Topic

I had my eyes opened yesterday, we had a 2005 1.6 TF in our workshop, sat next to my 2003 1.8 TF the newer car was visibly higher, bearing in mind how poor the ride is in my car I had to have a little drive to compare the newer car, in terms of ride quality the 2005 car is like a different car, it doesn't wander across the road if you hit a bump, it is smooth and comfy, actually not far off the ride of a "normal" car, much more like the original Mgf, I can only assume that the 2005 cars have slightly longer springs and shocks allowing them to move more and do the job they were designed to do, my 2003 car sits a lot lower even though it is standard, I can only compare the 2003 car to a car that has lowered springs and shocks, almost as if mg thought lets just make it stiff and customers will think it is sporty! I don't know what conclusion I have come to, I would like the ride of the 2005 car but not the big wheel arch gap that comes with it.........back to the drawing board I guess! Ha

I've got 2005 front springs (still trying to get rears - was sent wrong ones) but ill be running them on Bilstein 'Confort' dampers as per the 85SE - this allows you to put the springs on a lower platform to give SP1 (lowered) ride height.

The suspension on my '04 TF160 failed the MoT earlier this year and so I swapped to Spax shocks. They've made a real difference, the ride isn't any firmer or softer but is much more controlled. The car now easily copes with bumps that used to unsettle the OEM suspension.

I have a 2005 and two 2002 TF's. My 2005 has x power springs on it so sits lower and has a harder ride BUT


give me the 2002 car any day..... a far better quality of build all round and neither showing rust on the wheel arches.

pendle lass wrote: wrote:

I have a 2005 and two 2002 TF's. My 2005 has x power springs on it so sits lower and has a harder ride BUT


give me the 2002 car any day..... a far better quality of build all round and neither showing rust on the wheel arches.

id deffo agree with you on the build quality, even the plastics feel cheap in the 2005 car

I remember a very long well informed talk with Tracy about this very subject on our Wales trip..
I would say as she has both, she is in the best position to give advise

Tracy is yours a 05 build as well? Not just the plate?

Jack of Hearts wrote: wrote:

Tracy is yours a 05 build as well? Not just the plate?

now what does the plate have to do with it


to tell the truth it was registered in 2005, but unless the 115 is different i know they are a law unto themselves I think it was MY04 spec

Hahaha. Fair play

Jack of Hearts wrote: wrote:

Hahaha. Fair play

If it wasnt through the history I have with this car John, it would be down the road Im sad to say. But I do love her and she is nearly as I want her. But rust has her front wheel arches and because of her colour I have held off with doing anything with them but it has to be addressed.

She's been sorn'd and is sat in the garage, waiting Daz to put a new clutch in her, but because I have the other two there is no rush. Her clutch hasnt gone completely, also what i want to know is why is the clutch more expensive for the 1.6 than the 1.8

Shouldn't be it's the same flywheel so it's the same clutch. Very odd

Jack of Hearts wrote: wrote:

Shouldn't be it's the same flywheel so it's the same clutch. Very odd

would it have something to do with the torque or is that something Ive just dreamt