The MGOC buyer's guide to the MGF & TF

Practical, attractive and with good storage, these well-balanced sports cars handle beautifully and are great fun to drive. Roger Parker MGOC Technical Advisor, explains what you should be looking for when buying an MGF or TF.
© MG Owners' Club 2023

[@DarkClosetOfTheMind]

Good video, thank you.

[@joachimklemm1784]

I live in Thailand where these MGs are extremely rare. I found a red 1999 MGF VVC in Bangkok in February, 2nd, 2022 (2/2/22). I never forget this purchase date !!! 3 owners before, very original in "like new condition" only 45,000 km driven. Since I drove at weekends 5,000 km and had only one time on a motorway an overheating problem. At meetings I like to explain the people here that this is the last MG Roadster build in the UK before MORRIS GARAGE went to China. The "NEW CHINA MGs" are here very popular. To know there are approximately only 5 imported to this country makes me a proud owner. (Joachim Klemm, Founder and Past President of the MG CLUB BERLIN e.V. in 1986)

[@markfourtyeight]

I bought my 2003 TF 135 in August 2017, paid £650, it was a lovely little car, I ran it for two years then did some upgrades, firstly I changed all the sub-frame mounts to stainless steel, next had the head gasket changed for a multi layer Payen type also had the oil rail upgrade and high tensile head bolts. Water pipes were also changed to stainless. I still have the car its Royal Blue 16" alloys with AP calipers. these cars are economical on fuel and reliable as long as you look after them. They can rust but my biggest bugbear is road tax £330 per year, I only do around 1000 miles a year so its annoying. You can't deny the fun of these cars they are lively and comfortable and great to drive, just make sure you buy one that's in good condition.

[@TheBadBunny87]

I thoroughly enjoyed this and I don't even own or am I looking to own one but this was an enjoyable, informative and interesting video to watch. Although I'm not looking to own one. I do have a soft spot for MGFs and the Tf. Great video.

[@simonroyle2806]

I'm somehow on my 5th F/TF maybe done 200k in total and probably fixed all issues, they can be very reliable, but you have to work at it! MOT time is always fun as something crops up like bearings, rotten wishbones, ball joints and the emissions can be pain - I believe the after market catalysts are rubbish. I agree about the tyres, definitely need to have stiff walled same brand ones (eg Toyo Proxi), for me the 16" wheels have a too hard ride, plus they dent on pot holes (they do look better!). Changing the head gasket takes time but is straight forward, he didnt mention that you should change the bottom oil rail to make the engine stiffer. BTW at 4 mins it showed the crappy head gasket, not the better MLS. Once sorted they are a hoot to drive, 40+ mpg, as someone else mentioned the road tax is a pain.

[@JOhn-qz2vi]

Had a 98 F for over eleven years and loved every minute of it. It had all the problems that go with an F and only got rid of it due to ULEZ otherwise would still have it. It did not like mots, and ate up Lamba sensors and cats, found out that the water temp sensor used to fail throwing out the ECU, changed it and was OK after that.

[@markh1085]

I love them. Had a TF for 3 years , great car. Now have the LE500 and love every second of owning it. Yes they have problems. Prevention is not always the key as things crop up.

[@MostlyLoveOfMusic]

MGF is a beautiful car - I would buy one just as an ornament for the front garden

[@martynbrown9341]

I have done until the head gasket is replaced😂

[@Captain_Scarlet_SIG]

I have an MGF VVC and you’ve pretty much covered most aspects and I concur with tyre choice and uniformity and also regular checks on correct tyre pressures together with suspension and steering maintenance get all these right and it’s an amazing handling car get it wrong or cut corners at your peril.

[@peterlaurie6853]

Apparently a Paynes head gasket is better than the multi layer one, after 8 years my multi layer went Summit Motors always fit Paynes as they have replaced quite a few Multi layer gaskets

[@Zanith50]

i used to have an MFG upgraded the head gasket replaced the warped head relocated the thermostat to the front of the car near the radiator so it warmed up faster and cooled better fun car to fix all the issues rover mg didnt fix in time :D but yea you will spend more on the car then it cost to buy :D

[@ivanreed-qj7uz]

All of the ones ive been to look at are so rotten underneath..combine that with the HGF ..even if its been replaced does worry me ?

[@muserbellamy1140]

Hi can I ask what fuel you put in a mg tf as thinking of getting one and how is the braking on them owned a MGF few years ago and they where shocking thanks

[@ErikB750]

Buyers guide for F and TF in only 10 minutes ?!? Well let’s have a look … Mr. Parker providing the details: we’re good, this will be accurate and correct. He is a well known matter expert well respected for his many years of expertise and advice. Only comment: years of age don’t need to have impact on the rear screen. Handling it with care (at the right temps) and maintaining it and it’ll stay in good condition.

[@co2gorecarbonconman]

No mention of deadly Ethanol. Stay clear of the E numbers and use only E0 at the pumps. Just because a HG has not been replaced means the engine has been cared for...

[@simonroyle2806]

How does this impact the MGF which is a fairly modern design. I get that MGBs suffer fuel lines perishing but that's from a different age.