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

Steve,
I missed your original post, but what a good read.
Thanks for re-posting.
Reggie

First impressions moving from 3 to 4 wheels. .

Well, I've been driving Merlin the 4/4 Morgan for all of four days. Much of it has been on motorways: for reasons of expediency rather than pleasure - so not proper Morgan trips.

As with the M3W, road noise at speed is really uncomfortable, but easily managed with some earplugs. The M3W with a G56 exhaust was certainly much more lively than my currently configured 4/4. Part of that is psychological in that the 4/4 exhaust is much quieter. I was with Rob Wells (Librands) today, picking up some door checks: useful for me, essential for Cecily. Very tempted to put one of the Librands sports exhausts on - but that can wait for Christmas or birthday presents.

One gets used to the driving position quite quickly and the steering is great at any reasonable speed. At slow speed being Popeye would help. The suspension is fun and seems to be very predictable, but certainly lets you know when a chasm is encountered in the road. Merlin seems to be quite well mannered, with few of the vibrations and foibles that I have been reading about. Maybe the four seaters have a different handling?

The side panels are quite good at preventing winds around the back, although the doors let in a howling gale around the kidneys at speed. There is a clear 1" cubed gap at the bottom of the lock that could usefully be obturated. I am quite tempted to get the doors and side panels re-trimmed at Allon Whites: has anyone had this done? Cecily would certainly appreciate less drafts, but I think she is warming to the case.

We very successfully went to the Oldest pub in England tonight with a friend in the back. Her view was somewhat curtailed by the roof, but it was all good fun - they especially liked the windscreen wipers. We obviously returned in the dark and the Nolden lights that Tom fitted are, literally, brilliant. The instrumentation lighting in the dash is positively sepulchral in its effect, with the odd photon bouncing off an occasional surface (is there a brightness control in a 2000 4/4?)

Much fun was had by all at Gaydon demonstrating roof erection and dismantling on Saturday: it is so much better with it down for driving, but it does give some security, especially for Cecily's cripple sticker, when we park up. It's actually pretty simple to put up. The car came with a unique tonneau cover, but I haven't quite sussed out how it goes yet.

One thing that does seem a little strange is that the throttle is slow to back off when changing gear when you lift your foot off the accelerator pedal. It all seems pretty loose under the bonnet, so I'm getting a good local car chap to have a test drive with it tomorrow.

All in all: very positive. Watch this space...

Tim

Sounds positive TIm
I've never left our disabled badge in the Mog even with the hood up
I wouldn't risk it personally
We take it with us and I'm thinking of making a small sticker to put on the dash with our badge number and mobile phone number of someone wants to challenge it

No dash light adjusters unfortunately but you can change the bulbs behind the instruments relatively easily - it's a bit fiddly but straight forward

I can certainly recommend the Librands sports exhaust and manifold with the acoustic end bit to take off the rasp

We bought a secure holder for wife's blue badge, it has a bicycle type cable to thread through something like the steering wheel. Thick perspex viewing front.

It has to be on display when parked. If I see someone who has parked in a disabled bay without a badge, I usually politely say "You seem to have forgotten to put your badge up". This gets a variety of responses.

Good feedback Tim ..and well done with your fist few days.

Bob ...thanks a great idea ..will try that response.

When out with Mother I often get/ see cars without a blue badge in disabled spaces ..very very naughty.

After the sad loss of my M3W I'm looking at replacing it with a Plus4 for about the same value. I've seen two for sale at around £25K and wonder if anyone on the forum was a previous keeper or has any history/MSCC contacts. I'm keen to avoid any BRG/ British shopping Green colour as it was bad luck for me as well as the the British National Racing Team once they had adopted it.

https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/morgan/plus-4/morgan-plus-4-1998/8975487

https://www.mole-valley.co.uk/vehicle/mo...e0-fc9e870a3146

Archie

Regrets - I've had a few ......

Seriously though I suspect I won't miss it too much until next spring now.

Comparisons:
Performance: still running in the Roadster but its going to give me an even bigger kick in the back when I boot it.

Handling: Very little roll on the Roadster and not much in the M3W, but the formers stiff front end allied to an extra wheel is going to give greater confidence in corners.

Steering: After the M3W (and our Mini) found I had to wind the wheel noticeably more despite the now standard power assistance. Its just a matter of adapting though.

Comfort: Roadster has surprisingly stiff rear suspension noticeable on Norfolks bumpy roads, but may loosen up a bit. The M3W had equally surprising soft rear suspension with plenty of travel although the cockpit was more cramped. Nice to have less concerns for the weather with a hood available, allowing greater use during the winter.

Sound: Little to beat a stage 1 M3W. The Roadster is whisper quiet at idle and low engibe speeds but promises an awesome snarl as it hits 4000 rpm.

Attention received: Getting an equal amount at the moment but the M3W would win hands down at a motoring event.