MG tf 135 or 160? - Page 2

Dallas · 23rd September 2017, 19:45

I dont care what engine it has, just as long as its red, or blue with beige/cream interior.

guru · 23rd September 2017, 22:57

The 160 will obviously give the best performance however if it's not performance you're after it's easier to find a good 135 for sensible money. Beware of the dreaded rust on the TF's, sadly they are very prone to it and if it gets into the sills they very quickly become irreparable. I recently sold my 160 for that very reason, lovely car, drove beautifully and only had 52k on the clock but sadly was suffering from terminal rust and would have cost a lot more to repair then it was worth.
Also bear in mind they can and do suffer HGF's although anyone on here that's owned a 1.8 will know that risk

I've had 3 F/TF's, 1 from only a couple of years old and they all suffer from a head gasket despite being driven very easily from cold etc. They also suffer from weak gear selector linkages which left me on the side of the road several times.

oldie · 24th September 2017, 08:49

Thank you all for your thoughts. It would seem you have all enjoyed owning an f/tf. If bought the car would be driven frequently for short journeys. I'm familiar with "firm" rides as driving SWMBO's Boxster is a bit like an iron bedstead (I'm not keen on the first two gears, very close). Also my 75 v8 is a much harder ride than my v6, on identical wheels and tyres. I think my main concern is getting in and out. I'm 6 ft and moderately fit for my vintage however my back and joints protest a tad when put in stressful situations.

gibbo103 · 24th September 2017, 15:19

I have a 1.8 135 and it's great fun to drive. If you are worried about hard suspension, the last few hundred cars built by rover in 2005 had soft ride suspension which has 30% softer shock absorbers without losing any of the good handling. This was carried over to the Chinese built cars from 2008. I have one of these cars and have had great fun with it over the past few years.

myfirstrover · 24th September 2017, 17:36

Fun cars to drive whatever size engine you go for , try and get one with a good service history and cambelt and water pump change, also look at the coolant pipes under the car , stainless steel ones are a very good upgrade . This time of year is good time to buy one as a lot of people sell before the winter sets in .

guru · 25th September 2017, 01:40

Quote:

Originally Posted by oldie

Thank you all for your thoughts. It would seem you have all enjoyed owning an f/tf. If bought the car would be driven frequently for short journeys. I'm familiar with "firm" rides as driving SWMBO's Boxster is a bit like an iron bedstead (I'm not keen on the first two gears, very close). Also my 75 v8 is a much harder ride than my v6, on identical wheels and tyres. I think my main concern is getting in and out. I'm 6 ft and moderately fit for my vintage however my back and joints protest a tad when put in stressful situations.

I've driven a Boxster....the TF is much harder riding! As for your size, I'd also 6ft and did fit in the TF, just! I'd recommend test driving a couple before taking the plunge.

Dart2050 · 25th September 2017, 19:25

Quote:

Originally Posted by oldie

Thank you all for your thoughts. It would seem you have all enjoyed owning an f/tf. If bought the car would be driven frequently for short journeys. I'm familiar with "firm" rides as driving SWMBO's Boxster is a bit like an iron bedstead (I'm not keen on the first two gears, very close). Also my 75 v8 is a much harder ride than my v6, on identical wheels and tyres. I think my main concern is getting in and out. I'm 6 ft and moderately fit for my vintage however my back and joints protest a tad when put in stressful situations.

Don't worry about your height. I'm 6'2" aged 59 and have no trouble getting in and out, the doors are quite long. With helmet on I only just fit without touching the roof, but in normal driving conditions, no trouble whatsoever.

Weso · 25th September 2017, 22:51

I'm 6ft 2 and 57 and fit quite well in a TF. In fact the driving position is not overly sporty. Dare I mention the MX5 on this forum, i have had 2, a more sporty position from what i remember (i was younger), great fun and a lot easier to drive on the limit than a TF and much better ride to boot, less power all out but just as rewarding to drive.

LeRich · 29th September 2017, 21:16

I have a 2004 TF 135 and would agree with the previous comments.

Comfortable and refined the ride is not, but it's a hoot to drive. The 135 is the most common variant and rarely feels like it's lacking power. In fact, the biggest advantage of the 160 isn't the extra oomph but the uprated AP 4-pot front brakes. Many 135s had these fitted too (usually special editions) along with the pretty 16" 11-spoke alloys, and are worth seeking out as the standard setup is pretty weak. Tyre choice is important on 15" alloys, absolutely critical on 16"s.

The interior, like the outside, still looks modern after all these years and while isn't particularly well made or roomy, is a pleasant place to be. I'm 6'3" and just about fit in with reasonable comfort (wearing thin shoes helps!); if you're under 6ft you'll have little problem getting in and out and getting comfy. Seat lowering kits are cheap and fairly easy to fit, and offer an extra inch of headroom.

