Talk Morgan Forums Morgan Sports Cars Morgan Aero 8, 2012< Plus 8, SuperSports, Coupe & Aeromax Plus 8 vs Aero 8

For anyone who has ever contemplated selling their Plus 8, or other Trad Morgan to get an Aero 8, here's my honest impression of the two cars 6 weeks into Aero ownership.

As some of you may know, I've recently gone from a 1988 Plus 8 with quite a lot of decent upgrades to a fairly well cared for Series 1 Aero, so this comparison is based on those two specific cars and may not be relevant to later models.

One of the most important factors of car ownership for me is how they make you feel. Although I admire many cars, very few make me REALLY want to own them. Whilst I really liked the look of the Plus 8 from a classic car point of view, the Aero excited me more just by its sheer presence. Just standing next to a Series 1 made me want to buy one, the lines are classic yet modern somehow and they manage to combine both the promise of supercar performance as well as pride in owning a genuine classic that you want to pamper.

I know it's a personal thing but the Aero Series 1 is an achingly beautiful car to look at and the profile seems to be more admired now than when it was new.

So, how do they compare as far as driving is concerned? Well, without doubt the Aero is in a different league in terms of capability, comfort, ride quality and long distance touring ability. Its modern suspension and drive train make it far more like a modern Aston or a Jag to drive than a 60's designed classic. It is also an excellent driver’s car, rewarding a good driver and giving lots of feedback and involvement. It seems to handle much better than the Plus 8 and is far more sure footed through the corners.

But perhaps that's only half the story. To be fair to the Plus 8, although the ride quality was and always will be poor compared to the Aero, the handling was actually very good and pretty predictable. I somehow felt more confident that I could drive the Plus 8 to the extreme and always felt in control. The Aero does everything at a much higher speed and I feel less confident that I can take it to the limit of its handling, but maybe I'm just not that used to it yet.

Another key factor to ownership for many is the ability to tinker! The Plus 8 is perfect for this as everything is simple and there’s no job that a competent DIY mechanic couldn’t attempt with ease. I slept sound in the knowledge that if anything were to go wrong with my Plus 8, I could either fix it myself or if it needed professional care, it wouldn’t break the bank.

The Aero is the polar opposite and even really simple things like wheel removal are a nightmare. The centre lock nuts seize on and due to the flat ally underside, it is not recommended that a normal jack is used to lift the car. In addition to this, some parts are very expensive and labour intensive to fit, so service and maintenance costs are much higher than a Trad Morgan and need to be taken into account.

I’m not confident in its reliability yet. Just a day into ownership the car failed to start. I since found out (thanks to TM!) that the starter circuit fuse rating is too low and a simple upgrade to a 30amp item resolved this frequent issue. Two weeks later, I discover a cracked wheel! £700 to replace and I can’t even get the wheels off myself. So we’ll see how the reliability in general pans out but at the moment, that’s my biggest concern.

Having said that, the BMW engine and gearbox are an unbeatable combination in an Aero and by all accounts fairly bullet proof..

Despite having owned E Types, Cobra’s, JPE Caterhams, Lotus Esprits etc, nothing attracts attention like the Aero does and that was a real surprise. Most people acknowledge the fact that it’s a Morgan but people of all ages seem to admire the lines and that never happened in the Plus 8, quite strange really.

So the Aero is a great driver’s car, it’s quick, handles well and is very capable, stunning to look at and won’t fatigue you and your passenger on a long run like a Plus 8 might. It is without doubt a highly underrated car waiting to be discovered by many. But it’s a car that needs professional care and needs to be treated like a modern sophisticated niche car rather than a traditional classic. I love my Aero but it worries me.....

The Plus 8 is a different car altogether and whilst it can’t hold a candle to the performance and ride quality of an Aero, it’s probably an easier car to live with in the long term. Horses for courses as they say!

Do I miss my Plus 8? Yes.
Do I regret selling it? Possibly
Would I swap the Aero for one again? Not at the moment..

Hi Culminator.

Thanks for your feedback

Since May this year I own Tango,a S4 Aero.At the time,as Morgan Newby I was thinking about a trad as well.But the looks and the BMW engine did it for me to decide for the Aero.

