A few days back I received an email from Brown & Gammons, in the UK, advertising a coil spring conversion kit for the MGF. These kits are designed to replace the hydrogas spheres that the MGF's suspension is built around. Supplies of these spheres are dwindling, it seems. If anyone has needed to source one, how was your experience? Email me with your take on the situation.

The following is a copy of the email that Dean Goddard sent me.

"We are due to be stocking a coil spring conversion kit for the early MGF. This is to replace the hydrogas suspension that was originally fitted to these cars. Meaning… No more pump-ups required!

These kits comprise of the following…
2 of front spring canisters
2 of rear spring canisters
2 of front non adjustable dampers
2 of rear non adjustable dampers
1 of fitting instructions

I have attached an image of a full set of parts. Fitting is simple as this is a direct replacement for the original displacer, utilising the original pressed steel mounting plates. This does mean the car can be lowered, but only to a point which does not interfere with the standard geometry. Full instructions and further details will be available soon.

The UK list price of this kit will be £830+VAT. At an exchange rate of £0.48 this comes to around $NZ1,730. New Zealand is a VAT free zone, but you may need to add the 15% GST tax when you import the kit. NC.

But for a limited period we can offer your members a £100 discount. All we ask for is a £200 ($416) deposit to secure a set, once the deposit is received they will then be entitled to the £100 discount which will be deducted off the final bill.

(Please note, deposits must be paid before the 5th March 2011 to receive the discount)

To take advantage of this offer or for more information please contact me at dean@ukmgparts.com or give me a call on +44 (0) 1462 490049"

Also, re shipping to New Zealand:

"1. If shipping outside the EEC, the customer will not pay any VAT.

2. I estimate 5day+ postage (world economy service) to New Zealand mainland to be £135exc VAT ($NZ281)"

Please note that I can not recommend, or not, fitting this kit. I do not know enough about it. Perhaps you could phone Terry Kelk at Heritage Mechanical Services on (09) 838-2100 and ask him what he thinks. Steve Childs, who runs the MG-Rover.org forums, is in contact with Dean to find out more about these kits, so his take on the kits may become available on the F/TF forum in due course. If you are interested please email Dean directly, and send me some feedback as well to webmaster@mgclub.org.nz.

Neil Courtney