NEWSLETTER | MARCH | 2013
as the 1.8i didn’t gain Electric Power Assisted Steering (EPAS) as a standard fit until the start of the 1998 model year in 1997. Before then it was an extra cost option that many paid extra for, just as applied to ABS on these models. It is worth noting that EPAS has in recent years become a feature more and more manufacturers have added and spotlighted as being economy and CO2 reducing options, yet MGF had it in 1995! Alloy wheels were standard on all models for all years. Up to mid 1999 when the face lifted 2000 model year cars arrived. Two wheel designs, both 15” diameter, with a 6” width were used; a six spoke for the 1.8i and a 5 spoke style for the VVC. Optional 16” wheels originally arrived with the Abingdon LE model and come in a 6 spoke design similar to the base 1.8i. Then in 1999 the 75th Anniversary models introduced the ‘Multispoke’ design, which looks just like the title indicates. Shortly after the 2000 model year changes arrived, and with it a change of base 15” wheel style to an 8 rounded spoke design, so like the original 1.8i wheel, but with eight spokes instead of 6. There was also a new square six spoke design in 15” diameter that was specific to the new Steptronic model, and a visually very similar new style in 16” diameter for the VVC model. The two other previous 16” option wheels remained available. Whilst wheels fitted to an individual car were always the same size front and rear,
EXETER
the tyres fitted were different between front and rear axles. With the 15” wheels the tyre sizes are 185/55x15 front and 205/50x15 rear. When 16” wheels are used they are 7” wide and have 215/40x16 tyres all round, until 2001 when the Trophy 160 model introduced 195/45x16 tyres up front and 215/40x16 tyres at the rear fitted to a new 11 spoke style of alloy. There are specific tyre concerns to make a note of which I cover later. Brakes on all MGFs were the same with 240mm vented discs clamped by slider calipers up front and 240mm diameter solid discs at the rear clamped by a slider caliper that also contained the handbrake. ABS was standard on the VVC models and optional on all others, although one notable exception was the 2001 Trophy 160 SE. The Trophy 160 was a hard edged limited edition model focused on track day performance and the brakes were very different with the front discs being 304mm diameter discs clamped by bright red AP Racing four pot (piston) calipers with very bolt MG branding. These models also did NOT have the option of ABS.
) and here the main issue is that as a
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mid engined car set up to give great grip and handling, any deficiencies in the tyres fitted have a much greater impact on the car. and any car so fitted may fall very short in the driving experience and pleasure mode so do always check what tyres are fitted on any car being test driven. Note specifically that instability starts from around 50 to 55mph and the faster you go the worse the feeling is and this feeling does have some similarities to suffering a seriously under inflated tyre. In addition cars with 16” wheels are more sensitive than those with 15” wheels and there is only one approved tyre for all the MGF and TF models running 16” wheels, That highthe Goodyear Eagle F1 lighting the GSD2 is critical as these tyres have been thin on the ground during occasionally over the last few years relating to Goodyear batch production methods. The Goodyear Eagle F1 GSD3 replaced the GSD2 in most mainstream applications when MG Rover were still trading, and the problems some owners had led to a Technical Bulletin being issued to categorically tell dealers to tell owners NOT to use GSD3 tyres.
Next month: More MGF information