I'm sorry Wiscos, I really can't agree that the steering is fine and suits the nature of the car, you say:-
"Ride is still busy but fairly good and seems pretty well controlled. Steering feedback/kickback is still plenty evident but suits the nature of the car and - to my personal feel - is definitely ok. Car is still a really positive drive as you'd hope, and you need to hold on tight, but at low to medium speeds it's fine."
I would agree entirely with that summation, except that I really don't think it suits the nature of the car, it IS the nature of the car, but shouldn't be. My other car is a Caterham Seven, and when I get in that after the M3W the steering is just SO much better, there is no kickback but plenty of feedback, even on bumpy B roads and the car can be placed accurately on any corner to any part of the road. This is not something which can be said for the Mog, it is just a matter aiming in the general direction of the bit of road you want and hoping you'll end up near it.
You then go on to accurately say:-
"But... big bumps at speed on a country lane can cause a much bigger shock than on most cars, and will be unexpected to many (non Mog?) drivers, and this can cause a significant bump-steer so you need to be awake (not difficult in a 3W!). I've found that a nervousness sets in between 60 and 70 mph and the car feels as though it wants to oversteer which is quite disconcerting and I've not yet exceeded about 70mph"
Well, I can assure you that it will get up to over 90 quickly and easily, and with the characteristics you mention, I feel that this is really dangerous. I understand why the steering geometry is compromised, with the rack having to be above the bellhousing etc etc, but I would really like to see the factory work hard to eliminate the bump steer and feed back issues, for safety reasons as much as for a more pleasurable drive. I'm quite disappointed that the mods. that have been made so far have failed to get to the bottom of the issues.
"I still want to see if toe in/out settings can help with this, so at present the car is ok but you wouldn't want to attempt vmax runs!!"
I have experimented with different settings and it seems to make little difference to the problem, but I would be interested to hear the results of any experience you have of this.
It is a fine, fun car to drive, but I feel, at present it is spoiled by poor steering, and I don't think that because "they all do that" is a good enough excuse, especially in these days of computer aided design.
If owners complained to the factory a bit more, instead of accepting things, it just might get some results.
A shame really.