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| 4 Experience with owning a 260SE Roger Parker has a 2004 facelift ZT 260SE V8 saloon and he has an interim report on his experiences owning this special V8. (Oct 07) 
Roger Parker hsaking hands with Mike Griffiths as his ZT 260SE V8 comes off the production line. (Photo: Roger Parker) My car is a 2004 facelift ZT 260SE saloon built on Thursday 25th March 2004 when I followed it down the Longbridge production line recording its assembly. The VIN is SARRXGLGB4D000383 and the colour is XPower Grey (code LEF). The extras above the standard SE specification of the period were just power folding mirrors (invaluable for the garage) heated seats and electric operation of the passenger seat to match the driver's. Since then I have fitted an Accufab 70mm dia throttle body (standard 65mm) and matching plenum. The air filter element is a Holley performance one, similar to a K&N to reduce the need for changes as air filter changes are a little complex! I have also run a period of 15,000 miles with runflat tyres that offered peace of mind in the event of a puncture as there is no spare wheel, but the loss of ride quality with the solid construction runflats has meant a recent change back to standard type tyres. See ZT260V8NOTE5 for more on this. More |
 My most recent change is the addition of a front bib spoiler I received from Peter Stevens (the McLaren F1 and MG SV designer) when I visited him. The only one made for the facelift ZT it was a prototype for a future additional XPower product. Maintenance has not been an issue although the regular 5,000 mile oil changes have shown the MGR recessed Allen headed sump plug (the 260 uses an MGR designed alloy sump rather than the original Ford tin one) needs to be changed regularly, or as I have done with a normal flange bolt type of plug. Oil filters are the same as the Ford Duratec V6 engines as seen in Mondeo ST 200 and 220 models. Rear differential oil should be changed more frequently than the MGR schedule, ideally early on and then say every 24,000 miles. I rate Castrol SAF-XJ 75w140 synthetic diff oil for this and it is also an approved lubricant. Of note there was a marked reduction of the effort needed to roll the car after the oil change from standard oil at 5,000 miles of age and coincidentally a slight improvement in fuel consumption. Oil leaks from the front diff seal are not unknown and the seal needs to be changed. Copyright
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