Classic cars forum & vehicle restoration.
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Rick Site Admin
Joined: 27 Apr 2005 Posts: 22429 Location: UK
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Posted: Thu Apr 04, 2019 7:28 pm Post subject: MGFs - worth saving? |
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Evening all,
It occurred to me the other day that it's been quite a while since I last saw an MGF in seemingly regular use, ie in normal use in traffic, rather than at an event somewhere. Yet quite a few MX5 Mk1s and Mk2s are still pottering about.
Surely the head gasket issues can't solely be responsible for them all vanishing? Is it just an age thing, applicable to all cars of the same age? Or are MGFs especially prone to being taken off the road in large numbers, perhaps due to other mechanical woes, or even body rot for example?
I know they're not really old enough to be classics just yet, but will many survive long enough for it to be the case?
RJ _________________ Rick - Admin
Home:https://www.oldclassiccar.co.uk
Videos:https://www.youtube.com/user/oldclassiccarRJ/videos
OCC & classic car merchandise (Austin, Ford ++):
https://www.redbubble.com/people/OldClassicCar/shop |
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BigJohn
Joined: 01 Jan 2011 Posts: 954 Location: Wem, Shropshire
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Posted: Thu Apr 04, 2019 10:54 pm Post subject: |
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MGF, or MX5, why would you pick an MGF? I think the general consensus amongst my friends is Mazda every time. (Except one friend, but he has a few MG's so he doesn't count ) _________________ 1974 Mk1 Escort. |
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mikeC
Joined: 31 Jul 2009 Posts: 1771 Location: Market Warsop, Nottinghamshire
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Posted: Fri Apr 05, 2019 8:20 am Post subject: |
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As Rick says, there don't seem to be many around now, so I'd choose an F just to be different _________________ in the garage: 1938 Talbot Ten Airline
Recently departed: 1953 Lancia Appia, 1931 Austin Seven, 1967 Singer Chamois, 1914 Saxon, 1930 Morris Cowley, 1936 BSA Scout, 1958 Lancia Appia coupe, 1922 Star 11.9 ... the list goes on! |
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Farmer John
Joined: 18 Feb 2010 Posts: 181 Location: Manawatu NZ
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Posted: Fri Apr 05, 2019 6:55 pm Post subject: MGF |
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I ran a search to see what an MGF looks like and did not recognise them at all. I did however see an article from a guy whose family had owned two for many miles and had no trouble with either except for one thermostat. He stated that the motor had been trouble free in it's saloon car donor vehicles but that the complication and space restrictions of it's mid mounting in the MGF made it difficult to get the cooling system full and all the air purged. The consequent overheating might then have compromised the head gasket without it being replaced and when the gasket did fail it was incorrectly labelled as the cause.
All makes sense don't you think? A possibility anyway.
The writer went on to say that he could not speak of the CVT transmissions which were considered weak as they had mainly come to NZ as "Jap imports" (of which we have thousands, boatloads coming in all the time) and had not come across any.
John |
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badhuis
Joined: 20 Aug 2008 Posts: 1390 Location: Netherlands
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Posted: Sat Apr 06, 2019 9:07 am Post subject: |
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These cars are at the bottom of the market at the moment, here you can pick up a good example for under €2000.
I have driven one a few years ago and liked it a lot. Problem is I have too many cars and do not need another but would be glad to have one if I needed a 2 seater sports car. Because that is it, it feels like a sports car, nothing like a common eurobox. Low to the ground, the right seating position, direct steering, lovely.
I do not think they are unreliable, yes the head gasket failure may come up but once that has been taken care of there is not too much trouble.
There are some fancy editions around, I would not pick the first but would go looking for the VVC version and leather seats. Maybe a hardtop if you would want to use the car during winter. I would also want a series one, not the TF which does not have the cute looks of the Mk1.
Main disadvantage is that is not very practical! But excellent to have as a second car. _________________ a car stops being fun when it becomes an investment |
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Penman
Joined: 23 Nov 2007 Posts: 4751 Location: Swindon, Wilts.
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Posted: Sat Apr 06, 2019 11:34 am Post subject: |
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Hi
If there was a problem filling the cooling system it sounds as if there are parts of it that are higher than the expansion tank fill cap.
