First 36 hours with a 3R

First 36 hours with a 3R

Author
Discussion

goodlife

Original Poster:

1,852 posts

266 months

Thursday 2nd October 2003
quotequote all
This might make agonising reading for those still waiting. I remember it well

First the Car:



Spec is Titanuim, Black leather with grey inserts, 6-Speed box, Trackday Sump, Alarm Immobiliser, Tracker, Extended 3-year Warranty, Luggage, Mats, AirCon, Kitchen Sink.

The First 36 Hours. 512 miles.

What can describe the feelings you get as you pull out of the dealer in a spanking new 3R. Well, 'don't stall it' ranks high, as does 'don't crash'.

Running in is excrutiating as 3000rpm is *just* as things sound like they are going to get interesting, but you have to change gear. It's not like you can floor it either, as those 3000 revs must be achieved with only an inch or so of throttle push. When it's dark, late and no-one is watching the devil appears on one shoulder saying, "go on my son, just one thrash to the limiter to see what it does". Luckily the angel on the other shoulder wins each time, but boy is it tempting... patience, patience.

By the way, 2990rpm is almost exactly 75mph on the speedo. Or roughly 25mph per 1000rpm.

The 6-speed box has a fantastic feel - almost clicks into each slot. It needs firm use but will surely loosen up with mileage. The ratios are spread a bit strangely - 1st is good, tall enough to pull away without short-shifting, 2nd, 3rd, 4th all evenly spaced (perhaps 300-400rpm drop with each change) although 3rd & 4th seem a little to close at the moment, perhaps more revs and use will determine. Then 5th gear is a long way from 4th with almost 800rpm drop at the change. Don't think this is a bad thing, it's absolutely not. The torque of the engine means that 4th/5th will be all that's needed from 30mph to I'd guess 150+mph (when running in schedule permits!)

A few niggles like mirrors moving about should be easily sorted at the first 1000 mile service.

As posted on the "3...2...1..." thread, the stares, double takes and open mouths are not for the shy and retiring. As is the respect from the other sports cars (hello again to mr LHD Fezza 355 on the M4 this afternoon ).

Overall - what a car. If you have one on order LUCKY YOU, if not PUT YOUR ORDER IN NOW AS THE WAIT IS WORTH IT!!

PetrolTed

34,443 posts

310 months

Thursday 2nd October 2003
quotequote all
Very nice.

Good plate too

Podie

46,645 posts

282 months

Thursday 2nd October 2003
quotequote all

granville

18,764 posts

268 months

Thursday 2nd October 2003
quotequote all
Oh-my-God...

Utterly phenomenal.

IMMENSE congrats...and frankly, the more photos (and reports [see Joust's Uber Commentary for guidelines ]) the better.

dazren

22,612 posts

268 months

Thursday 2nd October 2003
quotequote all
Danny, the 3R looks absolutely fantastic, a great colour combo. Definitely looking forward to seeing this baby screaming to the red line on the 12th.

DAZ

amg merc

11,954 posts

260 months

Thursday 2nd October 2003
quotequote all
[quote=goodlife]This might make agonising reading for those still waiting. I remember it well

... YOU ARE CORRECT!!!

guysh

2,254 posts

290 months

Thursday 2nd October 2003
quotequote all
Where have you been doing your running in? I heard today they have just slotted in the new 3L engine 6SP Gearbox and LSD into my car so after the Brake and suspension mods I will be back on the road again soon but having to do the painful running in process again! that's pretty good going - 512 miles in 36 hours at no more than 3k RPM.

nildram

293 posts

268 months

Thursday 2nd October 2003
quotequote all
What's this 3,000rpm stuff all about. Running in instructions for mine said 4,000rpm for 1,000 miles and no full throttle for first 250 miles. Go on, give it a little more stick!

goodlife

Original Poster:

1,852 posts

266 months

Thursday 2nd October 2003
quotequote all
nildram said:
What's this 3,000rpm stuff all about. Running in instructions for mine said 4,000rpm for 1,000 miles and no full throttle for first 250 miles. Go on, give it a little more stick!


Aahhhh. Now I know what to call the devil that appears on my shoulder... I'll call it "Adrian"

goodlife

Original Poster:

1,852 posts

266 months

Thursday 2nd October 2003
quotequote all
dazren said:
Danny, the 3R looks absolutely fantastic, a great colour combo. Definitely looking forward to seeing this baby screaming to the red line on the 12th.

