Advice on TF purchase wanted

Ian G · 15th May 2016, 15:20

As title, can any one offer advice on what to check/look for with a view to purchasing..
It's a retirement hobby car for my cousin who knows his way around vehicles well enough but would appreciate any info that current or past owners have with these cars..
Link below and apparently the head gasket was replaced at around 55k..
Thanks in advance Ian
LINK.. https://www.gumtree.com/p/mg/mg-tf.1...no-/1167787081

And yes the photos are upside down and that really annoys me

mininuts · 15th May 2016, 16:08

New to these myself, although mine is an MGF. The head gasket is the obvious one along with belts etc, the usual stuff.
The underfloor front to rear water pipes rust from inside out, most folk replace them with stainless ones, perhaps a little bargaining point

The TFs are better cars than the Fs, I think a lot of problems were sorted when the TF was introduced.

Have a look around these

http://www.mgfregister.org/forum/index.php

http://www.ultimatemg.com/index.htm

https://translate.google.co.uk/trans...e/&prev=search

Hope that helps a little. As I say, I'm new to these but there's plenty of folk here that really know these cars.
It does look nice though, lovely interior!

Ian G · 15th May 2016, 16:24

Quote:

Originally Posted by mininuts

New to these myself, although mine is an MGF. The head gasket is the obvious one along with belts etc, the usual stuff.
The underfloor front to rear water pipes rust from inside out, most folk replace them with stainless ones, perhaps a little bargaining point

The TFs are better cars than the Fs, I think a lot of problems were sorted when the TF was introduced.

Have a look around these

http://www.mgfregister.org/forum/index.php

http://www.ultimatemg.com/index.htm

https://translate.google.co.uk/trans...e/&prev=search

Hope that helps a little. As I say, I'm new to these but there's plenty of folk here that really know these cars.
It does look nice though, lovely interior!

Thanks Paul
The possible problem with the water pipes etc is just the sort of thing we're looking to find out.
Cheers Ian

myfirstrover · 15th May 2016, 16:45

TFs can have harder suspension than Fs , might be worth bearing in mind

Number 6 · 15th May 2016, 16:54

Quote:

Originally Posted by myfirstrover

TFs can have harder suspension than Fs , might be worth bearing in mind

the f gives a better ride.

sorry no capital's lap tops not playing ball....

Essexphil · 15th May 2016, 17:31

There is a 'comfort pack' available from the mgoc which improves the ride - although it is in the region of £500. The sub frames also have a tendency to rot, so worth checking. I have had my TF for three years and it is an excellent car, like the 75/ZT, incredibly undervalued. The forums are very valuable for background info.

boater · 15th May 2016, 17:49

Hi

This is the rare stepspeed semi auto model which is something you either want or not. It is well thought of by many and offers 6 speeds controlled manually by the selector or by using the steering mounted paddles. I don't know how reliable this unit is or how long lived, maybe someone with first hand knowledge can comment. Also being the auto version the engine is the base 120 unit so not as powerful as the manual 135/160.

The engine should be quiet at tickover and be even, not hunting as some do.

Body wise the rear wheel arch lips can rust and also around the vent set into the rear wing.

Negotiate on the price and if possible get hold of the hardtop. The car is much more civilised with this in place and is cosier in cold weather although you do need some space to store it when not in use. When I had mine I bought a tailored bag to keep it in and it was hung on the garage wall.

The MGF/TF are a lot of fun and with appropriate maintenance is reliable and economical.

Best of luck

Gary.Dean · 15th May 2016, 18:30

This site is Rob Bell's site. He is well known in the F/TF circle, he also has a ZT-T and is in this group.
http://www.mgf.ultimatemg.com/
Don't be put off by the title, the information also covers TF's

Click the "click to enter" then under " MGF History, people & information" tab you will find a buyers guide.

