LE500 VIN range

[robhawkins]

I am writing an article for MG Enthusiast magazine on the LE500 and would like to help readers identify a genuine car according to the VIN plate. I don't want to print the exact range of VINs as this could be used fraudulently. Instead, I want to explain what the VIN should contain without giving too much away. I appreciate the VIN range starts at 251 on the LE500, but I understand this is the case with many MGs. Can anyone help please? If it's easier, call me on 07932 190756. And I'm always looking out for good MGFs an TFs to feature in the magazine, so please contact me if you have something of interest.

[adrianclifford]

I'll give you a call Rob (sorted)

[Rob Bell]

Very easy to spot a Chinese era MGTF from the VIN - as the manufacturer is no longer Rover or MG Rover group, the manufacturer part of the VIN code changed from "R" to a "P".

All "British" era cars' VIN start SAARD. All "Chinese" era cars' VIN start SDPRD

Easy peasy

But for the LE500, I think Adrian is in the best position to identify the actual VIN range. The majority of Chinese era TFs are likely to be LE500s I think - final production numbers were disappointingly low.

How are you doing Rob - it's been a while! Must catch up some time.

[Art]

Rob, does your comment mean that there were less of my TF 135's built than the LE versions ? just interested that is all

[Rob Bell]

Yes, oddly the "series production" TF135 are, I believe, rarer than the LE500 - which of course was never the intent of MG Motor/ NAC/SAIC!

[adrianclifford]

Rob, does your comment mean that there were less of my TF 135's built than the LE versions ? just interested that is all

Yes Art, it's all in FasTForward. There were 67 pre-production MY2008 TF's, 500 LE500's and 416 TF135's

How are you and Christine ?, long time no hear.

[richandpaula]

Haha - Only MG could be responsible for producing less 'Normal' cars than a 'Limited Edition' run!

[ErikB]

There were 67 pre-production MY2008 TF's, 500 LE500's and 416 TF135's

Does those 416 TF's include the LE85th versions ?

Yes Erik, so in fact as Rich pointed out there were even less "normal" cars, only 366 TF135's

[adrianclifford]

There were 67 pre-production MY2008 TF's, 500 LE500's and 416 TF135's

Does those 416 TF's include the LE85th versions ?

Yes Erik, so in fact as Rich pointed out there were even less "normal" cars, only 366 TF135's

[Rob Bell]

So it should have been the "500 Common Edition"!

[adrianclifford]

Don't tell the LE500 owners Rob, it may devalue their cars

[Rob Bell]

Ooops!

[richandpaula]

Oy! - I can read you know...

[ErikB]

There were 67 pre-production MY2008 TF's, 500 LE500's and 416 TF135's

Does those 416 TF's include the LE85th versions ?

Yes Erik, so in fact as Rich pointed out there were even less "normal" cars, only 366 TF135's

And from those 366 TF135's, some of them are MY2008 (or is it 2009 ?) with the new side mirrors and others are not.
Dividing both groups into smaller numbers again .... so they are even even more limited

[Rob Bell]

From: http://mgf.ultimatemg.com/group1/2005/N ... /index.htm - almost 9 years ago to the day...

MG sources still say that production of 20,000 cars (over two to three years) is still on the cards for the Ardmore MG assembly facility in Oklahoma, however, along with up to 20,000 units a year to be assembled at Longbridge. European sales are still said to be scheduled for June, with US sales following a year later, in 2008. Marc Nuttle, the chief investor in Oklahoma Global Motors, dismissed Hale's departure as a major blow to bring MG to Oklahoma. Under revised plans, Nuttle foresees to production of 20,000 cars in Oklahoma and 20,000 more in Longbridge, over the next two to three years, and expects to sign license agreements with Nanjing by March 31st to allow him to build MG kit cars in the States.

I suspect that they might have been a bit disappointed with less than 1000 sales over the same period. Of course, had the US deal gone through, the story had the potential to be a little different...

[adrianclifford]

Erik, subject to confirmation, actually seeing the first car, only the 2010 cars, those with A preceding the number ie DWBKCAD0001002 -001156 should have the larger mirrors. DWBKC9D001001 (which happens to be sitting in front of my garage at the moment), is the last of the 85th's (the one I was going to buy before I cancelled the order back in 2009) and it has the usual mirrors so I need to find 001002 and look. It may prove this is not the case of course but I need to find out.

[Fraser]

Just out of interest, which of the Chinese TF production got the N-Series engine ? Mine has one as its a TF 135 registered in January 2010. Only way of easily telling is a sticker on the driver door shutface.

[adrianclifford]

All of them Fraser. There are a few different dressing codes but they are all N series including the pre-production cars.

There should also be a sticker on the cam belt cover (may have fallen off) and a stamp on the engine block.