Talk Morgan Forums Morgan Sports Cars Morgan Three Wheeler & Super 3 Things are looking up...

Don't get me started or I may not be able to stop.

I've been disappointed with my M3W on so many levels and if I weren't such a gearhead, fun junkie and having dreams of a bullet-proof simplistic, fun car that a well executed M3W could have been, I would have already dumped mine back on the market for some other un-suspecting (such as myself) sucker to deal with it. These issues go well beyond what I have seen described as "querks, warts or character". I think it could be great but suspect it will be a torturous path getting there. I'm sticking with it for now as I believe I can get it right eventually with plenty of time, labor and money. I'm not getting much bang for my buck so far but if I can get up to a reliable, confidence-inspiring level, the fun-factor multiplier may allow me to recoup some pain and suffering. I just don't know how far it is from where I am now to that happy place on down the road. Respectfully, I don't see a cure for what the car needs from Morgan. I do suspect the 2014's are better than the earlier models with a few little tweaks and mods (BandAids) but can't see it being much different in other respects. For the lack of a better description, the car comes across as frail and sickly from a mechanical stand-point and for me, that's a real turn off. I don't expect high end performance from the M3W but I don't want to have to keep my towing service on speed dial either. And frankly, I wouldn't have been surprised to have gotten more from my money (from an engineering and QA stand point). "It was rushed to market" is not a legitimate excuse from the people holding the manufacturing schedule in their hands...I just see it as a cover for a philosophy...but that's just me.

To some degree, I can understand some issues with the compensator and the bevel box through a rocky marriage of merging 3rd party supplier components together...again, to some degree, but for a car manufacture making such a big mistake on the steering geometry is certainly perplexing (to be polite). Besides bad geometry, I don't think I'm aware of any auto manufacture that sells a vehicle with a similar style front-end that includes pre-set and non-adjustable steering components. If it were the cheapest and best way to do it, the manufacturers that collectively produce millions of cars would have been doing it, as well. My lawn tractor has a front-end adjustability comparable to the M3W. As mentioned in my other post, I'm having to, for now, treat it like it is a really over-priced kit car that needs completing to come to terms with it and my money.

Giving credit where credit is due, Morgan did an excellent job on the body and styling. The paint job, fit and finish on the body are stellar. It's a good version of a retro with enough fresh styling that it is very appealing to the eye (it got me off my wallet). If it didn't actually have to work and only required visual effects (art), it would be at the top of the heap.

I'm going to leave this post on that positive note, try to maintain my optimism and try to learn from others people's misfortune with the M3W that maybe I can head off problems before it starts self destructing. Personally, I think we are in for a lengthy mechanical, maintenance-intensive adventure/exercise...but everybody need a hobby and the M3W keeps us off the streets...literally.

Z

Do you know what..? I could not agree more.

Well said.

any updates on your car SBM?

It's arrived back at the factory today, Blake.

I got my Empire kit tweaked on Friday. I wound up with 4.3 degrees of castor, 1.2 degrees of camber and between 1/32" & 1/6" toe in.

Took it on a 175 mile loop over various types and speeds of roads. All I got to say is WOW. You don't realize just how disruptive and destabilizing the bump-steer issues are until you don't have them anymore.

The drive isn't as exciting (in a good way) as it was before. Now I know when I hit a bump or a bridge seam that I am in control of the car. Honestly, it is a much more relaxing drive. I can still feel the irregularities in the road but they aren't influencing the car. I think I know better how the car handles the irregularities now as before I was pre-occupied with the overly-active steering wheel and concerned with being prepared to counter-act a bad move on the car's part.

Just bouncing the front of the car up and down in the shop is pretty conclusive. Before, it was clear to the eye that the front-end was going from toe-in, to toe out and back to toe in in the short amount of travel I could produce by hand. Now "cycling" the suspension, the front wheels stay in the same plane.

Now my little car handles 10x better than before. I can sail up into a corner with confidence and cornering seems so much flatter than it did with all the steering issues going on.

By the end of the day, I was actually having fun with the car pushing it's limits in the corners. I wish there were another M3W in my area so I could show them how I could smoke their butt in a M3W with proper steering geometry. I think if my frame is going to crack, this ought to speed up the process as I can actually load it pretty good now.

I guess I can now devote my attention to the drive train.

Z

How much is the kit all in?

That is a glowing testimonial if I ever read one! Z, that's great.

I wonder how much "more" of an improvement you made by getting the greater caster? From that guys across the pond, the Empire kit as they've installed them has been a BIG improvement.

Of course more caster give a better tracking feel, but requires more force in the turns. It sounds like you've hit the happy spot for caster, camber and toe in. My opinion is that a "little" toe in is good and I think you did just the same as I would have done.

What plans do you have for the drivetrain? Or what issues do you have to correct?

I wish more MY14 owners would chime in here with positive comments. The issues reported by MY12 and MY13 owners are making future owners like myself very nervous. A few positive comments would at least help those of us who have cars on order feel like we have made a wise purchase.

I know SBM has a 2014 and as far as I know has had the only serious issue so far with the bevel box (unless I missed a post by another owner).

My MY14 will be built later this month, so some positive comments would help me sleep better at night. Anyone?

I've got a 2012 with a number of 2014 updates including the comfort kit and Centa drive compensator...these 2 changes have literally transformed the car; the steering in particular is now a joy over even the bumpiest roads. I can't compare it with the Empire kit, which takes the front suspension on to a new level, but personally speaking I no longer have any concerns with steering so have no need to take it any further.

So I'd say don't worry - you will be getting a fantastic, unique, fun car which has the fundamental issues addressed ( with a lot of help from the early adopters!!). You may still have some quality control niggles but the systemic issues appear to have been fixed.

And despite all of the problems the early adopters have had, and even with the benefit of hindsight, I don't think many of us regret buying the car. I certainly don't - the sheer fun and excitement far outweighs the frustrations along the way.

Enjoy

I have a 2014 and have put about 650 miles on it over the past couple of weeks. I drove a 2013 model (without the comfort kit) on several test drives. The 2014 is a big improvement over the 2013. You can drive it comfortably at speed with a very light touch on the steering wheel. I have felt no sensation of bump steer. It does tramline, but given it's short wheelbase and 4" wide tires that is to be expected. Steering feel at speed is spot-on, but at slow speeds takes some man-handling (again to be expected out of car without a servo). I have not found that the car understeers as badly as others have described. I tend to use mid-apex throttle which will overcome some understeer.

Overall, I am very happy with the 2014 and am glad that I waited for the improvements. If only someone could explain how I am supposed to access the fill hole in the bevel box all would be just peachy!