Gary

Ian G · 15th May 2016, 20:28

Thanks for all the useful helpful guidance folks the information has been passed on..
Thanks again Ian

keithst24 · 15th May 2016, 20:32

MGF had hydro elastic suspension.....TF had springs i believe

15th May 2016, 15:20	#1
Ian G This is my second home Small Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Land of the Eel Posts: 6,315 Thanks: 2,328 Thanked 2,991 Times in 1,431 Posts	Advice on TF purchase wanted As title, can any one offer advice on what to check/look for with a view to purchasing.. It's a retirement hobby car for my cousin who knows his way around vehicles well enough but would appreciate any info that current or past owners have with these cars.. Link below and apparently the head gasket was replaced at around 55k.. Thanks in advance Ian LINK.. https://www.gumtree.com/p/mg/mg-tf.1...no-/1167787081 And yes the photos are upside down and that really annoys me __________________ The man behind redfive

15th May 2016, 16:08	#2
mininuts This is my second home Cooper S 210 Join Date: May 2012 Location: Port William Posts: 5,309 Thanks: 5,098 Thanked 2,406 Times in 1,631 Posts	New to these myself, although mine is an MGF. The head gasket is the obvious one along with belts etc, the usual stuff. The underfloor front to rear water pipes rust from inside out, most folk replace them with stainless ones, perhaps a little bargaining point The TFs are better cars than the Fs, I think a lot of problems were sorted when the TF was introduced. Have a look around these http://www.mgfregister.org/forum/index.php http://www.ultimatemg.com/index.htm https://translate.google.co.uk/trans...e/&prev=search Hope that helps a little. As I say, I'm new to these but there's plenty of folk here that really know these cars. It does look nice though, lovely interior! __________________ *Paul* 2016 MINI Cooper S 210 : 2000 Rover 75 CDT Classic SE : 2009 Freelander 2 GS : 2000 Mini Cooper Sport : 1986 Mini Mayfair : 1980 Mini Pickup : 1971 Mini Cooper S

15th May 2016, 20:28	#9
Ian G This is my second home Small Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Land of the Eel Posts: 6,315 Thanks: 2,328 Thanked 2,991 Times in 1,431 Posts	Thanks for all the useful helpful guidance folks the information has been passed on.. Thanks again Ian __________________ The man behind redfive

15th May 2016, 16:45	#4
myfirstrover Posted a thing or two Rover 75 2.0 cdi Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Newcastle upon Tyne Posts: 1,896 Thanks: 401 Thanked 448 Times in 303 Posts	TFs can have harder suspension than Fs , might be worth bearing in mind

15th May 2016, 17:31	#6
Essexphil Regular poster Rover 75 Saloon Join Date: Jul 2015 Location: Colchester Posts: 30 Thanks: 8 Thanked 46 Times in 14 Posts	There is a 'comfort pack' available from the mgoc which improves the ride - although it is in the region of £500. The sub frames also have a tendency to rot, so worth checking. I have had my TF for three years and it is an excellent car, like the 75/ZT, incredibly undervalued. The forums are very valuable for background info.

15th May 2016, 17:49	#7
boater Avid contributor Rover 75 Saloon Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Rotherham Posts: 232 Thanks: 107 Thanked 73 Times in 46 Posts	Hi This is the rare stepspeed semi auto model which is something you either want or not. It is well thought of by many and offers 6 speeds controlled manually by the selector or by using the steering mounted paddles. I don't know how reliable this unit is or how long lived, maybe someone with first hand knowledge can comment. Also being the auto version the engine is the base 120 unit so not as powerful as the manual 135/160. The engine should be quiet at tickover and be even, not hunting as some do. Body wise the rear wheel arch lips can rust and also around the vent set into the rear wing. Negotiate on the price and if possible get hold of the hardtop. The car is much more civilised with this in place and is cosier in cold weather although you do need some space to store it when not in use. When I had mine I bought a tailored bag to keep it in and it was hung on the garage wall. The MGF/TF are a lot of fun and with appropriate maintenance is reliable and economical. Best of luck

15th May 2016, 18:30	#8
Gary.Dean Avid contributor MGZT-T CDTi Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Turnford Posts: 127 Thanks: 49 Thanked 17 Times in 17 Posts	This site is Rob Bell's site. He is well known in the F/TF circle, he also has a ZT-T and is in this group. http://www.mgf.ultimatemg.com/ Don't be put off by the title, the information also covers TF's Click the "click to enter" then under " MGF History, people & information" tab you will find a buyers guide. Gary

15th May 2016, 20:32	#10
keithst24 This is my second home X Power Grey MGZT 180+ Auto... Bumble & 1.8T Odessey Rover 75 Contemporary SE manual Join Date: Nov 2015 Location: Reigate Posts: 5,375 Thanks: 2,254 Thanked 1,801 Times in 1,403 Posts	MGF had hydro elastic suspension.....TF had springs i believe