Do not polish this car with a thin rag lest you tear flesh. Heavy gloves may be needed.

Let's hope this poorly fitted chrome trim on the deck lid is limited to prototype models only.

That is the plastic "Chrome" bead around the number plate aperture? Nowhere near as bad as the bonnet to grille gap on the cars that came out as standard on all 75/ZT models!
Strangely BMW insisted on a costly delay at launch to sort out a sunroof seam that was visible but did nothing about the bonnet shutline!

Is that plastic, rather than metal, all around?

I can't help but wonder about NAC quality. After all its experience has been primarily commercial, and so to make the transition from a truck quality standard, to one for passenger cars will not be an easy one.

Martin the photo below may show the gap that you were referring to. This photo is of a Roewe produced last year. SAIC may have inherited the problem.

Would like to hear your, Windy's, and others opinion on this.

Hi Dragin, the trim strip is plastic as are most of the trim and is just a clear laquer coated plastic bead and not like the old days when it was a pressed chromed steel trim with sharp edges that trapped water underneath and started rusting!

I know the rear number plate surround is definitely so as I had to remove mine at one point on my 75.

That said, the quality was not bad on these cars generally although there were a few changes - for instance on my 75 and ZT both the driver's door plastic finisher strip has got knocked as I close the door and my shoe gets caught. This has broken the holding pegs. However, MG Rover addressed that with a re-design.

The 75/ZT did benefit from excellent shut lines being a robotically welded shell - one of the most advanced assembly lines at the time. I had to swap the front passenger door on my ZT after an arguement with a post. The replacement dropped straight on without need for adjustment.

The main issue with the bonnet shut lines was on the Mk1 where the grille met the bonnet. Why the grille was not part of the bonnet instead is not known, but it did detract from what was meant to be an executive sedan at its launch in 1998. This was improved with the Mk2 and the single headlamp unit made it less obvious. Your picture attached does show a poor gap between the headlapm surround and the bonnet/wing.

The reason for the weird bumper line past the headlight into the wing is because teh original proto-type was to have indicators there, but then BMW insisted - so I have read - that the indicator be moved down into the bumper at the lowest legal position possible - this is said to have prevented the 75 being offered in a lowered sporty version and hence the change of indicator position on the MG ZT when it was launched.

Would like to hear your, Windy's, and others opinion on this.
Well that is a prototype so I don't want to judge final quality from those photographs.

Using plastic instead of real chrome is good, its a lot lighter so improves performance and fuel consumption and there is no reason why it can't look just as good, or in fact better since it can be molded to exactly the shape you want and have exactly the flexibility you want. Of course it is possible to make really nasty plastic bits too.

I agree totaly with Martin on the bonnet shut line, its very obviously not right on many Rover 75's. On my ZS its perfect as the grill is attached to the bonnet. Just seems like poor design although somehow the MKII ZR has the same design but looks good so presumably it can be fixed.

NAC MG have stated many times that they are really concentrating on quality so lets see what comes off the production line before judging.

Gentlemen, thanks for your excellent insights regarding this controversial product. I continue to enjoy the passion with which you discuss these machines originally designed in your homeland.

I give lots of credit to NAC for taking on this challenge and I look forward to them fine tuning their models for the classic car loving consumer. Moreover ,when they begin to tweak the designs on their own will even add to the excitement.

We'll all be watching the level of quality very closely, as it's the key to NAC's success outside of China. The upcoming Shanghai show may be the venue to get beyond the photos.

The upcoming Shanghai show may be the venue to get beyond the photos.
Yes, book your ticket! NAC MG have said they will be there, although they were being careful not to say what they will be showing, they may show more than expected!

When is that ??

There was an interesting, though nothing new, Q&A with NAC this afternoon organised by MG-Rover.org.

The transcript can be read here (http://www.brit-cars.com/content/category/10/135/36/)

When is that ??

Auto Shanghai 2007 will take place from Sunday April 22nd to Saturday April 28th. It follows Auto Beijing 2006 rather closely (this year) but given the spiralling growth of the CAI, novel exhibits should again be plentiful.