DAZ


redline? what redline? There's not one on my tacho!

nildram

293 posts

268 months

Thursday 2nd October 2003
quotequote all
I haven't even started yet. Of course, the manufacturer's running in instructions are always a little on the cautious side. Plus, if you're too easy on it, you won't run it in properly... ;-)

goodlife

Original Poster:

1,852 posts

266 months

Thursday 2nd October 2003
quotequote all
guysh said:
Where have you been doing your running in? ... - 512 miles in 36 hours at no more than 3k RPM.


Been all over the place. Drove out of MV around 11.00am yesterday, went home 'the long way' via almost every road in surrey (windsor, ascot, bracknell, egham, maidenhead, bray, virginia water in approximately that order). Then popped to see a chap in Poole. Got home about 00.30am. Had to go to work today but still managed to arrange a customer meeting that was 100 miles from the office.

Apart from a stint on the M3/M27 & a tiny bit of M4, I've been trying to use A/B roads whenever possible as the varied revs and constant gear changing are better for running in. And of course there are CORNERS on A/B roads

Car was dirtier than Vinny Jones when I got back tonight, so has had it's first clean. There is something strangely paternal about the first time you clean your new baby.

goodlife

Original Poster:

1,852 posts

266 months

Thursday 2nd October 2003
quotequote all
PetrolTed said:
Very nice.

Good plate too


The plate is GTO 3R GO

The wallet is feeling a bit light today.

Does anyone make me an offer for it? Lets start the bidding at £55,000...

bradders

887 posts

278 months

Thursday 2nd October 2003
quotequote all
Danny, you total and utter tease

Still waiting on R36 - hopefully only a few weeks away.

Mark

apeebles

267 posts

291 months

Friday 3rd October 2003
quotequote all
Awesome!

stuh

2,557 posts

280 months

Friday 3rd October 2003
quotequote all
Congrats once again Goodlife. The new lights and wheels really make the whole package come together. My old one looks a bit tired now BUT i think the GTC will have to be in titanium in the summer

Regarding the mirrors. Most cars have been afflicted by this. Some people haved fixed their mirrors in position with silicon. I use a small rubber ball tucked behind the mirror !

Look forward to another report when you can let her rip and get that first "Oh my god" moment

amg merc

11,954 posts

260 months

Friday 3rd October 2003
quotequote all
Danny, some questions:

1. What did your three-year extended warranty cost, who provides it (dealer or factory) and what does it cover (ie: is it as comprehensive as the first year factory warranty)?

2. When you colleced it was there any "dealer advertising" flotsom on it (number plates, tax-disk holder, rear window sticker, bumper sticker, etc., etc.)? I can't stand offering free mobile advertising for dealers myself and will remove all mention of the dealer on (or before) delivery. I know this is difficult with the Mole Valley kickplates!

Cheers.

Stuart

11,636 posts

258 months

Friday 3rd October 2003
quotequote all
I had a go in the press 3R that we've got in the office at the moment for the Road Test. Last one I drove was at Bruntingthorpe so this was the first chance to feel that power on normal roads. A quick blat up the dual carriageway to the A3 over lunch was all that I managed but, my god, what a car. Just awesome acceleration, handling, braking and grip. Simply astounding. Came back and couldnt stop smiling for half an hour, after which I couldn't help but feel a bit maudlin about the fact that I'll probably never have sufficient disposable income to own one myself...

You are, IMHO, lucky buggers every one of you!

Now, where to get my hands on £52k?

goodlife

Original Poster:

1,852 posts

266 months

Friday 3rd October 2003
quotequote all
AMG,

1) The extended warranty is offered by Mole Valley, not the factory. Can't remember the name of the company that it's done through, but MV sorted it all out. The deal is £900 for the additional 2 years if you take it out when you buy the car. If you wait until the factory warranty has expired, then take out extended cover the price is £900 per year.

2) MV have put some advertising on the car:

- Name on number plates
- 'Mole' sticker on rear (will be removed)
- Dealer sticker on rear window (already removed as it was hampering rear visibility)
- Tax disk holder.

Fortunately the kick plates say 'Noble', not Mole Valley.

buxton

60 posts

257 months

Friday 3rd October 2003
quotequote all
Will we see you on the 12th, at the next meeting at the next noble owners meetings at the Bell Inn?