Really you need to drive a few different ones to see, it’s not just the engine but they also indicate different trim and equipment levels. The 115 it has to be said is poverty spec version of a car that doesn’t have much equipment in the first place.

 

Not all!!!!!!! mine has all the goodies that even most 160s don't have!

My opinion is that either go for the 115 or 160 which is actually better in miles per gallon than the 135!!!!

 

Oh I see. Thanks, that tells me then to leave the 115 alone and go for at least the 135

 

The best seller was the 135 version. The "top of the range" version was the 160 vvc but if you want something that pulls happily and is entertaining the 135 engine is the one to go for.

The 115 was ok as an entry level car but not that sprightly. The 120 stepspeed (CVT transmission) was in my personal opinion just nasty and I hated driving them, the 135 was a nice unit and the 160 was also a lot of fun too.

You takes yer pick and pays yer money as they say. Just look for one with a hard top if possible and lots of goodies.

Nic

 

One 115 to get is the SunStorm, or any of the other Special editions. The SunStorm in particular was a stonking spec for the money at the time and added a lot of extras to the 115 you couldn't normally get.

 

Id be looking at 135 too, very nippy, and enough toys to please

 

Thought you'd sorted it for me but getting confused again now. So 115 special editions or 135 and 160 would all be good options?

 

The 115 is a 1.6 engine, the special edition has more "toys" inside, but it's still a 1.6 engine.

The 135 and 160 are both 1.8 engines and have a lot more as standard inside.

 

I think that rather than looking at the engine, you should be looking round for one with a nicely specced interior in a good colour combination. Also look out for a few added goodies like the chrome "bright pack" and different alloy wheels. There are some nicely specced 135's out there which might suit you well if you don't want the performance of the 160. Insurance would be cheaper too.

 

but then you would have to find a special edition 115, but if your looking for a SE 115 you might as well find a SE 135.

115 is what it says on the tin 115bhp the tf is quite light though and it will still be nippy. But as rincewind said it is the base modal

135 is the middle ground, they sold loads of these so you could have a endless choice plus and extra 20bhp, 135 has quite a lot of torque low down too. and many on these forums say they are quicker than the 160 ( but there lying )

160 is the top modal, the dogs. It will do 0-60 in under 7sec's you wont find many v6's that can do that. They are special, and not that hard to source but bit harder than the 135.

Either way have a good look round, petevick has lots of buyers guides. My only word of advice is drive more than one.

Hope this helps

 

All comes down to insurance costs as well. a TF115 will be less to insure than a 135 or 160.

The 115 isn't a slow car by any stretch of the imagination, I was quite surprised when I drove one! (Scared the crap out of the salesman!) lol

 

I've got a 115 and I have to say I don't really miss the features of the higher spec'd 135, but although it does 0-60 in 9.2 seconds, it does seem a little slow in 1st gear - something I'm hoping to rectify with a mod or two (52mm throttle body and daytona exhaust). I do wished I'd gone for a 135 in the first place though.

Hope the confusion fog lifts soon.

 

The two biggest points to note of a 115 against a 135 is firstly, the obvious drop in performance, but the 115 also has (in part) the old F style interior, whereas the 135 and 160 have the fully revised interiors. The 160 is also quite a bit pokier and makes overtaking easier.

Insurance I doubt would be much different. Steve quoted me about £15 difference between an MPi F (118bhp) and a VVC F (145bhp) so you may as well plumb for whichever one floats your boat.

You'll also find that values don't differ a great deal, 160's and 135's don't really have a huge price gap, not now. I'd suggest finding a 135 or a 160 that you like and has been looked after. The power thing is quite incidental if you're not a speedfreak.

 

does the 1.6 have the same alarm and locking? i dont think it does, does it?

which would explain the lack of insurance pirce difference!

 

ABS on the 115 like the 135 was an optional extra until midway through 2003

CL on the 115 was not factory fitted until the 05MY but it can be retro fitted.

 

im not sure but does the 115 have abs?

 

The 2005 model 115s have ABS and remote central locking. 2002-2004 don't I believe. Chris T's your man. Hopefully he'll be along in a mo to confirm this.

 

what about the alarms?

basically your better off getting a 135, in a special edition if you can afford it

 

All MY05 models have the same alarm system. But I'd have agree with Deelun, go for a 135 model if you can afford it.

Word of warning though - when getting insurance for a 135 make sure the insurance company knows it's a 135, some of them think a 135 is a 160.

 

Don't the 135 & 160s have the nice 4 pot =MG= logo calipers? They look so dam cool, i would want them

So does a 115 have a 5as alarm if it doesn't have remote c/l
just out of interest does it have e/w?

 

Don't the 135 & 160s have the nice 4 pot =MG= logo calipers?.....

the 160 does, but the 135 only has them if its had SP2 fitted

 

I have to agree with the "get a SE" crowd. I have one, and it looks great. Meshed grilles front and rear, 16" wheels, APs, Leather seats, Colour coded hood etc...

I have a 135 and I LOVE drving it. Its so nice to get into a car thats different. Low down, no roof, engine behind you. Its great!!

 

Don't discount the TF120 Stepspeed as being a bad TF. It is not. It is certainly slower 0-60 that the other variants, but once it is moving, particularly in the windy bits of road, it performs well. It still may not foot it with a 160, but the person stiring a manual box will need to be working hard to keep ahead of it. Just stick it in Dsport mode and go. No need to think about what gear you are in, and once you get used to how the CVT box works you don't think about it again.

The interior spec is almost up to 160 levels as well. If you like an automatic, give one a go.

Cheers,
Neil
Trophy Yellow TF120
www.yellowsportscar.co.nz

 

Thanks everyone you've helped me make my mind up!! I'm going to look first and foremost for a 135 but a 160 if one comes along in my price range. Having a bit of trouble selling my 2001 Rover 25 at the mo though even though it is immaculate and a lovely deep burgundy colour. It's only done 38000 miles and one couple who have looked at it and I think do really want it are trying it on a bit. I advertised it for £2300 (cheapest one on Autotrader) hoping to get £2200 towards my MGTF. They offered me £2000 and I said I'd meet them half way on the difference but they want it for £2000 with 8 months tax and 7 months MOT! I think I've been very fair and offering to meet them half way on the difference so I'm just going to leave it at the moment as I'm not desperate to sell my although I'm itching to get my MGTF but there will be one for me when I'm ready I'm sure