What is the MG TF really like? | MG TF 135 Review
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 21 เม.ย. 2024
- This is my long term ownership update and review of the MG TF. Having driven this car daily for the last 5 years now, I feel well equipped to give an honest and well rounded review of this little British sports car.
This is the first car review I have ever produced - I hope you enjoy it! I grew up in admiration of the Top Gear car review films and so it's exciting to have now created my own in that style. Let me know what you think down in the comments!
If you enjoyed this video, please consider subscribing to my channel to see more videos just like this one in future.
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I am a proud owner of an MG F and I have the same pleasant feelings when driving this car.
I love my TF - even with it's sticky throttle, rattling dash and slowly spreading tin worm. Great in the spring/summer with the roof down and always gets comments from passers by.
Great video, Willo. Your car looks great. I have had three F's and a TF over the years and loved driving them all. Your right they put a smile on your face driving them. People underestimate them what with all the usual cliches from Clarkson and his like which is good for us owners as we can buy great cars for not to much money. The usual Head gasket comments are out of date now with most cars having had replacements MLS gaskets by now so should not be a issue any longer, anyway as you say, plenty of well respected mobiles around who can do the job for under £400 all in. I currently own a MGF Trophy 160 which I love, however I would say in my opinion that the TF design has probably aged slightly better and looks more sporty than the standard F.
Thanks Matthew, the fact you’ve had 3 over the years shows how much fun they are. If people can look beyond the stereotypes then they’ll discover an absolute gem!
Yeah you're band on there! Good little bit of British open top motoring. My 160 is quick enough on little roads, with comparable performance to my mini cooper but offers some else with smiles for very little money relatively these days.
Most people will never find the limits of their supercars etc , but at least we can try!
Really great review, I am in the market for a TF / F for that very purpose so found your video really helpful
Glad you found it helpful! And happy shopping 😄
Great video mate 👍🏼👍🏼
Great video! The quality of these just gets better and better, definitely some classic Top Gear review vibes going on. Keep it up mate👊🏼
Well done, a great video, I really enjoyed watching that this morning
Cheers Damien!
Your channel has been a great resource in my ownership of a 135, I hope you post more :))
That means a lot, thanks and glad they’ve been helpful!
Great video. 😊
Some clown wrote off my TF a couple of years ago when it was parked, Mrs pleaded with me to get something more sensible, so I did - but I miss the TF, such a fun car to drive.
I don't own a car but if I were to this would be a contender. It's very good looking.
Glad to see you back! I just picked up my tf on Friday! Its funny you said that its not a car you get for practicality or even reliability although for me its a second car. Its a car you get because its fun and puts a smile on your face! 😊 As i said those exact words to! Besides my doctor said a couple of months ago i was borderline vit d, what better cure ...so you could say i bought it for my health really! 😅 ....... Oh yeh i forgot to ask the seller if anyone knows where the bonet release is id be justly greatful? 😉
They’re great for your health for sure 👌🏻😂 and yes I eluded to the dodgy bonnet release location (the boot, for those that didn’t spot it!) thanks for the comment
It's a great looking TF
Had my BRG F for 20yrs this year ... sold my Trophy Blue TF last year after owning it 5 odd years. Both great fun on a Summer's Evening both..budget low powered analogue open top motoring to really enjoy brisk rewarding drives.
Great little cars and they do make you smile. You shouldn't have coffee in the car in the first place you should just be driving and enjoying it!!! I had one for years and as you say look after it and let it warm up first and it will probably be ok.
Just got a 2009 mgtf LE500 love it
I love my TF115. Paintwork ain't so good now, but mechanically I've kept it it in really good condition. It's such a fun car to drive. Even with a 115hp engine, it keeps up with cars with more hp but more weight quite easily. And those high revs... The sound. :) I've had some comments from passengers: "What is this, a 2 litre?" It really does feel like that when it's had a nice tune. Not a supercar, but certainly an underrated car for the driving feel.
The UK press hammered the F and barely gave any praise on the TF… Ok they are no MX5, but they have something. The feel good factor is right up there. Sound awesome with a Daytona too 👍 I’d go as far as say they sound similar to an 80’s Fezza V8 with the right pipe. As close as any 4cyl can get.
I have the same TF in Royal Blue, great car had it since 2017, I don't seem to have any squeaks or rattles from mine, I have a feeling an earlier owner might have had the dash off and not fitted it back correctly, I think you have to look at the car for what it is, fun reliable and great value, I only paid £650 for mine and its in great shape, you can't get a better value sports car. I never had any head gasket problem but as I paid so little for the car I did have the the full N series kit fitted, Payen multi layer gasket with high tensile head bolts and heavy duty oil rail, I had that done a few years back.
