faults on GT3R

Author
Discussion

Steve uk

Original Poster:

15 posts

250 months

Wednesday 14th January 2004
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Hi all ! I am new to this site and new to noble cars.Before I fork out +50k could someone please tell me if there are any mechaninical faults on the 3R or any teething probs. Rumour has it they are prone to overheating in the summer, infact one dealer told me they had a problem last summer with some cars having to be fitted with an extra fan and having the front number plate moved so the fresh air intake was maximised ?.I don't want to sound too negative as I have had a test drive and thought the car was a real drivers car with excellent handling in the dry at least and the torque was definitely there to remind you.Thanks to anyone who replies.

m12_nathan

5,138 posts

266 months

Wednesday 14th January 2004
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The factory have designed a new fan and rad solution - it is fitted to all new cars as standard, no need to worry about the overheating any more. I have a GT03 and the only mechanical problems I've had have been the overheating (rad & fans replaced by Factory) and the driver side handbrake sticking on - cable issue, sorted under warrenty.

I'd suggest that the R is a pretty well sorted car, with an extra years development over my car. In the event of you having any problems you can be 100% assured that the factory do look after you and want you to enjoy the car as much as possible.

>> Edited by m12_nathan on Wednesday 14th January 20:48

MisterX

656 posts

257 months

Thursday 15th January 2004
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My understanding is there was a general recall because SOME radiator cores were not up to scratch. My radiator was changed FOC by Mole Valley as a precautionary measure and I've had no problems with it - not that mine had overheated before either.

Someone from the factory care to comment?

joust

14,622 posts

266 months

Thursday 15th January 2004
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If you check out some of the owners' web sites (click on the Noble Owners link at the bottom of the article and then find the links in peoples profiles) you'll find some diaries which should give you a good feel.

It is certainly fair to say that the more cars Noble do the better (of course) things get. Apart from a related series of problems (the first that I created) with my 2.5l engine (which of course isn't used any more) the car's never missed a beat, and mine is 27 (I think they are 200+ now???). However the engine was fully fixed and is quite happy.

Imprtantly is that Noble just get things changed to peoples cars as they arise without any fuss or drama - often when the car goes in for a service you get it back with the odd tweak here or there without being charged at all. Personally I'm amazed that with mine being No. 27 I haven't had worse problems - and compared to the X5 that developed three faults/recalls that potentially could have killed us the Noble could be called positivly reliable!

Finally thing to add is that if something does go wrong warranty, dealer and factory attitude to problems is second to none - which is always very reassuring as nothing can be 100% guarenteed.

Lately it seems that the reports of broken M12's are entirely down to operator error resulting in broken things...... (you know who you are!)

J

>> Edited by joust on Thursday 15th January 14:32

micknall

826 posts

256 months

Thursday 15th January 2004
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Steve,

In addition to a small batch of cars produced with radiator faults last year (which were all rectified under warranty) one of our press cars was subjected to some particularly rigorous testing last summer and we re-located the front number plate as a result. Basically, the car was being driven flat out at a tight and twisty track near Milan in 30 degree plus heat; it started to run hot and the stick-on number plate cured the problem. To put this in perspective, there was a BMW 3.0CSL doing the same test, which nearly cooked its oil, if the gauge was to be believed. I would not expect any other Noble owner to experience similar problems.

On reliability, our two press cars have amounted nearly 30k between them since September 03 - and they've been hard miles, too. Neither has needed any major work, just regular checks, a few minor glitches sorting and plenty of valets!

Steve Sutcliffe, Editor of Autocar, has a 3R for the next few months as a long termer. Hopefully, his experience with the car will demonstrate how durable and usable the car is on an every day basis.

If you ever want a chat, just call me at the factory.

Simon Hucknall
Press Officer
Noble Automotive Ltd

01455 844 052

goodlife

1,852 posts

266 months

Thursday 15th January 2004
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joust said:
Lately it seems that the reports of broken M12's are entirely down to operator error resulting in broken things...... (you know who you are!)

Steve uk

Original Poster:

15 posts

250 months

Thursday 15th January 2004
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Thank you to everybody who replied you have definitely reassured me and it sounds like the noble factory do look after their customers.

blueyes

4,799 posts

259 months

Friday 16th January 2004
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micknall said:
If you ever want a chat, just call me at the factory.

Simon Hucknall


Amazing!!!
Any chance you could go and work for TVR... please!!

bogie

16,614 posts

279 months

Saturday 17th January 2004
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...and Lotus ...