Tuesday 8th February 2005

MG Rover tweaks TF

Car gets new wheels, rear screen and suspension settings

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The ageing TF, optimistically described by MG Rover as 'the best all-round sports car', has been tweaked for 2005. According to MG, it is now smoother riding with revised suspension calibration for better handling. It also includes a heated glass rear window, new alloy wheels and a tweaked cabin.

Suspension

The suspension changes bring about improved ride compliance and handling dynamics, says MG. Spring rates are lowered (20 and 30 per cent, front and rear respectively) with the aim of improving comfort. Revised damper settings give more control throughout the wheel travel so making the handling more progressive. The front anti-roll bar diameter has increased (up from 19 to 21mm). A major contributor is the new 15" Conti Premium Contact tyre, which incorporates a stiffer sidewall for better control at the limit.

Overall, the improvements ensure the TF is a more comfortable car in everyday driving yet even easier to drive on challenging roads. Customers will be able to specify Sports Pack 1, which adds sports suspension, with 10mm lower ride-height and uprated dampers.

No engine changes have been announced.

Cabin

New cabin features include heating and ventilation controls include illumination for greater night-time visibility, along with new trim materials. All TFs now feature remote central locking, superlocking, CD Tuner (plus MP3 on TF 160), leather steering wheel and handbrake grip, alloy gearknob and electric heated mirrors. Front fog lamps are standard on all except TF 115.

Comment

"Owners love their MG TFs for their style and everyday versatility, so for 2005 we have improved both. The ride is more compliant and we have made the handling responses more progressive on challenging roads," says product manager Rob Oldaker. "The heated glass rear window will make the TF an easier car to live with, particularly in winter."

[hendry]

That heated rear window will come in handy - all the better to clear the condensation from the glass when the roof leaks.

[b10]

hendry said:

That heated rear window will come in handy - all the better to clear the condensation from the glass when the roof leaks.

Oh grow up! If you are knocking MG, well my friend's BMW 3 series' clutch blew up in Holland (25000 miles). No BMW agents in Holland could fix it - so it had to be send back to UK - lovely holiday!

[munter]

You would hope that by now with all the revisions that MG have done, most of the problems with the car design would be sorted......

I'd still sooner have the Mazda

[danmangt40]

[redacted]

[jamesc]

Soon they will have the Linda Barker limited edition!

[cdp]

I have looked at a couple of occasions at the F/TF (my brother had two F's and they were totally reliable). The only issue I have is the high seating position. If MG could lower the seat by inches it would be a much better driving position which is the car's only real problem.

[powelly]

I had a 'P' plate MGF for nearly 3 years, no major problems, no leaks, no agro at all... just a tad underpowered and I moved on..

[Nuggs]

cdp said:

I have looked at a couple of occasions at the F/TF (my brother had two F's and they were totally reliable). The only issue I have is the high seating position. If MG could lower the seat by inches it would be a much better driving position which is the car's only real problem.

totally agree.

I had an MGF for 3 years before moving to a Chimaera. I drove my old man's TF last weekend and it felt like I was sitting on the car rather than in it...

[anonymous-user]

They can apparently offer the TF with the KV6 for special order...

[CMC]

I.ve got the 1.8VVC. Have added an induction kit and S & P exhaust. Pushes output up to 167 BHP. Quick, agile and reliable. No supercar but fun and runs on beer money. Sounds great and is always a pleasure to drive.

[Sortie 10]

Have just requested a brochure. TF160 seems tempting, particularly if it is heavily discounted. Unfortunately the TF's big rival the MX-5 is being replaced (not merely face-lifted). I'm off to the Geneva Motor Show in March to take a look, with a view to ordering one of the first in time (hopefully!) for Le Mans - unless the MG is a better blast and significantly cheaper.

[Hugh1]

tbh I prefered the centre console on my Rover 400 which was fundamentally the same, the parts have just been tweaked several times. I think the silver looks incrediably tacky.

[mgsteve]

The silver interior is an optional extra, the standard colours are black or grey so you can choose what colour combination you want to suit the trim colour of your choice, meaning you are not stuck with acres of cheap grey plastic like is most modern cars.
The KV6 is not an option on the current TF, but will be on the GT if it makes it into production.
I am currently looking into changing my current 2003 TF for a new one, but have been disappointed at the initial discounts available on the 2005 spec cars, but expect these will improve considerably when the new 5 is released.
But for me, I’m happy with a 2004 spec car, which I have found some very heavily discounted offers on, and I can always add the ‘improved bits’ at a later date, for a fraction of cost of saving I can make can save by getting a older spec car.

[dinkel]

Barchetta / MR2 anyone?

This's not a looker, new one is yuk, not sexy at all.

They were a hit the first 2 years / but after that? I don't see 'm much but dunno 'bout UK.

[vladd]

For me the TF has too big an arse. For looks I'd say it was closer to a 206CC, than an MX5, and if I wanted to buy a sports car I wouldn't even give the TF a second glance. Hopefully they'll one day produce a proper sportscar to rival the MX-5 and then I'd be interested.

>> Edited by vladd on Wednesday 9th February 11:50

[Toffer]

The heated rear window will be appreciated by the new owners of MG as they will be able to fold it flat and keep their Chinese take-aways warm!

[chickensoup]

turd polishing

[cdp]

chickensoup said:

turd polishing

Unfair, the MGF/TF is an excellent entry level sports car and very reliable. If Hydrogas had been retained I would be tempted, especially with a V6. The understeer in the handling can easily be cured with softer compound front tyres - at expense of wear but easily worth it.

[dinkel]

dinkel said:

Barchetta / MR2 anyone?

Again, they are better are they?

[MGSteve]

Barchetta - LHD, with extortionate insurance and love it or hate it looks. Personally I think its one of the ugliest roadster around, with the possible exception of the Z4.
MR2 - Good design with the engine in the right place but spoilt by bug eyed looks and no thought about practicality when it was designed, non existent load space so useless if you intend doing any touring or what to carry anything larger than a pair of sunglasses. If your not bothered about storage space, get an Elise, its twice the car the MR2 will ever be.
MX-5 - Lacks power, dull plastic interior, storage space still lacking compared to a TF, and looks that don't exactly excite. Hopefully the ‘new’ one will be better, and won’t just be a copy of another car this time.

Understeer is only really present on TF's with 15" wheels fitted to the 135 and 115 models which have 185 profile tyres, and this can easily be cured by fitting 195 or 205 tyres. The 16" wheels found on the 160 give a better balance and neutral handling.