The invention relates to a method for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of at least a portion of a body placed in a stationary and substantially homogeneous main magnetic field. According to this method, the portion of the body is initially subjected to a T.sub.2-preparation sequence (T2PRE). Thereafter, a 2D navigator sequence (NAV) is applied and an MR navigator signal is measured. A series of MR imaging signals is subsequently generated by an imaging sequence (TFE). These MR imaging signals are measured for reconstructing an MR image therefrom. In order to provide a MRI method for T.sub.2-weighted imaging, which gives a high T.sub.2 contrast and also guarantees a faultless functioning of the navigator, the invention proposes to apply a 2D navigator restore sequence (NAVRE) prior to irradiation of the 2D navigator sequence (NAV).