TF Deletions and additions

[Chris T]

Owning an early TF and being something of a (sad) spotter here is a list of things that have gone missing and added during the production of the TF (there may be more and dates are approximate).

02MY:
Changes from the F apart from the obvious:
A change of cylinder head design.
Deletion of the under bonnet light.
Radio/Cassette C23 & Link-Lead - Replaced by C42
VIN Plate - Change to content
Deleted Shift Interlock Solenoid
Deleated Seat Back Map Pocket
Deleated Rubber Wheel Arch Trim
Introduction of Instant Tyre Repair (for cars with 16” wheels)


Late 02MY:
Deletion of the flaps over the ECU and coolant bottle/remote oil.
Deletion of the boot net
Reduced Size of Union Jack Badge
Deleted Fuel Filler Sleeve


03MY
Deletion of rear bumper mesh
Deletion of the rain deflector over the heater box intake.
Deletion of the twin horns to be replaced by a single horn
Cheaper lower quality door locks.
Cheaper lower quality window winders
Possibly a removal of some of the sound deadening over the engine?
Change in wiring loom and fuse box.

Late 03MY
ABS becomes standard on the 115/135
Lower emission and tax band for the 135

04 MY
The phased introduction of a coolant level alarm
New intruder alarm
The deletion of topcoat paint on the underside of the boot and bonnet lid.

05 MY
Introduction of a glass rear window on the soft top
Introduction of central locking on the 115
Reintroduction of twin horns
Recalibrated suspension settings
Revised heater controls

[MikeS]

yep the F1 must have been boring

MikeS

[Tonyrec]

Bloody hell were you bored Chris.(smile)

Seriously though, its nice to know what im missing. I want that light back please MGR!

[SHARKYMGF]

The deletion of topcoat paint on the underside of the boot and bonnet lid.

First I have heard of this. Certainly on my car those areas are painted and lacquered in just as good (or bad) a finish as the rest of the car.

The only addition I can think of was the revision of the heater controls on MY05 cars.

[iaross]

Maybe the monogram paints were different. I certainly am missing lacquer on my bootlid and bonnet undersides.

[cjmillsnun]

Originally Posted by SHARKYMGF

First I have heard of this. Certainly on my car those areas are painted and lacquered in just as good (or bad) a finish as the rest of the car.

The only addition I can think of was the revision of the heater controls on MY05 cars.

It was a general thing with all MGRs of that period, although I suspect that Monogram colours were not included in this.

[Loaky]

Originally Posted by Chris T

Late 03MY
ABS becomes standard on the 115/135
Lower emission and tax band for the 135

Only comment is these 2, if they are in date order? mine being a 53 plate made in September. Has no ABS, and is in the lower tax bracket.

[Chris T]

The dates are approximate

[Loaky]

Top job none the less though, wasn't bashing you.

[Ian]

Project Drive in 2002 saw these changes made to the TF:

Radio/Cassette C23 & Link-Lead - Replaced by C42
VIN Plate - Change to content
Shift Interlock Solenoid - Deletion
Seat Back Map Pocket - Deletion
Rubber Wheel Arch Trim - Deletion
Under Bonnet Lamp - Deletion
Engine Rear Aperture Guard - Modification
Instant Tyre Repair (ITR) - Introduction
Union Jack Badge - Reduced Size
Rear Grille Mesh - Deletion
Fuel Filler Sleeve - Deletion

[Petevick]

oooooo, I feel a link being added to my site if I may ??

[Chris T]

Link away!

[joe1]

Radio/Cassette C23 & Link-Lead - Replaced by C42
VIN Plate - Change to content
Shift Interlock Solenoid - Deletion
Seat Back Map Pocket - Deletion
Rubber Wheel Arch Trim - Deletion
Under Bonnet Lamp - Deletion
Engine Rear Aperture Guard - Modification
Instant Tyre Repair (ITR) - Introduction
Union Jack Badge - Reduced Size
Rear Grille Mesh - Deletion
Fuel Filler Sleeve - Deletion

I bought 2 MGF's in 2001,one in late March one end of November

By November the seat map pockets on the leather seats had gone also the armaflex under the wheels arches also was not there,the dealer did not know this had been a factory deletion and replaced it.

[Ian]

As you probably know, Project Drive involved removing parts/equipment from MG Rover cars in order to increase profitability of the company.

I have been researching it over the past few days, and here is the full list of what was removed from the MGF/TF due to Project Drive, together with the production date it was effective from:

Radio / Cassette C23 & Link-Lead - Replaced by C42 Radio / Cassette - 15/02/2001
VIN Plate – Change to content - 08/03/2001
Shift Interlock Solenoid Deletion on MGF Steptronic - 06/08/2001
Key Ring Instruction Label Deletion - 13/08/2001
Seat Back Map Pocket Deletion - 10/10/2001
Rubber Wheel Arch Trim Deletion - 25/09/2001
Under Bonnet Lamp Deletion From Start Of TF Production - 03/12/2001
Engine Rear Aperture Guard Modification - 24/06/2002
Union Jack Badge Reduced In Size - 07/08/2002
Instant Tyre Repair (ITR) Introduction - 07/10/2002
Fuel Filler Pipe Sleeve Deletion - 27/11/2002
Rear Grille Mesh Deletion - 16/12/2006

Apologies if this has already been published elsewhere

I do have the VIN numbers from when each change was effective from, but obviously won't publish on here due to security issues. If anyone wants to know anything specific, drop me a PM

[Neil Courtney]

Luggage mesh from the boot. In all TF's?

[Ian]

Originally Posted by Neil Courtney

Luggage mesh from the boot. In all TF's?

I can't see any reference to this in the Project Drive remit. When did this get removed?

[Chris T]

Originally Posted by Neil Courtney

Luggage mesh from the boot. In all TF's?

No not all, I think it went at the same time as the flaps over the ECU and coolant bottle /dipstick in the latter part of 2002.


IMHO the biggest killer that Project Drive did to the TF was not what it removed but what it substituted with lower and inferior parts that only damaged a shaky reputation even more.

[Ian]

Threads merged - cheers Chris

[Ian]

A few additions to your already comprehensive list:

• 3 February 2003 - The Real Wood Door Trim that was available as an optional extra was changed to Wood Effect Door Trim
• 10 March 2003 - Changes to Emissions and Fuel Consumption Figures for TF 135
• 1 April 2003 - Introduction of 1 piece Sun Visor
• 2 June 2003 - Changes to Emissions and Fuel Consumption Figures for TF 120 Stepspeed
• 16 June 2003 - Introduction of new Security Control System, allowing Superlocking, Auto Relocking, Audible Mis-Lock Sounder & New Design Plip
• 1 December 2003 - ABS Brakes made standard on all models
• 1 December 2003 - CD Tuner became standard on TF 135
• 1 December 2003 - Front Fog Lamps became standard on TF 160
• 26 April 2004 - Trophy Blue deleted from Colour Range
• 17 May 2004 - Solar Red deleted from Colour Range
• July 2004 - Ignition Blue made available
• August 2004 - Rio Red made available

Hope this helps

[Stampy]

17th of May 2004 was a very sad day