MG TF ....

Author
Discussion

mikal83

Original Poster:

5,340 posts

251 months

Thursday 19th February 2015
quotequote all
So many differant models with various engine outputs, grrrrrrrrrrrr.

Please correct me if i am wrong. The MGF had various engines but the biggest power output was the 135ps VVC yes/no?
Then the Trophy came along and power went up to 160ps.
The MG TF came along with 1.6 and 1.8 engines with 115/135/ and 160PS....yes...

I much prefer the look of the TF over the F but like the Trophy look BUT am now starting to realise that I will probably have to pay another 25% to get the Trophy over a F/TF.
Trophy cars in East Anglia, have a nice looking Wedgewood for sale, but whats that engine?
After owning a Chim , I think I really do want a 160 ps car... SO, if I cant get a Trophy for the right price, whats the next best 160ps option.

wildcat45

8,056 posts

188 months

Thursday 19th February 2015
quotequote all
This is as Inderstand it.

MGF
1.6 litre with auto (CVT?) tiptronic style transmission known as a 115
1.8 litre MPI engine. 118 BHP. The standard MGF if you like.
1.8 litre VVC with something like 143 BHP.
1.8 litre VVC with 160 BHP. This is the Trophy
As mentioned above, there were a tiny number of non Trophy 160s made.

MGTF
1.6 litre auto. Same flappy paddle auto as in the F. 115 BHP
1.8 litre with 135 BHP
1.8 VVC with 160 BHP

So, fewer engine options with the TF.

You mentioned a Wedgewood. That's a special edition and could be either a 118 BHP car or a 143 BHP car if it is a VVC.

I think it should say on the V5 if it is a VVC but can't be sure. There are experts on here. I am not ine of them sadly, but I think the way you can tell is by looking through the engine grill at the plenum. VVC cars ave "VVC " written on them. Also the red line limit is different.

MGSteve

191 posts

237 months

Thursday 19th February 2015
quotequote all
The MGF originally only had 2 different engines, 120hp 1.8 and 145hp 1.8vvc.
The 112hp 1.6 was introduced at the same time as the Mk2 MGF.
In 2001 the MGF Trophy came along with a 160hp 1.8VVC (an evolution of the earlier 145hp engine).
The same engine was then used in the TF released in 2002, and the other 2 engines where also upgraded to 115hp for the 1.6 and 135hp for the 1.8 non-vvc.

The Wedgewood will likely have the 120hp 1.8.
My second choice after a 160 would be an MGF with the 145hp VVC engine.

mikal83

Original Poster:

5,340 posts

251 months

Thursday 19th February 2015
quotequote all
Thanks guys, bit clearer...lol.
I think I am leaning towards a MGTF 160, TF for the looks and 160 for the power

wildcat45

8,056 posts

188 months

Thursday 19th February 2015
quotequote all
Let us know how you get on. There are loads of dedicated forums out there with some very knowledgeable and helpful members.

onyx39

11,109 posts

149 months

Friday 20th February 2015
quotequote all
mikal83 said:
Thanks guys, bit clearer...lol.
I think I am leaning towards a MGTF 160, TF for the looks and 160 for the power
Where about are you Mikal?
If you join the mg-rover.org and or Facebook groups, you often find members selling their cars, or you may find someone who knows a specific car that you may have shortlisted.

mikal83

Original Poster:

5,340 posts

251 months

Friday 20th February 2015
quotequote all
30 mins from Plymouth.
Joined the MGF/TF subclub online club. Put a note in the Devon/Cornwall page and have had zero response and theres no cars for sale there.
Have shortcuts to ALL the usual suspects re car selling websites and auction houses. Closest to me is Saltashes Mannheim which mainly sells 5-10 yr old small/medium sized saloons etc. The nearest BCA is Taunton, hr n a bit trash up the A30/M5. (About the only time I ever drive on a motorway!)
The tasty looking wedgewood that Trophycars are selling is the bog standard 1.8i, bugger.