I have recently discovered this site to feed my need for more information on MG. I have owned my 1972 B for over 25 years and have anxiously awaited a time when I can buy a new MG as a daily driver. I was initially thrilled when BMW took control of MG-Rover, but they thoroughly disappointed. Now, we have Nanjing in China taking over. I am partly thrilled that MG's will be made in what could be said my back yard in Oklahoma. The downside is my fear that what eventually comes to the US will end up like the ill-fated Sterling. I intend to be first in line for a new MG, but I will probably lease in case it does not live up to expectations. I hope to be proven wrong. I love this site and China Car Times for providing a plethora of information that is sorely lacking in any US and UK news sites.

NAC ... may show more than expected!

That WOULD be a first. :rolleyes:

Has Puppetland got hold of your ID, Seamaster. Speaking of which, where is the old chap?
:)

Welcome to the forum, MGBMAN72, but in fairness, if you know which sites to look at in the UK, you will find similar information as much of it gets cross-posted, but thanks especially to Windy, *************************************** and Erik for keeping us up-to-date from the Chinese sites. I agree, though, that US/UK sites sepcialising in the classic MG do not seem much interested in anything that did not come from Abingdon - in the case of the US, that is understandable as that was the last time you saw a new MG in the showroom!

Indeed, the Sterling was a disaster from all accounts, yet it went on to become a fairly successful executive saloon in the UK in the early 90s. Even the 75 was designed with the US market in mind, but Rover never really had a presence in the US, in fact, Austin was a better known brand and sold more than even the MG brand, so NAC-MG are in a strong position to re-enter the US with two good brands.

Unlike the Phoenix 4 that seemed to pop up every few minutes with promises of new models, NAC-MG are keeping their promises limited - and I think I would rather that happen and they tell us when they have something concrete to show.

Welcome aboard MGBMAN....

Yes, MG and Austin Healey are seared into the pyche of all good car buffs in the US. Even the youngest have heard the sagas.

Whether Mingjue can fly in the US and avoid the failure of Stirling, will depend a lot on NAC's establishing a good parts/service network foundation and then properly managing the introduction.

Yes, exploit the heritage NAC, but do the homework too!

I have recently discovered this site to feed my need for more information on MG.
A good find! :thumb:

http://forums.xpowerforums.com/images/smilies/welcome1.gif



If you see any news of your factory in Oaklahoma then let us know - its gone a bit quiet over there!

Has Puppetland got hold of your ID, Seamaster. Speaking of which, where is the old chap?

Sectioned.

I am just admiring what looks like a pink roof on Seamaster's car. ;)

Regarding all the publicity in recent weeks regarding Nanjing and their not so new TF2, MG7 etc. I can't help but wonder if Nanjing have completely mis-read the whole situation, especially here in the UK.

Only time will tell. One thing is for sure, these Chinese MGs are the sort of cars that would necessitate you to take a second look at the driver - in much the same way you did when you saw a CityRover being driven.

That WOULD be a first. :rolleyes:
"“今年我的工作分两个阶段，上海车展以前主要是品牌定位和传播，上海车展以后重点转移到产品。” 杨军虎说。"

http://auto.sina.com.cn/news/2007-02-12/0057251301.shtml :)

(dragin - Book those tickets and get your camera ready ;) )

Windy, can we crave your indulgence and ask that you give us the gist of it. Is it just that NAC's MG7 going to get the same ex-Rover 75 "premium grille" SAIC have adopted for the high-end Roewe 750?

Seamaster, the bit I quoted tells us that up until the Shanghai show they will be telling us (the chinese since its a chinese newspaper) all about the MG brand, after the Shanghai show they will tell us about the cars. Thus the Shanghai show is presumably to be used as the public launch of the cars, until then we don't know what grills they will use and any seen in spyshots may or may not be the real thing!

The rest of the article is also worth a read, for example it confirms that there will be both short and long wheelbase versions of the MG-7.

