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Z3 v MG TF v MX5
scootz - 14/2/12 at 03:21 PM

Has anyone read any 'shoot-out' reports regarding the above cars?

Is there one that comfortably out-hustles the others (assuming a similarly powered engine)?

Cheers

TimC - 14/2/12 at 03:31 PM

I'm a bit of a MX-5 disciple... you will be disappointed with the other two.

MikeRJ - 14/2/12 at 04:00 PM

The Z3M would comfortably leave the other two in a straight line, but dynamically they aren't particularly great.

The MX5 is the choice of a million hairdressers, wannabe 'drifters' and general enthusiasts, so you can't go wrong in terms of choice, reliability and parts support. Huge choice of aftermarket tuning parts including turbo and supercharger packages. The Mk1's do like to rust though.

The TF in VVC guise is quicker than any standard MX5 (0-60 6.9 seconds) and is also a great drive, though possibly a bit on a the hard side for some.

macc man - 14/2/12 at 04:17 PM

I have tracked my wifes eunos MX5 and is lots of fun but would not beat the competition on speed. Tyre choice makes a vast difference in the corners and as said are as cheap as chips at the moment.

Chippy - 14/2/12 at 04:44 PM

Have driven the MX5 and MG, and would put the MG ahead of the MX. Better acceleration, better handling, but as said above, a bit on the hard side re - suspension. Never driven the Z3 so can't comment on that. HTH Ray

loggyboy - 14/2/12 at 04:53 PM

MX5 - great chassis but generally underpowered. Have LOADS of fun in my brothers - Autosolo+LSD=sideways.
MGF - only tried one once - felt a little less agile compared to MX and still underpowered.
Z3 - never tried one, heard they are very good, . Had a little race with a M-coupe in my Nova once - was dead even so they are defo not underpowered, not sure how the lesser engined ones would fair.

Daf - 14/2/12 at 04:57 PM

I've had both an MG and MX5, if you can get past the build quality of the MG it's a much better car IMHO. The MX5 felt very like "white goods". If you don't mind getting your hands dirty and putting the MG back together now and again that'd be my choice.

I had a BMW E30 which has the same running gear as the Z3 and I fitted it with a 2.8 engine........ that was the most fun car I have ever owned!

Humbug - 14/2/12 at 05:44 PM

ooh, I wonder?

I've not tried an MG or Z3, but prefer the look of the MX5 and my BBR has enough go without being mental

britishtrident - 14/2/12 at 06:02 PM

With MG TF the critical thing is rear wheel alignment ---- if it is right they are a dream to drive, any toe-out and they are nasty.

Other thing is never touch an MGF only consider the TF

scootz - 14/2/12 at 06:11 PM

Cheers guys... it's a friend who's looking for one as a track car.

BT... I understand that the main criticism of the 'F' was the hydra gas suspension. Can this be easily converted to TF type coil overs, or is it a completely different chassis?

ian locostzx9rc2 - 14/2/12 at 06:16 PM

Mx5 all the way cheap as chips and great fun .

Thinking about it - 14/2/12 at 06:24 PM

quote:
Originally posted by scootz
Cheers guys... it's a friend who's looking for one as a track car.

BT... I understand that the main criticism of the 'F' was the hydra gas suspension. Can this be easily converted to TF type coil overs, or is it a completely different chassis?


I think the subframes are different but not sure. I think the body on the TF is stiffer than the F.

lsdweb - 14/2/12 at 07:14 PM

quote:

it's a friend who's looking for one as a track car


I've had a chat with a really nice guy from Scotland looking for a track car and wanted to discuss my eBay - The UK's Online Marketplace :-)

britishtrident - 14/2/12 at 07:27 PM

quote:
Originally posted by scootz
Cheers guys... it's a friend who's looking for one as a track car.

BT... I understand that the main criticism of the 'F' was the hydra gas suspension. Can this be easily converted to TF type coil overs, or is it a completely different chassis?


Real killer is Hydragas units for the MGF are no longer available. Over time the Nitrogen gas seeps out of the gas springs causing the ride height to drop owners get the Hydragas fluid ( eg. liquid) level pumped to compensate which results in a bone hard ride.

