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MG MGF Technical - Battery drain ?? - Z3 one, MGF nil

O.k., o.k., some of you may remember that some time ago I started a completely unscientific reliability comparison of my new VVC with my father-in-law's new Z3. 'Chalk and cheese' you may say, and you'd probably be right.

Well, I gave the Beemer the benefit of the doubt and have not counted the fact that the automatic folding system is scratching the rear screen to hell, but I'm afraid I must now add a fault on my (now 5000 miles) F to the tally - so first blood to the Z3!

I went to start my F on Saturday after it had sat on my drive for 7 days. It did not start first, second or third try, but eventually got going the fourth time following some grudging (and not recommended) accelerator-pedal-help. I drove around for a bit to recharge it and of course now it's fine. I presume the problem was due to to battery drain, as the starter motor had a go every time.

Does a parked F really drain that much power in a week? It had been raining buckets, I admit, but I have never had any rain related problems in the past - so I can't see that it's due to water dripping on the car's innards.

Or are Rover standard batteries rubbish in some way? The other car I know suffering similar problems is my sister-in-law's late 90's Mini, made by, of course, er, Rover.

Anyway, well done Z3, you're one up, even if you are ugly as **** and drive like an F with half a ton of bricks under the bonnet!
David Bainbridge

David, my 'F was standing for two weeks while I was on holiday and it started first time, so it does sound a little odd. I've heard of drains caused by the MEMS I think, although that wasn't on a car as new as yours.

Steve.
Steve Childs

The power drain is abnormal David. Maybe an interior light left on (possibly including the boot/ bonnet lamps)
MEMS also can suffer from prolonged- power on after ignition switch off, but check the easy things first.
Rob Bell

David, my battery suddenly did this. once going it was fine but then kept playing up. eventually got it checked and the battery was dead, had to get a new one. This obviously shouldn't happen after 5000 miles. So might be worth just getting a garage to check the battery, if its not healthy then get rove rto give you a new one.
Matt

Sorry David - I don't count having to turn the key 4 times as a breakdown. I'm not convinced it's the battery either, perhaps ignition, or slight flooding ?
This could be down to the way the two cars are used (if the Z3 is garaged then it will have a significant advantage)
I hope both the MGF and the Z3 continue without any real problems. Do you really find the Z3 that bad to drive ?

Steve
Steve

Thanks for the advice, y'all. I did think that one week was a bit short - what about all those people who use their F as their 'weekend car'? I'll get the battery checked first.

>>>Do you really find the Z3 that bad to drive?

Er, yes I did really - I was really conscious of having to lumber that big engine around the corners - certainly not the 'point-and-shoot' feel of the F. I found it really heavy (it is a 3 litre), but I have driven quite a few big-engined front-engined cars. The MX5, for example, didn't seem to have this feel, although of course the engine's a lot smaller.

As far as speed and stuff, I can't really comment, as it was an automatic and I hate those things! Seemed very sluggish, but being a BMW it was probably going five times faster than it *felt*.

I used to quite like BMWs - the ones that are about E-reg now seem quite sparky, but the current ones seem a bit dull to me now. Perfect time to unleash the ZT?

David Bainbridge

David

My car had a similar experience, once when unused for an extended period.... I was told the alarm system can drain the battery?!! The cd player also acheived a similar trick (after a big cleaning session!! ..v sad, according to girlfriend)


It has also misfired after periods of heavy rain, oh to own a garage!!!


Nick
Nick Sutton

Folks,

I understand that the wonderful Jeremy Clarkson had some sage words of wisdom on the topic of the Z3 in the SUN last week.

I quote "The ridiculous BMW Z3, which goes like a hair dryer and looks like the back end of a fridge freezer, it to be dropped. BMW obviously never realised that a sports car these days must be more than 2 seats and a soft top. The Audi TT looks like archecture. The Lotus Elise weighs less than a spoon. The Honda S2000 revs until your ears bleed. And the Z3? Well it never did anything. The replacement, which is due in March next year , is much, much better looking but I see that it too will be sold principally with a miserable 2 litre engine.

All show. No go. And, a bit like the bloke who threw the egg at Presott, it’s going to get walloped."

Unfortunately nothing about the excellent F but anything that takes the piss out of BMW cars seems worthy of wider distribution.

Cheers

Patrick
Patrick

Now Now Patrick - you might upset someone and I know that goes against your 'grain'!!

Ted
Ted Newman

>>Unfortunately nothing about the excellent F but anything that takes the piss out of BMW...<<

It's maybe because there's no argument in favor of the F that one could oppose to that ... apart from its better styling, esp. top up and its mid engine layout :
TT design (esp. cabin) : nope
lightweight like Elise : nope
revs like a S2000 : nope
2 litre engine : not even

I like my *F* for what it is, but I wouldn't compare it to a 6-cyl Z3, Boxster, or Elise. Mine has been fairly reliable, but inside, you don't feel like inside an Audi ...

