The three rotary heater control knobs, temperature, fan speed and air distribution, sit at the front of the centre console, and on early MGF cars they were fitted as plain black plastic items with printed graphics. At the MY2000 MGF facelift, black-and-alloy combination knobs were introduced, and the MG TF moved to fully alloy knobs at launch. The alloy heater control sets catalogued here bring early MGF cars up to the later factory appearance, and give MY2000-on cars an aftermarket upgrade alternative, in either brushed or polished finishes to suit the rest of the console specification.
Factory Fitment Background
MGF cars to VIN XD511058 were fitted with black non-illuminated heater control knobs (JFD100590PMA) as standard, a simple functional specification that matched the early Mk 1 console. At VIN XD511059, the MY2000 facelift introduced black-and-alloy combination knobs in both non-illuminated (JFD100680WCV) and illuminated (JFD100690WCV) versions, giving the later MGF a more contemporary look. MG TF cars moved to fully alloy knobs (JFD000070 to VIN 4D627889, JFD000060 from 4D627890) as part of the broader console refresh for the 2002 launch. The alloy heater control sets offered as accessory upgrades work alongside this factory timeline to give owners a clear route from any original specification to an all-alloy finish.
Set K840, Brushed Alloy for Pre-MY2000 MGF
The K840 set is a brushed alloy three-knob set specified for MGF cars to VIN XD511058, bringing the earlier Mk 1 console up to a fully alloy heater control appearance. The knobs replace the original black plastic items directly on the existing spindles, no modification to the heater unit or console is required. This is the most popular upgrade for owners of early MGF cars running an alloy dash trim kit (S810) and alloy gear knob, where the original black heater knobs are the remaining item that spoils an otherwise coordinated alloy console.
Set K841, Brushed Alloy for MY2000-on MGF and MG TF
The K841 set is a brushed alloy three-knob set specified for MGF cars from VIN XD511059 and all MG TF cars. For MY2000-on MGF, it replaces the black-and-alloy factory knobs with fully alloy items, upgrading the appearance further. For MG TF cars, it serves as a replacement set where the original alloy knobs have become damaged, scratched or tarnished with age. The fitment is again a direct swap onto the existing spindles, with no modification to the heater unit.
Set K850, Polished Alloy for Pre-MY2000 MGF
The K850 set is a polished (bright mirror) alloy three-knob set for MGF cars to VIN XD511058, giving a higher-shine finish than the brushed K840. The choice between brushed and polished is largely a question of personal preference and the rest of the console specification, brushed alloy works particularly well on cars running satin-finished dash trim, while polished alloy pairs better with bright chrome accents such as the K820 octagonal door lock escutcheons and the K835 alloy handbrake handle. Both finishes are supplied as complete three-knob sets ready for direct fitment.
Ordering Considerations
The correct set depends on the car's VIN and the desired finish. MGF cars to XD511058 can take either the brushed K840 or the polished K850; MGF cars from XD511059 and all MG TF cars take the K841 brushed set. Finish choice is personal, but a coordinated approach across the console, dash trim kit, gear knob, handbrake handle and heater knobs all in the same finish, gives the best visual result.
For owners with illuminated factory knobs, note that the aftermarket alloy sets do not incorporate backlighting; the integrated dashboard illumination around the knobs remains as designed, but the knob face itself will not be individually backlit as on cars originally fitted with illuminated JFD100690WCV or JFD000070/JFD000060 items.