MGTF 160 info please

Sneaky Peaky

Sneaky Peaky

Sneaky Peaky

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Joined
21 Jan 2003
Posts
2,499
Location
Farnborough, Hants
Thinking of getting one for the summer. I actually had one for a while a few years back and did enjoy it. Looks like there are plenty of low mileage ones around for about 5K although would go up to £7k for a good one. Fancy an Xpower grey one with leather/alcantara if you spot one :cool:

Other than the obligatory HGF is there anything else worth knowing ? Any particular extras/spec I should look for ? Believe there was an update around 04/05 ?

Cheers
Pete
 
As you aware the K series engine is prone to HGF, low mileage can help. Coolant level needs contstant watching. As a previous owner, i would never go back from the current Audi TT. The 160 comes with the upgraded alloys, AP TF160 brake kit.


SP1, SP2 and SP3 were options offered on new TF's by MG, the SP stands for Sport Pack. These are the descriptions taken from the 1st January 2004 official price list.
bullet SP1 - Lowered - 10mm & uprated suspension.
bullet SP2 - Uprated front disc brakes and calipers, 16" eleven spoke alloys
bullet SP3 - Uprated front disc brakes and calipers, 16" Ultra lightweight alloys
The uprated front disc brakes and calipers consisted of 304mm discs and AP 4 pot racing calipers.

Also when checking the car out make sure of no WATER LEAKS

water leaks check: -

- Plastic cheaters around the wing-mirrors (Very visible)
- Rear window (Shouldn't allow any drips)
- Top of side windows (There's quite often a visible gap but water doesn't get through surprisingly!)
- Behind the shoulder line where the door meets the roof
- Front footwells (Cabin air intake)
- Seatbelt anchorage points
- Boot (Nowhere should leak)

Hope this helps?
 
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Cheers for the info - what sort of MPG did you get from yours ? From memory I think I used to get around late twenties which isn't too bad for sub 7 secs 0-60 ;)

Do they run on normal UL / benefit from Vpower ?

Any details on the model refresh ?
 
Yeah the model refresh is as above adding an optional SP pack.

MPG is around 25 - 35 depent on driving style. As for sub 7 secs i would say that figure was done testing downhill ;)

As for Vpower i noticed no diffrence, i went through around 5 tank fulls and did not see anything.
 
Definitely go for it :) lots of anti-MG stigma on here, but HGF aside, and it is a big problem if it occurs, they are very nice cars. My gf has had her MGF for just undr 18 months now, bought it for £3000, had some things that needed doing that she was aware of, mostly bushes, coolant pipe was replaced with SS, exhaust mountings worn, just little things that needed putting right, nothing major and nothing major since, new tyres, new wheels (by choice), all in all has been a realy good, reliable car, decent enough economy (she gets 35-38 from her 118hp 1.8i, great little car she enjoys it, I took it out on saturday with the roof off and just made me grin, not the fastest car out there in the standard 1.8 guise, but just a lot of fun with a nice enough bit of low down power, just the knda fun a small convertible should be :)

Get one thats been looked after wel and you'll be fine, if you do get HGF, its not always something you've done, or lack of care, more that your actions don't always preceed it, it chooses you! :D

Go get one and enjoy the summer with it :)
 
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The TF 160 in the Trophy Blue colour... nice car. No ridiculous spoiler like on some of less hot variants. Torquey engine. Not a particular light car and the suspension is rock hard - probably 3x harder than say an Elise. The roof is comedy to put up... it's very much a velcro, pops and buttons and zips type design :D

Watch out for corrosion on the alloys. At least on my folks' old one the alloys were beginning to corrode and it had only done like 10k miles.
 
Nightmare car, sister had one which had HGF twice, the problem seems to be the airflow into the engine compartment or lack of.

Avoid at all costs, btw to repair a head gasket on these is expensive also as they are a b**ch to work on.
 
NathanE said:
The TF 160 in the Trophy Blue colour... nice car. No ridiculous spoiler like on some of less hot variants. Torquey engine. Not a particular light car and the suspension is rock hard - probably 3x harder than say an Elise. The roof is comedy to put up... it's very much a velcro, pops and buttons and zips type design :D

Watch out for corrosion on the alloys. At least on my folks' old one the alloys were beginning to corrode and it had only done like 10k miles.
Click to expand...

I'll have whatever you've been drinking :D

OT, I think there is a kind of 'fix' for the HGF that involves a different gasket etc?
 
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There is probably 2 or 3 known "fixes" for the HGF... the most popular is to install a PRRT, pressure release remote thermostat... this works quite well on K's with long coolant lines (i.e. when mid/rear mounted) with the rad at the front. Another is to install toughened dowels in the block and another is the uprated gasket itself. Most people do all three after their first HGF and it is a long long time until it happens again... usually ;)

Get an AA plan that includes a Parts and Labour warranty and don't worry about it.
 
That’s all very well but when you lose your car for a week because of the first HGF you will start to think - why did I bother! On top of that the ride in these is bone crunching and rickety anyway and that’s on the standard rims.

Just too finally add insult to injury from the ride, you will get all the chavs trying to get up beside you to look at the “GIRL” in the MGF, because let’s face it, no self respecting man would be seen dead in one of these over the competition i.e. MX5 & MR2.

Finally the colour, yes that is a factory spray job.
 
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Sneaky Peaky - I recommend you give Ralph at EMS a call in Kent.
http://www.mgr-service.com/

He is EXTREMELY knowledgeable with pretty much anything to do with MG's and Rovers, he'll be able to give you all the advice you want and answer any questions you have. :)
 
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