I will be at the Shanghai show. Not a good idea to select a place and time so everybody visiting this threads and who is at the Shanghai show can meet eachother?
greetings,

I have recently discovered this site to feed my need for more information on MG. I have owned my 1972 B for over 25 years and have anxiously awaited a time when I can buy a new MG as a daily driver. I was initially thrilled when BMW took control of MG-Rover, but they thoroughly disappointed. Now, we have Nanjing in China taking over. I am partly thrilled that MG's will be made in what could be said my back yard in Oklahoma. The downside is my fear that what eventually comes to the US will end up like the ill-fated Sterling. I intend to be first in line for a new MG, but I will probably lease in case it does not live up to expectations. I hope to be proven wrong. I love this site and China Car Times for providing a plethora of information that is sorely lacking in any US and UK news sites.
Welcome to CCF, MGBMAN72! I'm sure you'll fit in here nicely.:cool:

Nanjing certainly have their work cut out to improve the quality of the MG TF. The recent Top Gear survey had the MG TF in a very low position overall (95th) with only one miserable star for build quality - its main rival the Mazda MX5 is well out of sight at 15th position overall.

And with the 10 year old MG7 up against the likes of the superb new Mondeo (which looks two generations on from the R75) Nanjing are going to have to work hard to obtain any worthwhile European sales.

Nanjing certainly have their work cut out to improve the quality of the MG TF. The recent Top Gear survey had the MG TF in a very low position overall (95th) with only one miserable star for build quality - its main rival the Mazda MX5 is well out of sight at 15th position overall.

And with the 10 year old MG7 up against the likes of the superb new Mondeo (which looks two generations on from the R75) Nanjing are going to have to work hard to obtain any worthwhile European sales.

As you were constantly reminded when you got it wrong on the the various forums from whence you were eventually banned, the 75 was launched in 1999, which puts it at 8yrs old. Small difference admittedly, but it does question your credibilty when posting!

Added to which, the 75 was styled to be retro, and against the Mondeo then, looked different. Familiarity breeds contempt and the Mondeo et al also look dated now, too. But to a market in China new to the 7 and the Roewe 750, it will sell well.

Did he forget to mention that the Rover 75 scored just 1 less than maximum stars in all catagories? :thumb:


Not that I think that survey is of much use; it tells us more about the owners of the cars than it does about the cars themselves, although only the owners who actually bother to respond to that survey - which most owners don't!

the 75 was launched in 1999, which puts it at 8yrs old.

But when (or if) the MG7 eventually goes on sale in the UK it will be nudging ten years old - and will be way behind the leading pack in Europe.

Did he forget to mention that the Rover 75 scored just 1 less than maximum stars in all catagories?

But where did the MG ZT come? A bit further down!

But where did the MG ZT come? A bit further down!
Correct, it lost 1 extra star in one of the catagories.

(Was that the cost catagory?)



Why is age important?

There was a time when newly designed cars where always better, recently cutting costs and meeting environmental and safety standards seems to have been more important and the newer designs are often less desirable than the older ones...

The recent Top Gear survey had the MG TF in a very low position overall (95th) with only one miserable star for build quality - its main rival the Mazda MX5 is well out of sight at 15th position overall.


i have driven both the mx-5 and the mg tf, needless to say the MG is a piece of shit, it belonged to my sister in law and was a total nightmare build quality and dealer backup. after lots of hassle she replaced it with a mazda mx5 which is a much better car with no relibility troubles. the Japanese car is simply better, no one should touch these crappy MG cars

The recent Top Gear survey had the MG TF in a very low position overall (95th) with only one miserable star for build quality -
Maybe someone should point out that although its true that the MG TF only got one star for build quality, it actually got just 2 stars less than the maximum in all other catagories!

Obviously god_bless_japan is going to say (or should that be swear :nono:) that the Japanese car is better, but how well did the MX5 do in all the other catagories?



PS: How come Mercedes comes bottom in just about every catagory - does that mean that they are the worst cars or just that the only Mercedes owners to answer the questions are ones that like to complain!

Gents, a word to the wise. NUTTERLAND is on prescription meds. Don't waste your time. You're not arguing with a real person, just a PHARMACEUTICAL SPASTIC and a textbook TROLL. The masochistic streak he displays coming on forums like this to be hung out to dry every time he posts is best left unindulged.

Obviously god_bless_japan is going to say the Japanese car is better, but how well did the MX5 do in all the other catagories?

You're not seriously suggesting that the MG F (now renamed MG TF, shortly to be renamed (again) TF2) may be better than the 2007 model MX5?

