What would your ideal MG3 Spec be ?

200bhp turbo petrol not fussed on engine size so long as it can average 40mpg.

6 speed manual

Cruise control

Climate control

Loud stereo

Decent stoppers

Good handling

Less than 18k


That sorts me.

140bhp 2l petrol engine (will take 1.5 if reliable, though I've never had such a small engine)
Yellow or Orange
5 door
Air Con with external temperature display
Sunroof (I really miss it on my ZS - it's an essential bit of kit)
Wood and chrome dash, or with coloured inserts
Easy-to-use ventilation
Standard manual handbrake
DIN sized DAB Radio to fit my own DAB radio cassette player
Quadruple Headlamps
Automatic dipped beam converter for driving on the right
Nice big visible screenwash reservoir
Easy-to-use clutch
Proper-sized wheels with decent-sized tyres - say 195/65 15s, ideally not alloys
Full Size Spare Wheel
Mudflaps

3dr
17" alloys with lowish profile tyres
6speed box
200hp
Proper handbrake
Fly by wire throttle
Climate control with external temp reading
Sporty seats
Fold down back seats
Quick rack
Sub 8 sec 0-60
Clear sounding ice.
No wood! For the love of god! No wood!
Rev counter
Temp gauge
No sun roof
Opening rear windows
Over 40mpg
A car that doesn't **** it self when it sees a corner


:broon:

My turn


Full leather seats
Rear headrests & armrest
Heated seats
Electrically adjustable / programmable seats
17" alloys
5 doors
Cruise Control
Boot storage tray like the accessory for the bubble
Aircon / Climate control
DRL's
Eco electric 1.5 fuel injected petrol engine
Six speaker stereo with DAB, USB, SD, CD, MP3, Aux in, BT
Centre console with armrest
Electric windows all round
Electric Sunroof
Front foglights
Roof bars
Mudflaps
Decent door trim to prevent scratches
Rear reversing camera
Variable intermittent wipe (miss this from the Metro days)

What it needs to have...

- MG Zero \ MG5 style front end, revised rear end and rear lights (as above LED style etc)
- much wider colour range and choice finishes than what you can get on the MG6 at present
- all sports models to be fitted with skirts, etc (I still cringe when I see ZRs without the sideskirts)
- top end sports halo model (888 etc) to have separate kit aka Golf GTi, Fiesta ST etc (rear diffuser etc)
- full range of cars from basic models (hidden away in the brochure) to high-spec and sports styled ones
- high quality European spec interior, restyled from the Chinese one with new binnacle area and dials
- replace that cheap looking white handle trim etc with solid brushed metal finish
- ensure sound deadening, fit & finish is up to scratch
- MG6-esque kit levels as standard (this should be MG's trump card... high kit levels, sporty looks and drive for an affordable price)
- high level in-car entertainment \ satnav system (Android based etc) to match the likes of the Yaris
- high spec \ sports models to get leather \ part leather seats, matching stitching etc as mentioned above
- good choice of wheel options with more aggressive European look i.e. not curvy flower patterns! (this needs to happen across the MG range)
- range of customisation options and spec upgrade packs (exterior trim, interior finishes etc)

snifferdog1 said:

Well I'm liking the suggestions that I've seen so far but what do you actually think SAIC will give us?!

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- released in late 2013 \ 2014
- basically the Chinese model with a few changed dash plastics
- cheap controls, door trims etc
- 5 door only
- low kit levels, maybe a cheap satnav on the "high end" model if you're lucky
- one engine with poor MPG
- sports model to appear by about 2015 and still 5 door only

MGF Madman said:

To be made available in Trophy Blue, Red and Liquid/Sunspot Yellow
A series of engines (1.0, 1.4, 1.5d, 1.6 and 2.0t)

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I thought for a second there you said "A-Series engines"

From a commercial success standpoint SAIC/MG need to take a leaf out of Skoda's book and realise that at one stage just one edition of one model accounted for over 20% of all cars they were selling. It almost singlehandedly turned the fortunes and perception of the company and built a loyal following who continued to respect the brand.

I speak of the Mk1 Fabia vRS.

The MG3 has the potential to do the very same thing for MG IF they think it through logically.

I'm certainly NOT advocating a sporting turbo diesel as diesel power is now fraught with ownership issues what with DPF filter failure etc. it worked for Skoda when emissions rules were not so ludicrous.

However SAIC/MG have all the toys they need already sitting on the shelf.

Put the 1.8 turbo K series engine that they already use in the MG6 into the smaller car. With its 160Bhp it will fly and by also giving it LPG I say Voila! The result would be a rather quick 'pocket rocket' with amazing fuel economy in 'cost to run' terms.

Throw in a great handling but not too hard set up package and dress the car up in minimalist sporting guise, as Skoda did to the vRS and they will need 'Form an orderly Queue HERE' signs in their showrooms.

As a top of the range model this would drag buyers for more 'cooking' model specs into their net too.