NAC MG7 on the way to world class quality....
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That is the plastic "Chrome" bead around the number plate aperture? Nowhere near as bad as the bonnet to grille gap on the cars that came out as standard on all 75/ZT models!
Strangely BMW insisted on a costly delay at launch to sort out a sunroof seam that was visible but did nothing about the bonnet shutline!
Strangely BMW insisted on a costly delay at launch to sort out a sunroof seam that was visible but did nothing about the bonnet shutline!
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Is that plastic, rather than metal, all around?
I can't help but wonder about NAC quality. After all its experience has been primarily commercial, and so to make the transition from a truck quality standard, to one for passenger cars will not be an easy one.
Martin the photo below may show the gap that you were referring to. This photo is of a Roewe produced last year. SAIC may have inherited the problem.
Would like to hear your, Windy's, and others opinion on this.
I can't help but wonder about NAC quality. After all its experience has been primarily commercial, and so to make the transition from a truck quality standard, to one for passenger cars will not be an easy one.
Martin the photo below may show the gap that you were referring to. This photo is of a Roewe produced last year. SAIC may have inherited the problem.
Would like to hear your, Windy's, and others opinion on this.
Attachments
Hi Dragin, the trim strip is plastic as are most of the trim and is just a clear laquer coated plastic bead and not like the old days when it was a pressed chromed steel trim with sharp edges that trapped water underneath and started rusting!
I know the rear number plate surround is definitely so as I had to remove mine at one point on my 75.
That said, the quality was not bad on these cars generally although there were a few changes - for instance on my 75 and ZT both the driver's door plastic finisher strip has got knocked as I close the door and my shoe gets caught. This has broken the holding pegs. However, MG Rover addressed that with a re-design.
The 75/ZT did benefit from excellent shut lines being a robotically welded shell - one of the most advanced assembly lines at the time. I had to swap the front passenger door on my ZT after an arguement with a post. The replacement dropped straight on without need for adjustment.
The main issue with the bonnet shut lines was on the Mk1 where the grille met the bonnet. Why the grille was not part of the bonnet instead is not known, but it did detract from what was meant to be an executive sedan at its launch in 1998. This was improved with the Mk2 and the single headlamp unit made it less obvious. Your picture attached does show a poor gap between the headlapm surround and the bonnet/wing.
The reason for the weird bumper line past the headlight into the wing is because teh original proto-type was to have indicators there, but then BMW insisted - so I have read - that the indicator be moved down into the bumper at the lowest legal position possible - this is said to have prevented the 75 being offered in a lowered sporty version and hence the change of indicator position on the MG ZT when it was launched.
I know the rear number plate surround is definitely so as I had to remove mine at one point on my 75.
That said, the quality was not bad on these cars generally although there were a few changes - for instance on my 75 and ZT both the driver's door plastic finisher strip has got knocked as I close the door and my shoe gets caught. This has broken the holding pegs. However, MG Rover addressed that with a re-design.
The 75/ZT did benefit from excellent shut lines being a robotically welded shell - one of the most advanced assembly lines at the time. I had to swap the front passenger door on my ZT after an arguement with a post. The replacement dropped straight on without need for adjustment.
The main issue with the bonnet shut lines was on the Mk1 where the grille met the bonnet. Why the grille was not part of the bonnet instead is not known, but it did detract from what was meant to be an executive sedan at its launch in 1998. This was improved with the Mk2 and the single headlamp unit made it less obvious. Your picture attached does show a poor gap between the headlapm surround and the bonnet/wing.
The reason for the weird bumper line past the headlight into the wing is because teh original proto-type was to have indicators there, but then BMW insisted - so I have read - that the indicator be moved down into the bumper at the lowest legal position possible - this is said to have prevented the 75 being offered in a lowered sporty version and hence the change of indicator position on the MG ZT when it was launched.
Well that is a prototype so I don't want to judge final quality from those photographs.dragin said:
Using plastic instead of real chrome is good, its a lot lighter so improves performance and fuel consumption and there is no reason why it can't look just as good, or in fact better since it can be molded to exactly the shape you want and have exactly the flexibility you want. Of course it is possible to make really nasty plastic bits too.
I agree totaly with Martin on the bonnet shut line, its very obviously not right on many Rover 75's. On my ZS its perfect as the grill is attached to the bonnet. Just seems like poor design although somehow the MKII ZR has the same design but looks good so presumably it can be fixed.
NAC MG have stated many times that they are really concentrating on quality so lets see what comes off the production line before judging.
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Gentlemen, thanks for your excellent insights regarding this controversial product. I continue to enjoy the passion with which you discuss these machines originally designed in your homeland.
I give lots of credit to NAC for taking on this challenge and I look forward to them fine tuning their models for the classic car loving consumer. Moreover ,when they begin to tweak the designs on their own will even add to the excitement.
We'll all be watching the level of quality very closely, as it's the key to NAC's success outside of China. The upcoming Shanghai show may be the venue to get beyond the photos.
I give lots of credit to NAC for taking on this challenge and I look forward to them fine tuning their models for the classic car loving consumer. Moreover ,when they begin to tweak the designs on their own will even add to the excitement.
We'll all be watching the level of quality very closely, as it's the key to NAC's success outside of China. The upcoming Shanghai show may be the venue to get beyond the photos.
