Is it really a MG?

[quaddamager]

:rolleyes: Hi
The other day I’ve been asked by a friend: Why is your car a MG (I have an Austin Maestro 2.0efi with 2.0 TD engine)? How can you tell a difference from an austin maestro?

I couldn’t answer as a friend of mine has an Austin Maestro (2.0 diesel) that is looking the same as mine but still mine is all over stamped with the MG logo (on the floor carpet, on the wheels, on the steering wheel ).

Can you help me to answer this question please ?

[MaestroMatt]

As far as I know the difference lies in the fuel system, although I am prepared to be proven wrong! The MG cars have carburettors (1 SU carb in the 1600 and twin Webers in the 2.0) whilst the other comparable cars are fuel injected (hence Efi). Your car sounds like it could have once been an MG but has had a new engine or, conversely, always been a 2.0 TD but had a lot of uprated trim fitted by an aspirational previous owner. I don't think there was an MG Maestro with a TD engine, was there?

[Austin-Rover]

I think it could be a previous owner trying to give his car a bit more street cred with a few MG bits! Even my Clubman has an MG interior, so this may be the answer.

:)

[Maria]

The main difference between the MG and non-MG cars is the engine. The MGs were either 1600s (R and S series engines), each with twin Weber carbs, or 2.0EFi petrol engines (fuel injected) or the 2.0 carburated Turbo.

As Matt said, the car was either originally an MG 2.0Fi and the engine has been changed, or someone has swapped the steering wheel, wheels and carpets for some from an MG car, which is easily done.

Your best bet would be to look at the ownership documents and log book to see what the car is listed as.

Anyone know if there's a way to tell by the chassis number?

[H48HPE]

There has never been a diesel engined MG. you should check the information on the registration document against the car. If the car is a modified one you will need to declare it on your insurance (and it definitely is modified one way or the other)

andy

[Jonathan]

> Anyone know if there's a way to tell by the chassis number?

That's probably the most reliable means of identification. The chassis number of all Maestros begins SAXXC, it's the letter following this that gives the trim level away. For information, here's the list:

D 1.3 City
H City X, Clubman and Clubman D
M 1.3L, 1.6L, 2.0 Diesel
P 1.6 Mayfair
S 1.3HL, 1.3HLE, 1.6HL
T MG
W Vanden Plas

So it'll start SAXXCT if it's a genuine MG.

[tony]

a mg will say mg in the reg docs where is asks for manufacter not austin or rover
will his reg docs be differnt with it being from romania

[quaddamager]

The Chassis number is SAXXCTWU8AM380260:p
It is true the engine was changed because here the diesel is cheaper.
Is it true that the NonTurbo diesel engines are faster than the Turbo ones?
Thanks all!

[matthewsemple]

Originally posted by MaestroMatt
As far as I know the difference lies in the fuel system, although I am prepared to be proven wrong! The MG cars have carburettors (1 SU carb in the 1600 and twin Webers in the 2.0) whilst the other comparable cars are fuel injected (hence Efi).

I don't think there was an MG Maestro with a TD engine, was there?

Sorry to correct you on this one. MG Maestro 1600s all had two twin-choke Weber DCNF40 carburretors. The EFi/2.0i had no crburretors but Lucas fuel-injection instead. The only MG Maestro with an SU carb is the MG Maestro Turbo that has one SU carb. No MG or Austin Maestro had twin SUs. The last MG saloon to have twin carbs was the MG 1300 produced between 1969 and 1972.

The first MGs to have a diesel engine fitted in the factory was the MG ZR closely followed by the ZS and ZT. These were first produced in 2001/02.

Maestro and Montego Turbos which were all debadged (so not even Austins - except diesel Maestro vans) had a Perkins diesel engine that is similar in capacity to the O-series but not the same. These had direct-injection so again no carbs.

I do agree that a car with MG carpets and a diesel engine probably started life as an MG and has had an engine transplant (or new carpets and trim)

[matthewsemple]

Originally posted by quaddamager
The Chassis number is SAXXCTWU8AM380260
This chassis number relates to an MG Maestro 2.0i - if it was a Turbo it would be SAXXCTWT... and a MG1600 would be SAXXCTWY...

Is it true that the NonTurbo diesel engines are faster than the Turbo ones?
The non-Turbo is 60PS so less power than the 1.3 Maestro and the Turbo is 81PS which is just less than a 1.6 petrol.

0-60 times:

2.0TD 12 secs
2.0D 16 secs

[matthewsemple]

Top Speeds:

2.0TD 101 mph
2.0D 93mph

[John S]

Originally posted by matthewsemple
Top Speeds:

2.0TD 101 mph
2.0D 93mph

I get 115 on the speedo but again the speedo probably gets less accurate as speed increases. Figures that I have found are only supplied for the Montego so you have to decrease acceleration times accordingly. 0-60 in 12 secs sounds about right meaning it is just over half as fast to 60 as the MG Turbo but I'm sure it beats the diesel hands down in mid-range performance. My car is lowered so I may have added .1 secs to the 0-60 time through increased traction!;)

[malcsmaesty]

I got 185 (kph that is!) in france on the autoroute, which is about 115mph,with roof rack and full load,probrably inaccurate but it felt good!!!...........and not a speed camera in sight!!!!!!:D

[malcsmaesty]

sorry,forgot to mention its a 2.0 TD