Last month I did a 10 days/2000M trip to France Holland and Germany and I loved it . I had no technical problems,exept for kerbing a wheel ,but that is already fixed.

I have the strong feeling I made the correct decision,hopefully you will be 100% convinced soon too.

Rudolf.

somehow I feel the same, but when I am on a longer trip, roadtrip, I get used to driving it
and the worries melt away,

when I haven't driven it for a few weeks, all funny/scary things go thrue my mind

Excellent post, I continually consider changing my car and your points hopfully will help my decision process. I have always admired the Series 1 Aero looks and as you say is highly underrated. As a trad owner I have always placed the Aero into the supercar bracket, in appearance and running costs. Although it is clear from posts on this site that most owners have not experienced many big bills.
Well done, you have taken that leap of faith and I hope your daring rewards you.

In my 4 years of aero ownership I'd say I've covered 40000 miles. I've had a few niggles but nothing to stop my fun. Touchwood.

Regarding the bills, they probably are higher than a Trad and most DIY activities are out but I don't feel the costs are are out of this world. Before I got my first aero I'd looked at a few TVR but was put off by the bills to keep them going.

I certainly don't regret my choice and I'm not on aero number 2 and I'm you'll feel the same with some more miles under your belt

I have covered 30,000 miles in 5 years in my S1, the annual factory service can be very expensive, however 5 miles down the road all is forgotten, and the fixed grin returns!
I have always looked upon it as a supercar, and the costs you would associate with such a beast, but with excellent factory service, as I live locally.

Well done Culminator, a most interesting post.

Like Asbo I've done quite a few miles in different Aero's, including a Series I, and I have been pretty lucky with reliability and have never been stranded. I have had Plus 8's in the past, but wouldn't think of going back to a Trad for the sort of Morgan motoring that I do.

As others have said, servicing can be more expensive than a Trad and it is certainly worth returning the car to the works on a fairly regular basis, mine has just come back and it really does drive with an edge!

Lastly, I suggest you join the Club Morgan Aero, sign up for the Annual South of France Meeting and enjoy putting some miles on the car and meeting up with some other like-minded Aero enthusiasts in convivial surroundings.

Hello Culminator

I have also enjoyed reading your post.

With regard to removal of the wheels & jacking the car I felt similarly when I first had to tackle the job. However, with a bit of metal work and some wood I came up with a satisfactory solution.

I bought some 50x50mm angle iron 4mm thick and cut two pieces to the length of the jacking plate at the front of the car. I bolted the two pieces together and then in the middle attached a block of hard wood (with a slot to take the vertical of the two thicknesses of angle iron). I then used this spreading plate with my jack to lift the car at the front. For the rear i just use the diff case with some wood under it.

And to remove the wheels, providing they have been properly fitted with some copper grease smeared on the mounting faces it's a case of having a decent torque wrench that can be used with the socket in the boot. I was able to find a secondhand item for about £100.

I agree that the costs of parts can be high and the car does seem to need more than a well loved older +8 (mine was a 1978). I guess it's the price one has to pay for more modern creature comforts and lower emissions!

Cheers

My BMW 118d was the only car I've had (in my admittedly limited experience) whereby I never had a negative thought about it breaking down or doing something unexpected. However, it was also the worst car I owned.

No, I don't know how that works either.

I too moved from Plus8 to Aero8 S3. 7 years and 13k miles in plus8 and 5 years 22k miles I think speaks for itself. Three european trips and LoS would have been very uncomfortable in the Plus8 especially the straight run back from St T. to Calais (although swmbo is still complaining!)

One specific difference is we used to take the Plus8 out for an evening run but tend to use the Aero as a car for going places - with smiles all round.

Both cars bought new, mechanically I had no probs with Plus8 and enjoyed the hands on fettling. The Aero however has had major warranty issues including the BMW dual mass flywheel. All other issues were what Morgan did/didn't do during build and everything was resolved at Malvern. I have never taken car back to them for servicing as having 2 dealers and a leading Morgan workshop (Millers) all within 20 miles I feel well catered for locally. To my mind annual costs have not been high at all but I suppose cost per mile also needs to be considered.

Would I go back to Plus 8 (or Roadster)? No
Do I prefer Aero8? Yes
Will I keep it for forseeable future? Yes