My Cali Custom was at AF1 for service. Thovas said "Hey, why don't you take our Eldorado for a spin and tell me how it compares with your Custom", so I did. I put about 20 miles on it. Never got much above 65 because of the traffic, and didn't scrape the floorboards.
I noticed four things:
First, the Eldorado was more refined at low rpms than my Cali Custom - seemed to shake slightly less at idle, started more smoothly from a stop and ran better below 3,000 rpm in virtually every gear.
Second, seating & bar position is more relaxed & upright. I didn't think I'd like the dished seat but it was just fine. My preference is still the Custom's riding position, probably because I'm used to it. However, I suspect I could ride the Eldorado all day with few complaints.
Third, the ride seemed a little more - relaxed? Not a big difference but noticeable. I'd attribute some of that to the higher profile tires. The handling was about on par with my Custom. Now I know I said I didn't scrape the floorboards, but that doesn't mean I didn't come close. The Eldorado behaved superbly on some 60 MPH sweepers.
Fourth, somebody will make a lot of money selling aftermarket shocks, I'll leave it at that.
When I got back to the store I shared my impressions with John and Thovas. I was informed that the ECU on my Cali Custom had been re-flashed with the latest update so I should experience the same refinement I mentioned in my first point. And I did! Still don't think the Custom was a smooth as the Eldorado, but the difference was minor. To you other Cali 1400 owners out there running a stock map: get it flashed with the latest MG map next time you are in for service.
If I were buying today would I buy the Eldorado over the Cali Custom? No. It's personal taste - I just really like the way the Custom looks. Would I buy the Eldorado if the Custom wasn't being offered? Yes. It still has all the great attributes of the original 1400s.
As far as the looks go I have mixed feelings. I do not know why on earth MG didn't put the round headlight on the Eldorado. Would have been much more fitting.
So for anyone considering the Eldorado, it gets a
from me.