The TF is a badly built car with cheap and nasty switchgear, it leaks water, has a girly driving position and frequently blows its head gasket! That is why it gets such a low satisfaction score on these surveys.

Nanjing have a lot of work to do to prevent their TF2 getting universal ridicule.

Spakkaland, are you referring to the same TF?

Is this the same TF that won "Cabrio of the Year" at the Geneva Motor Show and was voted by the Italian press "the world's most beautiful cabriolet"?

That had and has the class-leading EuroNCAP safety score, with a higher total star rating than the Toyota MR2, Mercedes SLK and Audi TT, better even the Volvo S60?

That had and has the best power-to-weight ratio in its class, beating the MR2, Audi TT and Mazda MX5?

That was and is quicker 0 to 62 than the MR2, Audi TT and Mazda MX5?

That was and is the class-leader in luggage capacity, better than the MR2, Audi TT, Mazda MX5 and BMW Z3/Z4?

And, most importantly, that consistently out-sold its competitors year-in, year-out, remained the UK's number one best-selling roadster throughout its production, and indeed increased its sales every year since it was launched?

But don't take my word for it.

If it still had B**'s millions, MG would have replaced the TF by now. Speculating on what that car would have been like is interesting: a little 4 cylinder, mid-engined roadster styled, designed and fettled with a proper budget by the guys at Longbridge with support from Munich could have been a world-beater, and almost certainly a Mazda MX5 crusher. What would it have been like? How would it have driven?

While speculation is interesting, it's not as interesting as jumping into a newly revised TF and having a blast in it - it exists, and while it's only an update of a very old model, it's still a decent car. The TF has been mildly tweaked for 2005. with a new design of alloy wheel, new illuminated heating and ventilation controls and new trim colours and materials, including Alcantara seats. All TF's now feature remote central locking, CD Tuner (plus MP3 on TF160), leather steering wheel and handbrake grip, alloy gearknob and electric heated mirrors.

But more important are the revisions to the suspension. We've never doubted Longbridge's excellence at chassis tuning, and you can feel the difference immediately in the TF. Spring rates are lowered by 20 and 30% front and rear respectively, and damper settings are also changed, while the front anti-roll bar has increased from 19 to 21mm.

The changes have given the TF, a much improved ride quality. Sharp ridges and potholes are absorbed with real aplomb, and the body control over larger and more severe undulations is excellent. You can comfortably drive this car over pretty much any sort of road and it will remain composed and cosseted, the inherent stiffness of the chassis helping to keep the body rigid and shudder free while the suspension does its work.

Throw it a series of bends and the TF doesn't disappoint either. It rolls a little more than before and obviously feels softer, but that's no bad thing. You can push on and enjoy yourself, safe in the knowledge that the car will drift wide into understeer when the tyres start to give up. This they do fairly early and progressively, though grip is good. The car tends to lean its bodyweight over once and then hang on - and while a sharper, harder chassis would be more appropriate for track work, there's nothing wrong with the way the car responds as it is.

So softer is definitely better, and it steers beautifully, too with an accurate direct feel. Then there's the sweet little 1.8litre K-series engine behind you: a delightful unit, worked through a five speed box with an excellent instinctive short throw shift. We drove the TF135 version, but even with comparatively little power, it's always egging you on, keen to be revved. It's smooth and punchy at motorway speeds too.

It's easy to see why the MGTF is Britains best selling sports car. For driver feel, it does the basics very well indeed, and while the cabin is outdated and the driving position cramped for taller drivers, you can't deny that it serves up fun in bucketloads. Who needs B** anyway?

Autocar

But don't take my word for it.

I won't, because all you are doing is quoting irrelevant 'anorak style' information that the man on the street couldn't care less about. In your list, you missed out one important category. Brand image. It is in this category that the TF fails miserably.The fact is, that the MGF and then the MG TF have been plagued by reliability and build quality issues since launch. The car remains an ergonomic nightmare and its owners have never rated it very highly - hence its poor showing in various surveys.

If Nanjing think this car is going to kick-start a successful European operation; then they must dramatically improve both the packaging and ownership experience.

As it stands, the MG TF will always come a distant second to its Japanese rival, and like I said above, Nanjing have a lot of work to do to prevent their TF2 attracting universal ridicule.

