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Back in the middle of 2005 I was seriously looking at a new Noble M400.
However, a few things at the time put me off. As time has moved on, my use of my car has changed and M400 may be coming back into my field of vision as a weekend car.
I have a few questions.
1 - have the 'unreliable' aircon issues been resolved (there seemed to be a few reports of this at the time)
2 - in the last 15 months or so, have any common faults come to light?
3 - have any major revisions or even minor changes been made to the M400?
The purchase would be new, or very close to new. I must admit I'm still wary of the 12 months warranty, especially afters years of faultless BMW motoring, but it's not so much of a turn-off now as it was a while back.
General thoughts from any M400 owners (or GTO-3R) welcomed and much appreciated.
Oh, and a final thought, M400 or GTO-3R..is the difference worth it?
However, a few things at the time put me off. As time has moved on, my use of my car has changed and M400 may be coming back into my field of vision as a weekend car.
I have a few questions.
1 - have the 'unreliable' aircon issues been resolved (there seemed to be a few reports of this at the time)
2 - in the last 15 months or so, have any common faults come to light?
3 - have any major revisions or even minor changes been made to the M400?
The purchase would be new, or very close to new. I must admit I'm still wary of the 12 months warranty, especially afters years of faultless BMW motoring, but it's not so much of a turn-off now as it was a while back.
General thoughts from any M400 owners (or GTO-3R) welcomed and much appreciated.
Oh, and a final thought, M400 or GTO-3R..is the difference worth it?
TSNsMrMe said:
Back in the middle of 2005 I was seriously looking at a new Noble M400.
However, a few things at the time put me off. As time has moved on, my use of my car has changed and M400 may be coming back into my field of vision as a weekend car.
I have a few questions.
1 - have the 'unreliable' aircon issues been resolved (there seemed to be a few reports of this at the time)
2 - in the last 15 months or so, have any common faults come to light?
3 - have any major revisions or even minor changes been made to the M400?
The purchase would be new, or very close to new. I must admit I'm still wary of the 12 months warranty, especially afters years of faultless BMW motoring, but it's not so much of a turn-off now as it was a while back.
General thoughts from any M400 owners (or GTO-3R) welcomed and much appreciated.
Oh, and a final thought, M400 or GTO-3R..is the difference worth it?
However, a few things at the time put me off. As time has moved on, my use of my car has changed and M400 may be coming back into my field of vision as a weekend car.
I have a few questions.
1 - have the 'unreliable' aircon issues been resolved (there seemed to be a few reports of this at the time)
2 - in the last 15 months or so, have any common faults come to light?
3 - have any major revisions or even minor changes been made to the M400?
The purchase would be new, or very close to new. I must admit I'm still wary of the 12 months warranty, especially afters years of faultless BMW motoring, but it's not so much of a turn-off now as it was a while back.
General thoughts from any M400 owners (or GTO-3R) welcomed and much appreciated.
Oh, and a final thought, M400 or GTO-3R..is the difference worth it?
I've just taken delivery of a new M400 and I must say its awesome, even while I'm running it in
In regard to your questions I can't really say much about the aircon as I've only just got the car but as far as I'm aware it hasn't changed much. It does work at the moment but that's really all I can say!
As to common faults I think the main one is the inane grin all M400 drivers seem to develop
As to revisions, the floor pan has been altered to add additional strength, the door handles are now body coloured and the exhaust has changed colour. The exhaust bracket may also have been moved slightly but I'm not sure about that one. Can't think of anything much else at the mo but I'm sure others will pipe up soon enough.
Is it worth the extra few bob well in my view yes, but it depends how tight the money is. If you can afford the M400 buy one, if not buy a 3R, but I think the extra is worth it.
Drive them both back to back and make up your own mind
I did actually drive both last year, and the M400 certainly captured my focus (although I should say I drove the 3R after it, which was clearly the wrong thing to do!).
Price-wise, I could buy either, but the question is purely relational to performance value per pound more than budgetary restriction.
Another thing I've just remembered - are the seat bolsters still suffering form bad wear? They were when I saw a few used examples last year. From exiting/entering the car - bad rub and leather wear on the sides after less than 12 months of use in all instances that I saw.
Also, has anyone had any issues with the exhaust tips going out of alignment (turning). I saw a number of cars on which the pipes had clearly moved and its the sort of thing that'd bug the life out of me! Or, with the exhaust modification you mention, has that been sorted too?
Price-wise, I could buy either, but the question is purely relational to performance value per pound more than budgetary restriction.
Another thing I've just remembered - are the seat bolsters still suffering form bad wear? They were when I saw a few used examples last year. From exiting/entering the car - bad rub and leather wear on the sides after less than 12 months of use in all instances that I saw.
