Talk Morgan Forums Morgan Sports Cars Classic Morgans (pre-CX) roadster series 1, what to look for

Hi, interested in secondhand 2006 roadster. What should i look for when viewing? What are main advantages/drawbacks compared to Plus 4. I am a M3W user.
Thanks

Sump ground clearance is the main issue with the 3.0 Roadster. It comes alive above 4000 revs so make sure you do that to get the proper impression. Significantly faster than a Plus 4 in that zone.
The S1 has the speedo and rev counter in front of the driver plus 4 small gauges.
Road tax can vary around 2006 when the rules changed if that matters.

Drinks more fuel than the plus4, exhaust notes significantly different. The straight 4 is nicer burbble day to day whereas the roadster when you open up lets out a banshee howl.

The roadster can be very quick (especially if you get your walking boot stuck!)

I found the 2014 plus4 I hired had heavier steering than my roadster

Careful in the wet the back end can do the impression of a fish tail quite easily.

A much lazier car imho to the current Plus4....until as Dave says, you get the revs over 4000. As a result, it's a very relaxing car to drive. The sump height is an issue...a Mulfab sump helps a bit, but then the bell housing is the lowest bit. I was a bit paranoid about it for the first few months...I've grown to,accept it and plan ahead! It has stopped me entering the annual MAC rally though...I use to enjoy that in the 4/4!
Mind you...the more I drive the new Plus4, the more it ticks my boxes, especially in narrow body form.

Is that 3.0 litre the same ford based unit as fitted in the jaguar s type? Ie 240 bhp?

Thats a superb unit in a heavy s-type with lots of power, espically when revs rise, lovely noise too.

Andy
To the best of my knowledge the V6 in the Roadster Series 1 is the Ford Mondeo ST220 engine. I think it differs marginally from the Jaguar unit. MMC were always trying to claim it was a Jag power plant but were not allowed to (IIRC)
When these engines dried up MMC were offered the Ford Escape ( a 4x4 from the USA) unit , while similar in many respects was lower power , but also gave lower emissions which was a relief as the Mondeo unit was very high thus affecting VED. However I believe that most enthusiasts would prefer the Series 1 for both the engine and the better gearbox. The software on this engine was also better matched to the lighter Morgan by Ford technicians working with MMC.
I am not sure if there were any other power plants used between the Ford Escape and the current Ford Mustang 3.7 litre, but I am sure others here will be able to fill in any detail.

There are 3 versions used of the 3.0 litre v6 mine is of the 3rd version.

Watch the VED. I pay £500 a year but the fun is worth it.
As DaveW says wind it up to over 4 k and hang on.

The PCB controls lots of stuff and sits under the 4 gauges. Mine failed due to water ingress, that cost £500. If the switch lights flicker when the indicators go on, or if you have the heated screen on , headlights, fan & then hit the indicators and they self cancel immediately you may have an issue.

Get the Mulfab sump and enjoy. Simples.

When I discovered that the ST220 oil filter didn't fit I made some enquiries about adapting the oil/water intercooler so that this filter would fit. It's bigger and more robust looking than the standard item. I was informed by the factory that the base engine is Jaguar spec and indeed it takes the Jaguar oil filter. It also takes a standard Zetec filter - EFL600. Bhp is quoted as 223 for the S1. S2 was 205. S3 was 240 I think, but based on an SUV so not a revver.

The Getrag gearbox in the S1 Roadster is sublime - smooth as silk and very fast changes that can be made.