RE: Shed Of The Week: MG TF

[smaybury]

"He once came out with a five-word sentence to describe a broken press. The first word was 'the'; the other four were all variations on the f-word."


Yeah, I've heard that story as well - my journalism teacher used to use it as an example of how simple communication can be the most effective. "This f**king f**ker's f**king f**ked."

Either way, I'm calling it: urban myth.

[s m]

kambites said:

s m said:

People don't seem to dislike the Elise/Caterham engine quite as much

I wondered what was different about them

There is two fundamental differences - the Elise and Caterham are worth enough that no-one worries too much about a 500 quid bill to fix the head gasket; and they are owned by people who take enough interest in their cars to look after the engine properly so it's less likely to go in the first place.

So if you keep an eye on the coolant/coolant pipes they're no worse in an MG TF?

[drgoatboy]

Amazing how cheap these are now.
However being a bit taller than average means I stand no chance in hell in driving one. Remember sitting in a new one in a show room, and after some serious contortion I managed to get in it but was actually looking over the top of the windscreen and couldn't move my legs at all...

[idibbers]

I'd personally buy a TF VVC and spend the extra £350 on an uprated head gasket before it goes - you'd still hardly be paying anything and imagine when summer comes!!

[Mobsy]

Bought myself a 2002 MGTF 160 with a genuine 39000 miles for £1600 last year. I was going to use it as a trackday car but after a quick clean it's just too good to trash round the tracks. Now it's kept as a summer car and I really enjoy driving it.

Edited by Mobsy on Friday 28th November 09:57

[Steamer]

s m said:

kambites said:

s m said:

People don't seem to dislike the Elise/Caterham engine quite as much

I wondered what was different about them

There is two fundamental differences - the Elise and Caterham are worth enough that no-one worries too much about a 500 quid bill to fix the head gasket; and they are owned by people who take enough interest in their cars to look after the engine properly so it's less likely to go in the first place.

So if you keep an eye on the coolant/coolant pipes they're no worse in an MG TF?

I just thought the engines were happier in the Lotus and Caterham - therefore less likely to commit suicide.

Agree with the rest of rattles / build. Not comparable to an MR2.

[sege]

My MGF was off the road for 51 weeks as various mechanics tried and failed to diagnose the blown head gasket.
Not a true sports car in any way: all grip no handling, horrible steering, not very quick.
Worst driving position I've ever tried.
leaked oil (made it feel authentic).
roof leaked a bit.
The main redeeming feature was the engine. I don't get why the k-series gets slagged off? fantastic fuel economy, very responsive, and capable of being tuned well. Apparently it was a very light motor too, one of the reasons it was chosen for the Elise. Great little british engine. So what if you had to replace the head gasket on them? Once done it was sweet.

[RacingBlue]

Driven a few of these, and whilst they are quite fun, the driving position is horrendous - you sit on it, rather than in it.

[anonymous-user]

s m said:

People don't seem to dislike the Elise/Caterham engine quite as much

I wondered what was different about them

Depends on the spec. The K series is a great design but it was manufactured and assembled by idiots. Therein lies the problem.

[Mobsy]

RacingBlue said:

Driven a few of these, and whilst they are quite fun, the driving position is horrendous - you sit on it, rather than in it.

I'd read reviews that said that, also that they are cramped for tall drivers. All I can say is that at 6'2" I find neither to be true, maybe the TF is different to the F.

[kambites]

s m said:

So if you keep an eye on the coolant/coolant pipes they're no worse in an MG TF?

The biggest problem for the K-series seems to be stressing it from cold. The huge majority of engines that suffer from head gasket failure have never been run on low coolant.

[kambites]

Mobsy said:

I'd read reviews that said that, also that they are cramped for tall drivers. All I can say is that at 6'2" I find neither to be true, maybe the TF is different to the F.

I wouldn't say the driving position was cramped, just ergonomically poor.

[tezzer]

Bought Mrs. Tezzer one, brand new on a 55 plate. Roof leaked so badly, despite numerous attempts to fix that we carried a towel around to leave on the seat in case it rained while it was parked.

No thanks, been there, done that.

[kambites]

tezzer said:

Bought Mrs. Tezzer one, brand new on a 55 plate. Roof leaked so badly, despite numerous attempts to fix that we carried a towel around to leave on the seat in case it rained while it was parked.

Yes, that was another problem with them.

[FWDRacer]

s m said:

People don't seem to dislike the Elise/Caterham engine quite as much

I wondered what was different about them

The cam cover. Also spelt "Kudos".

[pSyCoSiS]

That's good value for money.

About 10 years ago I went with a friend to pick one of these up. Was pleasantly surprised with the ride and handling, and the engine had ample poke to it and enjoyed to be revved.

[Geoffcapes]

s m said:

Geoffcapes said:

s m said:

Geoffcapes said:

My only comment is based on my mates one.

It rattles more than a charity workers collection tin.
And thats before you get to the engine!

Not for me. Maybe a few hairdressers will be along to say how good it is.

Same engine as Lotus Elise?

And a Caterham. Your point is what exactly?

People don't seem to dislike the Elise/Caterham engine quite as much

I wondered what was different about them

Ahhh I see. Thought the engine was alright to be honest. However, it's reliability leaves something to be desired.

I think it is an MG thing, as another mate who's had about 5 ZS's (why o why?) got to his third one and regardless of condition changed the head gasket to an uprated one.
The 3rd, and 4th were written off. The 5th lives in his garage. Probably slowly rotting away.

[anonymous-user]

kambites said:

The biggest problem for the K-series seems to be stressing it from cold. The huge majority of engines that suffer from head gasket failure have never been run on low coolant.

Not to mention. Incorrect liner heights, shoddy castings, poor assembly. I remember dealers chucking head gaskets at cars and never fixing the actual issue.

[J4CKO]

The K series engine is great, people seem to think that due to its ownership (Rover) and well publicised issues (Headgasket) that it isnt a nice engine, for the capacity they are pretty good, I had a Rover BRM and the engine was great, until it broke.

Not a bad shed but like a previous poster, all I can see in them is windscreen surround.

I think we are quite lucky in this country being able to buy serviceable and roadworthy convertibles for a few hundred quid, I don't think many other countries have such cheap cars.

[kambites]

yonex said:

kambites said:

The biggest problem for the K-series seems to be stressing it from cold. The huge majority of engines that suffer from head gasket failure have never been run on low coolant.

Not to mention. Incorrect liner heights, shoddy castings, poor assembly. I remember dealers chucking head gaskets at cars and never fixing the actual issue.

Yeah there were certainly problems with manufacturing and assembly but even the best of them will fail if abused.