onyx39

11,109 posts

149 months

Friday 20th February 2015
quotequote all
mikal83 said:
30 mins from Plymouth.
Joined the MGF/TF subclub online club. Put a note in the Devon/Cornwall page and have had zero response and theres no cars for sale there.
Have shortcuts to ALL the usual suspects re car selling websites and auction houses. Closest to me is Saltashes Mannheim which mainly sells 5-10 yr old small/medium sized saloons etc. The nearest BCA is Taunton, hr n a bit trash up the A30/M5. (About the only time I ever drive on a motorway!)
The tasty looking wedgewood that Trophycars are selling is the bog standard 1.8i, bugger.
If your on Facebook, there's a number of groups in your neck of the woods, a few listed below:

https://www.facebook.com/cornwall.mgowners

https://www.facebook.com/groups/161296280625799/ (MGR South)

https://www.facebook.com/groups/midlandmarauders/ (not your neck of the woods, but more a national one)

https://www.facebook.com/groups/MGRSWOC/?ref=br_rs (MG South West Owners Club)

https://www.facebook.com/groups/MGFDC/?ref=br_rs (MGF South West)





mikal83

Original Poster:

5,340 posts

251 months

Friday 20th February 2015
quotequote all
Cheers.............just found a right tasty alfa twinspark on eb*y.......differant!

mikal83

Original Poster:

5,340 posts

251 months

Friday 20th February 2015
quotequote all
Do you really notice the differance between the 135 and 160ps cars????

mikal83

Original Poster:

5,340 posts

251 months

Friday 20th February 2015
quotequote all
Do you really notice the differance between the 135 and 160ps cars????

MGSteve

191 posts

237 months

Friday 20th February 2015
quotequote all
The VVC engine likes to be revved and driven hard.
Between 0-3.5K revs the 135 actually has a slight edge on the 160 on paper, but from then on the 160 will continue to pull strong right up to the rev limiter, whereas the power drops off on the 135.

I know many owners who are more than happy with their 135, and some that prefer it because they dont use all the revs, but also know some who regret not getting a 160.
I would try and get a test drive in both so you can make you own mind up. Around town you would probably struggle to tell the difference, but on the open NSL roads the 160 will come into its own.

Its also worth noting that the standard TF160 came with a higher spec as standard then the TF135, for example the 4 pot AP brakes and 11 spoke wheels were standard on the 160, but a costly option on the 135 and 115.
The ECU used in the TF and Trophy is remappable (the one used on earlier MGF's isn't) so there is to option of tweaking a little more power (and economy) out of them if your insurance will allow. I would recommend ZandF Tuning if it’s an option you wanted to explore.

And on a final note, if you do get an MG, join the MG Car Club. The discount you can get from some insurers for being a member more than (no pun intended) covers the cost of membership. You will also get a discount on tickets to MG Live held annually at Silverstone, a must do event for any MG fan driving

mikal83

Original Poster:

5,340 posts

251 months

Friday 20th February 2015
quotequote all
Thnx Steve

SimonTheSailor

12,543 posts

227 months

Saturday 19th March 2016
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Are they any good for tall people ? I.e. 6 ft 2.

Trevatanus

11,109 posts

149 months

Saturday 19th March 2016
quotequote all
SimonTheSailor said:
Are they any good for tall people ? I.e. 6 ft 2.
I'm 6'2, and have a Tf as a daily driver.
I am carrying a few more pounds than I should too :/

SimonTheSailor

12,543 posts

227 months

Sunday 20th March 2016
quotequote all
wildcat45 said:
MGTF
1.6 litre auto. Same flappy paddle auto as in the F. 115 BHP
1.8 litre with 135 BHP
1.8 VVC with 160 BHP

So, fewer engine options with the TF
So the 1.6 TF should have an auto flappy paddle thing then ? I've seen one for sale with a manual ?

SimonTheSailor

12,543 posts

227 months

Sunday 20th March 2016
quotequote all
Ok, I think this auto thing is rubbish, can't find any evidence of it on the net.

chris watton

22,477 posts

259 months

Sunday 20th March 2016
quotequote all
I thought it was the 1.8 that had the auto or 'Step speed' box and was set at around 118bhp?

Never heard of the 1.6 being an auto, the 1.6 was the entry level, poverty spec car!

Trevatanus

11,109 posts

149 months

Sunday 20th March 2016
quotequote all
The steptronic has the flappy paddle gearbox, not sure about the bhp though

SimonTheSailor

12,543 posts

227 months

Sunday 20th March 2016
quotequote all
Trevatanus said:
The steptronic has the flappy paddle gearbox, not sure about the bhp though
But not on the poverty spec 1.6 models ?