Discussion
Hi
Looking at MGFT's and specifically the 120 or 160. Anything I should be looking out for in particular - ie servicing/cam belt changes - looking to pay around 8-9k so hoping to get a fairly low mileage good example. Also are the running costs fairly 'normal' ir mpg? Looking to use all year round - would hardtop be advisable?
Any help appreciated.
Thanks
Looking at MGFT's and specifically the 120 or 160. Anything I should be looking out for in particular - ie servicing/cam belt changes - looking to pay around 8-9k so hoping to get a fairly low mileage good example. Also are the running costs fairly 'normal' ir mpg? Looking to use all year round - would hardtop be advisable?
Any help appreciated.
Thanks
Head gasket, even though its a rarer case on the TF it still happens. You shouldn't have any problems with the suspension since MGR got rid of the Hydrogas units for proper springs.
Hardtop yes, with any Convertible I would recommend a Hardtop.
Theres a few on ebay every now and then, failing that try these guys...
www.ukmgparts.co.uk Brown & Gammons MG Specialists.
Hardtop yes, with any Convertible I would recommend a Hardtop.
Theres a few on ebay every now and then, failing that try these guys...
www.ukmgparts.co.uk Brown & Gammons MG Specialists.
Erm, in all honesty I had my head gasket go and there was no change in performance and no extra smoke etc.
The only way I could tell it had gone was that the car used a lot of coolant over space of a few days. I was luck though, we had caught the problem pretty much at the very start so it didn't cause any damage.
As far as cars with a HG replacememt, I would suggest is ask to look at the history and see where it was done. If it is a dealer or a K-Series specialist you should be ok as you have somewhere to go back to in the unlikely event you need to go back.
If you do get a TF and the HG fails on you, use the Landrover k-series head gasket (Freelander 1.8k-series), its their own creation and is a heavy duty gasket, much better than the MGR one. But use the MGR Gasket set for the inlet and exhaust manifold gaskets etc.
>> Edited by bullitt rich on Monday 15th May 16:48
The only way I could tell it had gone was that the car used a lot of coolant over space of a few days. I was luck though, we had caught the problem pretty much at the very start so it didn't cause any damage.
As far as cars with a HG replacememt, I would suggest is ask to look at the history and see where it was done. If it is a dealer or a K-Series specialist you should be ok as you have somewhere to go back to in the unlikely event you need to go back.
If you do get a TF and the HG fails on you, use the Landrover k-series head gasket (Freelander 1.8k-series), its their own creation and is a heavy duty gasket, much better than the MGR one. But use the MGR Gasket set for the inlet and exhaust manifold gaskets etc.
>> Edited by bullitt rich on Monday 15th May 16:48
reubsta said:
Hi
Looking at MGFT's and specifically the 120 or 160. Anything I should be looking out for in particular - ie servicing/cam belt changes - looking to pay around 8-9k so hoping to get a fairly low mileage good example. Also are the running costs fairly 'normal' ir mpg? Looking to use all year round - would hardtop be advisable?
Any help appreciated.
Thanks
The 120 will be the `Stepspeed` model ie semi-automatic, the 160 is a manual!.
Cambelt/s (there are 2 on the 160 VVC) should be changed at 60K miles OR 4 years, WHICHEVER comes first!!..
As said check for signs of cross contamination of fluids (HGF) allthough with your budjet you should be able to get one of the later models which had the PRT (Pressure Remote Thermostat) fitted which was designed to help prevent HGF........ IIRC these were fitted from 04 onwards!.
Other than that check electric`s ie C/Locking and power windows as both of these have been known to fail early!..
Also check for signs of cabin leaks...... usual place is the door cheaters (the triangle plastic bit the mirrors fix to), and check the windows make a good tight seal `against`(not overlap) the hood rubbers when closed!.
Good luck!.
Ps....... get a 160!!!
>> Edited by MarK Leonard on Monday 15th May 17:25
Good choice sir!
All sounds like good advice to me. Of course, it doesn't stop the paranoia after having agreed to buy one (should be picking mine up later this week - '03 160 in gunmetal
). I was fairly relaxed about the whole thing, but in the time between paying for it and picking it up I can't help myself doubting whether I checked everything thoroughly enough.
Ah well, it's only money!
All sounds like good advice to me. Of course, it doesn't stop the paranoia after having agreed to buy one (should be picking mine up later this week - '03 160 in gunmetal
). I was fairly relaxed about the whole thing, but in the time between paying for it and picking it up I can't help myself doubting whether I checked everything thoroughly enough. Ah well, it's only money!
A hardtop isn't strictly necessary, the standard roof keeps the elements out, however we found that in winter a hardtop with a light inner trim makes the inside of the car a more pleasant place than the dark inner of the softop.
Also the TF looks lovely with the hardtop on, a proper baby coupe.
Should be able to get a decent secondhand genuine MG hardtop for around 500 quid. The 160 should also have the heated rear window switch fitted already.
>> Edited by Yugguy on Tuesday 16th May 07:53
Also the TF looks lovely with the hardtop on, a proper baby coupe.
Should be able to get a decent secondhand genuine MG hardtop for around 500 quid. The 160 should also have the heated rear window switch fitted already.
>> Edited by Yugguy on Tuesday 16th May 07:53
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