So you admit that Autocar is right do you Puppetland?



P.S. I was wondering why you are called Puppetland so did a google search; does the first result provide the answer? :

"Puppetland is a surreal childish nightmare in a world of puppets, where Mr Punch has killed the kindly old Maker and usurped control of the puppet land with his vile henchman and their wooden thugs, the Nutcrackers. But Judy, Punch's former lover, is determined to rid Puppetland of his evil. With ground-breaking mechanics, an innovative take on the whole idea of role-play and a completely unique 'story-book' style of narration, Puppetland will amaze and disturb you."

I won't, because all you are doing is quoting irrelevant 'anorak style' information that the man on the street couldn't care less about. In your list, you missed out one important category. Brand image. It is in this category that the TF fails miserably.The fact is, that the MGF and then the MG TF have been plagued by reliability and build quality issues since launch. The car remains an ergonomic nightmare and its owners have never rated it very highly - hence its poor showing in various surveys. If Nanjing think this car is going to kick-start a successful European operation; then they must dramatically improve both the packaging and ownership experience. As it stands, the MG TF will always come a distant second to its Japanese rival, and like I said above, Nanjing have a lot of work to do to prevent their TF2 attracting universal ridicule.

And yet it STILL outsold all those rivals in the market in which Nanjing are relaunching it, YEAR IN YEAR OUT FOR OVER A DECADE. Indeed, it was achieving INCREASING sales in those latter years. Now, Blunderland, what were you drivelling about "brand image"?

The MX5 as well as other roadsters have achieved impressive global sales whereas the MG TF only really succeeded in its home market.

Brand image? The TF has no image other than a car from a defunct motor manufacturer.

Not to mention you look a complete pr@tt driving one. :p

I know asking you to answer a direct factual question normally sends you running for cover (cf britcars.com passim), but if Autocar et al are wrong, to what do YOU attribute the MG's performance as the NUMBER ONE BEST SELLING SPORTSCAR EVERY YEAR FOR TEN YEARS in the market in which it is about to be relaunched?

I don't accept those figures.

As we now know, MGR severely manipulated new car registrations by pre-registering vehicles, stock piling them in fields and pretending they were sold.

How else can you explain the thousands of (registered) cars (many were MG TFs) in fields at the time of MGR's collapse?

Lets see how Nanjing get on selling their version. By your reckoning it should fly out of the showrooms ...

No one will dispute MGR's suicidal practice of pre-registering vehicles. But in the case of the TF, new model year 05 cars were only being built to order and there was a full order book without any PVS discounting. The few pre-registered examples that were (and still are) around were mainly specific SE production runs (eg 80th, Spark, etc).

As Autocar noted in that (very fair) review of the 05 TF, it WAS Britain's best selling sportscar. And remained so every year throughout its ten year life, increasing unit sales in the latter years (one of only a couple of MGR models to do so).

Unlike your blether, which is merely OPINION, these are FACTS. It's obvious you struggle to understand the difference.

Lets see how Nanjing get on selling their version. By your reckoning it should fly out of the showrooms ...

Is there a waiting list yet? :lol:

Oh yeah? Well MY dad can beat up YOUR dad, what do you think of THAT? Huh? Huh?

Is there a waiting list yet? :lol:

I know ignoring facts is your trademark, but replying to your own posts has taken your GIBBERING IDIOCY to a new level.

Judging by your last post I would assume there is no waiting list for this eagerly anticipated MG that broke all sales records ...

Let's just see what happens when Nanjing launch the TF2. If it is as good as you say it is (:rolleyes:) then it should sell extremely well and really give Mazda dealers something to worry about. :nono:

I just hope Nanjing don't add to the embarrassment by making a TF2 with a pink roof and pink seats. Very girly! :p

No more comments from me on this thread.

Nanjing have not yet opened the order book so no, there is not a waiting list!

SAIC did though and apparently their cars are reasonably popular despite their connections to MG-Rover, their order books have thousands waiting. Just a shame the car that they launched last November will now not be available until at least May!

Yes, Pupetland has made his off topic point about "brand image" so lets wait and see what happens on that, back to build quality...

No more comments from me on this thread.

Thank God for that. The grown-ups can continue the discussion in peace.