I had a Renault like that and the fitted bleed valves on the hoses at the highest points, so you filled it up cold ran the engine till it warmed to operating temp then bled the air out of the valves.
Expansion tank then showed a low level after cooling so topped it up. Sometimes too a couple of goes before it stabilised.
Has the MGF got bleed valves in the system? _________________ Bristols should always come in pairs.
Any 2 from:-
Straight 6
V8 V10 |
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Mog
Joined: 30 Dec 2007 Posts: 661 Location: Sydney
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Posted: Sat Apr 06, 2019 11:35 am Post subject: |
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I had problems to purge the air out of my 1987 MWB Landcruiser . There is no filler on the radiator , it is on the engine block . The engine is a 4 cyl . diesel known as a 3 B . My solution is to park it nose down on a good slope and then fill it up . I have still got the car . |
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Rick Site Admin
Joined: 27 Apr 2005 Posts: 22429 Location: UK
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BigJohn
Joined: 01 Jan 2011 Posts: 954 Location: Wem, Shropshire
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Posted: Sat Apr 06, 2019 7:19 pm Post subject: |
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I'd love a Z3 but I'm too tall to fit in, I tried a friend's and I couldn't get my legs in the under the wheel. I'm only 6'5". I was very disappointed. _________________ 1974 Mk1 Escort. |
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Keith D
Joined: 16 Oct 2008 Posts: 1127 Location: Upper Swan, Western Australia
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Posted: Sun Apr 07, 2019 1:29 pm Post subject: |
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I have a Z3 and love it to bits. I am under 6 feet so I fit inside it like a finger in a glove. Gorgeous car and as Rick says, very old school and very lively. It can be thrown about on bendy roads with confidence. Terrific little German (American built) animal!
Keith _________________ 1926 Chrysler 60 tourer
1932 Austin Seven RN long wheelbase box sedan
1950 Austin A40 tourer
1999 BMW Z3
Its weird being the same age as old people.
You are either part of the problem or part of the solution |
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kevin2306
Joined: 01 Jul 2013 Posts: 1359 Location: nr Llangollen, north wales
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Posted: Sun Apr 07, 2019 2:23 pm Post subject: |
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I’ve considered an MGF but never bought one, ran a couple of mk1 mx5, great fun.
Wifey has just bought a lovely SLK, superb car and feels old school enough.
Kev |
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ukdave2002
Joined: 23 Nov 2007 Posts: 4100 Location: South Cheshire
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Posted: Sun Apr 07, 2019 11:55 pm Post subject: |
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There are lots of examples of "classics" that were never considered good in their day.
The MGF suffers from another issue; unlike 2 seater sports cars of earlier decades, it was not bought new in quantity by young blokes, I can't see many Gen X or Millennial's craving that MGF that they had in their youth!
Dave |
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Vulgalour
Joined: 08 May 2018 Posts: 473 Location: Kent
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Posted: Mon Apr 08, 2019 12:08 am Post subject: |
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The MG F is unfortunately hit with many problems, one of which is the MG TF which people tend to prefer for not being so 'cutesy' looking. Problems with rot at the rear of the sills and associated body tub (normal for most cars of the era, it seems), and the reputation of the K series being what it is don't help either. They haven't held their value as well as the later TF models and because many have suffered plenty of neglect, the poor old F also has a reputation for being a troublesome car through no real fault of its own.
A friend of mine races an F and really enjoys using it for that. He also likes the MX-5 and the TF but reckons the F has a certain something that makes it more enjoyable to throw about than the others.
The other thing that puts folks off the F is when they find out it makes use of Hydragas suspension. Even though the system works perfectly fine and is well suited to the car, and even though you can completely replace it with more conventional springs etc. fairly easily, it still puts people off when they can just go and get themselves a TF, or an MX-5.
It's a shame really. I can't remember the last time I saw an F on the road, while the last time I saw a Mk1 MX-5 was today. |
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Ashley
Joined: 02 Jan 2008 Posts: 1426 Location: Near Stroud, Glos
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Posted: Fri Apr 12, 2019 11:53 am Post subject: |
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There are a few MGFs round here in regular use. I think the bugs are ironed out now and owners really like them. Not only that but the club is excellent and offers all sorts of activities for owners, so probably a good thing to buy while they’re cheap. |
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