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MG ZR ZS ZT Technical - Dealer launch invites?
| Has anyone who may have registered an interest in a new Z saloon with MG Rover had a invite from their local dealer yet to view or test drive? My local dealer certainly has my name, (or they did) but I've not had anything in the mail yet. I was just wondering if anyone else had been iinvited to a launch reception? Kelvin. |
| Kelvin |
| Yes, I have. My dealer is Evans Halshaw in Macclesfield, Cheshire. I think their event is next week, but I didn't take much notice because I'm away and can't make it. Brian |
| Brian |
| Yes, i've also had mine. It takes place on the 25th July at Lookers in Hadleigh, Essex. They rang me and asked who and how many would like to come, i said 2 and they sent out the invite. Job done. |
| Steve Tyler |
| Palmsville in Muswell Hill, North London, has been sending out invites to its launch next Tuesday... |
| Rob Bell |
| No invites as yet.... from...... Appleyards of Leeds Clemo of Cleckheaton JCT600 of Wakefield - note the worst car co I have ever dealt with Perrys of Huddersfield Farnell of North Leeds Dixon of Bradford I think some must be a show on the day/night |
| Rob Evans |
| Got an invite to Appleyards of Leeds in the next 3 weeks or so. greg |
| Greg Hilton |
| Still nothing :-( Kelvin |
| Kelvin |
| Sargent & Collins in Bromley have invited me to something related to the Z saloons. Regards Sunil |
| Sunil |
| Got mine from Priest of Chesham. |
| Paul Lathwell |
| Had two last week. Didn't 'register' with the dealer as such but I did request and receive the early brochure from MG Rover. |
| Paul Hunt |
| My father has just bought a Rover 45 and has received an invite. Just a shame I can't go in his place. Still no news as to when (or if) the new MGs are going to come to NZ :o( Gary |
| Gary Boxall |
| Motorsport lifestye over here has just gone bust, so currently we don't even have an MG dealership! All MGF servicing is being handled by BMW NZ until someone else is found. Not looking to flash for the new cars, guess we'll just be stuck with the Ex Japan ones in about 3 years :-( Daniel |
| Daniel |
| Dealers are just gearing themselves into action. A couple had some open days over last week end 21,22nd and I am just off to a dealer launch (with food!!) now. Rog |
| Roger Parker |
| Great launch party today at CD Bramhall, Stoke, along with free nosh, drink, and the Tourers were in evidence....The ZS was attracting all the attention, it seemed. The totty factor in the sales team is also up... |
| Dave |
| Any dealership worth its salt should have sent Z-car launch invites ( and/or the all important demonstration drive invite ) to anyone who purchased a new or recent used Rover from them during the past say ten years. Their dealership sales records should provide a suitable mail shot list. Failure to do so would result in lost opportunities for potential sales. Twenty years ago, the then ARG would send researchers posing as real customers to dealerships to assess sales team performance. This would keep staff on their toes and ensure all sales opportunities are fully exploited. Repeat sales from satisfied customers are the bread and butter to any dealership. And before anyone quips in with a "what satisfied Rover customers" line, let me tell you there are many..... so button it! John McFeely |
| John McFeely |
| Had nothing from local MG-Rover dealer despite buying parts from them for over 10 years and also having a 420 serviced there for 3 years. But then I always found the sales people hopeless - they couldn't be bothered to demonstrate an F to Jackie 2 months ago when she had money burning a hole in her pocket so I really shouldn't be surprised. Eh ? Oh it's Evans Halshaw by the way.... |
| David |
| David, Unfortunately, I know from my own experience that this sort of thing is commonplace. Any good dealership knows it's NOT sufficient simply to have nice cars in the showroom and expect people to come running. Most sales of any car have to be earned. Sure the odd customer will wander in and make a purchase but these are few and far between. When the MGF first appeared, the dealership in Cheltenham repeatedly contacted me by letter and phone with invites to drive the F despite having not purchased a new Rover for some years. Next time I'm in the market for a new car, they will be my first port of call. John McFeely |
| John McFeely |
