Looking to buy a M400. Advice needed!

[Smithy7]

Hi Guys,

I am new here and looking to buy a M400. I have just sold my V6 clio and now looking for some advice on what to look out for when looking at M400 and also if anyone on here is looking to sell theirs or knows anyone that is?

I have been looking for around a month now and i have only managed to find 1 to look at!

Be good to hear from you guys.

Cheers

John

[Adrian W]

Steve Kerridge recently told me he knew of an immaculate very low milage one for sale, give him ring, youll have to find Kerridges number.

[RobP]

Smithy7 said:

Hi Guys,

...and now looking for some advice on what to look out for when looking at M400

Find one - buy it. That's all the advice you need!

[Jenx]

Don't discount a 3R...better on the public road and a well sorted one can keep up with a standard M400 on track.

Martin.

Edited by Jenx on Tuesday 25th March 19:14

[daddysumo]

Yep Kerridges have an Immaculate very low mileage red M400 in stock.

Steve

[joust]

Advice = buy one

On the car/track argument it depends what you want. A 3R is much softer, and so easier to live with, but if you like 'pressing on', once weighted up a 3R will find it hard to live with an M400 on a decent B road.

If you are tempted by a 3R or M400 then keep an eye on Mole Valley - they normally have excellent cars in.

http://www.mole-valley.co.uk/

J

[CRB1]

Just looking at the Mole Valley site. £39k for an 04 GTO3R albeit with low mileage. Seems high. Are values firming up?

[S26VE P]

More like the mole valley prices.

[Smithy7]

Thanks guys. What would you say the avergae price is for a M400? And is there really much difference between the M400 and 3R performance?

Also what do these cars handle like in the wet, i only ask as the v6 clio used to be fun. ?

[NobleGuy]

Smithy7 said:

Also what do these cars handle like in the wet, i only ask as the v6 clio used to be fun. ?

Some might call it fun I suppose.....
I would say s*** your pants scary.

[F.C.]

Smithy7 said:

Thanks guys. What would you say the avergae price is for a M400? And is there really much difference between the M400 and 3R performance?

Also what do these cars handle like in the wet, i only ask as the v6 clio used to be fun. ?

Depends what your definition of fun is..
If its travelling fast over standing water on semi slicks then M400 will keep your attention
Seriously though these cars DEMAND respect in the wet!
F.C.

[Iaing01]

I had a mk1 V6 clio and eventually ended up in a M400 (after owning a VXR 220 along the way.

Test drove the 3, 3R and M400. Bought the M400

Handling in the wet or dry in the M400 is sublime and worlds apart from the V6 which I found very unpredicatble. In the Noble if shove your foot down in any of the first 2/3 gears in the wet then the back end will step out. I find that even in poor conditons you can still press on with confidence.

Go drive one, if you do you'll buy one. Average at a dealers for a 10k mile M400 still seems to be around the £41-42k mark

[steve_r]

Limits are higher and breakaway more progressive in a 3r in the wet. Mainly down to tyres and slightly softer setup. Dry roads, more of a difference in performance than you might think in the 400's favour providing it's not super bumpy.

I think values will firm on the 400 particularly due to increasing demand for good ones and very low supply

[Smithy7]

Thanks guys. Well i got caught out a few time in Mk2 V6 and ended up facing the wrong way but i suppose that is what you expect when you buy rear end rear wheel drive but it makes it exciting.

Edited by Smithy7 on Wednesday 26th March 11:10

[RobP]

Smithy7 said:

Thanks guys. What would you say the avergae price is for a M400? And is there really much difference between the M400 and 3R performance?

Also what do these cars handle like in the wet, i only ask as the v6 clio used to be fun. ?

Can't say what M400 prices are, but having owned both a 3R and an M400 I can comment on the differences (standard cars):
Flat out performance - M400 has the edge with larger turbos and higher boost, but they are both staggeringly quick and any difference is pretty academic.
As far as handling goes, the difference are much more obvious and it really depends on what you want from a car, as to which you choose. The 3R IMO is a better road car - the Bilsteins are set-up perfectly for gnarly B-roads and you have a real feeling of confidence as the suspension just soaks up the road imperfections. As Joust says you can probably still go faster in the M400 on B-roads, but you sometimes get that slightly uncomfortable feel that you are going to be chukked into a hedge at any moment! On track where the tarmac is smooth, the difference really shows; the M400 is much flatter (ARB) dosn't roll and the sticky motorsport Corsas allow higher entry and exit speeds into and out of corners.
Other noticeable differences -M400 has much better better turning circle, and much better seats (imo)which make differences in comfort on A-roads and M-ways probably no different to a 3R.
So as I said you pays yer money and takes yer choice. For me it was easy -I do a lot of track days so the M400 was the way to go.
In the wet - well what can I say, 350-425bhp in a light car with no traction control or other electronic wizardry. Proper driving! In both cases cold is probably worse than wet -but wet and cold together is not a good thing.

[Smithy7]

Thanks Rob that has been a great help. I live in the countryside and need i say the roads are poor but arent most in the UK. Most of my driving in country lanes and trips abroad on Motorways. i would have to agree with you that the cold is probably the worst driving condition but it keeps you on your toes!LOL.

What are the servicing interals like? every 4000?

[RobP]

6000miles (more frequently if you track)

[Iaing01]

Every 6 months or 6k miles, less if you track it.

Nice post Rob

Iain

[alex s]

Iaing01 said:

Every 6 months or 6k miles, less if you track it.

Nice post Rob

Iain

It's 6K or 12 months..not 6.

[GTSnooze]

If you're looking for an M400, I unearthed a few privates who were toying with the idea of selling so pm me and I'll give you their contact details.

I know exactly how it feels to get that Noble bug (took me 6 months to find one) and my advice would be dont rush into a purchase impulsively as I nearly did on more than one occasion. The right one will come along for you sooner or later, and when it does you'll be grinning like a wanking jap.. Best of luck.