(In the Welcome forum they told me to repost this here in the 3-wheeler forum.)

Hello dear 3-wheeler owners!

I just signed up to this forum because I'm seriously considering buying a used 3-wheeler - the discontinued model with the S&S V-Twin.

Maybe this already answers all subsequent questions: If you seriously consider a 3-wheeler you will never buy one.

Last summer I rented such a vehicle for a day, drove it in the Swiss alps - and since then it hasn't let me go.

(Previously I had already rented a Morgan 4/4 in Cornwall but it just has too many wheels.)

What worries me are operational questions:

• How does Morgan service work in Germany?
• Where can I get insurance in Germany?
  I looked up the Check24, ADAC, HUK websites, but none of them offers the Morgan 3-wheeler.
• Where can I buy new tires?
  If needed, should I remove the wheels myself and take them to a shop that carries motor cycle tires?
• What should I do after getting into a downpour? Can I just put it in the garage or do I have to disassemble and dry it?
• How reliable is such a vehicle? I am aware that a Morgan is no Toyota.
  But if I can't drive all summer because I have to wait for a stupid spare part, then I lose interest.
  Does one need to own two Morgans to actually drive one?
• In Germany, am I really allowed to drive on roads that are prohibited for motor cycles?
  After all, the 3-wheeler does sound like a Harley Davidson.

I hope to find answers to my questions in this forum.

Looking at the 3-wheeler offers on Autoscout, I am shocked that their average mileage is only 1100 km per year.

Right now I'm telling myself that those cars that are loved and driven by their owners don't show up on Autoscout...

Spend some time reading through this forum researching the M3W you will form your opinion which is more important than anything you are told.

For what it is worth, on reading your operational questions I would say it's not for you.

Hello feierstarter,
I'm very new to this forum so definitely not the best person to give advice, however, here are my thoughts...

1. How does Morgan service work in Germany?
I guess you'll have to ask that question locally, however, there are a number of companies online including the mainstays which should be accessible in Germany for parts - you could then instruct a suitable company to fit or do it yourself. Research.

2. Where can I get insurance in Germany?
I don't know - maybe google specialist companies - there must be Morgans in your country.

3. Where can I buy new tires?
Do a Web search for tyres and see if the companies ship to Germany.

4. If needed, should I remove the wheels myself and take them to a shop that carries motor cycle tires?
Removing the wheels seems a straight forward task - this is what I intend to do, although I will be using M3W specific tyres.

5. What should I do after getting into a downpour? Can I just put it in the garage or do I have to disassemble and dry it?
The general consensus appears to be protect vulnerable parts with something like ACF-50 - I wouldn't think any disassembly would be required - if you're worried, give it a once over with a cloth.

6. How reliable is such a vehicle? I am aware that a Morgan is no Toyota.
By all accounts, early vehicles are pretty much sorted and later ones have had known faults rectified. That said, a bespoke vehicle will no doubt need maintaining and fettling to keep it going.

7. But if I can't drive all summer because I have to wait for a stupid spare part, then I lose interest.
The beauty in the M3W for me lies in the fact that it is not a mainstream car and as such will involve more input and inconvenience - that said, should getting hold of a part really take all summer?

8. Does one need to own two Morgans to actually drive one?
I've not heard this before.

9. In Germany, am I really allowed to drive on roads that are prohibited for motor cycles?
After all, the 3-wheeler does sound like a Harley Davidson.
Would it depend on what the vehicle is classed as in Germany?

The best advice I can give is to arm yourself with knowledge before committing so that you can make an informed choice. If you're after bulletproof reliability, widespread part availability, mainstream insurance and no inconveniences then perhaps the previous poster is right. If, on the other hand you want to be different, get out what you put in, have something unique and rewarding then maybe it is. Only you can decide.

Feierstarter, first there are several German owners of the 5 speed M3W on this forum alone. Tyres are not an issue.

I owned mine for 2.5 years and covered 9000 miles with 100% reliability. Having said that there were problems with earlier models although most have had the defects attended to by now. 2014 saw many improvements although there were still issues particular with the Centa drive train rubbers disintegrating. An engineer enthusiast Phil Bleazey on this forum has come up with a range of solutions to improve both reliability and longevity.

S & S no longer build the engine and spare parts will become difficult in the near future. Given the enthusiasm for the model and numbers on the road my own opinion will be that further solutions and work around's will be found to keep them running.

This vehicle is a car no matter what the politicians choose to call it. In some parts of the US it's classified as a motorcycle though requiring that tight headlamp spacing needs to be complied with, adding to dangers of using such at night. It appears this blatant stupidity is less common in European countries though. I would expect to be able to use the M3W anywhere in Germany that more conventional cars are. Perhaps not on narrow tracks with a central drain though

I tried to avoid using mine in forecast bad weather but inevitably you get caught out. I remember driving in torrential rain but the engine didn't miss a beat. Even whilst moving though the shape of car does suck in rain and seat squabs need to be removed and floor mopped out after a journey in heavy rain. Water proofed leather helps here.

I'm sure other current owners, hopefully some based in Germany will be along to give their opinions. The fact that prices of this now discontinued model remain very robust says a lot.

Servus Feierstarter,

if it´s worth for you to do an one day tripp with 2 times 300km you can come to visit me in Austria (4625 Offenhausen) and I will show you mine and explain all the details to be done and to be checked. I spent days inside the forum and weeks to rebuilt everything to the latest standard including all important "Phil Bleazey" upgrades and other improvements.

So it will save a lot of time for you and I would get some good beer from Neustadt in der Pfalz ;-)!

If you are interested send simply a PM...

Regards

Eddy

7) So far as waiting all summer for parts.

There is a poor guy who has been waiting for engine parts through Autumn, Winter,Spring, Summer, Autumn, Winter and still waiting despite his vehicle being under manufacturers warranty.

Personally, if I had a M3W I'd be looking at swapping out the S&S and fitting a more mainstream Harley motor. There would be a bit of fabrication, but it can't be unsurmountable. Many Bike builders have swapped out the Harley engine for an X Wedge. There'd be a bit of faff with the electrics and ECU but again, all fixable.

The benefits of spares,tuning kit and dealer network would soon negate the initial hassle.

Yes, everything is possible if the engine falls from the sky in a country where the standards are non-existent, there will remain the electrical and injection system and there may be problems inherent in the new engine.

Yep, we're lucky here in the UK - you can chuck anything into anything. You may be asked for an engineers report if it's really bonkers, but usually you can get away with it.

As I said there may be a faff with the electrics and ECU, or you good go old school, rip all the stuff out and got for a carb version and basic rewire....

Thank you everyone for your supportive or honest answers.