| Despite some enquiries on by behalf from inside MGR my dealer did not send me an invite :-( They rang me a few months back when I filled in a web equiry form via MG web site. They thought I was after an MGF. I said I interested in new MGZ and the sales guy said he would call me at launch time. Kelv. |
| Kelvin |
| I called in at the local dealer on my way home yesterday. I asked about Zed cars and they said their launch would be Wednesday. He did offer two tickets to the launch though. Not sure if I'll be able to go now, but I hope that they'll be happy to see us again later. |
| dan |
| Palmsville, in Muswell Hill, have theirs tonight - with FOOD. E |
| Ed Clarke |
| Quicks in Coventry are holding their 'MG Extreme Weekend' this weekend, I got an invite this morning, my last real contact with them was when I bought a MGF in Jan '97. They have constantly sent me details on what is happening approx 3 times a year. They are showing all 3 Z cars and the new 75 tourer, you can even have a go at bungee jumping on Saturday if you wish (£25 to charity). Got my MG ZT test drive booked for 9:30 on Saturday :o) Mark |
| Mark A |
| Mark, where are they in Coventry, I might pop over. Seeing as the dealers by me aren't doing any kind of event. Steve. |
| Steve Childs |
| When I attended the Ford Focus launch at my local dealer there was loads of free booze and food. Are Rover as generous? If so, I might go to a MGZ Launch :) Jonathan |
| Jonathan McCormack |
| Steve, They are actually on the old Rover site at Canley, just off the A45. If you head into Coventry on the A45 from Birmingham, go throught the first set of traffic lights just after the 40 limit starts, move into the LH lane and turn left at the next lights and you should see them straight ahead. You need to go round to the right then turn left to find the entrance. Their number is 024 7667 0001. Web site is www.quicks.co.uk (you'll find them under MG, but not Rover?) |
| Mark A |
| >>>>>>then ARG would send researchers posing as real customers>>>>> Trinity in Hinkley didn't see any undercover people, just Nick Stevenson! Overall a well over sibscribed event with all the space in a large empty showroom completely full of people with half as many again outside. Then the second showroom was had 4 cars and another 4 were outside. Food and drink laid on in quantity and plenty of other support too. The effort made by Trinity was clearly a cut above some other dealers efforts in the Midland area. However their customer service has comsistanly been a cut above for a number of years and it continues today comparing another local dealer I have called into and posed the same questions!! No names, but note where I live! Rog |
| Roger Parker |
| Got my invite this morning in the post. Inside was a reply card to send back saying how many guests I would be bringing. Due to expected numbers reply card had to be used rather than register by phone. Excellent, except the event is tomorrow so ther was no chance of getting the reply card back in time. Bit of a bummer as I had wanted to go see them. G. Kingsbury was the dealer by the way. |
| David Mills |
| I've had 2 invites! Welptons MG Rover of Hessle, near Hull are regular sponsors of MGCC E Yorks events, and members were invited on launch night (23rd) to a reception at the dealership. Welptons also sent out a lot of 'cold call' invites to local businesses, so I got one there too. Surprisingly, I didn't get one from off the MG Rover website, I'd hit that for the pre launch literature. Anyway, I'm going to have one as the old company bus is past its' sell by date! Now, is it the ZR, or the ZS....... |
| Greg Thornton |
| Went along to Quicks Coventry on Saturday for a test drive of the ZT (I'm interested in a ZT 380, but wanted to see the advances over the Rover 75). What a waste of time. The car wasn't there when I arrived, when it did get back I was left sitting around for a while before anyone told me. I then had 20 minutes in the car, the first 5 with someone else driving, he then sat next to me and explained about keeping to the speed limits etc., apparently he was there for insurance reasons. The possibility of a proper assessment was negated as a brisk entry and exit of an empty roundabout was followed by a sharp intake of breath. The salesman didn't know anything about the 380 and had to ask, he then came back with a brief response, i.e. "It's going to be a limited edition". I asked if they could let me know more details when they get them and was told that they would let me know when they get 1 in! (So when everyone has been pre sold they'll let me know what I could have had) I explained that I wanted to know as soon as details were released, the response was "that's what I meant". I think a trip to another MG dealer is required. I should have known, as this was the dealer who asked me 4 years ago (at the tender age of 25), which car I was interested in a 100 or a 200, eh no a MGF thank you very much. Mark P.S. Nice car though, ride maybe a bit too harsh over the smaller inputs, good roll control and the steering lacked a little feel. Seats felt a lot better, it was just a shame it was broken so I couldn't lower it. Overall what I wish BMW had let us make the 75 in the fist place. |
