Talk Morgan Forums Morgan Sports Cars Classic Morgans (pre-CX) Plus 4 and Roadster V6 comparison

I would appreciate opinions of those who have driven a Plus 4 and a Roadster V6 to offer their views on the major driving differences / experiences between these two cars. Despite viewing numerous online reviews, I have not seen any with this type of information. I'm especially interested in the suspension / handling behavior, having been a previous Lotus ( elise, evora, exige 260 sport ) owner, but not expecting either Morgan to be put to the test on a track for me in future ownership. Also, any concerns with the front disc / rear drum braking setup? Thanks!

Well it depends on which year car.
I owned a 97 +4 and now an 06 3l Roadster.
The +4 was a short door car with a Librands manifold and sports exhaust plus a panhard rod. The Roadster is stock but has upgraded shocks anti tramp bar and stock panhard rod.

The Roadster has stunning acceleration vs the +4 especially at over 3500 rpm. It is a better grand tourer which is why I bought it.
Hope that helps
John

Hi all!
I should have specified years. I am interested in views of 2018 to 2020 as that is what available in the US. Thanks!

If you can stretch to it get the biggest engine you can .

I have a 3.0 litre Roadster from 2005, and a 2016 Plus 4 with the AR chip and manifold/cat/exhaust.

On the road there really isn't much difference. The P4 is lighter, and more nimble, and can be pushed harder at the limit of adhesion.

My Roadster excels at A road overtaking with effortless acceleration, but the P4 doesn't give much away.

The 3.7 is obviously quicker.

Try both if you can.

The 3.7l roadster should have the 5 link rear suspension not cart springs. It feels more planted like a modern car. I think but am not 100 % sure that the +4 will have the traditional cart springs which some of us prefer.
Try both. The Roadster is a very fast car. I haven't driven the newer +4.

The Roadster you would be considering is the Mustang 3.7 V6 engined Classic variant fitted since April 2018 with 5 link rear suspension. This dumps the leaf springs in favour of coilover damper rear suspension with the then necessary upper and lower links each side plus lateral panhard rod to hold the live back axle very firmly in position. Lower links and panhard rod are available after markets on the Plus 4 but you would still have the less compliant leaf springs. There are further options on the Roadster in the form of dual rate rear coilspring damper package offered by SSL, with matching dual rate front setup suitable for all in the Classic range. For the Roadster this allows greater improvements in both comfort and handling front and rear making this car with its excess of power IMHO the cream of the tourers in the recently defunct steel chassis Classic range. Possible exception would be a Plus 4 with SSL's own aftermarket 5 link rear.

On the negative side the gearbox ratio's on the six speed Ford gearbox are a little too wide for the Roadster dictating a second gear start under most circumstances and a change down from the economical but very high sixth gear when overtaking at motorway speeds. This gearbox is also physically quite wide requiring a matching transmission tunnel which limits footwell width for both passenger and driver. The equally crisp Mazda MX5/Miata five speed box in the Plus 4 allied to its lower weight helps make it a more chuckable drivers car especially as there are no concerns over throttle lag as found by many owners on the 3.7 V6 engine although you quickly adapt to it.

If you're not in a hurry to purchase it might be worth waiting for the very recently released all new Plus Four on the aluminium chassis CX platform with wishbone suspension all round, the BMW turbo four cylinder variant of the Plus Six. Assuming this would eventually be available in the US it offers Roadster performance with modern handling and both manual and auto transmission.

I haven't driven the roadster with any of the rear suspension variants but i have a plus 4 with supersport engine, 2.0 litre Mazda MZR engine by Omex giving around 200hp and it makes a very lively chuckable Morgan. Matched to Mazda 5 speed box, the box of choice for Morgan , Caterham etc, its a lovely motorway cruiser easily returning low to mid 30s to the gallon. I would have thought handling the roadster with that big lump up front would be an "all hands to the pumps" experience. With the suplex front suspension set up front, Bilsteins all round and a Panard rod at the back my plus 4 handles about as good as it gets with a 1930s set up.
A lotus it ain't! I run an S2 Exige S with the Komotec engine upgrade, an S1 Elise sport 160 and an old Caterham crossflow. Driving the Lotus is consistantly exhilarating experience where the cars needs the lightest of input to get the response you want regardless of the rate you're travelling at as you'll know. The Morgan experience at speed (in Morgan terms not Lotus terms) you're hanging on to the wheel for support as the seats don't afford much in that depertment the car usually lands where you are hoping it will.
Brakes, i didnt rate those Indian things they are using but could not run to the AP Racing kit so i went for the Hi Spec Big brake kit from Peter Mulberry and have been well pleased with the upgrade, a great improvement and almost approaching the AP set up on the Exige and its on Pagid RS 42 pads.
See the Morgan in action on u tube Omex Morgan Plus 4 at Llandow. The omex engine is perfect for the Morgan and readily upgradable to get a few more BHP from without major internal work.

Lowflyer, was the Komotec engine upgrade including the Rotrex charger/belt driven turbo?

Heinz,
The Komotec upgrade on my S2 Exige did not involve any changes to the standard Eaton supercharger other than a smaller pulley. ECU reprogramming and different injectors, a few other things were installed as part of the kit, Morroso sump etc, the work was carried out by Hangar 111 in 2010. It did make 298PS on the dyno then according to the graphs. It still returns low to mid 30 miles to the gallon, about 14km / litre , i think.
Not sure if you thought from my post i was referring to the Morgan when talking about supercharging, would be interesting.a 2.0litre super charged Morgan