Talk Morgan Forums Morgan Sports Cars Morgan Plus Four, Supersport & Plus Six (CX & CXV Generation Vehicles) Four or Six

Having tested both back to back, I just didn't bond with the ratios of the manual, the auto felt much better matched to the engine, although a little ashamed to admit it...auto for me

I've been driving automatic transmission cars since 2000, starting with the relatively crude 4 speed unit in the Mercedes 190 up to the 8 speed one in the Mercedes C43. I wouldn't go back.
Mind you, the lack of a gearbox in the Tesla is compelling: it is always in the right gear, so it is easy to precisely control speed and a request for power is met with an instant response. But the delivery of power and torque isn't quite that simple, as this graph shows...



There is a lot of power and torque management going on to make it feel like continuous power, but it isn't.

Peter having owned several Merc autos since 2000 I think here the issue is how far down the gears the BMW drops it. The cars (plus four & six) always seem on song & the power massive. On the plus six in particular I didn't feel in control. If you floor it and it drops 4 gears your in trouble as there is no teaction control

The plus 4 is more than quick enough for real world roads and drivers.....

Take a hell of a long test drive in both and buy the best.....
There are so many plus 4's sat with dealers, who are in direct competition with the factory sales dept, there must be potential for some amazing deals.
You must get the upgraded seats though...!!!

Just a reminder, the spoked wheels on the Plus four need adapters that bolt to the 5 hole wheel hubs and add a lot of weight. They are not original central wheel hubs. That's why I would take a Plus four with alloy wheels. Whether it is a Four or Six I can not judge, I have not driven both. Without ESP it would be for me probably the Four with autobox because the manual gearbox what you read has so long gears that you can use only three of six gears if you want to rev up the engine a bit.
The fact of better seats in the newer cars would also be relevant to me. But I would definitely also test drive a Plus six. Much has been written here about choosing the right driving program so that the automatic doesn't shift down two gears, and then driving should remain more manageable.

My idle thoughts, for what they're worth..

I've driven both versions of the CX and even drove the Six in a pair of new shoes..! Bit brave, that. That they are the most capable & dynamic cars the factory have produced to date is without question. From the thunk of the door closing to the composure of the suspension, the cars are a delight to drive. Totally different to the Trads and a lot more composed than the alloy chassis V's. Once you get over this revelation and settle in to adding some miles, I found them to be just like any other modern car to drive.

And for me, that's the issue. There was no theatre, no sense of specialness or occasion, just a very normal driving sensation. I found both cars steering a bit dead, and an auto box a bit like losing control. There's very little control over engine braking, and you simply can't enjoy driving the car on the throttle only. You have to brake which unsettles the drive. The big engine is quite frankly very intimidating. Put your foot down & you're never quite sure whether the downshift will stay at just one gear or spool up & drop three. I found it very unsettling not to have that full control.

Of course, all of this applies to the Four too. Just less so. It would be a manual every time for me, but the engine is soulless. Even with sports exhausts, a four doesn't sound special enough. You can get much the same audio with an old Ka..!

My advice Peter, would be to stick with Tarka. Just get any electronics sorted, or even drop to an engine only electronics and run the rest as a normal wiring set up.

In truth, the issue I have with the new CX range is the lack of character. I'm not an inveterate fiddler, but I can't deny the pleasures of what Mrs SBM termed 'faffing' with the car, and the CX's simply don't allow for that.

The sweet spot is still a Trad for me, and if you enjoy the theatre of a Morgan then a big Vee in eight or six versions, stick with it. They are toys after all, and once you get past all the testosterone stuff, who cares if they drink fuel..? Not many things make you giggle with childish delight as you get older..!

Steve, I couldn't have put it better.

Completely sums it up for me.
I think the cx platform is for a new generation who don't have a desire for the uncluttered driving I experienced in my yoof and still enjoy.
So I totally applaud the factory for keeping up to date and continuing to offer exciting cars in the modern market, they just aren't for me. And that's before I even think about the expense!
Nick

PS I'd like to add that I did drive back to back at the factory a supersport and an aero plus 8 like Peter's one.
It remains vivid in my memory as I had Steve M next to me. He was very restrained when the supersport started to go sideways (I say the road was greasy) he just said "we've only got one of these you know" for which I admired him.
I didn't enjoy the supersport but I thought the plus 8 aero was fabulous. All the right sounds and traditional feel.
I do hope you keep yours Peter, though my betting money is on you going to a plus six...
Nick

The question of fuel costs is subjective, if you are only doing a couple of thousands miles a year in the Morgan then no big deal, but if you intend to also use it for continental touring each year and putting the miles on, its not just a case of the fuel cost but also the increased frequency of having to stop and refuel. I remember one fast journey in my 911 Turbo cabriolet roof down to London and I had nearly emptied my petrol tank after 100 miles, I had to fill up 3 times to go to London and back about 480 miles, I'd would have made as good a time overall allowing for fuel stops in the wife's car at the time a Peugeot 106GTI with probably only one fuel stop and had just as much fun. I used to hate having to refuel with the mixed petrol/diesel pumps with diesel splashed everywhere with a decent suit on and it gets on your shoes etc on your way to a business meeting.