Information sought on M400

Information sought on M400

Author
Discussion

noble_al

Original Poster:

170 posts

204 months

Monday 21st September 2015
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Hello everyone,

It's been a long, long time since I was last on this 'ere forum discussing everything about my favorite ride of all time. I used to own a GTO 3R which I truly loved and stupidly sold 3 or 4 years back. Been keeping abreast of the market for the cars ever since, and am not really surprised by their prices hardening and now gaining, with the best M400's pushing £50k - I predicted £100k by 2020, so I may yet be right :-)

Back to the present and I currently have my house for sale, which, when sold, will free up some capital for a new toy with another Noble being my first priority. Looking through the ads over the last few weeks, I've noted there are not many M400s or even 3Rs for sale right now but can't help noticing a certain M400 in Silver at a dealership in Essex. It was already fairly cheap but since the weekend has dropped even further to under £35k. I spoke to the dealer in question a few days ago (before the price drop) and it appears some of the work they did on the car (new fuel pump and plugs) was down to a misfire!?! Other bits and pieces suggest the car was not in the greatest shape when taken in.

So in view of this car being, firstly, a tad on the cheap side and secondly, rescued from a misfire and general aesthetic issues, can anyone shed some light on the car which may explain why it's so cheap, or could it simply be the high-ish mileage (45k) that's putting people off?

By the same token, if anyone on here is interested in selling their beloved M400 or GTO-3R, I would be interested to hear from you.

Al

Libs

134 posts

155 months

Monday 21st September 2015
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Read the tail end of the Current Values thread below.

noble_al

Original Poster:

170 posts

204 months

Monday 21st September 2015
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Ah okay Libs, many thanks for the head's up, get the impression there may be more than meets the eye with this car, although my thoughts are that if it drove okay I'd only buy if they allowed me to get someone like Skip (TVR Centre) to inspect it on my behalf first. May give this one a miss though.


Mick S

35 posts

194 months

Tuesday 22nd September 2015
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Well I still have my M400 sat here and keep thinking of selling it as I've not really used it in 4 years so it's kept in storage and run up every couple of months.I could be persuaded maybe !

jamie g

516 posts

223 months

Wednesday 23rd September 2015
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Mick S said:
Well I still have my M400 sat here and keep thinking of selling it as I've not really used it in 4 years so it's kept in storage and run up every couple of months.I could be persuaded maybe !
I think there are a few on here in the same boat.
I only keep mine because

a) I'm waiting for them to reach the original purchase price before i sell wink
b) If I sell it I'll never get to own one again.
c) There is nothing I'd rather have.
d) ?????

Midlifecrisis71

2,871 posts

282 months

Wednesday 23rd September 2015
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Al - its out of my budget, but I thought I should tell you there is a silver M400 for sale in south Africa ! not kidding. Just come up on Facebook £40k.

Might be worth checking location etc as I havnt looked in to it

v8yes

1,250 posts

178 months

Wednesday 23rd September 2015
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Al you got mail

sundance002

1,304 posts

171 months

Thursday 24th September 2015
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I dont really understand all the fuss regarding the silver M400?
We know a good out the box example is 45k with no mods,

Even if it needs paint and tyres, its still got 5k left to do the vital upgrades.
If I were looking I would take Skip to check chassis and mechanics, and if the history is a little sketchy but the car is good, I would negotiate a better deal.
I think its a no brainer.
Its all about the price

noble_al

Original Poster:

170 posts

204 months

Thursday 24th September 2015
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Hey everyone, been away from my computer for the last 24 and only just seen the replies for which I thank you all.

Re the silver M400 in SA - I have indeed seen a couple for sale in SA one of which was a gorgeous looking 'gunmetal grey' car (could that be your silver one?) and another which I believe has now sold. I even went as far as checking into potential import costs and complications and have yet to rule it out, although I think it would be best to exhaust the UK market possibilities first.

