MGF - ok, whats good. whats bad and what do i look out for?
Discussion
spent ages recently trying to decide on a car...needless to say the car I think I have settled on (350z) is way outside my budget...soooo.., as I dont have a car at the mo (Alfa poorly) I need something interesting, very inexpensive and reasonably quick and reliable.... I have noticed a number of MGFs around, always looking smart and having entered my search parameters into PH, the following came back for sub £2.5k: Mazda RX, MR2 and MGF - OK, so we all know th wankels problems, the MR2 seems free od vice,,,but perhaps light on structure somehow (and more expensive than the lovely Alfa GTV TS, which it doesnt deserve imho) which lead me to the MGF...which is frustrating, cos a pub friend of mine had an utterly perfect example that I couldnt afford at the time....
OK..we have arrived...do tell me all - preferably a quick guide to the best ones to go for and why, the potential pitfalls and is it really a decent everyday car?
There are many in the adds under £1.5k with sensible mileages, all claiming to be near perfect..then mentioning head gasket replacement... I understand the VVC MGF to e the quickest, lightest and better looking than the TF - am I correct?
What mpg on a cruise?
Here is the large throttle body MGF which sounds wonderful and similar to a few old MG hatchbacks I have heard locally: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mVBMH6LfK44 - 52mm throttle body apparently..
Found a clip from good old Tiff Needell on MGF...he hates it and says it shakes itself stupid and has high chair driving position... can seat be dropped and is there any aftermarket bracing that rduces scuttle shake etc
Who is my nearest specialist - Corby Northants
Very grateful for all advice given
OK..we have arrived...do tell me all - preferably a quick guide to the best ones to go for and why, the potential pitfalls and is it really a decent everyday car?
There are many in the adds under £1.5k with sensible mileages, all claiming to be near perfect..then mentioning head gasket replacement... I understand the VVC MGF to e the quickest, lightest and better looking than the TF - am I correct?
What mpg on a cruise?
Here is the large throttle body MGF which sounds wonderful and similar to a few old MG hatchbacks I have heard locally: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mVBMH6LfK44 - 52mm throttle body apparently..
Found a clip from good old Tiff Needell on MGF...he hates it and says it shakes itself stupid and has high chair driving position... can seat be dropped and is there any aftermarket bracing that rduces scuttle shake etc
Who is my nearest specialist - Corby Northants
Very grateful for all advice given
Lots to answer there. I am no expert but I have owned five so I have a bit of experience. I like them for what they are, fun little cars that got under my skin. If you are after Mercedes Benz build quality and 100 per cent reliability then you might want to reconsider.
Engine. Make sure it's had the HG dine with evidence that it is the Multi layer steel one with the strengthened oil ra and the later dowels. (Someone will know more than me on this)
It's good to find a car with stainless steel cooling pipes and perhaps an aluminium radiator.
Also look for a recent Cam belt service as this is a bit of a fiddle to do and will cost a few quid.
Hydragas suspension when set up right is fantastic. My view others may disagree. I've had a TF 160 with normal suspension but prefer Hydragas. It needs to be sitting properly (36mm from wheel centre to wheel arch Again experts please help me out)
Expect creaks and rattles from the inside However in the opinion of the MG specialist who
Looks after mine, Fs are better made than TFs. There was cost cutting at MG-Rover with TFs a regime called Project Drive. He says TFs tend to rust more underneath, sub frames etc. Again that's an opinion but bearing in mind of the 5 I have two were later scrapped. Ine was a TF that was too rusty underneath to be an economic repair.
These are old cars now so you will find a lot of dogs. Hold out for the best there is and I would buy on condition and recent service history over colour or trim level. Trim can be easily and cheaply changed.
It's the recent service history that is key. At the youngest being 15 years old or so, they will have passed though many hands and had lives that have involved regular use, SORN, missed services etc. If the last owner or two have serviced it well you should consider the car.
As a daily driver? Potentially but it depends on what you do. I'd not want one as my main car, but plenty do.
I have a 1.8 MPI non-VVC. I bought on condition. The car was mint. It's a different car to the higher powered 143BHP VVC and the 160 Trophy. However the 120 BHP in mine is fine. These cars aren't really about going as fast as you can. There is a 115BHP auto too.
The F comes in two Marks. MK1 from 1995 N reg to 1999 T/V Reg. the MK 2 was from 2000 V/W to 2002 51/02 reg. the main way to tell is the windscreen surround on earlier cars is black. Later cars are body coloured. I prefer the MK2 cars but that's just me.
Trophy 160s are great with cracking performance. Not many made.
The VVC models. - I don't really have much experience of but friends with them liove them.
