MGF, common faults?
21-09-2005, 03:45 PM
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MGF, common faults?
Mums getting rid of her shonky escort and is considering an MGF as they fall into the price bracket she wants to spend, she was looking at a focus or similar but thinks she should go for the MG while she's young enough to appreciate it 
I dont know much to check for apart from the obvious accident repair's/paint and panel gaps etc, what about engine stuff, did i read that the K series suffer's head gasket problems? does this affect the MGF? Anymore info would be very helpful
I dont know much to check for apart from the obvious accident repair's/paint and panel gaps etc, what about engine stuff, did i read that the K series suffer's head gasket problems? does this affect the MGF? Anymore info would be very helpful
21-09-2005, 03:57 PM
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Yep head gasket and water leaks from my mates experience 
and not that easy to work on with the engine at the back
personally wouldnt bother but each to there own
and not that easy to work on with the engine at the back
personally wouldnt bother but each to there own
21-09-2005, 05:43 PM
#6
Originally Posted by Itsmeagain
Check for dried poo/cum mix accidently smeared on various places due to the last last likely owners sexual activites with his "life partner"
MGF, LEAVE IT ALONE!!
Seriously.
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21-09-2005, 07:15 PM
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the k series engine come with plastic dowels between the head and block and when they gey old they crumble and the head moves. thats what makes the gasket go.if its been replaced before the new gaskets come with metal dowels to stop that happening. the rear shock bottom bushes normally fall out after a while and the rear trailing arm bushes wear quite bad too. the rads normally rot on them too if she does get one tell her to get the vvc they come with half leather and some other extras and their faster hope that was enough help sorry if it dont make much sense didnt do very well in english 
21-09-2005, 08:11 PM
#10
I can do my head gasket in under 1 hour, its not a big job. But a recent change on one on a MGF took me nearly 6 hours
Whilst the idea of putting the engine in the back appeals to some, my shovel sized hands couldn't fit down most of the gaps 
Look out for water pump problems, and as above bushes on the rear are prone to wear.
Emisions can go haywire if there is a sign of HGF so if its due for MOT it could fail.
Whilst the idea of putting the engine in the back appeals to some, my shovel sized hands couldn't fit down most of the gaps
Look out for water pump problems, and as above bushes on the rear are prone to wear.
Emisions can go haywire if there is a sign of HGF so if its due for MOT it could fail.
21-09-2005, 08:15 PM
#11
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They're not THAT bad! Do all the usual checks and you should be ok.
Head gaskets apart - they're made of reasonably proven parts. Its basicaly a Metro based kit car made by Rover!
Usually driven by older women (no offence to yer mum!) and have an easy life.
Head gaskets apart - they're made of reasonably proven parts. Its basicaly a Metro based kit car made by Rover!
Usually driven by older women (no offence to yer mum!) and have an easy life.
21-09-2005, 08:38 PM
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They leak like the titanic. They eat rear tyres. They dent if you touch them and all the nice atributes of a Rover K -Series engine eg head gaskets/oil leaks
21-09-2005, 08:45 PM
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Originally Posted by EIL132
MGF's are cheap because they are that, shit Built quality is shocking, buy an MX5, even an older one 
Built quality is shocking, buy an MX5, even an older one
21-09-2005, 08:58 PM
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yup, i know a car dealer and he tells me the hood leaks on em, so check the interior for wet carpets etc
Its a rover, head gaskets are awful.
Get onto www.whatcar.co.uk for spec n report
Its a rover, head gaskets are awful.
Get onto www.whatcar.co.uk for spec n report
21-09-2005, 11:16 PM
#19
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I've heard that the MGF chassis is based on 2 Metro subframes...is this true??? If so I think I'd be givin it a miss if I were you!!!!!
Oh yeah & they leak ALOT - I know of one car that went back to the dealers 6 times & they still couldnt stop it pissing in!!!
Oh yeah & they leak ALOT - I know of one car that went back to the dealers 6 times & they still couldnt stop it pissing in!!!
22-09-2005, 02:21 AM
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mate had a low milege vvc one, it spat a plug out, head gasket went on another occasion, the vvc unit was worse than a diesel and the wind noise was terrible, it also leaked through the window in serious rain., couldnt see shit out of the rear window, (lost 7k value in less than a year although thats not a bad thing if your buying)
heater was top notch though your mum will love one, cheap as chips, not bad to drive and you can pretend to be a hair stylists cum bucket if you choose to drive it 
if your buying)heater was top notch though
your mum will love one, cheap as chips, not bad to drive and you can pretend to be a hair stylists cum bucket if you choose to drive it
22-09-2005, 07:29 AM
#22
Legend
The VVC engine is shite, avoid the MGF, ignore anyone that says "oh my mates had one and it was good", we've had quite a few and stopped bothering with them because they're nothing but fucking trouble.
