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A warning from the USA (May 2019)
Somewhere in this blog is a description of the breakdown, recovery and repair of our M3W and my conclusion, that the American engine is made mostly of cheese. Our vehicle was off the road for a week. New cheese parts fitted.
Todd in Ohio suffered a more serious failure, a broken cheese crankshaft. This happened before Christmas and 5 months later the car still at the Morgantown dealership. The crankshaft has been replaced but it is now waiting for a new compensator. How is that even possible…? What the hell is going on? After all, the S&S factory is only 600 miles away.
If you live in the US, be warned. Had that happened to our out of warranty UK M3W, I would have thrown myself into the sea while contemplating the bill.. How far is Ohio from the sea…?
One Year On
A whole year has Passed without the Morgan. I’ve still not deleted this blog because visitor numbers suggest it is still popular and I guess the experience of owning one is still relevant particularly if you plan on becoming an owner too.
Buying a used Morgan M3W is a minefield and early, low mileage vehicles can often be a poor choice. I covered this in the blog but put simply, if you plan on buying one, be careful and do your research.
The reason I mention this again is I recently had an email from someone in EU land who was in this very situation and had gone as far as paying a deposit. He was flying to the UK and asked if I would join him to view the car. However, just looking at photographs of his choice I could see the vehicle in question was a potential ‘money pit’. But at the right price and with corrective work.. blah blah blah… You know the story..
Morgan dealers are pretty good and are happy to correct defects before a sale but updating parts to avoid potential defects is less likely. After all, they are they are there to make a profit. The problem is, early unmodded M3Ws bristle with these potential defects and likelihood of them biting you is high. Of course, there is a chance you may be lucky but who wants to take a chance with £33k+ at stake supported by a paltry two months winter warranty? Those odds would be too slim for me too..
He did view the car in spite of my reservations but I was relieved to hear he didn’t go though with the purchase. The dealer won’t be too concerned at this loss of sale as another unwitting soul who hasn’t done his research we be along soon. Don’t let it be you.
An M3W is fantastic vehicle but buying the wrong one can seriously damage your bank balance and your sanity. Choose wisely and the right vehicle can owned for a number of years for very little cost. Use your head not your heart.
Revisiting the Forum
Don’t be put off buying an M3W by classic Morgan owners who inhabit the Morgan forum and climb over the fence into the M3W section while talking bollocks. They do this because the classic section is a yawn fest. Most don’t have a clue and think that because they have owned a classic for 30 years their opinion matters. It doesnt. It is like the owner of a Honda Jazz advising a Fireblade owner because, well, they are both Honda’s right?
Yes, Classic Morgan owners are entitled to their opinions. But, if you are asking a question you need answers not opinions. The problem is, if you are new to the forum it can be hard to filter out Mr Tweed and his daft opinions. And boy, they have plenty! “Toot toot… coming through, Mr Tweed here…”
Perhaps appending your post with ‘Please only reply if you have first hand experience’ would target those that may be able to answer your question and limit drivel from non owners with ‘forum Tourette’s’.
Worth a try? Perhaps, but avoiding the forum altogether is a far better way of a limiting your exposure to these oxygen thieves.
Nice people buy Morgan’s but not all Morgan owners are nice. Purchasing aside, if you need advice go to a dealer or even the factory.
Six Months On
Six months ago I never thought I would ever make another Westmog entry but here I am. I still get emails via the blog and according to the stats there is a steady stream of visitors, perhaps potential M3W owners? This means I have not been able to vanish compleatly. I don’t know why Morgan doesn’t make more of an effort with the M3W but firmly believe whoever is in charge of their internet presence should find another job, at least something they are good at. Morgan probably have all orders they can handle, so who needs the internet anyway?
Six months ago I waived goodbye to the Morgan M3W. My time as a Morgan caretaker had come to a natural end, or so I thought.
My decision to let it go was the culmination of common sense and applied logic. At the time, it was the right thing to do. Most of the background can be found in the blog if you scroll down. Unfortunately, logic plays no part in Morgan ownership, so on reflection, six months on, was it the right decision?
Summer was always going to be the ultimate test and I can say, hand on heart, I do not miss owning a Morgan but I do miss some of the experience. Let me try to explain.
Imagine owning a badger as a family pet. It is unpredictable, untrainable and has a tendency to bite when you least expect it. Badgers being an exotic pet attract large vet bills but in spite of this, you love your badger and are known as the man that owns a badger.
One day, the badger runs off. You are initially sad because the badger was a source of such joy but sadness soon gives way to relief when you realise you still have all your fingers.
So I don’t miss Morgan ownership at all and as a bonus I escaped with all my fingers. Would I own another? Of course… In a heartbeat..! But then, I’m not normal.
One thing I definitely don’t miss is the Morgan Forum and it’s resident oddballs . If you are reasonably intelligent and have a modicum of mechanical aptitude you don’t need it and I suggest you take this as a hint. It is a magnet for the socially awkward so avoid at all costs unless of course you harbour a syndrome’ in which case fill your boots. Weirdo.
A strange side effect of Morgan ownership, I did learn how to edit a reasonable video.
video
English countryside blogging: http://miltondamerel.wordpress.com
Goodbye (from a field near my house)
Welcome to My Morgan M3W blog which ran during my ownership (November 2014 to December 2017). It describes my three year love affair with a Morgan Three Wheeler and why, on so many levels, it was least practical but best car I have owned.
I have been astounded by the response to the closure of westmog. The phone calls, emails (including a nice one from high up at the factory) and the kind words on Talk Morgan were all very much appreciated. I wish you all happy and safe driving. Thank you and cheerio..
westmog views per month
Worldwide interest in the M3W (westmog views per month)
MMC AERO RACING STAGE 1
**Due to space restrictions on my free wordpress account I previously only sent the Stage 1 fitting instructions on request. As this is no longer an issue the PDF can be downloaded from the new Stage 1 page above or the page list on the right**
HUB REMOVAL
Calum Frasers Rear wheel/Hub removal instructions. PDF added to links page
Steve Morris MD Morgan Motors Malvern
Westmog - Morgan Three Wheeler 