Talk Morgan Forums Morgan Sports Cars Morgan Aero 8, 2012< Plus 8, SuperSports, Coupe & Aeromax Changing one V8 for another...

I've been frustrated with a couple of NLA parts on my S1 Aero and have lived in fear of future parts issues, so thought i'd explore the later cars as i want to use my car more.
Ended up looking at a stunning S5 at Williams (they have a couple for sale at the moment actually) and test drove it.
It was definitely more refined than my S1, and more comfortable, but the sidepipes (whilst sounding glorious) would grate on me for long distances i think.
The steering was also very darty but also quite light, and had a very strong self centring action.
Overall i was struggling to justify the £50k price difference between my S1 and this S5 for my particular requirements.

After some discussions it turned out they had a 2013 Plus 8 manual (recently in, hadn't been prep'd yet) which they offered me a drive in.
I thoroughly enjoyed it!

More compliant suspension, steering which was closer to my S1 Aero but with less kick back, superb brakes (six pots up front!), a lovely 4 pipe sports exhaust out the back (similar to my S1) and carbon bucket seats which were supremely comfortable.
I don't think it's as pretty as the Aero, but it was such a great drive and i know i will be able to put more miles on it and enjoy it as a result.

So i've part ex'd my beautiful S1 and will be in a Plus 8 going forwards.
Wish me luck!

Have fun with your +8! Purely from interest, which parts are unavailable for an S1?

Good luck with your new plus 8

I changed my glorious series 1 for exactly the same reason, enjoy your new purchase .

I changed my S5 Aero for an early Aero chassis plus 8 and apart from the reduced load space I have been more than happy with the car from a performance and fun perspective. It feels quicker and handles better. Had SSL suspension upgrades on both but feels like the Plus 8 upgrades have a greater benefit on both ride and handling. Had two European tours so far, usual hood and door leaks have all been resolved so really pleased with it and hope you will be with yours also.

I am curious about the rationale here - would you sell a Bugatti Type 35 or Ferrari 250 GTO because the factory no longer supported the model, or would you just accept that some parts may have to be fabricated by an engineering workshop? That's where I am in my mind with my S1 which is an amazingly individual car for, in current terms, a reasonably outlay

Interesting point but expect it’s viable on a Ferrari 250 but not so on a £40k Aero… I expect it is more the hassle and effort to do as much as the cost

I suspect there may be companies in England and elsewhere who remanufacture almost anything for Ferrari, I think one company faithfully copies every part for 250`s making their recreation almost imposible to tell from the real thing, similarly Bugatti and Bentley, That Morgan robbed the parts bins of other manufacturers made for an interesting time if trying to find parts as cheaply as possible, fortunately there was always a one if not more specialist dealers, who would buy up Morgan`s old stock, and I guess it is not unreasonable to expect to pay a premium to any such dealer for keeping slow/no moving stock on the shelves year after year....?

Talking of spares, now that the Chinese own MG and Volvo it will be interesting to see the way that pans out in time.... My Tesla was manufactured in China...We do indeed live in interesting times, where Brand names may in no way relate to the item in question...

Watched a vid where it seems Volvo is laying off management at all levels, and numerous office and admin tasks to be handled in China...?

Bingo - i have a busy life and i don't have as much time as i'd like to drive my toys, so when i do have the time i want to be able to use them.

My car went in for a service and MOT in March and i didn't get it back until late May because of a minor issue, and whilst i adore the Aero it's not an ornament for me, it's there to be enjoyed.

Quite apart from that the suspension on the Aero works wonderfully on smooth roads (like in Spain in April last year) but sadly the potholed and rough surfaces of Gloucestershire don't do the car any justice.

I don't want to bash the Aero S1, it's a wonderful car, but for my specific needs something slightly more conventional is more appropriate.

A Bugatti type 35 or a Ferrari 250 GTO are very analogue pieces of machinery, Aero 8's have technology from the early 2000's....which when installed in Malvern is probably not optimal......!

