MG ZT-T

[emmerson]

My pal has recently bought a MG ZT-T. Beautiful car, but absolutely abysmal when towing on anything except hard surfaces. This is becoming an embarassment, as I've had to tow him on and off site every time we've been out. I've not tried the car myself, but he says he's tried all the gizmos, like snow control, traction control etc, but to no effect. It's a 2.5 automatic in lovely condition, but he's getting a bit fed up with it now.
Oh, and before Stevein leo jumps in with his Rover 75, we havea 2.5 auto 75 in the club which doesn't have any traction problems, so, the question is --- is it a problem with the car, or is it driver technique? And if the latter, who's going to tell him?

 

[NigelHutson]

I have owned two 75's (diesels) and only once had to be towed off a CL which was exceptionally wet and the soil under the grass was pretty much clay. Other than that, I never had a problem towing an 1170 kgs 1999 Abbey GTS215 and then a 1435 kgs 2004 Abbey GTS416 despite mainly using CL's and touring in all weathers at all times of the year. Perhaps the diesels might be heavier on the front end and therefore give more grip. Other than driver technique, could the tyres be an issue?

 

[emmerson]

Nigel, that's why I brought up the subject of the Rover 75. There are tremendous differences between the two cars, particularly on the suspension. The MG sits about 3" lower than the Rover, and the suspension is tuned for firmer handling. I thought it could be tyres, but our club member's 75 has the same tyres as the MG, so it can't be that.

 

[NigelHutson]

Very strange then. Other than tweaked suspension, the vehicles are virtually mechanically identical. Just another thought, but what is their nose weight like. I know the ZT/75 is brilliant for a car in having a 100kg limit, but if there's weight in the back of the car and a heavy nose weight it could have a lifting effect on the front wheels?

 

[emmerson]

Re the nose weight, no not really, as he's a single man, so travels light.The caravan does have a fairly lumpy N/W of 90kg though.
He's going to solve the problem though - he's looking for another Disco, so the MG will be for sale.

 

[Steve L]

Hi Emmerson.
You're quite right. My diesel manual and the ZTT are worlds apart. I towed a laden Merc sprinter into town to my mate's garage just before Morrisons yesterday. It pulled like a train even up a short 1 in 10 hill.

Has your mate tried manually shifting his auto box instead of going for D for do it. If it still tows like a snail, i would suspect the torque converter is on it's way out. To be brutally honest I would take the engine & gearbox out through the top of the engine bay if I had to affect repair. It's a job for a competent DIYer. It took me 8 days to do my rover during the summer (clutch change). But then i am broken at present and can only do 3 - 4 hours spannering at a time. There's no need to take the bonnet off as stated in the haynes manual. Just disconnect the gas struts and tie the bonnet open vertically with a rope to the roof rails or passenger door post withboth windows open.

I wouldn't give a disco garage space myself. I found them to be too loloppy and vague when both solo and loaded. The RR is much better. But watch for the air suspension on the newer ones. It springs leaks frequently.

In a recent survey by Auto Express of cars of the decade my Rover 75 was a commendable 2nd best for ride comfort and only surpassed by the very latest Landrover Discovery. it was also muted that the 75 and it's ZT derivatives were on coarse to turn around Rover and had held it's own against other compatable cars despite only being built in only 5 out of 10 years of the survey. Although the impressive 47mpg urban fuel consumption swayed me to the M47 diesel, and the superb luxury of the connessure leather interior persuaded me to get my car I had got a ZTT diesel in mind if one had been within my budget

 

[emmerson]

Morning Steve. I knew you wouldn't be able to resist this one!
There is no problem with the ZT-T once its on a firm surface. The trouble is lack of traction on gravel or grass.
It actually tows well on the road, although no better on petrol than his previous Disco was.
The car was bought for a specific purpose, but is no longer required, so as soon as a decent deal comes up it will go.
As for not liking the Disco, I agree that it not as good as a RR, but my pal has had two before, and liked them, so thats his choice.
For me, well, I'm like a stick of rock, I've got Range Rover Classic V8 stamped through the middle!

 

[Steve L]

I've got an old school trucker trick up my sleeve that might help on grass. Try wrapping some 8mm rope through the wheel spokes and over the tyre. You should tie the knots on the outside of the tyre so that they don't foul the brake caliper. This in effect gives you temporary snow chains. It might work on gavel but I wouldn't bet my shirt on it.
Another tip might be to fit a set of standard rover wheels with high rather than low, profile tyres. The stiff sidewalls of low profile ZT tyres won't flex with the ground.

That together with starting off in manual selected first gear might help.

Now after taking the engine and box out of my 75 and replacing the entire clutch system (clutch kit, slave cyl and master cyl), I'm starting to get a bit more used to the car. I hate damed hydraulic clutches. If I could find a cable adaption kit I'd swap it tomorrow.