Talk Morgan Forums Morgan Sports Cars Classic Morgans (pre-CX) Brand new 4/4 - or a used one from 2009/2010?

Agree with burgundymog entirely - the tyres are amazing and the narrow body has a bit more ground clearance than a standard plus 4.

The narrow bodied Plus 4 is the enthusiasts choice and is probably the best proportions. I still have reservations about those Avons though. I experienced more squirming through standing water on the M1 on Sunday. No other tyres have ever behaved like that. So it will be interesting to compare with the Vredesteins.

This question 1.6 vs 2.0 narrow body has been whole heartly discussed on this very forum since the appearance of the 2.0 narrow body almost 5 years ago Kay. So it is also worth to have a look at the search function concerning this topic.

If a 2.0 litre NB meets your taste and expectations is a very personal one. I must admit that I never test drove her. One of the advantages of the nice TM forum is that other members may share their experiences, and in sum everyone gets a more complete picture.
And here on TM are a lot of very satisfied 2.0 narrow body owners who have pointed out important values of their cars. Certainly a 2.0 will be more effortless, will be a nice long distance cruiser. And I would say, if you drive most of the time with a passenger, I would consider the 2.0 alternatively as well. But that does not mean, a 1.6 would be too weak with two people on board.
If I were you I would test drive both types if you are new to the Morgan world.

I tend to the 1.6 because it is a new experience to me. I enjoy a fluently fast drive style, fast curves, direct response and late braking, more triggered by being underway than by acceleration experiences. Like a fast sailing ship, very close to the elements. So for me the nimble lightweight of the 1.6 litre has some priority. But again, a 2.0 NB is not much heavier.

Would it not be possible to order as an option a galvanised chassis for a new build or do you have to have the coated version?

No i dont think galv is an option anymore. The new coating saves around 2kg and avoids any distortion which can occur with the galv process. its undersealed from the factory too so i would imagine be ok. The finish looks durable - i know time will tell.

The current Dinitrol underseal is impressive, so providing you keep it intact I don't see much of a problem. But the coating is compromised every time you tighten a bolt through it, so where you can't see, and inside the cockpit will need watching until we find out the durability over time.

I have driven both the 4/4 and a narrow bodied Plus 4, though both only for short distances. I have also followed both on the open road.

My conclusion is that in the real world the 4/4 does not give much away to the so-called narrow bodied Plus 4. Both are very agile and capable cars and fun to drive. The 1600 engine looses a little on acceleration out of uphill hairpin bends and would require a gear change on steep hills if touring two up with luggage.

Should be noted that Heinz has developed a nice sport exhaust which he is very happy with and has increased mid range torque and that a couple of re-maps of the ECU are available that people are very happy with too. Both of these mods which would not cost the earth would narrow the gap between the two. But then, of course, you can perform easy tuning mods to the 2 litre engine too. That is, at least, up until the introduction of the GDI (Gasoline Direct Injection) engine.

The 1.6 engine was developed by a collaboration between Ford, Yamaha, and Mazda and uses a Ti-VCT (Twin Independent Variable Camshaft Timing) which is a great aid to midrange torque.

Up until last year the 2.0 litre Duratec engine did not benefit from variable valve timing but from early 2015 Morgan switched to the Duratec 2.0 GDI TI-VCT. This engine also has a good advantage in midrange torque because of the variable valve timing. At the moment tuning options for the GDI engine are limited to sports exhaust systems and Morgan has already installed a cold air intake.

Welcome to TM, Kay!

I´m the very happy owner of a 4/4 Sport from July 2011 and I´m ok with the Ford gearbox. I also own a MX-5 (six speeder) and love it´s gearbox but I think in the very classic MOG the Ford gearbox is acceptable and indeed with some miles done it gets smoother.

As far as I know the first MX-5 gearbox fitted MOG in Germany was a narrow bodied Plus 4 in maroon red with black leather in January 2012 (ordered as a stock car by MORGAN Flaving in Düsseldorf).

One aesthetical point of view (negative at least for me) is the fact that the smaller (or lower mounted?) Madza gearbox leads to a gearshift that looks like "fallen" some centimeters (too much) into the hole of the centre console.
I´m not sure if in the meantime MORGAN shaped the console to a lower format to counterbalance that (which on the other hand could lead to a less comfortable support to brace your right leg on in a LHD car).
@Jays: Do you have any information about that point?

The gearshift in my Ford gearboxed 4/4 Sport stands "classically" upright in the centre console and I added a bespoke leather "casing" and changed to a nice polished "ball-knob". I love it!
Have a look at: http://www.talkmorgan.com/ubbthreads.php/topics/140029/8

But what is really shocking to me is the actual price list...
My 4/4 Sport in spring/summer 2011 was in the german price list with 42.400.- €, already including the whole Sport specification (e.g. full Muirhead leather interior), the Sport pack (door handles + pockets), tonneau cover, mesh grille and photo documentation of the built.

Usually you´ll spend a lot of money to individualise your car (as I did extensively... ).
Buying a new 4/4 + adding the whole package of extras and goodies and finally having a bill of 65+ K€? Sorry, but IMHO that´s absolutely bonkers!

My tipp: If you´re not looking for a very special colour combination take your time and watch out for a well equipped preloved car with all the tweaks of a new MOG already sorted and perhaps some nice upgrades already done.

However you´ll decide, go for a MOG - the conclusion will always be a fantastic car and a unique driving experience. You´ll love it (and not only vinyl...)

Kind regards from the Saarland to the north of Germany,


George

Folks, I am still looking - for a used one because of the price.... the current list prices are not funny here in Germany.
But today a quick question - Plus 4 from 2011 comes with a 145 HP Ford Engine.... today's Plus 4 comes with the 2l Ford GDI engine (154 HP).

Is this still the same engine?
Any other major differences between the 2011 and 2015/2016 Plus 4 model, like the gearbox thing in the classic 4/4?

As always, thanks for your expertise and hints and tips!
Kay

Kay, I have no idea regarding the gearbox differences on Plus 4. Never had a normal Plus 4 myself.
Positive experiences concerning the newer GDI engine have been told here on TM.
The reason I nevertheless personally would vote for the 145 HP Duratec is that this older engine is very popular and was built into many Ford cars while the new GDI is an US engine and so far I know (not proved) in one model only used overthere. It never was used in Europe with a standard Ford car.
The older 145 HP version is durable during the long term and has experienced potential regarding tuning. The dashboard look of the older car is the same as the 4/4 shows it until now.