If your car happens to be worth £40m it's probably worth spending a few quid to keep it up to scratch.....not so if it's worth £40k.....or certainly it's not worth spending a fortune unless it's a keeper.....
The smart owner knows when to let it go before it becomes a total money pit.....

With the value of classics dropping at the moment I'd imagine that a few owners of expensive toys with outdated and unobtainable tech might be looking to move them on....!

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I always think its slightly sad to look at these things with purely monetary reasoning, they are a passion and a hobby and as such you have to accept the costs with it despite the cars percieved value - how much do people spend smoking or on alcohol if they added it up? Probably more than fabricating an Aero part over a year period.. To me if you enjoy it then go for it, they are special and worth keeping on the road.

Of course it not being on the road for long time periods is an issue, espicially if its your only fun/weekend car, so I can understand why you would potentially want to change - I hope the Plus 8 gives you reliable motoring.

I don't drink or smoke, but i do have two children.
For normal use we have an EV, but for fun we also have a 911.
We went to Spa for the Classics weekend a few weeks ago, the 911 did sterling service on that trip.

On those rare occasions when i'm not at work, not in the EV, don't have the kids, and the weather is suitable... that's when the Morgan comes out to play.
So it's definitely not about the money to me, i'm happy to spend the money to keep my cars in tip top fettle at all times, but months off the road? That's just too frustrating.

The Aero will always be my first Morgan love, i wanted one for 20 years and have thoroughly enjoyed the last 6000 miles in my beautiful S1.

Ramble alert...

V.S.W., if I might.. I suspect that those who normal vehicle repair and maintenance regimes consist of depending on main dealerships with factory back up or perhaps in the case of the MMC may be better served as their vehicle ages to seek an alternative arrangement..

It would seem that much may depend upon the value of the vehicle to the owner in terms of the cost relative to the specialist services required, which can be a justified or not on an entirely personal perspective, including whether or no the vehicles current or potential market value may be factored in.

Specialist services...? I too own a Porsche, which is covered under the Porsche extended warranty (insurance scheme) and the terms of that warranty require that my 991 is maintained only by a Porsche officially approved centre (OPC), which it is. I am no stranger to a set of spanners and a bit more, having restored repaired and maintained my own old sports cars for more decades than I care to remember...But digital frustrations in terms of technogical advance and the affects of the ageing process caused me to give in to OPC maintenance and repair as a way forward.... Sigh!

I also have acquaintances in the trade as both mechanics and management, thus had a reasonable expectation of the realities of that which I was supposedly paying for and what to expect in the way of work done...!

Reality..? I guess we may all have a bad day, week, month or whatever...I imagine even robots can drop off in terms of efficiency..? (-:

Technological advance would seem to have reduced the specialist skill level of shop floor personnel in the garage trade (and others) where those with natural mechanical abilities and interest will still exist, it would seem in time the shop floor is more likely manned by fitters, some with less mechanical will or ability than might seem ideal, who think of themselves as technicians, other than mere mechanics..Shrug..!

These technicians may never have had to think for themselves as the diagnostic unit once plugged up will provide assessment of that which may be a fault or the service schedule required and the likely replacement parts required. The assessment bay session carried out by a hi-tec, and the task perhaps then passed on to a fitter...?

It would seem that a fitter may never have diagnosed an engine/gearbox fault (other than at college) but has the necessary skill to replace either as a unit, the same unit/modular replacement may be applied to electrical electronic failures, and may operate well enough for current machinery with parts availability.... Hmm..?

Sorry, a rather long winded way of trying to get to the point. As a vehicle ages past the time when official dealerships may wish one to buy a replacement vehicle, and their tecs have issues working on corroded fastenings, or electronics for which they do not have in stock, then it seems ones vehicular issues may be less of a priority for a main dealer than it might be for an independent trader (indy) who are likely to be more skilled in in the normal issues affecting the now somewhat aged machine, and thus be both willing and able to to take on the task of looking after one`s prized possession...?