1.8 MPI For me the pick of the bunch. No VVC to go wrong and you can tune them.
1.6 I think just came with a Steptronuc CVT style auto. I'd like to try one but I don't think it would be for me.
I think they did a manual basic spec 1.6 F. They did a TF in this trim and I have heard people say they like the 115BHP motor
As for specialist dealers. There is one north of Stamford on the A1 I think. Not that far from you. Trophy Cars? Never been there so can't vouch for it.
Get on the specialist forums like the MGF Reguster and MG Rover . Org. Loads of advice there and tons of proper buying advice too. Plus cars for sale owned by enthusiasts who are more likely to have looked after them.
It's a very well supported model of car.
Put it this way. In 2011 I sold my F and got a brand new MX-5. A far better (and more expensive car) but I didn't love it. I sold it and went back to MG.
I typed this on my phone so forgive spelling/autocorrect errors.
Dan.
Engine. Make sure it's had the HG dine with evidence that it is the Multi layer steel one with the strengthened oil ra and the later dowels. (Someone will know more than me on this)
It's good to find a car with stainless steel cooling pipes and perhaps an aluminium radiator.
Also look for a recent Cam belt service as this is a bit of a fiddle to do and will cost a few quid.
Hydragas suspension when set up right is fantastic. My view others may disagree. I've had a TF 160 with normal suspension but prefer Hydragas. It needs to be sitting properly (36mm from wheel centre to wheel arch Again experts please help me out)
Expect creaks and rattles from the inside However in the opinion of the MG specialist who
Looks after mine, Fs are better made than TFs. There was cost cutting at MG-Rover with TFs a regime called Project Drive. He says TFs tend to rust more underneath, sub frames etc. Again that's an opinion but bearing in mind of the 5 I have two were later scrapped. Ine was a TF that was too rusty underneath to be an economic repair.
These are old cars now so you will find a lot of dogs. Hold out for the best there is and I would buy on condition and recent service history over colour or trim level. Trim can be easily and cheaply changed.
It's the recent service history that is key. At the youngest being 15 years old or so, they will have passed though many hands and had lives that have involved regular use, SORN, missed services etc. If the last owner or two have serviced it well you should consider the car.
As a daily driver? Potentially but it depends on what you do. I'd not want one as my main car, but plenty do.
I have a 1.8 MPI non-VVC. I bought on condition. The car was mint. It's a different car to the higher powered 143BHP VVC and the 160 Trophy. However the 120 BHP in mine is fine. These cars aren't really about going as fast as you can. There is a 115BHP auto too.
The F comes in two Marks. MK1 from 1995 N reg to 1999 T/V Reg. the MK 2 was from 2000 V/W to 2002 51/02 reg. the main way to tell is the windscreen surround on earlier cars is black. Later cars are body coloured. I prefer the MK2 cars but that's just me.
Trophy 160s are great with cracking performance. Not many made.
The VVC models. - I don't really have much experience of but friends with them liove them.
1.8 MPI For me the pick of the bunch. No VVC to go wrong and you can tune them.
1.6 I think just came with a Steptronuc CVT style auto. I'd like to try one but I don't think it would be for me.
I think they did a manual basic spec 1.6 F. They did a TF in this trim and I have heard people say they like the 115BHP motor
As for specialist dealers. There is one north of Stamford on the A1 I think. Not that far from you. Trophy Cars? Never been there so can't vouch for it.
Get on the specialist forums like the MGF Reguster and MG Rover . Org. Loads of advice there and tons of proper buying advice too. Plus cars for sale owned by enthusiasts who are more likely to have looked after them.
It's a very well supported model of car.
Put it this way. In 2011 I sold my F and got a brand new MX-5. A far better (and more expensive car) but I didn't love it. I sold it and went back to MG.
I typed this on my phone so forgive spelling/autocorrect errors.
Dan.
Edited by wildcat45 on Thursday 6th August 15:21
Count Vampirski said:
spent ages recently trying to decide on a car...needless to say the car I think I have settled on (350z) is way outside my budget...soooo.., as I dont have a car at the mo (Alfa poorly) I need something interesting, very inexpensive and reasonably quick and reliable.... I have noticed a number of MGFs around, always looking smart and having entered my search parameters into PH, the following came back for sub £2.5k: Mazda RX, MR2 and MGF - OK, so we all know th wankels problems, the MR2 seems free od vice,,,but perhaps light on structure somehow (and more expensive than the lovely Alfa GTV TS, which it doesnt deserve imho) which lead me to the MGF...which is frustrating, cos a pub friend of mine had an utterly perfect example that I couldnt afford at the time....
OK..we have arrived...do tell me all - preferably a quick guide to the best ones to go for and why, the potential pitfalls and is it really a decent everyday car?
There are many in the adds under £1.5k with sensible mileages, all claiming to be near perfect..then mentioning head gasket replacement... I understand the VVC MGF to e the quickest, lightest and better looking than the TF - am I correct?
