Finding The Right Car - Advice Please

[cbjroms]

Looking for a sports car that wont cost silly money and yet has a bit of character with a high 'grin' factor.

First thought was that the later, MGTFs are more power with a bit more refinement and would be the most fun.

Drove an MG TF (2002, 1.8i) this morning, really liked it but found the ride quite hard.

Been talking to someone who has an MGF for sale which has been uprated to 160bhp and this car has the hyrdrogas suspension which is supposed(?) to give a much better ride.

I am not looking for a track car but one that my wife and I can enjoy on a sunny, summer day out in the new forest. Is the MGTF a more superior car and can its suspension be asily softened? Or is the MGF a much more comfortable 'cruiser'? Is a 160bhp MGF a perfect compromise?

[nigelandjo]

The MGF is a softer more compliant ride (unless it's an F Trophy which is lowered and stiffened). The TF has firmer more sporting suspension, unless you get a a late 2005 model year onwards car ~ you can always change to the later set up . In general use you won't notice the difference between a 143bhp MGF and a 160bhp car. Would suggest having a ride in an F and see how it compares to a TF.

[talkingcars]

Hi and welcome to the forum.

My advice is to try several variations until you find what you like.

Don't get hung up on the power, my early VVC MGF is only a 143bhp but is quicker than our old MG ZR 160 which has the same engine as the MGTF 160.

James

[cbjroms]

Thanks guys,

Is the hydragas suspension on the MGF likely to become unsupportable in the next few years? Just thinking that there are very few other models needing hydagas servicing and spares, so is there a chance that the parts/service will become unavailable?

[Charless]

Unsupportable in the next few years? Absolutely not!
There are several (slightly differing) techniques and commercial providers for reconditioning/gassing spheres. The system of gas/fluid suspension is (in my opinion, vastly) superior to springs and shock absorbers. Gas/fluid is also very reliable compared to spring/shock systems of similar age. If you do no maintenance they can both break over time; the difference being that any idiot can replace springs and shockers, whereas a little understanding is needed for gas/fluid systems.

[cbjroms]

Thanks Charles,

Can the hydragas be mainted by a home mechanic or does it need particular equipment to top-up?

PS: I see you are local to me. Do you know of any good MGF/MGTF for sale in our area?

[MrNatural]

I have two Trophy's and both have had replacement reconditioned hydragas spheres whilst in my ownership, and both drive great and really comfortable. I have owned a TF in the past which had the 'comfort' shocks fitted and that was about the same comfort level oo I reckon

[Reckless Rat]

If the hydragas system is in good working order, it needs no maintenance. Once the fluid side is pressurised and the car is at the correct ride height it should be fine. However the nitrogen in the upper part of the suspension spheres escapes very slowly by osmosis so a sphere that's over 20 years old is probably depleted of gas and needs to be recharged. Whilst there are "DIY" solutions I would advise that the spheres are passed to a specialist for re-gassing. Once re-gassed, and providing the spheres aren't damaged you'll have a system that's good to go for at least 15 years. Re-gassed spheres can be refilled with nitrogen if necessary. Ride quality on good spheres is very good.

An MGF with depleted spheres will ride like a plank, and damage is likely due to the hydraulic lock.

[Rob Bell]

Looking for a sports car that wont cost silly money and yet has a bit of character with a high 'grin' factor.

First thought was that the later, MGTFs are more power with a bit more refinement and would be the most fun.

Drove an MG TF (2002, 1.8i) this morning, really liked it but found the ride quite hard.

Been talking to someone who has an MGF for sale which has been uprated to 160bhp and this car has the hyrdrogas suspension which is supposed(?) to give a much better ride.

I am not looking for a track car but one that my wife and I can enjoy on a sunny, summer day out in the new forest. Is the MGTF a more superior car and can its suspension be asily softened? Or is the MGF a much more comfortable 'cruiser'? Is a 160bhp MGF a perfect compromise?

Agree with the guys regarding all the advice.

To me, it sounds as though you are looking for a sorted MGF (with re-gasses hydragas spheres) or a TF with the Bilstein damper upgrade, or a model year 2005 or later TF that have softened off suspension to improve ride quality.