Many Grins (MG MGB)

Member Name: leenewham

Product:	MG MGB
Date:	12/09/01 (571 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: puts a smile on your face

Disadvantages: you have to look after it

I have had my MGB BT for some 4 years now. and I havent regretted it, and it's been reasonably trouble free (a broken connector under the bonnet meant that it didnt start, and a stone broke the radiator).

They are fantastic cars, but look out for:
Dodgy repairs and filler. The sills are the places to look for, lift up the mats in the footwells and see if you can see daylight!

Lift the rubber around the door frame at the bottom, how many thicknesses of metal can you see? more than 3 means a dodgy repair.

Any structural rust means costly repairs, but if there is some bubbling at the seams that join the wings to the scuttle, dont worry. they all go there a bit as the cars flex...it will happen eventaully and expect to pay a garage £100 per side to get them re-done every couple of years

Rust on the doors isnt a problem as you can get second hand spares really easily and the rust is contained.

Check the oil pressure...it should be about 20psi at tickover (once the engine is warm) and about 50-60 when driving.

Do all lights work? any electrical things are not an expensive repair, but can be time consuming and fiddly

Check for regular stuff like smoke from the exhaust and oil levels. take off the oil cap and look to see if there is any white residue. if there is then water is getting into the oill and that is a problem.

Most spares are very cheap so brake pads etc are not a problem.

take the car on a run, use the overdrive, does it cut in and out ok?

lift off the gas when in 3rd gear...is there a clunk from the back axle? these cars are old, so expect som enoise. It could be worn UJ's which are cheap, or the axle. Again, not serious, just noisy.

Well, thats all i can think of for now, but i will add to it when I think of any more points.

My main advice is if you dont know, read the excellent haynes book by Linsey Porter on buying and restoring mg'
s. you will find it in most good book stores and halfords. Or even better, get someone in the know to have a look at it...and get it up on some ramps if you can.

And when you get it, waxoil it. Remember, you dont need one with an unleadded head as LRP is available everywhere, and there will be more than enough lead covering the valves etc anyway (this is called lead memory). Before the engine gets extra wear from the lack of lead, it's probably time for an overhaul anyway.

Buy one and enjoy...and even enjoy tinkering with it at weekends.

One last opoint, some guest houses and holiday chalets will give discounts to MG drivers...so join the MG owners club and check out their magazine!

Good luck and enjoy! I am selling mine as i am buying a flat so I will miss it. :-(

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