MG-Cars.net

Welcome to our resource for MG Car Information.

Recommendations

Parts

MG parts spares and accessories are available for MG T Series (TA, MG TB, MG TC, MG TD, MG TF), Magnette, MGA, Twin cam, MGB, MGBGT, MGC, MGC GT, MG Midget, Sprite and other MG models from British car spares company LBCarCo.

MG MGF Technical - Interior design flaws!

Had a long drive yesterday so spent the time thinking about the interior design!

Gear surround (MY2001) echo's the filler cap - nice!

Alloy gearknob detailing echo's nothing!

Heater controls (MY2001)
(1) golfball dimples on black plastic bit - why?!
(2) alloy knobs like a TVR's or Brown's and Gammons ones would look loads better (but why are the cutouts on the alloy gearknob and B&G's heater controls orientated differently?

The oil pressure and clock are white on black, the rev counter and speedo are black on white. They are also illuminated differently back vs front lit and different colour light.

Why does the display dimmer only work on the main iinstrument binacle?

Silver finish console bit should be OE but not the silver fascia vent bits.

All in all a hotchpotch of design! What were they thinking? Outside the body design works - especially with chrome grilles. A little more thought required for an integrated / harmonious interior!

OK before anyone says it I'm off to get a life!!!




Ian Walker

I must admit i sat in a MX5 the other day - and found it to be a more "classic sportscar" experience

Nicely finished and just a little more what i would expect for a roadster

I am afraid you get the MGF with metro parts and ideals
tony

I would never settle for a normal MX5 though..

Turbocharged MX5 yes... 270hp at wheels hard to resist.

But design wise (exterior) I would definately choose MGF over MX5 anyday.

(+ the BBS / Heritage / looks / turning heads / etc. etc...)

Jst my thoughts.
:)
Hanah Kim

I do agree the F is the prettiest by a long way - especially compared to the standard MX5

That said the s sport version with the body kit aint bad!

Been looking at supra targas today - mmmmmmmmmm lot of car for 12k

tony

I understand what you mean by a hotchpotch of design.
Looked at the JC version of the MX-5 last year and was very impressed. The interior complemented the exterior very well - and was simple. The best (standard) MX-5 yet ?

Steve
Steve

Well my Mk1 has black on white dials all round as standard. I got a load of wood and alli, very little of the original trim remains.

My advice is to get a plain MGF and go to outside suppliers for all the trim. Find some black on white (sort of cream actually)oil temp and clock units from a MK1 (which still won't match because the MY2000 actually has a black on silver speedo and rev counter :-).

I think the B&G knobs are actually Mike Satur Knobs. But I think we discussed knobs recently.
Tony Smith

I wonder what you will all make of the new MGF. It's got me really planning a 3 day job to return my car to standard prior to a change!!!

Sorry to do a DK with lack of detail, but suffice to say that one comment on a very recent photo shoot with a new and a current car was a lable 'his and hers'!!

Rog
Roger Parker

Anything known about any re design on the Head gasket ??

tony

Drove past an oncoming MX5 at very high relative velocity yesterday, and couldn't help noticing that it appeared to have an alloy steering wheel. Were my eyes deceiving me?


David Bainbridge

Correction!! Its a boring drive to work...

I said the 'oil pressure and clock are white on black' at least they are at night/illuminated! In daylight they are black on silver - like the rev counter and speedo.

If the oil/clock were front lit rather than back lit that would improve things.

Incidentally, have you seen the Union and checked flag emblem they're putting on the wings of new F's and boots of some Z's? I tried to get a pair from a MGF dealer but they didn't have a part number so can't order... But at the NEC Classic Car show an auto jumble dealer had a box full. Sorry don't know the name. I wonder if MGR are missing any!!!
Ian Walker

So with a new look model on its way - our Fs are going to take a dive in price!

Whens it due out ?? (makes plans to sell 2 months prior)
tony

Ian, badges were subject of thread in early October. DAG000070MMM about 9.50 each.
David

First contri!
Ian - I agree, the interior sometimes niggles me as well. My gripes are mainly the lack of legroom at the side of the centre console - I am sure that the plastic housing could be thinned in order to provide a vital couple of cms.
I also dislike the frontlit rev counter and speedo - I find that a shadow is cast onto the dial that is distracting. Interestingly I recently drove a Rover 25 courtesy car (Bah!)and I'm sure it had virtually the same binnacle but was backlit (If you ignore the silver dials which I don't like anyway). Anyone know if possible to swap & how much?
I hate to complain about such a great car on my first contri- hope you'll forgive me!
Phil S.

Dave <DAG000070MMM about 9.50 each> thanks for that. I look in the archives. Incidentally I paid 4.50 at the show!
Ian Walker

On a similar subject...

Has anyone noticed all the offsets in the cabin design? The whole interior is off centre to give the (UK spec) driver more room than the passenger - i'd say between 10 and 30mm. The steering wheel is offset around 20mm from the centre of the drivers seat, the instrument binacle is offset a further 10 or so mm from the steering wheel.

I had been noticing this for ages but it wasn't until i drove a LHD F on the Treffen this year that the impact of all these offsets hit me. Being a rather large chap, i came to the conclusion that if i lived on the continent i wouldn't have bought an MGF - because i didn't fit in the (LHD) drivers' seat!!!

SF
Scarlet Fever

>>>to do a DK with lack of detail, but suffice to say that one comment on a very recent photo shoot with a new and a current car was a lable 'his and hers'<<<

What do you mean to say Roger.

Is the MK111 now being made,
Joe

SF, never noticed, looks the same to me must get the tape measure out....

At least we get somewhere to put our clutch foot :-)
Tony Smith

SF,

Yes, I think it's tape measure time too. I was passenger in the F the other day and suddenly the whole interior seemed 'wonky'! And the wheel relative to the seat - I knew there was something strange.

Oh well, perhaps it's best just to move the driver seat and wheel to the centre.... hmm....
David Bainbridge

>>What do you mean to say Roger.<<

Sorry, I'm not Roger- but I think I know what he means...

Firstly, yes, the Mk3 MGF should now be rolling off the production lines ready for a launch in the new year.

Secondly, the styling changes that Peter Stevens has made has somewhat changed the character of the car. The present MGF is a pleasing, soft design, that some may describe as femine.

The new car has been given a much harder edge- especially around the front (new front panel/ bumper assembly, new lights), but also around the sill areas and the rear bumper- probably in much the same way as seen on the spy photos published by Autoexpress a few months back.

No idea whether the interior is very different, but I am expecting new seats with bigger side bolsters- ala the Z-series saloons. This is the primary reason that I have not upgraded my car's interior to Mk2 spec yet! No idea what other changes have been made, but I doubt we'll have to wait too long to see it for real!
Rob Bell

This thread was discussed between 18/11/2001 and 23/11/2001

MG MGF Technical index

This thread is from the archive. The Live MG MGF Technical BBS is active now.