What mpg on a cruise?
Here is the large throttle body MGF which sounds wonderful and similar to a few old MG hatchbacks I have heard locally: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mVBMH6LfK44 - 52mm throttle body apparently..
Found a clip from good old Tiff Needell on MGF...he hates it and says it shakes itself stupid and has high chair driving position... can seat be dropped and is there any aftermarket bracing that rduces scuttle shake etc
Who is my nearest specialist - Corby Northants
Very grateful for all advice given
You are better off joining a forum or one of the many Facebook groups (if you use Facebook) and asking on there.OK..we have arrived...do tell me all - preferably a quick guide to the best ones to go for and why, the potential pitfalls and is it really a decent everyday car?
There are many in the adds under £1.5k with sensible mileages, all claiming to be near perfect..then mentioning head gasket replacement... I understand the VVC MGF to e the quickest, lightest and better looking than the TF - am I correct?
What mpg on a cruise?
Here is the large throttle body MGF which sounds wonderful and similar to a few old MG hatchbacks I have heard locally: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mVBMH6LfK44 - 52mm throttle body apparently..
Found a clip from good old Tiff Needell on MGF...he hates it and says it shakes itself stupid and has high chair driving position... can seat be dropped and is there any aftermarket bracing that rduces scuttle shake etc
Who is my nearest specialist - Corby Northants
Very grateful for all advice given
I bought a 2003 Monogram (it's a special edition paint job) back in October for £900. It just sailed through an MOT, having said that, I previously owned an F, which was a dog.
You will often find owners / enthusiasts looking to sell, and can pick up some good examples.
Not heard brilliant stuff about Trophy cars, they tend to be a little over priced I believe.
Untitled by Jim Pritchard, on FlickrEdited by onyx39 on Thursday 6th August 17:29
many thx guys, apologies for not getting back to you sooner - I went off on a TT hunt...but now, if I can get a decent MGF for c £500...why not?!
At that budget, I imagine headgasket fixes will be done cheaply - what are symptoms if starting to go again?
How much for cheap HG replacement and how much done properly?
How is hydrogas checked by the layman when collecting an Ebay special?
thx D
At that budget, I imagine headgasket fixes will be done cheaply - what are symptoms if starting to go again?
How much for cheap HG replacement and how much done properly?
How is hydrogas checked by the layman when collecting an Ebay special?
thx D
Count Vampirski said:
many thx guys, apologies for not getting back to you sooner - I went off on a TT hunt...but now, if I can get a decent MGF for c £500...why not?!
At that budget, I imagine headgasket fixes will be done cheaply - what are symptoms if starting to go again?
How much for cheap HG replacement and how much done properly?
How is hydrogas checked by the layman when collecting an Ebay special?
thx D
There's 3 or 4 mobile mechanics who will come to you, and if you drop me a pm, and let me know where you are, I can let yin know which one would probably suit you best, if you know what I mean. What I will say though, is the work will be done considerably cheaper than a high street mechanic would change.At that budget, I imagine headgasket fixes will be done cheaply - what are symptoms if starting to go again?
How much for cheap HG replacement and how much done properly?
How is hydrogas checked by the layman when collecting an Ebay special?
thx D
Count Vampirski said:
many thx guys, apologies for not getting back to you sooner - I went off on a TT hunt...but now, if I can get a decent MGF for c £500...why not?!
Because they will probably be rusty! Go over any potential buys with a fine tooth comb; they may be cheap but it's throwing money away if you get a scabby one that won't pass another MOT without a huge amount of work.beginning to realise that even mint looking ones can be a disaster underneath....
Guess its back to TT idea...bit expensive for what they are - 15 yr old can easily be £4k for nice mileage £800 for similar GTV unless V6 which are being hyped at the moment - seen them over £10k!! - No chance.
What alternative sub £4k compact fun cars are there?
Guess its back to TT idea...bit expensive for what they are - 15 yr old can easily be £4k for nice mileage £800 for similar GTV unless V6 which are being hyped at the moment - seen them over £10k!! - No chance.
What alternative sub £4k compact fun cars are there?
Count Vampirski said:
beginning to realise that even mint looking ones can be a disaster underneath....
Guess its back to TT idea...bit expensive for what they are - 15 yr old can easily be £4k for nice mileage £800 for similar GTV unless V6 which are being hyped at the moment - seen them over £10k!! - No chance.
What alternative sub £4k compact fun cars are there?
Why not just find one with a recent mot? Surely underneath issues would be advised on MOT's?Guess its back to TT idea...bit expensive for what they are - 15 yr old can easily be £4k for nice mileage £800 for similar GTV unless V6 which are being hyped at the moment - seen them over £10k!! - No chance.
What alternative sub £4k compact fun cars are there?
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