| Mark A |
| Mark, Your experiences with that ZT demonstration was diabolical. "Insurance purposes". I often wonder if sales people like that ever appreciate what exactly is required to actually sell cars. Back in '84 when the Montego first appeared I called in at my local ARG dealership for some MG bits. As I walked away, I asked the passing Sales manager who knew me as an enthusiast what the newly arrived Monty was like to drive. Whereupon he did not say a word but simply tossed the keys to his demonstrator to me then said - see for yourself. I went for a good solo run and was able to discover how the Montego performed without someone looking over my shoulder. Sometime later, when the MG Maestro 2.0i first appeared the same thing happened and I went for about a 20 mile solo run. On the local bypass - unusually devoid of other traffic on that occasion, I was able to see just how well it performed, not just speed, but handling, brakes etc. I do know that that dealership provided good demonstrations on request (be it Metro Base or 3500 V8 Rover which had very recently won the BTCC) usually but not always accompanied, to any potential customer and no doubt, sold more cars as a result. To keep anyone waiting is a good way to put off or even lose a potential sale. After all, time is precious to everyone and for all they know, you may have arranged time off from work only to have it wasted. I have less experience of Ford, Vauxhall, VW dealerships and wonder how their sales teams treat potential customers. John McFeely. John McFeely. |
| John McFeely |
| Went to the launch at the MG-R dealership in Bath. Quite a few people- but nothing like the crowd that Rog described. Part of this was how they appeared to advertise the event- or rather didn't. I had to chorkle to myself when I recieved the invite: a scones & cream party??! Obviously going for the younger customer then. And so it proved. Yimmy and I were the yongest there by some margin. Fortunately the cars sell themselves- and I'd be more than happy with a ZS180 thankyou. The ZT is too big for my taste (I prefer small cars!!!)- but easily the best interior. But the bits you sit on and feel look and feel terrific. If only the seats in the MGF were as good. Plenty of promise for the future me-thinks. :o) Must arrange a test drive... Interesting dilemma: a Rover BRM or a MG ZR160? The BRM has, overall, a FAR better interior. |
| Rob Bell |
| Rob, get a BRM and if you want the skirts etc.. just get them from an aftermarket source ;) Anyway, I went for a test drive in a ZR 160 and "for insurance reasons" we had to stick to a precribed route and take no right turns - yup, I couldn't turn right. Besides the fact that this car had 76 miles on the clock :( - Still didn't stop me from redlining it though - oops. The dealers really should take them for a drive and put a good few hundred miles or so on them before they demo them, makes for a much better demo. This ZR felt very tight indeed & the brakes were quite pathetic actually. But then going from my car to a production car I guess they would be a little softer. Although saying that, the 1.6 MGF that I drove at the w/end didn't suffer from the same under performing brake scenario. Steve. |
| Steve Childs |
| John McFeely - I bet that dealership you mention - the good one - lost its franchise in the BMW era. I know for a fact that the better dealers (mostly smaller ones) lost there franchises. West Yorkshire had 22 dealers now has 6 (soon to be 7) Come on John - recruit some more and better dealers and do it quick! |
| Rob Evans |
