Talk Morgan Forums Morgan Sports Cars Classic Morgans (pre-CX) Any regrets those who moved from M3W to 4 wheels?

Hi

Im thinking about moving from my three wheeler to a 4/4 or plus 4. I love it to pieces but feel I miss a lot of use out of it due to no roof and we want to start taking ourselves further a field in our Morgan. I cant justify keeping it as well. I would definitely consider myself at the younger age of the spectrum of Morgan owners and it was the unique nature of the 3W that bought me to the brand.

Anyone regretted moving over? Power? Handling? I really like the look of the 80th anniversary model 4/4

Pete

Not done it myself as I went straight in on four wheels but a few on here have migrated over and will no doubt give you some feedback. But all the ones I know have been happy with the change and what you lose in quirkiness you gain in practicality I think.

Hi Pete

I moved over!

My Morgan journey started with the M3W - I had wanted one since being 9 years old!

After two years and too many issues I changed to a 4/4.

It was a radical change. The 4/4 being very different driving experience. But a positive one. There really is no comparison between the two.

As you say the 4/4 is maybe more usable - having a heater and a hood!
More space and sidesceens!

I then had a Roadster for 18 months and now just in the past month a 4/4 80th - so have gone full circle.

I really do like the 80th! Packed with goodies and differences from a standard 4/4 IMO.

Good luck whichever way you decide to go.

I did they same 3 years ago. Never regretted it...well I miss it sometimes but I get far more enjoyment from my 4 wheeler than I ever got from the 3W. Plus I can drive it in all weathers, yes ok you can in the 3W but as you know rain can get a little tiring on a long journey. As for age I was 46 when I changed so younger than some.

Think of the M3W as a well equipped motorcycle rather than a poorly equipped car and dress for the weather. If your priority is to stay dry get a Honda or a Nissan. There are much better cars for the money than a Morgan that keep you dry.

Can we take this over to PistonHeads:

"man considering upgrading his vehicle to something more practical. Looking at 4/4 or Plus4".

Maybe not. As you were.

I did it, too..

My thoughts listed HERE

I started with a M3W and purchased a 4/4 half year later.
I kept the 3wheeler and still use it sometimes for a short ride.
The 4/4 is the Morgan I enjoy and I drive her as often as possible. If I had to give one away it would be the M3W.

I have both M3W and 4/4 and find I use the 3 wheeler more.

As may be apparent on the M3W forum, I purchased HJP's M3W in April '16. I have had massive fun with it, as have the family. It has had quite a few extras added to it, some of my own making, but especially the Fairbourne screen & G56 pipes. However, when I got it I thought that my wife's orthopaedic knee problems would improve following some operations last summer and she would then be able to come out in it for runs. Unfortunately, they haven't improved for various reasons and the indignity of her getting in and out is not something that is fair to inflict. In a way, Thumper has become a bit of a selfish toy.

So having been infected with the terminal Morgan virus I was thinking of a 4/4 four seater. I almost went to see a very attractive 1978 4/4, but was totally put off by trying to get into a similar vintage 4/4 when I visited the factory a few weeks ago. Actually, it was rather more challenging than the M3W as it had short doors and the scuttle / dash seriously impeded entrance and exit.

But you keep Googling around, as one does, and I recently found a very well sorted 2000 4/4 four seater. This of course has all the advantages of long doors and some changes I think around the scuttle / dash. Well we went to see it last Monday and Cecily actually got into and out of it easier than our Polo! Our time was very limited and so the test drive was a bit tricky as I hadn't got into a comfortable position. The performance seemed a bit sedate compared to Thumper. How much improvement can be made to an 1800 Zetec? The four seater arrangement gives lot's of extra space and I think I could quite easily stow a wheelchair in broken down form for longer trips, whilst the two extra seats could be great for grandchildren. So on many counts, the practicality and fun side of the equation are balancing better.

My oldest friend (our best man) is keen to buy an M3W. He had a new one on order, but has cancelled because of the Euro 4 shenanigans. He is going to see Melvyn Rutter's cream and red demo model which is for sale, but I think Thumper might yet win the day (much better car!) and it would be nice to keep the M3W in the family, so to speak.

So this rambling post is where my thoughts reside, currently.

Tim