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Tips for ZS v6 for the track.

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736 views 4 replies 4 participants last post by  Noobrider  
I
#1 ·
Hi guys, new here.
Ive been having a mooch around for the last couple of days and thought I best join up.
Basically I currently drive an Audi S3 8P and love it. So what am I doing here you ask?

Basically someone at work organised a £500 trackcar challenge. Its much like a Top Gear challenge whereby we need to meet up in a carpark the morning of our trackday at Oulton Park in our track weapons that must be road legal and cost no more than £500.
They will be scored on various things from practicality, performance, reliability etc and then they will be scored on how many laps they do on the track without breaking down etc etc, im sure you get the gist anyway. The day will end in a big drinking session to argue about who won :)

So whilst searching for a car I couldn't believe I could get a MG ZS 2.5 V6 with tax and MOT for around £500, it seems a lot of car for the money.
I love the looks, love the V6 engine it seems perfect.

I wasn't planning on keeping whatever I buy but now im set on a ZS I think if I pick up a half decent one I will keep it for more trackdays.

So people, anyone on here tracked there ZS V6? Is this going to perform well in with the various challenges?

Should I be concerned that I can pick up such a car for this kind of money? Is there some hidden problems that I havn't read about? Ive read about the inlet manifold issue, but other than that they seem pretty solid?

Please tell me the ZS is going to help me triumph in this challenge as im now falling in love and want one desperately.

Cheers,

Ian.
 
C
#2 ·
I've tracked mine before and they're great on track. The standard chassis is superb, the standard brakes in good order are fine as long as you don't ask too many repeated abused laps of them and the engine is good, although it needs the breathing sorting to be fully effective.

My tips;
Decent induction
Decent tyres (budgets mask the greatness of the chassis IMO)

It is a car that rewards being driven precisely, as long as you don't take the mickey it'll let you trail brake into corners and the line can be adjusted by the throttle if you're cute like that :)
 
W
#3 ·
At that price there is bound to be something wrong, maybe a leaking thermostat/water pump (not a problem but keep an eye on the coolant level) or a clutch slave cylinder bracket about to fail - (get someone to press the clutch while you watch the slave cylinder, if the bracket flexes then it needs re-welding or replacing before the event.)

Other than that, you want some decent brake pads (OEM are good, you will turn cheap ones into smoke), a clean air filter, and throw out as much weight as possible. (including unwanted seats)

Even if the inlet manifold has issues, you can still make good progress around a track and if you make an effort to get the corners right then you will beat some much more powerful cars due to the handling - you wont get double wishbone suspension on anything else that is quick for £500!
 
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