The belt needs changing 60k, OR 5 years which ever is first, so the belt does need changing.

The VVC is just as likely as any other engine to HGF, check the exhaust, the original twin exhaust is prone to rust through, and there expensive to replace, since youve test drove the car id say you've made sure the VVC mechs sound ok.Apart from that, the same stuff as you'd check on any other k series engine really.

don't be afraid to look around for the right 160, i travelled hundreds of miles before i bought mine, im glad i did as well, the first 2 i looked at were sheds.

How much are they asking for the car?

 

It all sounded fine but not to sure what to listen out for. They are asking £4499.

 

WHAT!!!!!! on a 51 plate!!!

I paid £3700(was a lot cheaper than book price though) for my 03 plate and its in very good condition, the car had a few of the optional extras as well, seriously buddy walk away and buy another, for that kind of cash your talking 03/53/even 04 plates.

 

Ok... fair enough.
Off I go to keep looking.
Any ideas on the oil leak/mark?

 

I cant really say mate from the info you've given, you need to be more exact where the oil leak is, its more than likely a cam shaft seal, but that's just a guess.

 

Well.. It doesnt matter. I'll keep looking.
Any suggestions on web sites to look at?

 

I used the Auto trader , found quite a few 160's the more you look at the better you can compare the different 160's to.

Like i mentioned i travelled hundreds of miles to get mine and waited 2 weeks before the right one showed up, i also walked away from 3 160's. Its all down to you finding one that YOUR happy with, i also used the Autotrader to get the average prices of the 160's.

Theres actually a 160 in X-power grey near where i live, so keep an eye out at the car dealers as well.

 

Thanks for your help Stew. Are the 160's harder/more expensive to maintain with it having the vvc? I can imagine they are...

 

I wouldnt say more expensive to maintain no, they use the same spark plugs, same oil, etc. they also need changing at the same times as the other k series engines.

The timing belts are more expensive though(there's 2 compared to 1 on the others), and a lot of garages wont touch the VVC engine to change the belts, also the insurance is high, group 17, the petrol doesn't last too long as well, mainly down to you enjoying the engine so much you cant help but to floor it a lot.

I think its worth the extra cash though, i love the 160.

 

I thought that would be the case with the fuel consumption. I thought i was going to drain the tank on the test drive today they hadnt put much fuel in her.
So roughly how much is a belt change? Just so I can use it as a bargaining tool if need be..
Might be down for a road trip tomorrow to view another... What miles did yours have on it when you got it?

 

don't rule out the derv dude, either get a 99bhp or a 115bhp (exact same engine, just different ecu maps) then get a few things done like air fiilter, decat the exhaust, mafam and then a remap and you'll easily be up past 130bhp.

have a cruise on over to the diesel section and have a look at how far people are taking these engines. 160bhp + is easily achievable. And thats with bucket loads of lovely torque!

cheers
Ben

 

I originally looked at the diesel because of the torque and economy side of things. I just didnt "feel it" after driving my 214si for so long. It seemed heavy and brutish. I also thought the engine was louder than i had expected it to be. Think i've really got my eyes set on 1.8 vvc now. Any ideas how the 120 compares to the 160?

 

Regarding compairing the 120 to the 160. On an average trip around town there isn't much difference if anything the 120 will have more available torque lower down the rev range and will be ever so slightly better on fuel. Redline the two however and after around 4500 RPM the 160 will feel like it has more of a pull and will go a bit better for an enthusisastic driver it will be better.
I would however consider the following things. The 120 is around group 10 insurance as oppossed to group 16 or 17 for a 160. The 160 comes with all of the extras as standard such as skirts, 17 inch wheels etc... which are optional on 120's. Both have ABS with EBD but the 160 has larger discs, and the 160 has air con as well. If I remember correctly that is basically it.

 

I drive a 25 with the stock 1.8 (i.e. same as the 120) and it's certainly a pretty quick car but the extra 40 bhp I'm guessing turns the quick car into a little rocket. She's certainly no slouch though - give one a test drive ( just a 1.8 manual 25 will give you an idea of the acceleration etc. if you can't immediatly test drive a ZR ) and see what you think.

 

26K and a 51 plate 160? Is that mileage confirmed by documentation. 51 plate is 6 years old now I would be a bit suspicious of the mileage against the year. The VVC is 48K or 4 years.

 

My Y plate is what, 8 years and 25K

 

It may well be genuine mileage but take a look at autotrader at similar cars. They are generally between 50-70K. That makes it less than 5K a year since new. I would just be cautious.!!!!!

 

Oh I know - although could easilly have been a second car. Something sporty for the weekend ( although they are obviously fairly practical daily cars ). In my case my car is ex mobility plus my yearly mileage is only around 5K.

 

My current 214si is 10 years old and is at 35k!!
Well it looks as though i'm not going to go for the 160. I've just got off the phone to my insurance company and they say I have to have an approved tracking device installed in the car for them to cover me for theft. Gutted!!
Looks like i'm going to go look at a few 120's today then!

