Talk Morgan Forums Morgan Sports Cars Classic Morgans (pre-CX) Tell me about Roadsters

I am flirting with the idea of changing from my GDi Plus 4 to a Roadster. I have tried to find info on the interweb but can't really find what I am after.

Can anyone explain to me when the different versions of the 3 litre Roadsters came out - S1, S2 and S3? And what the main differences are? l aso I understand there were different VED rates (even though some had the same engines) - is there a concise table or chart that depicts these. Is the insurance on a Roadster that much more than a GDi, and what average mpg can I expect from a Roadster?

Has anyone changed from a GDi to a 3 litre Roadster, if so what are your opinions please.

TIA.

Hi Les

The S1 has a Mondeo derived V6 - 223bhp/200lb ft of torque, with a Getrag 221 gearbox with direct drive in 5th, and a 3.08:1 rear axle ratio. The dashboard is shallow, allowing more upward movement of the steering column. The instruments are cream. The speedo & tacho are ahead of the driver with four supplementaries along the dash centre.These cars had devol bushes in the kingpins and steering damper blades.
The S2 & S3 have the Ford MT-75 gearbox with direct drive in 4th, an overdrive 5th and a 3.73:1 rear axle ratio. This makes the S2 very slightly higher geared overall. These models use the Ford Escape V6.
The S2 ran from approx 2007-2010 with 201bhp/194lbft.From 2010 the engine was reworked into 240bhp/223lbft of torque. The Roadster Sport came along in 2010, and the front frame was widened on all S3 Roadsters, making the front track wider.
Instruments were black. Rev counter ahead of the driver, speedo & tri gauge in the centre. A deeper dashboard means less upward adjustment of the steering column. Removal of wooden seat spacers means a lower seat position. S2 & 3 have MMC steering bearings, replacing damper blades.

The 3.7 uses the Ford V6 Cyclone engine with 280bhp280lbft, and a Ford/Getrag MT-82 six speed gearbox.

I had my S1 Roadster before I got my GDi. The Roadster is streets ahead of the standard GDi, but a GDi with the Aero Racing upgrades is much closer, but nowhere near as relaxing to drive. They are very different cars.

Some of the early Roadsters benefit from a much cheaper rate of road tax. Insurance is hardly any different, if at all. MPG from my S1 is around 30, and maybe up to 32, but it does encourage you to make it growl. My GDi is not much different on MPG.

Hi Les,


I had a S2 Roadster for about 18 months. We changed it for a Plus 8 Aero Chassis because Caroline simply couldn't drive it, heavy steering, clutch and box. We kept the Plus 8 for 8 years.

The roadster S2 is a Great Car, but benefits from SSL front suspension and rear shocks. A multi link rear is better, but expensive.
The clutch is heavy and 1st gear pointless, consider it a 4 speed box... there is enough torque to make it a car that can be driven almost everywhere in 2/3rd...!
It is more a GT car than a sports car.
Try one, if you can find one.

Les, everything Dave says

Plus, mpg on my previous S1 on long trips driven sensibly 36-37 was common

I'm even getting 32-33 out of my current 3.7

I’ve got the S2 Roadster 4 seater

Love the engine. Love the popping exhaust. Love the speed and acceleration. it’s been chipped by Williams. I think it was called Blue fin by the original owner, it’s ridiculously quick. A V6 3 litre engine in something that weighs the same as a family pack of Heinz baked beans.

Gearbox is err…. er… mmm… well not sure what to say. I’ll be positive, 2nd and 3rd are great.

I’ve been told that the linkages are bit long (don’t know what that really means, I just nodded and looked like I knew what that meant when I was told) that’s why getting mine into 1st gear was a bit of a pain at first. Trying to get into 1st from neutral or any other gear other than 2nd is near impossible

It’s not a problem now at all as all I do is get it into 1st from 2nd. I do it automatically without thinking

Fun for all the family!!

PM sent.

Stewart. Does your car have the Ford gearbox?
If it does try this oil. The gear box is a Ford transit box, which also is “ tight” getting into 1st & from 1st to 2nd, especially when cold.
Ford have been trying to modify the oil to help. I changed to it with a vast improvement.
Make sure it is this exact oil. Number bottom right on bottle.
Worth a try.

Hi All - thanks for the replies and all the useful information.

It seems to me the early S1 cars (2004 to 2007?) with the Getrag gearbox are held in high regard, whilst the S2 and S3 not so much due to the lower power engines and the heavy clutch/gearbox combination. I see the 3.7 Roadster went back to a Getrag gearbox is that as good as the S1?

Ideally any Roadster benefits rom the SSL suspension set up front and rear. Do any models have power steering, or is that just an after market addition?

And if anyone has more info on the different VED rates by model/year it would be appreciated.

It's not the same Getrag box Les, the six speed was a joint Ford/Getrag creation which is bigger than the S1 box, with a bigger transmission tunnel. MMC tried to compensate with a token bulge in the outer panel ahead of the doors, but the footwell is narrower.

Only Roadsters from the first couple of years benefit from "cheaper" road tax, so 2004/5 should be OK, but 2006 could be a higher rate.

I don't think power steering was standard until the 3.7, but was optional before that. Quite honestly the S1 modified with Mulfab steering bearings really doesn't need power steering.

I think a single anti tramp bar came with the S2 onwards, but the biggest improvement comes from a Panhard Rod.

Try a few. You won't find many for sale, so you can't be too picky!

21 Roadsters currently listed by Morgan:

https://dealers.morgan-motor.com/preowned-cars/?_preowned_country=uk&_preowned_model=roadster