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MG MGF Technical - MGF Alternator

Hi All,

Wondering if I could get some advice.

Am having my car serviced and have been told the alternator is broken. The battery light come on while my wife was driving it to the mechanic for the regular service. It is a late 2000 MGF with 85,000kms.

The mechanic has quoted me about $800-900 just for a new alternator (plus the cost of installation and servicing).

Does that sound like a fair price? I am in brisbane Australia. He gave me the option of getting it repaired but said it would cost only a few hunder less and would take a couple weeks to organise.

Thanks

Daniel
Daniel M

That's around 460 quid in UK money. That seems like an awful lot - especially when a quick search of ebay.co.uk reveals that you can buy an MGF alternator for 70 quid (AUS$ 123) http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ROVER-MGF-1-8-95-02-ALTERNATOR-BRAND-NEW_W0QQitemZ220480440346QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM?hash=item3355a8881a&_trksid=p4634.c0.m14.l1262

Obviously, I can't vouch for this vendor - I've never used them, nor would I suggest that they're the cheapest or best, but it would seem that a little hunting around could yield a more affordable unit. I guess the other problem is whether companies like these ship outside the Eurozone...?
Rob Bell

Rob,

Thanks for your reply. $800 seems like alot.

I will contact him tomorrow and ask him about it.

Thanks

Daniel

Daniel M

Rob, I concor! $800-900 seems a STEAL!
I bought a used one for $150 for my daughters MGF.
Still going strong after 1 year.

Daniel,
Contact Rod from Sports & Classic Spares. SA) Ph 08 8387 7393 Email: octagon@chariot.net.au.
He may be able to help you.

cheers,
Branko
Branko

Nice one Branko - thanks.

I've lost one alternator through corrosion. To my surprise there are a surprising number of different alternators fitted to the MGF. Fortunately, Dieter's EPC has the options listed, but needless to say that by scrap yard Bosch alternator is very different in terms of terminal connections to the original Magneti Marelli item... annoying.

Anyone know how to alter the wiring harness to fit a later alternator to an earlier car???
Rob Bell

I just re-read my post and I actually meant I bought a starter motor, (not Alternator). (Sorry, Must be the heat) :-0

Either way, still sounds a lot of money for an Alternator.

Cheers,
Branko
Branko

Hi,

I spoke to the mechanic and queried him about the high price and emailed him the link from ebay. I had contacted the seller and he said he could have it in OZ for 70 pounds.....giving a total of less than $300 (compared to $800).

He looked at the ebay alternator and said it did not appear to the identical to the one in the car at the moment. I do not know enough about it to know either way!

In any case (I suspect because of my persistence) he said he is going to ask his auto electrician if it can be repaired (which is what a local auto electrician suggested may be possible).

I suspect the mechanic initially didn't bother trying to get it repaired as it is less hassle for him to replace it.

Will keep you informed.

Daniel
Daniel M

There are quite a few different alternators fitted to MGFs over the years - and the wiring behind them alters according to the model fitted (as I discovered when offering up a Bosch alternator in replacement to the original Magneti Marelli item).

I'd hope that the ebay seller is aware of the differences - and to help you, Dieter's excellent electronic parts catalogue is there to help, offering VIN change points and alternator part numbers - http://www.lame-delegation.de/mgfcar.de/epc/1334.htm

Hope this helps
Rob Bell

Thanks Rob,

Heard back from the mechanic. Says the auto electrician can repair the alternator for $400.

Will be a week or so to get the parts.

If the total bill come up to $1000 ish (which I think it will with the service, replacing the clutch slave cylinder, fuel filter) then I would have spent over $2,500 this year on it.

There comes a time when it may be wiset to buy a new car....Difficult decision to make.

Has anyone else had to make the decision with their mgf?
Daniel M

I think I passed that threshold some years ago - decided that I would loose less in finance deals and depreciation if I simply continued to look after my F. And besides, what would I replace it with? There's a great MG community out there, and I'd miss it if I no longer owned one of these cars...
Rob Bell

This thread was discussed between 12/10/2009 and 16/10/2009

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