 

who are you with, cause ive never had that said to me, i binned my old insurance company and went with someone else, what's stopping you doing the same?

 

My 51 plate ZR160 has 13k on the clock .

Just had a quote on cambelt(s) change, £240 all in, not so bad.

Insurance £330, no special security req'd, clean record & no spills..

 

who are you with and how old are you, if you dont mind me asking

Im 28 with 2 years ncb, clean license, and im paying £750 fully comp, that was the cheapest by far as well

I prefer to change my own belts, the belts and new water pump ive bought for £70 delivered, there both good named brands as well, massive saving.

 

hello,
i have just part ex my 160 car was ok just wanted a upgrade as for insurance mine was 419 fully comp and im 39 , as people have said have alook around find a goodun, i paid 4000 for mine last march.lost a grand when i part ex.

 

Well... I've just got some quotes off confused.com and none seem to mention tracker requirements but are still not bad prices. So it looks like i'm going to change my insurance and still try to go for a 160. The search continues!!

 

a BIT better after 4500rpm......... FEELS like it has more pull.........

Let me gues you have a 120 lol?

I owned a 1.6 200 before i got the 160, there's hardly any difference between the 120 and the 1.6 engines really, 5ps and 15nm, and i cant even start to compare my 160 to my old 200, the 160 is in a different league.

The front springs on the 160's have a different product code as well to the rest of the range, so there different, but apart from that yes your right all the 160 standard stuff is available extras, the tech specs for the 160 also mentions sports ratio gear box, it doesnt mention this on the 120 tech specs.

 

It's the first I've heard about the front springs being different, all ZR's have the same suspension except the diesels due to the increased weight of the engine. You are right some of the ratios are different probably to account for the difference in torque bands between the two. (the 120 is quicker in 4th and therefore probably a little better around town as I said earlier). The 160 is 1.2 seconds faster to 60, I have driven 160's on the track and TBH I don't think the extra insurance premium is worth it.

Considering that I did say the 160 is a quicker car and better suited to enthusiastic driving, I don't see your problem with what I said? Why start pointing out every minute difference between the two? Apart from the VVC, larger discs and a couple of different cogs in the gear box they are the same car.

A guy asked for a comparison I thought I gave a fair one and mentioned the important facts to help him decide for himself.

Oh yes I do have a 120 by the way and that was my informed choice.

 

I'd just like to say thank you to everyone that has replied on this thread.
I have made a decision to wait for a few months in order to get my finances in shape. I will however be buying a 160 when the time comes.
I'll keep you all updated!!

 

I've had my 160 nearly a year and a half now and as I'm away from home in my truck for between one and two weeks at a time I've only done 2500 miles in it since getting it so low mileage can happen, especially as it would cost a fortune to run the thing if I had to drive to and from work every day! I'm 23 and have 4yrs no claims and a clean licence and with tescos its about £750 fully comp if I remember correctly.

I can't compare it to any other ZR's as I've only driven 160's before but its not a bad machine, I wouldn't say its the best car in the world and I definetely wouldn't want it any less powerful or quick but its fun to drive when you hammer it and it handles very well in my opinion and one thing I do love about it, is that ZR's just look fantastic, a proper looking hatchback and none of this horrible looking stuff like new Peugeots and Honda Civic's etc.

 

Well.... So much for waiting a few months.
I've just put a deposit on a nice black 3 door ZR 160!!!! All being well I can pick it up on Thursday.
Its in really nice shape and drives like a dream! Has got a noisy central locking on the drivers side but the dealer is having that fixed for me. He's also going to put 2 new tires on the front, give it a service and include 6 months AA parts and labour warranty.
It has a cat back stainless steel exhaust fitted which makes it sound really raspy. Will I have to tell the insurance company about this as I dont know what make it is etc.
I cant wait to get it home now!!!

 

Your new car sounds nice.
I told the insurance company that I would be replacing the original (two years old ) exhaust with a stainless Janspeed cat back and they said that would just be considered normal maintainence and would not affect the insurance.

 

Yes you will need to inform the insurance. As above, some don't mind , others will charge extra, some may refuse to cover it (rare though).

Is it a MkII then if its black? Or a MkI Anthracite one?

 

Thanks for the advice guys. I'm not sure what to tell the insurance company though because I dont know what make it is.
Stu, not sure of the difference between MKI & MKII. On the log book it says that it is grey, more like metalic black in my eyes. Cant figure out how to post a photo.?

 

not sure of the difference between MKI & MKII. On the log book it says that it is grey, more like metalic black in my eyes. ?

Mk1 has rectangular air vents inside, Mk2 are round.

Mk1 has rear number plate on boot lid, Mk2 is on the back bumper.

Mk1 (160) insurance usually group 17, Mk2 usually group 15 (better alarm system)

Mk1 usually up to 2004, Mk2 usually from 2004 on.

There are many other differances.

There should be a three letter colour code on the inside of one of the door frames.

 

Seems as though I have a Mark I in that case.
Can anyone tell me how to post pictures within my posts?