3R on the way!

[S3am]

Hi everyone, new member here.

The site looks great and I've been enjoying the threads for a while now, so thought it was about time to take the plunge, stop being a forum drifter and become a fully paid up member. The main reason for this is that I've just ordered a new GTO-3R, in azure blue, and I just can't wait. Previously I've been driving an Audi S3 for about 2 years.

I just wanted to know how all you lucky, already owners, were getting on with the car? From what I can see it seems to be pretty much all favourable.

See you around

Sam

[joust]

Yep - full low down on my website at www.lotus-elise.org.uk/noble. The car is amazingly well screwed togther, and given mine is No. 26 of the original 2.5l your's will be even better than us "earlies"

No problems moving from Audi's Tutonic expertise - I still choose the Noble over the X5 every time to drive into central london - the Noble, despite being harder over the bumps is actually nicer to drive as an "everyday car" for those commutes IMHO.

You'll love it!

J

>> Edited by joust on Sunday 27th April 22:59

[S3am]

Thanks for your reply. The website looks great.

I really cant wait to get my hands on it, but it looks like the end of October/November before it is delivered. But I suppose the weather will help me to remember the running in rev-limit! How long did you have to run it in incidentally?

The S3 is great, but the more efficient and faultless it gets, the harder it is to love. I needed something with a bit of soul!

P.S. How are speed bumps, the front splitter looks awfully low!

Sam

[tuscansix]

S3am said:
P.S. How are speed bumps, the front splitter looks awfully low!
Sam

Joust has written numerous thesis's on this subject. But here's a previous discussion of the topic for you. www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=27698&f=26&h=0&hw=ramp

[JonH]

Hi, When I was deciding the dealer brought the car over to my house, On my estate there are 4 or 5 quite severe speed bumps. It cleared them all fine.

Jon

(The waits getting painful now.)12 weeks to go

[joust]

I've never grounded it out on one - if it looks "bad" then just point the wheels slightly sideways and you'll be truely amazed at what it can get over.

Whilst it is very low - there actually isn't that much distance between the front splitter and the wheel - consequently putting the car slightly sideways reduces that even further and means that the wheels get onto the hump/ramp quickly.

Funny enough the Ur-Quattro grounds out more than the Noble due to it being higher, but having much more distance between the bottom lip and the wheel.

J

[Rainman]

I've absolutely scuffed the living crap out of my splitter. It used to make me cringe everytime I heard it make contact with the ground but I've got used to it now.

It's a fact of life I'm afraid. Owning a Noble and having the splitter make contact with something is as sure as death and taxes. I don't think they're terribly expensive to replace, it's about 10 bolts worth of fiddling if you want to remove it yourself and if nothing else it's protecting your bodywork.

Of course, you could do it "formula one" style and get one made from marine-ply if you ever need to replace it. My splitter currently has a frayed look to it.

Phil

[S3am]

Cheers guys,

I'm glad you are all getting along OK with the ride height, it must just look worse than it is. I wasn't looking forward to having speed bumps dictate my route everyday!

PS. Has anyone come up to make time pass quicker while waiting for delivery? Its only been a few days and I think the anticipation is only going to get worse!

Oh well, its not a bad problem to have tho, is it!

Cheers

Sam

[goodlife]

S3am said:
PS. Has anyone come up to make time pass quicker while waiting for delivery? Its only been a few days and I think the anticipation is only going to get worse!

Been waiting since the Motorshow in October and every day is agony. Tried taking my mind off it, but every time I look at Pistonheads (most days) it springs back into my thoughts. Just a couple of months left to wait now.

[bradders]

Agree with you goodlife.

I'm afraid the waiting is becoming more and more painful every day. Gave up the P1 (co. car) at the start of April to save a few tax dollars - 3R due mid-end July. Running round in a P-reg Fiesta now! Worse still, someone else in the office is running the P1

If you do manage to find a way to ease the wait, spread the word!

Cheers,

Mark

[S3am]

I suppose though if nothing else the fiesta will enhance the sensation of speed in the noble when it arrives. Not that it'll need it!

Sam

[3rtt]

I guess we can take some pain out of waiting by booking a test at our local Dealer when their 3R demo arrives. Sorry, did I say local. I live in Newcastle upon Tyne and my 3R (R35) is on order with Gordon Lamb Sheffield. It's still worth the drive though.

I'm 6' 1" and when I drove the Gordon Lamb demo 3 litre, I found plenty of leg room with the seat nearly fully extended. However, with the pedal layout slightly offset, I found it quite difficult to heel and toe cleanly,

Have any tall owners found a similar expeience? Would some neat Sparco (or similar) bolt on pedals bring the throttle pedal and brake pedal slightly closer? Or is it something you can adapt your driving to?

[S3am]

I had no problem either with head or legroom being 6'1 myself. Something that I was expecting given how diminutive it looks. I didn't get chance to heel and toe properly, the shoes I was wearing were a bit too wide to make it easy.

I was wondering, have any of you M12 owners raced something on road or track and lost? there isnt much I can think of that is faster in the 'real world'

Sam

[joust]

No real problem with heal and toeing once you get used to it (think toe and side of heel to get the idea) - just takes a bit of practice.

As for anything that will beat it around anything with corners - think Radical or something "open cockpit track day special" (Caterham 500) and they'll just get around quicker. Straight line plently will leave it behind, but then how many 2 mile straights can you find

J

[goodlife]

And how many 3R queuers get onto Pistonheads/gassing, then scroll straight down to see the little 'new' label next to Noble... just in case someone has posted that "just spoke to the factory, and the 3R's are coming early."

[S3am]

I wish, but that still wouldn't make it anywhere near comfortably soon (8 months -bugger). I suppose I shall just have to take my mind off it by taking those test drives when the dealer gets the 3R (as reward for my patriotic loyalty)

P.s. Has anyone had any dealings with Kerridges in Needham Mkt?

Sam

[guysh]

You lot don't half winge - I had to wait for about 19 months for my car.... (it's number 73)

[mb1]

A good idea to pass time is to go to the factory.
They are very friendly and Lee is often there to discuss all the details of your next car.

It is also a very good idea to chose the colors of the bodywork and leathers as there are always quite a few cars there.

Good luck with the wait.

MB
R32 (due july...)

[joust]

Not a good time then to point out that I waited two weeks for mine???????

J

[guysh]

Yes but you didn't get to choose the colours of yours

PS if you keep going to the factory poor old Lee will not have time to finish of the GTC !!!