TFs are plentiful and particularly cheap at the moment as we fall out of season. They'll never be cheaper and there are bargains to be had providing you're not fussy about colour (the most common are silver and grey...). As mentioned, rust is a major issue on subframes and bodies, an issue not helped with MGR's progressive cheapening and stinginess with the underseal and paint (many feel the MGF was better built).

23rd September 2017, 22:57	#12
guru Posted a thing or two MG ZT, Rover Sterling, MG ZS EV & BMW X5 Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: The Norfolk Broads Posts: 1,491 Thanks: 20 Thanked 196 Times in 117 Posts	The 160 will obviously give the best performance however if it's not performance you're after it's easier to find a good 135 for sensible money. Beware of the dreaded rust on the TF's, sadly they are very prone to it and if it gets into the sills they very quickly become irreparable. I recently sold my 160 for that very reason, lovely car, drove beautifully and only had 52k on the clock but sadly was suffering from terminal rust and would have cost a lot more to repair then it was worth. Also bear in mind they can and do suffer HGF's although anyone on here that's owned a 1.8 will know that risk I've had 3 F/TF's, 1 from only a couple of years old and they all suffer from a head gasket despite being driven very easily from cold etc. They also suffer from weak gear selector linkages which left me on the side of the road several times. __________________ My car history http://m6jkk.com

24th September 2017, 15:19	#14
gibbo103 Regular poster MG ZTT Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Milton Keynes Posts: 39 Thanks: 5 Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts	Mg tf I have a 1.8 135 and it's great fun to drive. If you are worried about hard suspension, the last few hundred cars built by rover in 2005 had soft ride suspension which has 30% softer shock absorbers without losing any of the good handling. This was carried over to the Chinese built cars from 2008. I have one of these cars and have had great fun with it over the past few years.

23rd September 2017, 19:45	#11
Dallas This is my second home 1979 Capri 1.6L, 1982 Capri 1.6L, 2016 Dacia Stepway Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Dorset Posts: 8,595 Thanks: 3,496 Thanked 3,397 Times in 2,218 Posts	I dont care what engine it has, just as long as its red, or blue with beige/cream interior.

24th September 2017, 08:49	#13
oldie Loves to post Connoisseur SE v8 auto '54 Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: West Sussex Posts: 488 Thanks: 105 Thanked 56 Times in 41 Posts	Thank you all for your thoughts. It would seem you have all enjoyed owning an f/tf. If bought the car would be driven frequently for short journeys. I'm familiar with "firm" rides as driving SWMBO's Boxster is a bit like an iron bedstead (I'm not keen on the first two gears, very close). Also my 75 v8 is a much harder ride than my v6, on identical wheels and tyres. I think my main concern is getting in and out. I'm 6 ft and moderately fit for my vintage however my back and joints protest a tad when put in stressful situations.

24th September 2017, 17:36	#15
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	Fun cars to drive whatever size engine you go for , try and get one with a good service history and cambelt and water pump change, also look at the coolant pipes under the car , stainless steel ones are a very good upgrade . This time of year is good time to buy one as a lot of people sell before the winter sets in .

25th September 2017, 22:51	#18
Weso I really should get out more....... Mondeo ST TDCI Estate Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Norwich Posts: 2,834 Thanks: 919 Thanked 358 Times in 284 Posts	I'm 6ft 2 and 57 and fit quite well in a TF. In fact the driving position is not overly sporty. Dare I mention the MX5 on this forum, i have had 2, a more sporty position from what i remember (i was younger), great fun and a lot easier to drive on the limit than a TF and much better ride to boot, less power all out but just as rewarding to drive.

29th September 2017, 21:16	#19
LeRich Posted a thing or two Rover 75 Cont SE 1.8T Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Cheshire Posts: 1,082 Thanks: 215 Thanked 232 Times in 178 Posts	I have a 2004 TF 135 and would agree with the previous comments. Comfortable and refined the ride is not, but it's a hoot to drive. The 135 is the most common variant and rarely feels like it's lacking power. In fact, the biggest advantage of the 160 isn't the extra oomph but the uprated AP 4-pot front brakes. Many 135s had these fitted too (usually special editions) along with the pretty 16" 11-spoke alloys, and are worth seeking out as the standard setup is pretty weak. Tyre choice is important on 15" alloys, absolutely critical on 16"s. The interior, like the outside, still looks modern after all these years and while isn't particularly well made or roomy, is a pleasant place to be. I'm 6'3" and just about fit in with reasonable comfort (wearing thin shoes helps!); if you're under 6ft you'll have little problem getting in and out and getting comfy. Seat lowering kits are cheap and fairly easy to fit, and offer an extra inch of headroom. TFs are plentiful and particularly cheap at the moment as we fall out of season. They'll never be cheaper and there are bargains to be had providing you're not fussy about colour (the most common are silver and grey...). As mentioned, rust is a major issue on subframes and bodies, an issue not helped with MGR's progressive cheapening and stinginess with the underseal and paint (many feel the MGF was better built).