Great review and after 2 years of owning a TF 135, I agree with everything you say about them.
Well almost everything. Maybe the MG designing engineers were aware of traffic law and an offence called 'Driving Without Due Care and Attention'. Hence made the use of cup holders impossible whilst driving. Okay I understand you might want to simply transport a drink, but to be drinking its contents whilst driving means you're not in full control of the vehicle.
It's definitely a generational thing, cup holders aren't high on the list of must haves for me or any friends of mine over 50. We seem not to have the taking on fluid whilst moving obsession you youngsters have.
Thermos flask of tea or coffee does it for us and it's a lot cheaper than this warm brown slush served from Costa machines at extortionate prices.
Pack some egg buttys , fetch a travel rug too and experience the true spirit of MG ownership 🤣
I know it’s a minor thing but warm beverage transportation is high up on my list 😂
Nicely shot video, great backdrop and time lapses. What after market aerial have you got? I fitted a DAB radio with an FM link connector and it’s a bit patchy on some stations so maybe a longer aerial will improve?
I’m actually not sure what the aerial is! Not something I’ve ever changed myself or even thought about - the engine note is my radio 😂
Longer aerial would make logical sense, perhaps worth a try as they’re pretty cheap?
@@CarsWithWillo Thanks. I recently put a Scorpion exhaust on. I like it although it is rather too boomy at 70 mph on long drives when the radio becomes important!
Great review, I'm sure a lot of time and effort went into it! I bought a 2003 Trophy Blue MG TF this year and I love it! Out of curiosity, have you attended any MG Owner Club meets/runs? I'm a little intimidated as there don't appear to be many 20-something year old MG drivers out there...I could be completely wrong though!
Cheers! I haven’t been to many MGOC meets or runs myself - perhaps for the same reason as you! There is a young members’ club which you might find helpful if you’re hoping to meet owners of a similar age 👍🏻
@@CarsWithWillo Oh, I'll have to check that out! Thanks, JM 😊
"longer than usual human" hahahaha awesome!
Hi mate, loved the video and I’m planning on getting a TF in the coming months. Just a few questions, do you ever have issues with the brakes as I’ve heard some bad things, also is that exhaust stock or aftermarket?
Hi William, glad you enjoyed it! I’ve never had any issues with the brakes and not heard many complaints from other owners either to be fair! They’re nothing special, but do the job. And it’s a TT back box on the exhaust 👍🏻
@@CarsWithWillo thanks so much, going tomorrow to a local garage to go have a look around one!
Make a note of anything you’re not sure about and feel free to ask me after 👍🏻🙂 drop me a message on Instagram
@@CarsWithWillowill do :), what’s your instagram?
@@CarsWithWillowhat’s your instagram?
that steering wheel is so nice! where did you buy it? could you please give me a link?
Cheers! I don’t have a link, it was custom made 👍🏻
Where did you get the steering wheel custom modded ?
Yeah I was wondering the same thing? I have a 160 sprint and I think the steering wheel let's the whole car down
It was from a company called Control Customs 👍🏻 but there are a few companies out there that will do a good job
@CarsWithWillo thanks fella 👍
How tall are you...might jave missed that...I'm 6 3 and looking to buy one
I’m 6 4. I’ve driven it daily for 5 years so hopefully that reassures you that it’s not TOO uncomfortable!
@@CarsWithWillo excellent, thanks for coming back to me
PLEASE HELP! HOW TALL ARE YOU ? IM 6,3FT .WONDERING IF ID EVEN FIT IN
Yep you’d definitely fit in! I’m 6ft4 for reference 🙂
Love my TF......Made in Birmingham, not Beijing.
Absolutely! I’m all for the new cars that are coming out of China and they’re meant to be quite good - I just wish they didn’t have an MG badge on!
Coolant temp more important than engine oil temp? Nope.
That’s not the point I was making. Obviously oil temperature is important - but I refer to the oil temp gauge on the TF not being accurate. My point really was that the coolant temperature is a significant indicator of head gasket failure and so worth keeping an eye on 👍🏻
I owned a mgtf160, a couple of years ago.
It's horrible, poor build quality, rattles everywhere, unreliable engine, there's just nothing good about them.
As with any car, there are some pretty rough examples out there for sure - sounds like you had one of those! If looked after well, the K series engine *should* be reliable