If she wants a decent, relaible car with a removable roof, the later Honda CRX's are great value for money
If she wants a decent, relaible car with a removable roof, the later Honda CRX's are great value for money
22-09-2005, 05:47 PM
#27
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Just done a quick look on AutoTrader and found almost a whole page of 2000 registered MX5's for Ł6500. You should have no probs getting one. A few were garage sales as well
22-09-2005, 07:25 PM
#29
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MGF.......Two front Metro subframes joined together with baked bean cans (not even Heinz) .....then covered in plastercene.
Coolant transfer tubes from mid engine to radiator at the front, corrode, causes coolant loss, pops head gasket, replace tubes with stainless ones before they go, and fit modified type head gasket.
When refilling the coolant, getting air out of the system involves jacking the car up at an angle and filling slowly, otherwise you will be changing the head gasket the next day.
Subframe mounts allow the subframes to float about, so when hitting potholes it will jump across the road. Solid mounts are available.
Dont try and work on the engine without removing the soft-top completely, the rear window WILL break.
Coolant transfer tubes from mid engine to radiator at the front, corrode, causes coolant loss, pops head gasket, replace tubes with stainless ones before they go, and fit modified type head gasket.
When refilling the coolant, getting air out of the system involves jacking the car up at an angle and filling slowly, otherwise you will be changing the head gasket the next day.
Subframe mounts allow the subframes to float about, so when hitting potholes it will jump across the road. Solid mounts are available.
Dont try and work on the engine without removing the soft-top completely, the rear window WILL break.
22-09-2005, 07:44 PM
#30
I've found that life I needed.. It's HERE!!
thought about a 306???
1999 T Reg PEUGEOT 306 2.02 Doors, Manual, Cabriolet, Petrol, 43,724 miles, Orange, MOT-05-2006, 2 Owners. ABS, Adjustable seats, Adjustable steering column/wheel, Alloy wheels, Driver airbag, Electric mirrors, Electric windows, Foglights, Head restraints, Immobiliser, Passenger airbag, Power assisted steering, Remote locking, Sports seats, CD Multichanger, Central locking, Cloth upholstery, Colour coding - Body, Full service history, Heated screen, Locking wheel nuts, Metallic paintwork, Radio, Radio/Cassette, Sideskirts, Sunblind, Sunroof, Wood/wood effect trim. Insurance Group:14, Convertable, CD Multichanger Ł6,590.
fall within your price range, fun to drive, fast enough for your mum , look good, reliable enough, hold there value well, and cheap parts/servicing
1999 T Reg PEUGEOT 306 2.02 Doors, Manual, Cabriolet, Petrol, 43,724 miles, Orange, MOT-05-2006, 2 Owners. ABS, Adjustable seats, Adjustable steering column/wheel, Alloy wheels, Driver airbag, Electric mirrors, Electric windows, Foglights, Head restraints, Immobiliser, Passenger airbag, Power assisted steering, Remote locking, Sports seats, CD Multichanger, Central locking, Cloth upholstery, Colour coding - Body, Full service history, Heated screen, Locking wheel nuts, Metallic paintwork, Radio, Radio/Cassette, Sideskirts, Sunblind, Sunroof, Wood/wood effect trim. Insurance Group:14, Convertable, CD Multichanger Ł6,590.
fall within your price range, fun to drive, fast enough for your mum
, look good, reliable enough, hold there value well, and cheap parts/servicing
23-09-2005, 09:48 PM
#31
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I've worked on a few MGF's and think they're fine tbh. Yes head gaskets go, but they look alright, they go alright, they look good with the roof up & handle ok. It's not badly built either. Yes it uses Metro sub frames but it does the job who cares?
Personally i'd avoid the MX5 more than the MG they rust bad, cambelt is awkward, door handles are a shit idea.
306 cabbies are shite aswell, the roof leaks everywhere, the hydraulics on the roof is a very bad design, and expensive when it goes wrong, heater matrixs are a common fault & theres loads of chassis flex.
& if you consider the Saab 900 then don't thats awful aswell.
Personally i'd avoid the MX5 more than the MG they rust bad, cambelt is awkward, door handles are a shit idea.
306 cabbies are shite aswell, the roof leaks everywhere, the hydraulics on the roof is a very bad design, and expensive when it goes wrong, heater matrixs are a common fault & theres loads of chassis flex.
& if you consider the Saab 900 then don't thats awful aswell.
23-09-2005, 10:21 PM
#32
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Mx-5 
....my mum has a red one and can't even get a go in it she loves it so much..
Dear Matts mum: If you aren't fat (like Phils step mum who needed a shoe horn to get in hers ) buy one...never broken down, never had a problem with it
....my mum has a red one and can't even get a go in it she loves it so much.. Dear Matts mum: If you aren't fat (like Phils step mum who needed a shoe horn to get in hers
) buy one...never broken down, never had a problem with it
23-09-2005, 10:40 PM
#33
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a bloke i worked with brought one, done 6k, rings went, but his new engine done 2k now has been ok, dont know how long though till the headgasket goes
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