Paul - I see you have emailed me but I don't appear to have received this? It could be that my Pistonheads account is running an old email address that doesn't exist anymore. Not sure what the etiquette is on here regarding posting email addresses in a thread, so I won't leave it here but I will check my settings and amend my email (if I can remember how) or barring that I will email you so you have my current address and can hopefully re-send your previous email. I notice, with some curiosity, that your profile picture has you posing with a silver Noble and a yellow Ultima (GTR?). This may be a total coincidence but given how rare those cars are, especially in yellow with the 'targa' style removable roof, does that car happen to belong to a fellow also named Paul from the Cambridge area? If so I know the car well as Paul is a good friend of mine who lives just down the road - small world if so biggrin

Mick - obviously I'd be interested to hear about your car, even if you can't bear the thought of parting with it eek

Jamie - your "nothing I would rather have" comment is exactly why I am back on the hunt for another, and why I curse myself daily for ever having parted with my last one mad

Hopefully my email contact on here will be working shortly, so if anyone wishes to share their car details, either with a view to selling or simply because I'm a nosey b$%&£*d who likes to know what everyone's got, then please do smile

noble_al

Original Poster:

170 posts

204 months

Thursday 24th September 2015
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Craig - I was discussing this very approach last night. No harm in going to see the car, taking it for a drive and provided it drives as it should, agreeing a deal on the proviso that an inspection (by Skip or similar - not that I've found anyone similar to Skip as he is rather unique wink ) shows the car to be fine


v8yes

1,250 posts

178 months

Friday 25th September 2015
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Hi al I've tried again with email Can find me on fb in ultima owners or noble owners

v8yes

1,250 posts

178 months

Friday 25th September 2015
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Hi al I've tried again with email Can find me on fb in ultima owners or noble owners

Wavemkr06

13 posts

108 months

Sunday 22nd November 2015
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I purchased that Essex Silver M400. I will be racing this in 2016 SMRC and Super lap Scotland.
New gear cable, upgrade mod on linkage, tracking ,camber, and tuned properly otherwise the car is good to go. Definitely a bargain.
I also have M12 GTO. Chassis #002. Love these cars.

AMG Merc

11,954 posts

260 months

Sunday 22nd November 2015
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Wavemkr06 said:
I purchased that Essex Silver M400. I will be racing this in 2016 SMRC and Super lap Scotland.
New gear cable, upgrade mod on linkage, tracking ,camber, and tuned properly otherwise the car is good to go. Definitely a bargain.
I also have M12 GTO. Chassis #002. Love these cars.
Congrats clap you may well be the first person to own two Nobles.

TuxMan

9,011 posts

245 months

Sunday 22nd November 2015
quotequote all
Wavemkr06 said:
I purchased that Essex Silver M400. I will be racing this in 2016 SMRC and Super lap Scotland.
New gear cable, upgrade mod on linkage, tracking ,camber, and tuned properly otherwise the car is good to go. Definitely a bargain.
I also have M12 GTO. Chassis #002. Love these cars.

TuxMan

9,011 posts

245 months

Sunday 22nd November 2015
quotequote all
Wavemkr06 said:
I purchased that Essex Silver M400. I will be racing this in 2016 SMRC and Super lap Scotland.
New gear cable, upgrade mod on linkage, tracking ,camber, and tuned properly otherwise the car is good to go. Definitely a bargain.
I also have M12 GTO. Chassis #002. Love these cars.

TuxMan

9,011 posts

245 months

Sunday 22nd November 2015
quotequote all
Wavemkr06 said:
I purchased that Essex Silver M400. I will be racing this in 2016 SMRC and Super lap Scotland.
New gear cable, upgrade mod on linkage, tracking ,camber, and tuned properly otherwise the car is good to go. Definitely a bargain.
I also have M12 GTO. Chassis #002. Love these cars.
Well done and good luck on the racing front , that's 3 Nobles racing in the UK !! If you need any more help with making her go faster just shout !!


Wavemkr06

13 posts

108 months

Sunday 22nd November 2015
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Cheers Tux, very kind offer, once I've maxed out, and can get it round consistently within a few 100s and depending on where that puts me on the grid, I may well be seeking some help. Again many thanks for your offer.

TuxMan

9,011 posts

245 months

Sunday 22nd November 2015
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No problems mate , there are a few simple things you can do to help the aero .



Raise the wing and fit a gurney to help the rear .





Jetstream do a bigger front disc from Alcon.





Openning up the front quarter panels helps let air out of the front wheel arch and prevents front end lift at high speed .





Also filling in the front arches helps with lift also . Might be worth checking you have had a upgrade on the fuel pump wiring done , the std setup is rubbish !!
Exhaust bracket will need strengthening as it's made of cheese !!

Davie M12

194 posts

140 months

Sunday 22nd November 2015
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You may also need to upgrade oil cooler as my temps get very high after only 8 to 10 laps of Knockhill and SMRC races are 12 laps.