Talk Morgan Forums Morgan Sports Cars Classic Morgans (pre-CX) Bonnet fit

It is such a shame, we all want the quality of a Bentley and I think we are paying Bentley money for these cars (1/3 Bentley size 1/3 Bentley price) but IMHO I only think we are getting KIT CAR quality. Don’t get me wrong, I am a Morgan fan and always have been but I want it to be as it should be. I have just sold my Ariel Atom so I am in the market for a new Morgan. If they built them to Atom standards then there would be no problem. On the plus side my wife loves them and they have the best heater I have ever known in a soft top car and far more practical for what i want. Perhaps they should advertise for a new QC inspector. I really regretted selling my 4/4 as I did a lot to improve it but the factory response really p---ed me off. I even emailed them to tell them why I sold my car but got no reply to that email.
The bonnet gap/flexing issue is easy enough to check out, all it needs is a strip of plastersine down the gap the size of the gap. As you drive the bonnet will move and flex and put an indent in to it. Measure the indent and that is your movement.
As for under bonnet overheating and powerful engines. Why is it suppose to be the same very large gap for all the different engines. I am sure a 4/4 1.6 will not be the same under bonnet temperature as a V6 or V8 and dont say so they are all the same as they are not, that is part of the problem.

If the factory had a comprehensive pre-delivery checklist signed off with a traceable name much of what has been described in this thread and others would be picked up if you then back to backed it with another from the dealer then that builds in an additional level of QA. Both checklists should feedback to design and production, they should also be part of the customer pack. The cost of rework must be very high in actual cost, cost of customer unhappiness plus cost to customer of getting car to dealer or factory and their lost "opportunity" cost of they could be doing something else. Simple to implement and very quickly benefits realised. Soap box now away. Strikes me when I buy again , hopefully within next 18 months the answer is to buy a mog with 5 k miles that has been de-snagged

If you want to improve quality, there needs to be a culture change at MMC. Good quality control with defined feedback to design and production would pick up some of these issues which Morgan owners seem to have. I know it's hand built, Morgan owners are very tolerant and are prepared to accept some of the quirks of owning a Morgan. Bring in a couple of Honda quality control experts. That would certainly make a difference.

Neil

Nice one Neil

+ 2

Perhaps we should start a separate thread where all these quality control issues on new cars can be documented for the benefit of new owners. One would also like to think that such a thread would be of use to Morgan so they can see the issues that are occurring and improve their production techniques.

That is a realy good idea. Would MMC take any notice of these coments and do anything about them??

I would hope so. I am sure they must check into this site from time to time and it should be a very useful source of information to them about what their customers are thinking and experiencing. Companies that have these sorts of forums to refer to are really in a very fortunate position - assuming they want to know their customers and improve their service.

I would be extremely surprised if they do check Morgan car related forums. Whilst they can sell cars and don't have a problem with cash flows, they will carry on as usual.

Neil

I know I am selectively quoting and agree with some of what you say but the above is frankly ...... let me be polite ...... wrong.

A Morgan at 30-40k is not 1/3rd Bentley price.
You are not paying Bentley money.
I have never known cars being priced by 'size', that's just silly.

How 'big' was the McLaren F1? A guy I know is awaiting his V8 GTC that will cost him nearly £200k! Etc.

I also disagree that we "want the quality of a Bentley". I'm sure we'd all like that, but most of us are practical enough to know that's impossible. If you want the quality of a Bentley, go and buy a Bentley or another mass produced car. I have made the comparison very recently in a post on another thread between the two cars.

And as for we are getting "kit car quality" well I recommend a walk around the National Kit Car show, before taking that one further. (Disclaimer, there are some well made kit cars, though few and far between!).

I am not naiive enough to oversee some of the genuine issues discussed, though frankly I am not "anal" enough to worry about things like uneven gaps, within reason. Personally I buy a car to drive. I also think listing genuine concerns and issues is a good thing both for prospective owners and MMC. Eyes wide open and all that. But I do draw the line at what I feel are incorrect assertions.

As a more discussion orientated contribution, more specifically regarding the wings/bonnets. Although our cars are hand made please do not think that every bonnet is specifically cut for every car, templated, offered up and then hand cut. I believe that they are cut in bulk and then hand fitted, with the bonnet being hammered and shaped to fit. As such due to the complexity of both the curvature of the bonnet AND the sweep of the wings it takes considerable skill to get anywhere near consistent gaps. I can tell you the guy who wrapped my Aero (thats wrapped with stretchy plastic sheeting) struggled tremendously due the complex curves. The system referred to above would be considerably more expensive and would not be viable on a £40k car.

I would add, this is all IMHO but based on my numerous visits to the factory rather than a verbatim response from anyone in the know so happy to be corrected.