The subframe and body have small but significant difference to make conversion using TF parts a non-starter but a number of specialist are starting to market conversion parts but these are expensive also some are re-pressurising Hydragas springs but these are a bit Heath-Robinson

theduck - 15/2/12 at 09:33 AM

For track use definitely the MX5, and that's from a z3 owner!

phelpsa - 15/2/12 at 10:24 AM

Mk3 Mr2 for a proper drivers car.

scootz - 15/2/12 at 10:25 AM

quote:
Originally posted by phelpsa
Mk3 Mr2 for a proper drivers car.


Really... I thought that was viewed as the hairdressers hairdresser model?

phelpsa - 15/2/12 at 10:43 AM

quote:
Originally posted by scootz
quote:
Originally posted by phelpsa
Mk3 Mr2 for a proper drivers car.


Really... I thought that was viewed as the hairdressers hairdresser model?


Maybe viewed as, but they are generally considered on a par with the MX5, but with more mid engine handling traits. It's a matter of taste between the two really. Both are in a completely different league to the Z3 and better than the TF I believe (although I haven't experienced one).

scootz - 15/2/12 at 10:50 AM

You're right indeed! Just been reading about them and the general consensus is they are the best MR2 chassis!

phelpsa - 15/2/12 at 11:05 AM

quote:
Originally posted by scootz
You're right indeed! Just been reading about them and the general consensus is they are the best MR2 chassis!


I've been looking at them today. Very tempted but I couldn't get rid of my mk1 :-/

britishtrident - 15/2/12 at 11:12 AM

I think one thing that has to be considered is the easy & cost of maintenance.

in the case of the Z3 it is a complex car the engine bay is fairly crammed but mechanical parts that are common to the saloons are relatively easy to get and cheap but other stuff is costly.

Mx5 is easy to work on lots of parts new and second hand and has good owner community on the net.

The MGTF has a crammed engine bay but is relatively simple mechanically (if you avoid the VVC) parts are very cheap and easily available and a great club and web community support ---- it is also probably the cheapest to buy and it should be easy to find low mileage one at the right price. If I bought and intended keeping it one the first thing I would do is soak every single nut and bolt on the bodyshell & subframes in a mixture of WD40 and Waxoyl the have a rolling programme to replace as many as possible with stainless or new good quality plated bolts.

MR2 is new territory to me but it has the magic words Toyota on the engine which translates to english as almost bullet proof.

Davegtst - 15/2/12 at 11:16 AM

For the same year car you could buy 3 mgtf's for the price of a Z3 and 2 mg's for the price of an mx5. The mx5's are a good little car but the old ones are usually a bit ropey now. The mg is acually quite a decent car that goes pretty well for a 1.8 N/A. I would say that though i have one for sale.


scootz - 15/2/12 at 11:40 AM

He's looking to start with a 'shell' and then build it up the way he wants it.

The buggers got me going now! TF does seem to be the way to build the cheapest car from parts... not that many (reasonably priced) 200+ bhp engine tuning options for the K though.

stevebubs - 15/2/12 at 12:26 PM

quote:
Originally posted by scootz
quote:
Originally posted by phelpsa
Mk3 Mr2 for a proper drivers car.


Really... I thought that was viewed as the hairdressers hairdresser model?


That was the Mk 2 - think the Mk 3 was viewed pretty well....

stevebubs - 15/2/12 at 12:28 PM

quote:
Originally posted by scootz
He's looking to start with a 'shell' and then build it up the way he wants it.

The buggers got me going now! TF does seem to be the way to build the cheapest car from parts... not that many (reasonably priced) 200+ bhp engine tuning options for the K though.


Maybe not, but there are other ways...

http://www.twobrutal.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?19206-MG-TF-Honda-VTEC-project

Neville Jones - 15/2/12 at 12:54 PM

quote:
Originally posted by scootz
Cheers guys... it's a friend who's looking for one as a track car.

BT... I understand that the main criticism of the 'F' was the hydra gas suspension. Can this be easily converted to TF type coil overs, or is it a completely different chassis?


Comes under the heading of 'been done' Scott. Don't know about TF coils, but custom setup worked wonders.

The change in handling with custom coilovers and proper spring rates would make you wonder why they used the hydra thingies to start with. Metro leftovers being used up?

Cheers,
Nev.

Thinking about it - 15/2/12 at 08:31 PM

And here is mine


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[Edited on 15/2/12 by Thinking about it]

[Edited on 15/2/12 by Thinking about it]

[Edited on 15/2/12 by Thinking about it]

RK - 17/2/12 at 05:24 PM

the mx5 is emphatically not a poofmobile. that is just a rumour.