60 replies to this topic

[TZ_86]

Before I fell in love with VX220 I was looking to get myself a MG TF 1.8 135 or 160 bhp. The only thing that stopped me from buying it was that it is so damn unreliable, it has a serious problem with head gasket as it has K series engine. Since I'm not based in UK this posed a serious problem to me, so I decided to wait. Than I saw the VX and instantly wanted one, so I'm almost ready to buy it, but today I saw TF advertisement again and wondered what if......

Ok to cut to the chase, I've never seen neither of the cars so I want to know what do you think of a TF, how does it look, has anyone driven it, know someone who has it, any experience with it,.....any comment is greatly appreciated.



It is a cool looking car, proper english car.

Edited by TZ_86, 15 February 2010 - 11:59 PM.

[Bobby]

Doesn't look like a bad car, but my personal preference is (or was, I should say) a Toyota MR2 (MK3). I haven't driven an MG TF, but most usually say the handling is better on the MR2. From a reliability point of view, I don't think there's much contest . Obviously, neither are in the same league as the VX

[TIP]

have always thought the TF was a good looking car (from the right angle and if you squint a fair bit there is a hint of DB9) I had a 200VI previously and had zero HG problems (some do some dont) bear in mind though that the pic you have posted is heavily photoshopped

[Mangham54]

To be perfectly honest, there are many moans about the head gasket issue on the k-seriEs, but if you keep your eye out on it should the head gasket start to let go, then you can get it replaced for less than a timing belt chain (EDIT) change on the VX220 N/A.

I have had two k-series Rover/MG's and they have not been a spot of bother, other than a exhaust and catalytic convertor that rusted through on my first car. Between the two they have covered 50k+ miles. Additionally you are more likely to be able to pick up a reasonably priced warranty that will even cover against HGF should it ever happen.

As for driving the TF was the TopGear favourite when it was released. I also thought they are rather fun to drive... Not as remarkable as the VX, but as a daily driver and to keep maintenance costs down then it is a very good car.

Getting ready to be burned!

Edited by Mangham54, 16 February 2010 - 08:19 AM.

[jazzyjeff]

it is so damn unreliable, it has a serious problem with head gasket as it has K series engine.

No it's not!

If you look into it, most HG problems are due either to excessive tuning, crap BMW approved gaskets, poor owner maintenance or revving the nuts off it when cold. Ok so you could hardly call the K-series over-engineered (and maybe the 2.5 was a stretch too far) and a truly great engine would resist prolonged ill treatment, but there's nothing fundamental with the design.

If you are looking at TFs, you want to spend at least as much time checking for rust, interior water damage and the condition of the hood and its mechanism

JJ

[peterg]

then you can get it replaced for less than a timing belt change on the VX220 N/A.

Hmmm, and there's me thinking the NA has a chain...

[Mangham54]

The 2.5 was the KV6 and not a real k-series engine though, was it? As for the k-series I have been told numerous times that should you purhase a post 2003 production engine they were fitted with a better Head Gasket and are therefore less prone to failure. Rust is an issue to keep an eye out for, but no more so than any other car with steel chassis & shell. Remember though, you are on a dedicated VX220 owners forum and therefore the opinion is going to be somewhat biased, as for the roof mechanism, they can become a little tricky - as you will find with just about any convertible mechanism (at least it is not motor driven as they can be £££££££££ to fix) but if it is looked after and kept well cleaned and oiled then it should be a problem. As with any car, it will be a good car if you go in knowing what you are looking for and what to expect.

[Mangham54]

then you can get it replaced for less than a timing belt change on the VX220 N/A.

Hmmm, and there's me thinking the NA has a chain...

I did mean chain......

[Garry.L]

Owned a TF160 before my VX and it was a cracking car, it's got decent performance and handling and is much the pretier car than the MX/MR... HG's are a problem and build quality is not the best, but they are much cheaper to buy than a similar MX/MR so do the right checks and get a good one, and they can make a cracking value roadster. The picture above is a photoshop by the way,IIRC it's from an advert for the front bumper mod.

[cheeky_chops]

it is so damn unreliable, it has a serious problem with head gasket as it has K series engine.

No it's not!

If you look into it, most HG problems are due either to excessive tuning, crap BMW approved gaskets, poor owner maintenance or revving the nuts off it when cold. Ok so you could hardly call the K-series over-engineered (and maybe the 2.5 was a stretch too far) and a truly great engine would resist prolonged ill treatment, but there's nothing fundamental with the design.

You are having a laugh arent you?

[james141]

I had an MGF virtually the same as the MG-TF. I had it for 5 or 6 years and it was always going wrong cost me an absolute fortune over the years! Great looking cars though

[TZ_86]

I had an MGF virtually the same as the MG-TF. I had it for 5 or 6 years and it was always going wrong cost me an absolute fortune over the years!

Great looking cars though

This is a real put off

Ok what do you think if someone was to get it with uprated HG (Land Rover one or racing gasket,..)
full service history, mileage up to 50.000 miles, post 2003 TF model, would it still be such a bottomless money pit????

