide area combined with poor rubber and you have a recipe for trouble big time.if their is a case of less is more this is it

Dacman · 9th June 2011, 17:33

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hengist

Driving normally in the dry, she's fine.

Tyres are <goes out for a look> Dunlop and Ventus on the front, Autogrip and Rotalla on the back. Hmm, not exactly matching! :lol:

Ive got Rotalla on my ZT never ever ever ever ever ever ever will i buy them again, not to bad in the dry but proper ditch finders in the wet, its not as bad as driving on ice but its flippin close. Had Falkens last time they performed well in the wet. I just dont know what possessed me to buy them

I cannot wait to change them.

simon

9th June 2011, 16:48	#1
Hengist Avid contributor MG ZT CDTi Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: New Deer Posts: 225 Thanks: 0 Thanked 20 Times in 2 Posts	ZT ... terrible in the wet ... We've had a bit of rain today, and the gf has come home a nervous wreck. She says the ZT was all over the place, a thing she never experienced in the 75. She actually put it through a hedge a couple of weeks ago, which I put down to a slow puncture on the front, but now I'm not so sure. So - 18" wheels and how to improve handling on wet roads? Is it possible without buying expensive tyres? All tyres currently on the car have loads of tread at 225/45/18 size. Is it worth thinking about smaller wheels? I have half an eye on a set of 17" wheels, but they'd still be 225/45 tyres. Would the smaller radius make any difference to handling on wet roads? All advice greatly appreciated, as usual! Off to Europe in a couple of weeks, and would rather do it reasonably safely ... Angus

9th June 2011, 16:53	#3
Simon.h This is my second home Previously owned- MG ZT V6 160 Y plate Lpg, MG ZT 190 2003 In Rare Celestial Factory Ordered Lpg MG Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Calne Posts: 4,531 Thanks: 8 Thanked 116 Times in 108 Posts	Have you checked the tyres are fitted right and not spinning the wrong way? __________________ Previously owned- MG ZT V6 160 Y plate Lpg, MG ZT 190 2003 In Rare Celestial Factory Ordered Lpg MG ZT 190 2004 lpg

9th June 2011, 16:54	#4
calibrax Posted a thing or two BMW 4 Series Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Rochester, Kent Posts: 1,975 Thanks: 29 Thanked 37 Times in 28 Posts	Handling of the ZT is impeccable. It's one of the best in it's class, if not the best. So something definitely isn't right! Check your springs VERY carefully... from what you've said, you may find one or more is broken, which can actually be hard to spot, but it's getting more common what with the state of the roads these days. Also, you should check your dampers and anti-roll bars, tyre pressures etc. A lot of things can contribute to handling problems. EDIT: Also, is the ZT a diesel? if she's used to driving your Rover 75 CDT, and the ZT is a 1.8, it will be a bit lighter than the 75, and will feel very different to her, which could be quite unsettling! __________________ Steve 2004 MG ZT+ CDTi 160 (sadly now gone!) 2015 BMW 435d GranCoupe XDrive Last edited by calibrax; 9th June 2011 at 16:57..

9th June 2011, 17:04	#5
Hengist Avid contributor MG ZT CDTi Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: New Deer Posts: 225 Thanks: 0 Thanked 20 Times in 2 Posts	Driving normally in the dry, she's fine. Don't think it's a spring problem, I checked all round when we got the car a few weeks ago. Tyres are all on the right way round. Pressures are at 34 all round (recommended 32, I know). Tyres are <goes out for a look> Dunlop and Ventus on the front, Autogrip and Rotalla on the back. Hmm, not exactly matching! :lol: What you reckon - try with decent tyres? (The ZT is a diesel, same as the 75 was.) Angus Last edited by Hengist; 9th June 2011 at 19:11..

9th June 2011, 17:30	#8
Simon.h This is my second home Previously owned- MG ZT V6 160 Y plate Lpg, MG ZT 190 2003 In Rare Celestial Factory Ordered Lpg MG Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Calne Posts: 4,531 Thanks: 8 Thanked 116 Times in 108 Posts	Are they spinning the right way, there may be rotation arrows? __________________ Previously owned- MG ZT V6 160 Y plate Lpg, MG ZT 190 2003 In Rare Celestial Factory Ordered Lpg MG ZT 190 2004 lpg

9th June 2011, 16:52	#2
jn12 Gets stuck in MG ZT SE 180 V6 Sports Auto Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Newcastle upon Tyne Posts: 938 Thanks: 74 Thanked 37 Times in 36 Posts	Hi, what brand of tyres do you have on? how worn? i have budgets (nankangs) on mine at the moment which are hopeless in the wet however driving 'normally' it is far from all ove the place. John

9th June 2011, 17:07	#6
jn12 Gets stuck in MG ZT SE 180 V6 Sports Auto Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Newcastle upon Tyne Posts: 938 Thanks: 74 Thanked 37 Times in 36 Posts	That certainly is a mix! Try new tyres with the correct pressure. Alot of members opt for mid range tyres like Falkens, Khumos which get very good reviews. John

9th June 2011, 17:14	#7
ScottRTQ Newbie MG ZT CDTI Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Carnoustie Posts: 28 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	I find my ZT cdti loose on the rear end when its wet and totally glued the the road in the dry so I put it down to the rear tyres. Its manageable though I just need to be careful in the wet and not throw it around like I can in the dry.

9th June 2011, 17:42	#9
suffolk boy This is my second home fiat panda Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: haverhill Posts: 6,720 Thanks: 96 Thanked 586 Times in 526 Posts	as i suggested after the last incident which got no response .change the rubber i have nexens on at the mo which are superb before that falkens which were also good.however the biggest improvement to the ride .wet weather handling .grip levels in snow is to get the 18"wheels and put them on ebay.changed mine for 17"running a narrrow cross section but with a increased ride height.the wide profile you have on spreads the weight over a wide area combined with poor rubber and you have a recipe for trouble big time.if their is a case of less is more this is it __________________ fiat panda 1.2 eco Last edited by suffolk boy; 9th June 2011 at 18:03..