In terms of Morgan compared to Porsche, there is of course a world of difference in production numbers thus there is a wide choice of real expertise out there in the world of indy`s though as another example there are also specialist indy`s for vintage or modern marques of all types, who thrive on resolving issues, and have a variation of skills from re-manufacturing the clanky kit, right up to resolving digital dilemmas, thus I suspect there may be a good time to contemplate a change in direction..?

Rather than have my rarely used and much valued machine off the road for any time during the limited time I might have available to enjoy it

For those into Porsche 911`s they may proclaim that Porsche have a system whereby they have become involved in the re-manufacture of parts for older air cooled Porsches, which would seem to be ideal, though I have read of where items such as replacement panels require expert attention to make them fit, thus it seems there can be a variation in quality of such parts, requiring skills that an OPC seem likely to contract out, whereas an owner might be better served by seeking his own specialist to perform such tasks as opposed to using an OPC as a middle man, which may cost more in both time and cash..?

In terms of Morgan, as an example, my mid 80`s +8 had an issue with a corroding "H" section pipe that makes up part of the heater control system and acts as a bypass if the heater valve is closed, apparently one of those parts made of unobtanium, For sure in the 80`s and after this part could be found in any Rover or perhaps Ford dealership for not a lot of money in the 90`s even Y2K could have been found in breakers yards for a pound or two.... but in time even that route was not an option as the vehicles had been more than likely crushed and sent to China...? It seems uncle Melvyn knew how to resolve my "H" pipe issue and employed the one time Aero expert who used to frequent this community to re-manufacture the pipe in stainless steel... It will now last linger than the rest of my Morgan, or indeed me... (-: The pity is that it seems that particular Aero and engineering expert may no longer be in business...

However there will be those out there more than capable of resolving any issue, it is a matter of finding where they live and work and whatever their level of expertise might be.... For sure there is likely to be more risk involved than dealing with a manufactures agent.... But, I guess much depends upon quite how much the vehicle is valued in any sense...?

My old +8..? Yeah it still has me occasionally rolling around the floor greasing things and blowing dust out of brake drums etc.etc.etc. It seems the longer I have it, (over 20 years) the more it is valued by me... (-:

I think you draw out the most pertinent point, it's the uncertainty and the possibility the car can be off the road for months at a time, and it usually occurs at the most inconvenient time ie usually the summer period when you want to use an open top car.. Whilst one can never be totally confident with any make of car, but increasingly some marques with age and lack of support, can push the risk envelope higher than you are comfortable with.

Luddite - i am familiar with the greasy end of a spanner, don't get me wrong, but i don't have the time to deal with things like that right now.

I use a trusted service partner for my 911 (90 minutes drive from my house) and i am very lucky to have a trusted Morgan service partner just 40 minutes from my house.
I cancelled Sky TV and a variety of other subscription services a few years ago and i now have Netflix and Prime. I can count on one hand the number of hours i spend watching those in a week.
I run my own business, i have two children (13 and 8) on slightly over 50% custody, a girlfriend who i don't spend enough time with as it is... my time is more valuable than what you're suggesting (to me, at this stage in my life).

Williams are a fantastic outfit, i can't praise them highly enough, but they can't work miracles (though they are happy to do their best to try!).

I do think SiFab has been a big loss to the Aero community...

Thanks for taking the time to provide a heads-up VSW, though unlike you it seems I have plenty of time, and used it in the off chance that you and others in a position of requiring others to service and repair older vehicles might find something of interest in my ramble.... Great that you feel well covered by those carrying out your servicing and repairs... though a month off the road during the driving season seems less than ideal, but since Covid parts supply seems patchy at best for many vehicles.. Pity.

If you have the time and the skills for these things it's a great way to spend that time eh?
Prototyping otherwise NLA or defunct parts.
Certainly something i'd love to explore in retirement, keeping my mind working solving problems and my hands busy too - and perhaps helping out a few fellow petrolheads along the way. Win/win.

I very much agree re SiFab being one of the top people on the Aero forum previously. Possibly more so moving forwards. A great loss.