| Steve, i assume you went to Quicks, I didn't think about the right turn thing until you mentioned it, pretty useless though. I did think about a lap of the roundabout under the A45 but didn't think it would go down too well. :o( John, I've test driven a few cars recently and have not had a similar experience. I was allowed out in a new Mini on my own for just over 30 minutes, and had a 30 minute drive in a new M3, sales manager was in the car but the route was my own and the speeds allowed were reasonable ;o). When I bought the Elise, the initail drive was similar to the M3 one but I had a second one on my own. I was dissapointed to find that MGR dealers havn't really moved on. I had to ask them to take my details, not the other way round, I enquired about the Alpina Mini at the BMW dealer and they took details and even offered to take a deposit, refundable if the car wasn't what I expected or was more than I wanted to pay. The really did want to sell me a car, Quicks obviously didn't. Mark |
| Mark A |
| Mark, no I forgot about it completely! DOH! I went for a test drive at Colliers in Birmingham. Steve. |
| Steve Childs |
| Steve, Weird, is it MGR that are a bit nervous or are all the dealers useless. I never took a right turn (except on a roundabout) on my Quicks test drive. Mark |
| Mark A |
| Mark, I believe its the dealers, as the ones in Litchfield and Walsall don't mind you turning right. Steve. |
| Steve Childs |
| I had a free choice of route with Evans Halshaw in Solihull - including turning right. Car had done 800+ miles. |
| Paul Hunt |
| No invite from my dealer Stour Valley, Stourbridge. However, when I took my F for a test drive the route and speeds were up to me. On reflection it was probably a bit stupid of me to buy an F I'd already thrashed. I'm also told that a certain policeman while test driving a Trophy had to brake suddenly when he spotted a colleague on duty(allegedly). I wonder who that could have been? My office backs on to the rear of Stour Valley and they have already had a few Z cars around. Mind you I've also seen a dent repair company attending a red ZS so beware to inspect them for covered up damage. Still waiting for the patronizing cow at Quicks in Coventry to phone me about an F so I don't suppose I'll receive an invite from them either. However I still receive approximately one invite a month to test drive a Citroen C5 which is 100% hopeless. Neil |
| Neil Stothert |
| >>I'm also told that a certain<< (ex) >>policeman while test driving a Trophy had to brake suddenly when he spotted a colleague on duty(allegedly). I wonder who that could have been?<< ROFLMAO - couldn't possibly anyone who contributes to this BBS! :o) Gary |
| Gary Boxall |
| Gary, One word is inaccurate - suddenly - careful and progressive speed reduction please!! Mark A, Ring Stour Valley and speak with Kash Uppal, I am sure he will provide a far better service. If you are on the opposite side of West Midlandds then take a trip to Trinity at Hinkley, again you should expect superior service and freedom from that you describe. Rog |
| Roger Parker |
| Cheers Roger, I'm in Coventry, hence why I tried Quicks, I think I'll take a trip upto Trinity in Hinckley (some nice roads up that way;o) ) Mark |
| Mark A |
| Rog When I saw the words 'brake suddenly' I didn't think for one moment that it could have been you ;o) Gary |
| Gary Boxall |
| Mark I visited almost every dealer in the Midlands area when looking for an F and only Stour Valley and the new dealer in Walsall proved to be useful. One dealership employee (allegedly the mg specialist) in Birmingham couldn't even tell me the service interval because service department was closed and then proceeded to lean on a brand new F with the zips of her jacket scratching the paintwork. As Roger suggested give Kash a call at Stour Valley. Roger - do you now provide a consultancy service on the best excuses to give to the traffic police when leaving careful and progressive speed reduction techniques too late. Neil |
| Neil Stothert |
| Finally got an invite from local dealer, Marshal of Cambridge who are holding an 'exclusive glimpse' at the new MGs!! Also as just yesterday we 'The Cambridge and District MGOC' had an invite via the MGOC to show some of our members cars and attend a BBQ. Pity, I'm going away for the weekend!! So if your in the Cambridge area it could be a good little jolly. (Friday 10th - Sunday 12th) Marshall Car Centre 01223 377100 Kelvin |
| Kelvin |
| Neil / Mark - I used the new dealer in Walsall (Hamstead Rover, used to be a Renault dealer). They serviced my car for the 60K service and I've dealt with them a number of times since. I road tested their 1.6i recently. The dealer in Litchfield (Friarsgate) is also good, albeit more expensive. Steve. |
| Steve Childs |
This thread was discussed between 16/07/2001 and 07/08/2001
MG ZR ZS ZT Technical index
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