standard air filter model change

[RobboMC]

I have had problems sourcing a standard air filter for my 1998 model year F - 120 PS MPi - with original air box.

Here's a quick snap of the old one and the larger new one I was supplied by the local industry.

So my filter is 267 x 108 x 65 ( if you include the layer of fluff on the top ) I found a match to MANN C2774/1, a nice German company.

The other filter (Ryco A1682 ) is 294 x 142 x 49 and is ( I assume ) the correct fitment for a 135 PS or 143 PS VVC.

My question is: when did the model change to the bigger filter?

Is it as simple as the TF in 2002, or did the VVC F and/or Trophy F have this larger filter prior to 2002?

I am now the model rep for the Sydney MGCC and I plan to harass the parts supply industry here until the little anomaly gets fixed up.
One supplier just offers 3 different filters for all F/TF enquiries and you choose your filter!

Rimmers show the model change as:

Application-MGF VIN YD522573 on, MG TF

From memory, I got a filter originally from B&G and a second replacement from the Sydney MG Centre. This is the first time I've gone to the parts industry.

[Steve White]

I believe the change to the larger filter and airbox coincided with the introduction of MEMS3 in 2001.
Certainly the MGF trophy uses the larger filter, as does our 2001 MPi Mk2 F, which is MEMS3.

[Rob Bell]

Yes, I think you're right Steve MGF 160 also had an extra air intake, shared, I think, with all TF models. That'd be the one I'd go for.

BTW, the larger filter housing will not fit on the early airbox mounting - you'll need the mounting bracket along with the airbox itself