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Auto Shanghai 2007 will take place from Sunday April 22nd to Saturday April 28th. It follows Auto Beijing 2006 rather closely (this year) but given the spiralling growth of the CAI, novel exhibits should again be plentiful.mg-zs said:
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I have recently discovered this site to feed my need for more information on MG. I have owned my 1972 B for over 25 years and have anxiously awaited a time when I can buy a new MG as a daily driver. I was initially thrilled when BMW took control of MG-Rover, but they thoroughly disappointed. Now, we have Nanjing in China taking over. I am partly thrilled that MG's will be made in what could be said my back yard in Oklahoma. The downside is my fear that what eventually comes to the US will end up like the ill-fated Sterling. I intend to be first in line for a new MG, but I will probably lease in case it does not live up to expectations. I hope to be proven wrong. I love this site and China Car Times for providing a plethora of information that is sorely lacking in any US and UK news sites.
Has Puppetland got hold of your ID, Seamaster. Speaking of which, where is the old chap?
Welcome to the forum, MGBMAN72, but in fairness, if you know which sites to look at in the UK, you will find similar information as much of it gets cross-posted, but thanks especially to Windy, ChinaCarTimes and Erik for keeping us up-to-date from the Chinese sites. I agree, though, that US/UK sites sepcialising in the classic MG do not seem much interested in anything that did not come from Abingdon - in the case of the US, that is understandable as that was the last time you saw a new MG in the showroom!
Indeed, the Sterling was a disaster from all accounts, yet it went on to become a fairly successful executive saloon in the UK in the early 90s. Even the 75 was designed with the US market in mind, but Rover never really had a presence in the US, in fact, Austin was a better known brand and sold more than even the MG brand, so NAC-MG are in a strong position to re-enter the US with two good brands.
Unlike the Phoenix 4 that seemed to pop up every few minutes with promises of new models, NAC-MG are keeping their promises limited - and I think I would rather that happen and they tell us when they have something concrete to show.
Welcome to the forum, MGBMAN72, but in fairness, if you know which sites to look at in the UK, you will find similar information as much of it gets cross-posted, but thanks especially to Windy, ChinaCarTimes and Erik for keeping us up-to-date from the Chinese sites. I agree, though, that US/UK sites sepcialising in the classic MG do not seem much interested in anything that did not come from Abingdon - in the case of the US, that is understandable as that was the last time you saw a new MG in the showroom!
Indeed, the Sterling was a disaster from all accounts, yet it went on to become a fairly successful executive saloon in the UK in the early 90s. Even the 75 was designed with the US market in mind, but Rover never really had a presence in the US, in fact, Austin was a better known brand and sold more than even the MG brand, so NAC-MG are in a strong position to re-enter the US with two good brands.
Unlike the Phoenix 4 that seemed to pop up every few minutes with promises of new models, NAC-MG are keeping their promises limited - and I think I would rather that happen and they tell us when they have something concrete to show.
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Welcome aboard MGBMAN....
Yes, MG and Austin Healey are seared into the pyche of all good car buffs in the US. Even the youngest have heard the sagas.
Whether Mingjue can fly in the US and avoid the failure of Stirling, will depend a lot on NAC's establishing a good parts/service network foundation and then properly managing the introduction.
Yes, exploit the heritage NAC, but do the homework too!
Yes, MG and Austin Healey are seared into the pyche of all good car buffs in the US. Even the youngest have heard the sagas.
Whether Mingjue can fly in the US and avoid the failure of Stirling, will depend a lot on NAC's establishing a good parts/service network foundation and then properly managing the introduction.
Yes, exploit the heritage NAC, but do the homework too!
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I am just admiring what looks like a pink roof on Seamaster's car.
Regarding all the publicity in recent weeks regarding Nanjing and their not so new TF2, MG7 etc. I can't help but wonder if Nanjing have completely mis-read the whole situation, especially here in the UK.
Only time will tell. One thing is for sure, these Chinese MGs are the sort of cars that would necessitate you to take a second look at the driver - in much the same way you did when you saw a CityRover being driven.
Regarding all the publicity in recent weeks regarding Nanjing and their not so new TF2, MG7 etc. I can't help but wonder if Nanjing have completely mis-read the whole situation, especially here in the UK.
Only time will tell. One thing is for sure, these Chinese MGs are the sort of cars that would necessitate you to take a second look at the driver - in much the same way you did when you saw a CityRover being driven.
"“今年我的工作分两个阶段，上海车展以前主要是品牌定位和传播，上海车展以后重点转移到产品。”杨军虎说。"Seamaster said:That WOULD be a first.
http://auto.sina.com.cn/news/2007-02-12/0057251301.shtml
(dragin - Book those tickets and get your camera ready
)Seamaster, the bit I quoted tells us that up until the Shanghai show they will be telling us (the chinese since its a chinese newspaper) all about the MG brand, after the Shanghai show they will tell us about the cars. Thus the Shanghai show is presumably to be used as the public launch of the cars, until then we don't know what grills they will use and any seen in spyshots may or may not be the real thing!
The rest of the article is also worth a read, for example it confirms that there will be both short and long wheelbase versions of the MG-7.
The rest of the article is also worth a read, for example it confirms that there will be both short and long wheelbase versions of the MG-7.
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