MGF & MG TF
1995–2011 · 117,424 built · mid-engined, K-series
The modern cars — and the head gasket question, answered before you ask it.
Find MGF & MG TF parts by category
RelatedMG TF MidgetMGBAll MG
Not listed? Plenty of parts suit several marques and never get the model name in the title — ask us and we will check the books for you.
About the MGF & MG TF
This is the mid-engined car of 1995 onward, not the MG TF Midget of 1953. The MGF ran from 1995 to 2002 on Hydragas, Moulton’s interconnected fluid-and-gas suspension, with 1.6 and 1.8 K-series engines and the 143bhp VVC at the top. An autumn 1999 revision brought re-specified electric power steering, a double-skinned petrol tank, detail cylinder head changes, a body-coloured screen surround and a new interior, with the Steptronic CVT arriving in 2000 and the Trophy 160 — retuned VVC, lowered suspension, AP Racing calipers on larger front discs — in 2001. 77,269 MGFs were built.
The MG TF of 2002 is a re-engineering, not a facelift, and the suspension parts are largely a separate range. Hydragas went, replaced by conventional coil springs over dampers after the Dunlop Hydragas plant closed in 2001. It also got completely redesigned, cross-braced subframes where the MGF used adapted Rover 100 items, an entirely new multi-link rear suspension, and a faster 2.8-turn steering rack. 2005 cars went to softer springs and thicker anti-roll bars. 39,249 were built to April 2005, then 906 more at Longbridge between March 2007 and March 2011. One practical note on the MGF: Hydragas loses nitrogen gradually over fifteen to twenty years, which is why so many sit low.
The head gasket. The K-series in these cars has a documented head gasket failure problem, attributed to thermostat placement and the design of the gasket itself. It is a known weakness with a known fix: modern multi-layer steel gaskets with steel locating dowels substantially reduce the risk. It is not a reason to walk away from the car, and it is the first thing every owner asks about, so there it is in plain sight.
MGF & MG TF — specification & changes within the model
- MGF
- 1995–2002, 77,269 built. Hydragas suspension, interconnected front to rear. 1.6 (from 2000) and 1.8 K-series; 118–120bhp 1.8i, 143–145bhp VVC.
- MGF 1999 revision
- Autumn 1999. Re-specified electric power steering, double-skinned petrol tank, detail cylinder head changes, body-coloured windscreen surround, smoked-clear front indicators, redesigned seats and trim. Steptronic CVT from 2000, 1.8i only.
- Trophy 160
- 2001–2002. Retuned VVC to 160PS, lowered suspension, AP Racing calipers with larger front discs, aero pack.
- MG TF
- 2002 – April 2005, 39,249 built; revived at Longbridge March 2007 – March 2011, 906 built. 115, 135 and 160PS.
- The suspension change
- Hydragas out, conventional coil springs over dampers in, after the Dunlop Hydragas plant closed in 2001. Also completely redesigned cross-braced subframes (the MGF used adapted Rover 100 items), an entirely new multi-link rear suspension, and a faster 2.8-turn rack. MGF and MG TF suspension parts are largely separate ranges, not variants of one.
- 2005 cars
- Softer springs, thicker anti-roll bars.
- Hydragas note
- It loses nitrogen gradually over fifteen to twenty years and settles. A low MGF usually needs re-gassing, not new springs — it does not have any.
- Head gasket
- A documented K-series weakness, attributed to thermostat placement and gasket design. Multi-layer steel gaskets with steel locating dowels substantially reduce the risk. Known problem, known fix.
- Not to be confused with
- The MG TF Midget of 1953–1955 — front-engined, separate chassis, XPAG. Completely unrelated car. See the MG TF Midget page.