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MG MGF Technical - Buying

Hi there,

I've been looking at some MGFs and MGFTFs to buy and I have a few questions.

What should the brakes feel like? I know this is a bit subjective, but I drove a VVC today and the pedal was firm. The brakes lacked bite. It felt a bit like there was no servo, but not quite as bad as that. Is that normal?

How rattly should the engine be on start-up? I tried a Trophy 160 which seemed 'quite' rattly, it died down a bit but was still there after a minute or two of running...

Lastly, and I suppose there will be split opinion on this one, but should I go for an expensive MGF or a cheap mgtf? - I'm looking at VVCs, Trophy 160s and TF160s around £5k.

Thanks for your help,

Neil
Neil22

>>How rattly should the engine be on start-up? I tried a Trophy 160 which seemed 'quite' rattly, it died down a bit but was still there after a minute or two of running...


A bit rattly to start with, but if it continues, I would say the oil needs topping. (On my vvc, anyway)

The brakes thing - what brakes/car are you used to. To give us a benchmark?

Personally, I prefer the F with a splitter added for looks etc. But the TF suspension may be better.
Ddraig

My daily driver is a Mondeo estate with the 155bhp TDCi - so the brakes are big front and rear, with ABS, Electronic Brake Force Distribution, Emergency Brake Assist. But I've also got an MGB GT running green stuff V8 pads, previously used M1171 pads.

The F's brakes didn't seem to stop the car, I was pushing harder and harder to not much effect. Of course, the salesman didn't think there was anything wrong with them. But then again, he 'failed to notice' that it was sweltering in the car and was therefore 'surprised' that when it was my turn to drive I couldn't turn the heating off...

N
Neil22

The weak brakes are a feature of the F. There are quite a number of threads about this in the archive. Not sure if they were ever made without a servo, but I suspect not. The solution is to fit one of the aftermarket kits, but you may have to fit 16" wheels as well. Rob Bell has a lot of experience in this department.

The normal brake feel can be a it spongy as well and the solution is to fit a reinforcing bracket to the servo and repalce the rubber brake hoses with braided steel units.

Chris

Chris
Chris

This thread was discussed on 07/03/2008

MG MGF Technical index

This thread is from the archive. The Live MG MGF Technical BBS is active now.