Edited by TZ_86, 17 February 2010 - 05:52 AM.

[james141]

I personally wouldn't advise any one to get one. I was almost on first name terms with the green flag people, they said and I don't know how ture it is that it was one of the most common cars they get called out to! I ended up living in fear of the head gasket, watching the temp needle like a hawk which took away any enjoyment

Edited by james141, 17 February 2010 - 09:27 AM.

[james141]

Just to add, the only problems I have had with the VX in 3 years are: Engine Mounts - Easy Fix Labmda Sensor - Easy Fix Battery - Easy Fix Sticking EGR Valve - Easy Fix

[Garry.L]

Ok what do you think if someone was to get it with uprated HG (Land Rover one or racing gasket,..)
full service history, mileage up to 50.000 miles, post 2003 TF model, would it still be such a bottomless money pit????

I've owned both MGF and MGTF and both were decent cars, had a few problems with the 'F' but most of these were age related as the car was over 10 years old when I sold it. My TF160 was faultless in the near 3 years I owned it, and other than the usual service costs the only thing it needed was a set of front AP pads and some replacement heater knobs...

That said, I did spend a lot of time looking at 160's to find the right one, ie I wouldn't touch anything over 30K without 'proper' proof of a HG change, and just as important was that it had not 'just' been changed, ie it had covered several K miles on it's new gasket as poor repairs and not checking liner heights will result in another failure very soon.

Other than the above the main problems are pretty much down to poor build quality (Much of the car was still built by hand)crappy sunvisors and plastic heater knobs would easily break, along with the carpets which looked like they'd been fitted from a passing aircraft.
Door lock solenoids and window regulators were also pretty common fails.


As said, the key with a TF is to get the right one, preferably owned by an enthusiast which will mean it'll have been looked after - neglect these cars and they WILL bite, however they are several £K cheaper than most of the competition so if you do get a nice one then you can beat the system as it were...

My old Girl....

[james141]

Ok what do you think if someone was to get it with uprated HG (Land Rover one or racing gasket,..)
full service history, mileage up to 50.000 miles, post 2003 TF model, would it still be such a bottomless money pit????

I've owned both MGF and MGTF and both were decent cars, had a few problems with the 'F' but most of these were age related as the car was over 10 years old when I sold it. My TF160 was faultless in the near 3 years I owned it, and other than the usual service costs the only thing it needed was a set of front AP pads and some replacement heater knobs...

That said, I did spend a lot of time looking at 160's to find the right one, ie I wouldn't touch anything over 30K without 'proper' proof of a HG change, and just as important was that it had not 'just' been changed, ie it had covered several K miles on it's new gasket as poor repairs and not checking liner heights will result in another failure very soon.

Other than the above the main problems are pretty much down to poor build quality (Much of the car was still built by hand)crappy sunvisors and plastic heater knobs would easily break, along with the carpets which looked like they'd been fitted from a passing aircraft.
Door lock solenoids and window regulators were also pretty common fails.


As said, the key with a TF is to get the right one, preferably owned by an enthusiast which will mean it'll have been looked after - neglect these cars and they WILL bite, however they are several £K cheaper than most of the competition so if you do get a nice one then you can beat the system as it were...

My old Girl....

Very nice

Good write up.

Here is my old girl just before I sold her (with a knackered head gasket for the 3rd time):

[Garry.L]

Always did look nice in BRG......

My first 'F' was also an N-plate, yet it had over 80K miles on it when I sold, but was still on it's original HG...... although it did fail the following year I was told.

As said I have nothing but fond memories of both cars, but I know a fair few 'ex' owners like yourself who'd had lots of problems and hated the car - which I can understand as I had a similar experiance with a E46 B*W, meaning I'll never let one of those Bavarian Sierra's darken my driveway again.

[TZ_86]

That post was awesome and really helpful, thanks for the time writing a long post like that Garry, The mg forum is very good full of enthusiasts, who, although their TF's gives them much grief, still love them to bits. How much did you pay for yours and what year was it, cuz I'm looking at the advertisements and they go around for 2500-3500 which is really cheap, considering my budget is 7000 If I was to buy one like yours how much would I be looking at today ($$$$$) Do you believe there was also luck involved when you bought that fault free TF or do you reckon it is the result of exactly knowing what to look for. Any other advice would be hugely appreciated. Beautiful color, is that ferrari's little brother

Edited by TZ_86, 18 February 2010 - 01:22 AM.

[jazzyjeff]

it is so damn unreliable, it has a serious problem with head gasket as it has K series engine.

No it's not!

If you look into it, most HG problems are due either to excessive tuning, crap BMW approved gaskets, poor owner maintenance or revving the nuts off it when cold. Ok so you could hardly call the K-series over-engineered (and maybe the 2.5 was a stretch too far) and a truly great engine would resist prolonged ill treatment, but there's nothing fundamental with the design.

You are having a laugh arent you?

Should I be?

Tell you what, you list the K-series cars you/your family have owned and the endless HG problems you've had with them, and I'll do the same..?

JJ

[Ricardo]

My view in a nutshell : Get an MX5