Talk Morgan Forums Morgan Sports Cars Morgan Three Wheeler & Super 3 I sooo want a 3 Wheeler

I've been completely obsessed with 3 Wheelers since my wife got me a days hire of one for my birthday years ago. Trouble is they are out of my price range.

then this one came along.

It doesnt seem to have many additions and I understand the earlier versions need the updates to ride properly. I'm a reasonably competent amateur mechanic so I'm thinking I could do the updates myself.

Krazy horse are offering one for another £4k that looks nice and has had all the mods, done by professionals

Im thinking the one on ebay is the best bet

There are a few for sale on Car and Classic https://www.carandclassic.com/list/83/3%20wheeler/

Personally I wouldn't buy an early car unless the chassis had been changed.

Like most specialist cars they're not exactly flying off the shelf - find one you like and leave a silly offer with the vendor.

If you haven't already do read Bunny's excellent buyers guide https://www.mtwc.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Final-150.pdf

For a 2012 you need to check/budget for the following:

Has the chassis got the factory/dealer fitted bolt in front chassis brace?

Does it have the Centa compensator or is it still soon the original Harley type. If Harley you need to change it for the Centa compensator and whilst you're at it have the Bleazey conversion done so you can access and change the rubber transmission rollers. Budget say £1-3k for this.

Has it had a steel rear drive sprocket retrofitted? If it's still the original alloy sprocket that needs changing - probably anything from £500 - £1k

Check the date codes on all 3 tyres, they are probably the originals which are over 12 years old and need changing regardless of tread depth. Put Blockley tyres on the front and I'd recommend a Michelin Cross Climate on the rear.

Budget for a full service with engine and bevel box oil changes and a brake fluid change.

If it hasn't had the "Comfort Steering" mod done then I'd highly recommend you get this done. As standard the car is prone to bump steer.

I'd also be replacing the fuel pump with the Walbro and getting a new battery (see the Alternative Parts list for recommendations, I use the Yuasa UR-1 which is £55 from Halfords.

Don't let the list put you off and contact Craig at M3WServices for a better idea of the costs of the various upgrades. He may also know of otehr alternatives on the market.

The Krazy Horse link didn't work for me but I assume it's this one https://krazyhorse.co.uk/collections/current-car-stock/products/morgan-3-wheeler-sport-grey-1

Personally I'd prefer the KH one as it has the essential mods plus some nice to have options eg LED headlights. KH continue to specialise and support the M3W so you have the security of working with a dealer who actually knows about the car.

Looking at the photos it hasn’t had even the most basic upgrades, it doesn’t have the bolt in triangulated chassis brace behind the engine, it is still the original straight bolted in brace, it doesn’t have the “comfort kit” steering kit fitted nor the engine cooling fan. The rectifier is in its original position which caused early failures it was moved on later cars.

I suspect therefore it is as it left the factory and still has the original Harley style compensator which will need upgrading to the Centa version and the Aluminium rear sprocket which needs changing to a steel one.

The cost of these parts alone could be approaching £4k, and the compensator change is an engine out job. I would go for the Krazy Horse one.

Low mileage isn’t everything they get better with use and get all the bugs ironed out, I am on my second and have done a total of 60,000 miles.

No contest.

As Rog G says, the Krazy Horse one is a better buy as the necessary upgrades to the other one will be in excess of the price difference.

Even if you're a competent mechanic and can take an engine out and put it back yourself, the cost of the parts from Morgan are high and for key components like the Centa there are no alternative sources.

Having bought a Centa recently to replace a HD drive, the cost of the necessary parts for this alone were £1897.58 inc VAT (excluding labour)
The cooling fan is now £354 inc VAT
The Morgan Steel Sprocket £1188 inc VAT

Add in the chassis brace, the comfort kit, and the extras on the KH M3W like heated seats, LED headlights, JAP covers (love them or hate them) and you're well over £4k in parts alone even if you did all the labour yourself.

If you are not in a hurry, wait it out. Many of the current offerings for sale have been sitting for quite some time now. Personally, I think prices jumped up when the Super 3 was launched but said jump was a tad too optimistic.

A very late M3W came up for sale a few weeks back which was at about the asking price of the 2012 you liked to and as you can image, it sold quick.

Good luck with your search and enjoy the journey!

P

Or, if you can now afford the car you've dreamt of then buy it now and enjoy it.

Alan,

I have sent you a PM,
May have something that will interest you.

Thanks
Andrew

Not sure if you saw my PM.

I'm looking to sell my 2015 M3W. Happy to discuss further and send you complete details. In brief, a beautiful yellow (with shark decals) 2015 model, with all of the post-2014 updates, including chassis upgrades, comfort steering pack and noise reduction pack. 13,000 miles on the clock but well maintained and properly serviced by morgan specialists. Looking for £32,000 but will hear sensible offers.

Suspect you have no shortage of offers for cars for sale Alan - but have also sent PM re: my 2013/2020 rechassis'd car with everthing on it, probably £10k of extras on a bad man-maths day! Thanks.