Talk Morgan Forums Community The Malvern Arms First drive – initial observations

S1 Roadster 3.0 V6 – Nov 2014 – 10,000 miles from new

Good points - positives

• The car drives as well as it looks, the engine is a peach and the 5-speed gearbox, slick and decisive.
• It is pretty swift, when the engine is extended, it certainly feels like a proper performance car. However even at low revs the engine has plenty of lug.
• The steering is pretty heavy when parking, however it lightens up and is nicely weighted – above 25mph.
• With the side screens fitted there is minimal wind buffeting (many other convertibles I have previously owned – were far worse) and even up to motorway speeds (ehem!) the car is very quiet.
• The seats are very comfortable and although I am just over 6ft, I found the driving position OK i.e. no “odd” part of me fell asleep!
• Drove back in hot sun, motorway, town and mixed running and the temperature stayed a rock steady @ 85.
• The ride comfort was OK (I was expecting worse) however cats eyes on a dual carriage way are to be avoided?

A few – less “positive” points
• The rear-view mirror – mounted on the windscreen is huge and really does mean that you have to look “over-under-around” it!
• The engine is just too quiet, I will have to release some noise (the silencers under each running board – are huge – they must also weight a tonne?)
• I don’t like the front view with just the bumper over ridders – I much prefer a full width bumper and some spot lights.

Your thoughts on:
1. A sports exhaust - and can the Catalytic Converts be removed?
2. A small interior mirror?

Overall – I am very pleased with the car, it looks great and goes very well….no rust issues either, like other “classics” – I have owned.

Thanks Mark

There are some after market interior mirrors that just slide onto the screen mounting lug.

Librands list one here there may be others but this is the one I have. £39 + shipping and VAT.

Replacement mirrors are freely available -look at Librands, but others are also available.

My Roadster came with a sports exhaust which was very wearing, as it resonated at 70 with a deep drone. I replaced it with the standard system on day 2. If you like loud drones...........just be careful what you buy.

Remove the cats and it's an MOT fail.

My standard exhaust snarls from 4,000rpm with a lovely tone.

My steering is finger light almost from a standstill, but I have Mulfab steering bearings.

Good luck with the car. Go to Librands for the mirrors etc.

I prefer the standard exhaust like Dave.

Get it up high, it'll scream like a banshee!

+1 need to be above 4500 rpm and it will rev willingly to 6500 (where to rev limiter is!)

I have an unused Librands mirror.
Going to fit one of John Worral (Heart of England) rod mirror which I purchased last year. Due to other circumstances (which included a plan to sell the 4/4 at one stage) I have not got to fitting yet. The rod mirrors are adjustable in height - useful for when hood down/off, one can move the mirror up to give a clearer view of the LH wing (relative to kerb).

Enjoy the car!

Graham
I am not sure the rod mirror will work with the Morgan easy up hood.
John

Good point John - keep forgetting these new-fangled hoods (despite them being the ones I see most of when conducting tours! ).
I've been meaning to sell the unused Librands for ages.

I have a Simmonds mirror that has top clip over the screen frame. It does cause minor leaks to come through unless extra neoprene strip is used there. I have the studded hood not easy-up so can’t comment on whether it would suit an easy-up. I imagine less likely to work. Perhaps trimming the top clip and sticking it to the screen would work? Maybe make a new top fixing to stick to the screen?