Also, has anyone had any issues with the exhaust tips going out of alignment (turning). I saw a number of cars on which the pipes had clearly moved and its the sort of thing that'd bug the life out of me! Or, with the exhaust modification you mention, has that been sorted too?
1 - have the 'unreliable' aircon issues been resolved (there seemed to be a few reports of this at the time)
??? Mine lost it's charge due to a seal leaking which needed a new seal (5p part, 1 hour labour) and a recharge but that's it.
2 - in the last 15 months or so, have any common faults come to light?
None of note. Apart from servicing mine has needed a new throttle body to cure an idle issue (the sensor on the throttle that tells the ECU where the throttle is went wrong), a new battery (I let it go flat by mistake and it never recovered) and the aircon leak.
3 - have any major revisions or even minor changes been made to the M400?
The piping for the oil cooler was improved to help hot running, but that's the only modification done on mine (apart from the Roush exhaust
which included the 'all important' wiring loom upgrade for the fuel pump and a new pump). If you don't get one with a Roush exhaust on it, it's generally accepted it's a good idea to upgrade the wiring to the fuel pump.
It's probably been the most reliable car I've had in the last 5 years.
J
??? Mine lost it's charge due to a seal leaking which needed a new seal (5p part, 1 hour labour) and a recharge but that's it.
2 - in the last 15 months or so, have any common faults come to light?
None of note. Apart from servicing mine has needed a new throttle body to cure an idle issue (the sensor on the throttle that tells the ECU where the throttle is went wrong), a new battery (I let it go flat by mistake and it never recovered) and the aircon leak.
3 - have any major revisions or even minor changes been made to the M400?
The piping for the oil cooler was improved to help hot running, but that's the only modification done on mine (apart from the Roush exhaust
which included the 'all important' wiring loom upgrade for the fuel pump and a new pump). If you don't get one with a Roush exhaust on it, it's generally accepted it's a good idea to upgrade the wiring to the fuel pump. It's probably been the most reliable car I've had in the last 5 years.
J
Edited by joust on Sunday 19th November 21:47
TSNsMrMe said:
Another thing I've just remembered - are the seat bolsters still suffering form bad wear? They were when I saw a few used examples last year. From exiting/entering the car - bad rub and leather wear on the sides after less than 12 months of use in all instances that I saw.
14000 miles and mine are like new. TSNsMrMe said:
Also, has anyone had any issues with the exhaust tips going out of alignment (turning). I saw a number of cars on which the pipes had clearly moved and its the sort of thing that'd bug the life out of me! Or, with the exhaust modification you mention, has that been sorted too?
You know, I've never really noticed, sorry! J
I think the seat wear will always be a problem with the noble - the seats are quite tight fitting and there is a bit of effort required to get in and out - particually if the door can not be fully opened
(it was much more of a problem in my elise)
the trick is to move the seat back before you get out !!
buying one with worn seats wouldn't put me off - you can get some very nice replacements from somewhere like Demon Tweaks
(it was much more of a problem in my elise)
the trick is to move the seat back before you get out !!
buying one with worn seats wouldn't put me off - you can get some very nice replacements from somewhere like Demon Tweaks
TSNsMrMe said:
Another thing I've just remembered - are the seat bolsters still suffering form bad wear? They were when I saw a few used examples last year. From exiting/entering the car - bad rub and leather wear on the sides after less than 12 months of use in all instances that I saw.
The earlier M400's had different seats and the bolster did wear quite quickly. I have not seen a worn seat bolster on an M400 with the current seats.
TSNsMrMe said:
Also, has anyone had any issues with the exhaust tips going out of alignment (turning). I saw a number of cars on which the pipes had clearly moved and its the sort of thing that'd bug the life out of me! Or, with the exhaust modification you mention, has that been sorted too?
I think all the standard exhausts do that at one point or other.Hmmm 3R or M400.
I think the 3R is slightly easier to live with on a day to day basis, being slightly softer sprung and having more sound proofing.
I've had my 3R for about 16 months now and it's never let me down. However, if I could of afforded an M400 I would of gone for one of them. I'm not too bothered about the additional performance of an M400 as you can't realistically use either car to their fullest on the public road. But the seats in the M400 offer more support and the gear linkage in the M400 is alot better.
All IMHO of course.
I think the 3R is slightly easier to live with on a day to day basis, being slightly softer sprung and having more sound proofing.
I've had my 3R for about 16 months now and it's never let me down. However, if I could of afforded an M400 I would of gone for one of them. I'm not too bothered about the additional performance of an M400 as you can't realistically use either car to their fullest on the public road. But the seats in the M400 offer more support and the gear linkage in the M400 is alot better.
All IMHO of course.
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