It just depends on the money you want to put in a car VS. what you're expecting from your car.
For example : absolutely want to pose in a Porsche ? buy a 2.7 boxster for the price of 2 F's. Some people will think it worth it, some other won't.

It's widely spread that the F is good value for money : 2 seater roadster, mid engine, rather exclusive, not too slow, MG marque, etc. etc.
but a 2.8 Z3 IS better to drive, and costs 50% more. (I drove one on some occasions in the past).
Just hide the badge on the steering wheel ...
Would I want one instead of my F ? a simple swap ? I don't know. Maybe not, but if I prefer my F, I reckon that I wouldn't try to argue the F is a "better car" than the Z3, but because I prefer owning an MG than a "common" 2.8 Z3, because there's the BBS, ... (a Z3M : that's another story, I want one :)

Buying a car is widely emotionnal.
But there are facts, power & torque curves, timings, reliability surveys, .... and we have to accept that the F won't win there. On emotion, yes.

Fabrice
Fabrice

I'd recommend against pumping the throttle pedal - the car is designed to start without throttle, and it should never need any to fire up. You're likely to flood the engine or get petrol in the cat (although if it's cold shouldn't hurt it too much). (RTFM)

I reckon you had damp coils, or there's a dead cell in the battery. I've had two of these in two years, both
replaced without quibble by ATS.

Also check that there are no lights left on (close yourself in the boot, for instance)....

N837 OGF
Hugh

>>>I'd recommend against pumping the throttle pedal - the car is designed to start without throttle, and it should never need any to fire up.

Yup - I know, but I only did it an eency weency bit. Honest! Actually, the F manual does recommend it in some climatic conditions, but I don't think I could claim that they occur in Hertfordshire.

I think the first goal to the Z3 actually has to be disallowed for now, so it's back to nil-nil. I suddenly realised last night that, because it was sunny when we went on holiday, I put the MS sun mate on the car. This, like the MK2 hood cover fits under the boot lid, and so blocks the main route for rainwater draining off the rear window and roof. Heavy rain and, voila, lots of water through the grille and onto the engine. Congrats to all those who doubted my battery theory!

As I don't think I can blame the F for a mild starting problem resulting from use of a non-Rover item in a way not recommended by its supplier, I think the goal has to be disallowed. So it's back to nil-nil.

Don't worry - I'm sure the F'll still lose on penalties! ;-)
David Bainbridge

David, when standing with Satur hoodmate I put a sheet of plastic on the rear grill to direct the rainwater away from the electrics. No probs starting.
Gareth

put front of TT and rear of S2000 together and you got the new Z3. looks much better than old one.

If you keep Jeremy's comment in mind, you can imagine what he says about the 'new' MGF Entry with an even smaller engine inside!

the MGF 1.6 now costs in Luxembourg almost as much as old 1.8, and 1.8 shifts up in price towards old VVC pricing.
So the MGF is IMHO not a cheap car anymore, compared with competition (and of course esp. the quality, if any, you get for that price - eg. successful starting depends on weather!)

ps: received a letter from Rover BeLux stating my old dealer no longer has anything to do with Rover or MG, and is now for Land Rovers only.
proud M3 owner :)

Gareth,

>>>David, when standing with Satur hoodmate I put a sheet of plastic on the rear grill to direct the rainwater away from the electrics. No probs starting.

Yup, that was the plan!

---------------------------------------

proud M3 owner :), Luxembourg,

>>>eg. successful starting depends on weather!)

Or rather idiot owner not accidentally pouring cold water over the engine continually for three days. Really can't blame Rover for this one, Mr Owner!

Oh well, better water pouring in than steam pouring out...

David Bainbridge

Dirk, the 1.6i goes very well indeed (ok, different league from your M3, but also considerably cheaper), ok - might only have a 1.6, but it drives as nicely as the 1.8 when run in. And as for not being cheap, its only Ģ 15,000 here, which for what you get is extremely good value, IMO.

Steve.
Steve Childs


Hi Dirk !

Whatīs about Your old "F" ?? As LUX isnīt the biggest of countries maybee You have spotted the new owner ? Would be interesting to hear from him/her on the BBS... Maybee the dealer finaly overhauled the car so it now performes as any "normal" "F" ..

Best regards , Carl.
Carl

>>ps: received a letter from Rover BeLux stating my old dealer no longer has anything to do with Rover or MG, and is now for Land Rovers only.<<

Pitty those with Land Rovers then! ;o)
Rob Bell

>>Hi Dirk !
Whatīs about Your old "F" ?? As LUX isnīt the biggest of countries maybee You have spotted the new owner ? Would be interesting to hear from him/her on the BBS... Maybee the dealer finaly overhauled the car so it now performes as any "normal" "F" ..
Best regards , Carl.<<

I don't think we can recall anymore the name of the scrapyard where "that thing" rests in peace. Maybe it is already recycled in some other metal piece. Maybe it is already recycled in steel purchased by BMW for manufacturing M3's ;-)
Luc

This thread was discussed between 06/08/2001 and 08/08/2001

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