The MGF Register Forums

Howdy all! I'm delving into the world of MG cars, focusing on the MGF model. What are your personal experiences with the MGF? Any maintenance tips, performance upgrades, or memorable road trip stories you'd love to share with a fellow enthusiast?

The best place to start could be to look through the forum. There is a massive amount of information and experience here.

When you say you are looking to delve into MG cars, is this as a research project, acquiring the skills to work on these cars or with a view to looking out for one to buy and drive at some point ?

Having been running MG TFs and MGFs as a daily driver since 2005. No real problems experienced. Have probably driven 150K miles in them in that time.

This year I will have owned my TF for 20 years, the first 10 years as my daily driver with no real problems, the more you use them the reliable they are.

Our MGF is in the family for about 25 years, followed by a TF some decade ago. The F is an early car, a bit sensitive to servicing and well care. We use this one only for foreign trips and leasure as the car has been modified over the years. Performance wise: modified air filter, 52 mm TB, Trophy head, 4,2,1 manifold, sportscat, original damper (for what remains in it as damping material), AP front brakes, 280mm rear, polybush all around. Including various brackets and supports. (Lost count over the years)
Do I love the car; quite obvious, it is contagious.
The TF is a very late one 2005, steppy. Almost standard, OK, K-maps did their job (well!) and tweaking with brakes is needed to remain safe.

I have a bog standard Mk1 MGF 1.8i which I have owned for 16 years. It has covered 117,000 miles and is perfectly reliable, although I did replace the head gasket several years ago at 80K miles (Land Rover modification multi-layer gasket). I am gearing up for an Italy trip in it at the end of the month. I do all my own maintenance because I'm Scottish and tighter than a submarine's window.

BillJordan wrote: ↑

Wed Mar 06, 2024 5:14 am

Howdy all! I'm delving into the world of MG cars, focusing on the MGF model. What are your personal experiences with the MGF? Any maintenance tips, performance upgrades, or memorable road trip stories you'd love to share with a fellow enthusiast?

For what they are worth (not much, some would say) here are my thoughts:
1. Why MGF rather than TF?

I prefer the look of the F, but chose a TF because:
a. Chassis is stiffer and Spring suspension avoids issues with Hydragas Spheres which have (probably) lost most or all of the nitrogen (which is what should/did provide the nice combination of ride, anti-roll stiffness & good handling)
b. Rear suspension of the TF was changed to (amongst other things) eliminate the top swivel, which should be greased but probably has not seen a grease gun for 20 years!

You mention "Performance upgrades" The VVC TFs were good for 160bhp. Better air intake/filter arrangements and other tweaks gave standard 1.8 TFs 135bhp. Apart from Trophys, MOST Fs had slightly less, but perhaps marginally less weight: the Jury is out.
The one thing I regret on my TF purchase is NOT choosing the Sportpack version with bigger "AP" brakes. I found the standard brakes underwhelming, even compared with a 30 year old Kit car with brakes designed in the 1970's Vauxhall Viva/Magnum base car.
I have now fitted 280mm discs and a system which moves the standard, single-piston calliper outboard, which has greatly increased brake sensitivity & power, but it is still very much less sensitive than any modern car I have driven.

Let us know what your preferences are, and what you finally buy