Talk Morgan Forums Morgan Sports Cars Morgan Three Wheeler & Super 3 Worries about maintenance costs

Researching the heck out of this vehicle and remain quite drawn in. Last night, however, I was reading Alex Roy's blog and he talks about how it costs as much to keep and maintain his M3W as it did to purchase. I'm sure that's an exaggeration, but it got me to thinking. The warranty is 30 mo, so routine maintenance during that time is one cost. Repairs after 30 months is another. Biggest worry would be if I get rear-ended or otherwise in a collision...how would insurance handle major repairs, as I assume we are talking about shipping from the US back to Malvern? Of course, every opportunity has costs, and perhaps I have been too optimistic about 2015/2016 models having had the kinks worked out...

Alex's vehicle is modified, and he does drive the stink out of it.

He actually owns two. The silver one was indeed returned to Malvern for repairs. Broken chassis I believe.
The black one was driven across the US in, (from memory) 42hrs and apart from an overfilled bevel box, it didn't break down. I remember seeing a video of his copilot looking under the car and asking " Where is the bevel box?" So much for preparation! Incidently,his BMW didnt fair so well on his much celebrated earlier trip .I believe there was a falling out with the producer of the film they made but makes interesting viewing.

My point is, Alex is not an average owner and it is sometimes hard to separate his version of reality from journalistic licence. If it wasn't interesting no one would read it.

Having said that, owning one in the US is probably a leap of faith.

That's exactly what I am thinking. Frightening to deal with a rear-end collision like the one recently posted if the car has to be freighted twice across the Atlantic.

But the odds aren't great for that given typical miles. I'm in an odd place. I have daily-driven a Cayman for years, picked up a wonderful new Golf R this year, and am itching for something more raw than the Porsche. I could DD the Golf R and fun drive the M3W...and I don't think I would miss the Cayman at all, despite the fact that I think it's one of the best cars in the world.

Hopefully any major breakdowns (like the chassis rusting / failing, engine failing) will occur within warranty. I do have some concerns that maintenance is not "best practice" (e.g. see the discussions on what to put in the bevel box and when), but then again no 2011 cars have been scrapped yet - as far as we know - other than maybe for accident damage!

There is a lot to be said about the ownership experiences between British and German cars.
The word "Raw" as it pertains to most most British car manufactures is highly appropriate. But this attribute not only applies to the diving experience It also pertains to manufacturing and customer service aspects as well.

These idiosyncrasies of most British vehicles and its manufacuerers are well documented and are usually called "character" by those that love them and intolerable faults by those that cannot.

As for accident damage, that is why we acquire and maintain insurance.

The bottom line being, I believe most fulfilled M3W owners entered into ownership knowing the realtionship would be more engaging and hands on (in all aspects) than a typical motorcycle and certainly a particular German sports car like the Porsche.

I would regard it as a very easy car to maintain yourself. A simple air cooled V twin adopting automotive technology. Good access to transmission and electrics once a few panels are removed. Bullet proof gearbox etc.

This is not to say there won't be a fair amount required though.

Difficulty in obtaining body parts could be true for any low production car though.

OP, have you already tried one?? If not, do it!!!
I wouldnt buy a 3 wheeler to replace a Cayman....

The early ones were beta testers. A. Roy had two 2012 models. I saw his 'West Coast' model here after his run. Highly modded with some S&S custom gear. Not your typical gear head. Steering was still stock but he changed the front wheels to 18 inchers so he could carry two spares and swap them out with out pulling the fenders off.

The S&S is rock solid as well as the Mazda gear box. Biggest maintenance issues on the newer models will be changing out the oil religiously on the motor and the bevel box as well as swapping out the tires. I would call the first set the learners set. They will go fast.

The rear sprocket has been improved to what it should have been as well as the compensator made by Centa. Everything else should do very well.

What the owner does is another thing entirely...

3,300 miles so far and as reliable as a Toyota. If I have an accident it will go back to the dealer in PA, not Malvern. Chassis and bodies can make the crossing in one direction. Haggerty policy is agreed value... 50K. Should cover it.