Talk Morgan Forums Morgan Sports Cars Morgan Three Wheeler & Super 3 Prospective m3w Owner

Good Evening everyone long time reader first time commenter,

I'm in the market for a m3w and after many a parlay with the bank I've secured funding so now it is shopping time. I've taken your recommendations on the forum and contacted Morgan West about a 2013 that is grabber blue with Bright Pack, quilted red leather, red mohair tonneau, and a red racing stripe VIN SA9M32851DP202605.

Dennis listed the upgrades which included a new bevel box, new Center Drive compensator, Comfort pack on the front steering, upgraded thermo engine cooling fan with reprogrammed ECU, and a new rectifier. The only thing I believe is missing is the chasis brace, and he said it is on order. They also serviced the car since new. Side note, Dennis has been a real pleasure to talk to about all these questions.

Questions time.
Is this a solid example to jump into? I know part of the journey is the moments on the side of the road which leads me to my second question, does Liberty Motors in Seattle service these? Finally, the dreaded question. How has reliability been after these upgrades have been done to your m3w. I'll take any and all information and tips I can. I just think this will fill the empty space next to the jag, as I am a sucker for British cars.

Thank you for your any advice.

Welcome to TM ithinkibrokeit (perfect forum name for a prospective M3W owner) and a warm welcome from Sydney, Australia

There is plenty on here regarding the M3W, joys, issues and reliability and I'm sure the 3W brigade will be along with advice and thoughts very soon.

I am a happy owner of a 2013 M3W and can confirm it’s fun to drive.
For me the M3W is a keeper.

It is not reliable, it is expensive, it will have ongoing little problems all time.
You need the steel sprocket instead of the original and the frame upgrade.
The exhaust bufflers should be removed to free the engine. The timing belt may not last very long so have a spare one available.

Do not buy a M3W on credit but with free cash available for fun.

Did you guys have an estimate $/km (insurance excluded) ownership ?

Always fun to compare it with such lottery of a buy. I still recall the after market tape on the check engine on Alex Roy's car.

That all sounds good advice to me!

Although, if you do remove the exhaust baffles, it will make an already loud car even louder, which may be a positive or negative thing depending on your views (and hearing)!

I think I may have posed the question incorrectly, expecting there to be issues, what is your rainy day fund for your mogs. For instance I bought a manual wrangler that within 1,000 miles the transmission, cooling system, and electrical needed a full rebuild costing roughly 6,000$. Not to mention Lotus window seals that were 500$ and a Viper that every fluid flush was 1,000$ each pop. All these things made me sad but didn't make me sell the car. I am curious post upgrades what everyone sets aside for the inevitable, 4k-5k a year?

All my friends spend their money on kids, I spend it on unreliable cars, it's a habit at this point. =)

I'm following this thread like a hawk. luckily for me the initial investment is not a problem, but the maintenance time, cost and frustration is a big variable.

and frankly in a way repetitive maintenance and issues would question the initial investment too.

the car is great but factoring these matters in the equation, i wonder if it is worth 40+k EUROS.

it's a very materialistic approach but one thing is spending time at will enjoying a fun ride, another is having to spend weekends driving behind a towtruck and calling up mechanics to get updates while hoping they know what to do is right.

and now im reading about all these fuel pump issues too ?

eishh

Hi and welcome!

It sounds a good car with all the major upgrades (although check the rear sprocket has been replaced with ether the MMC steel or Supermax).

Also check whether the S&S cambelt drive sprocket bolt mod has been done. This is about £100 for parts and maybe an hour of labour.

If it's still on the stock exhausts then either opening up a baffle or (probably better) changing to MMC Stage 1, Garage 56 or other more free flowing exhaust will transform the car.

Finally adding the MMC (or similar) rear mudguard is worthwhile.

Otherwise there shouldn't be anything major to budget for, just get out and drive.

Things will break or go wrong (fuel pumps seem to be popular at the moment!) but deal with these as you go.

In terms of an annual budget - I've averaged about £1,000 per annum for servicing (main dealer) and repairs over 5 years/20,000 miles.

Remember it is the very nature of forums to only highlight problems and bad news. For every problem there are many cars that have done 1000's of trouble free miles.