1,000 mile service better do something good
Discussion
OK, 1089 miles on the clock now, carefully run in. A few snags to fix, 95% trim or fitment/paintwork related. The only mechanical gremlin seems to be a loose brake pad in the front caliper (clonks on the disc as I go along, brakes work fine - caliper not moving back correctly or something).
To be completely honest, the car is great looking, handles extremely well, should be good in a crash, has good storage and seems quite quick (except you need to keep changing gear to make quick progress). It's also screwed together better than the older models (but nowhere near acceptable for a new car in 2004 IMO).
To be even more completely honest I think my old Chimaera had better seats, made a better noise, was better roof down at 100mph than the Targa is roof off at 80mph. Was more economical (26 vs 23mpg - OK, I don't care really). Attracted just as much attention.
So what do I get for the 26k more I spent on the T350 over the old Chimaera?
I hope they unleash something magic after my service next Tuesday. I also hope they cure two really annoying rattles I've got.
To be completely honest, the car is great looking, handles extremely well, should be good in a crash, has good storage and seems quite quick (except you need to keep changing gear to make quick progress). It's also screwed together better than the older models (but nowhere near acceptable for a new car in 2004 IMO).
To be even more completely honest I think my old Chimaera had better seats, made a better noise, was better roof down at 100mph than the Targa is roof off at 80mph. Was more economical (26 vs 23mpg - OK, I don't care really). Attracted just as much attention.
So what do I get for the 26k more I spent on the T350 over the old Chimaera?
I hope they unleash something magic after my service next Tuesday. I also hope they cure two really annoying rattles I've got.
Trefor said:
OK, 1089 miles on the clock now, carefully run in. A few snags to fix, 95% trim or fitment/paintwork related. The only mechanical gremlin seems to be a loose brake pad in the front caliper (clonks on the disc as I go along, brakes work fine - caliper not moving back correctly or something).
To be completely honest, the car is great looking, handles extremely well, should be good in a crash, has good storage and seems quite quick (except you need to keep changing gear to make quick progress). It's also screwed together better than the older models (but nowhere near acceptable for a new car in 2004 IMO).
To be even more completely honest I think my old Chimaera had better seats, made a better noise, was better roof down at 100mph than the Targa is roof off at 80mph. Was more economical (26 vs 23mpg - OK, I don't care really). Attracted just as much attention.
So what do I get for the 26k more I spent on the T350 over the old Chimaera?
I hope they unleash something magic after my service next Tuesday. I also hope they cure two really annoying rattles I've got.
Do you really believe that the car you criticise so freely will be that much better after its service? Sounds to me like you've already made your mind up..
What's this about changing gear to make progress? The S6 doesn't have the low down torque of the Rover V8 but you would have known that before you bought it - I hope! The car gets better as it runs in and 1000 miles is not run in. You will have to be patient. Either that or sell it and buy another Chimera
From some of your posts, you seem unhappy with the niggles and therefore the end product. Thats down to TVR to sort, but in truth, a good dealer should have sorted it at PDI. If you need to ask the last question, go and buy a 14K Chim, a £40K T350 is wasted I'm afraid.
Maybe thats harsh..... wait till you've run it in, another 2-3000 miles, and then ask the question.
Maybe thats harsh..... wait till you've run it in, another 2-3000 miles, and then ask the question.
My T350C has 8000 miles on the clock now and is the best driving TVR I've ever owned. Yes, there are quite a few rattles and the seats rub on the roll cage, which is not really acceptable (err..... although I accept it). But (shock!) the aircon is as good as Merc/Porsche et al.
My T350 turns-in and handles better than a Chim/Griff and the performance is much more. I hope with the extra miles your car starts to feel quicker, or maybe you are just use to it and need a go in a Chim again, to realise how much faster the T350 is.
My T350 turns-in and handles better than a Chim/Griff and the performance is much more. I hope with the extra miles your car starts to feel quicker, or maybe you are just use to it and need a go in a Chim again, to realise how much faster the T350 is.
[quote=999]
The car gets better as it runs in and 1000 miles is not run in. You will have to be patient.
Whaddayamean "not run in" at 1,000 miles? Nooooooo I've had my Tam less than 2 weeks and due to work (zzzzz) and other commitments I've only managed to do 180 miles! I am driving sooooo carefully (well as careful as you can be in London!) trying to run her in sensibly, waiting (and waiting) for the day I can say "1,000 miles at last... service then wahaaaaayyyyy!!!!". I can't wait to try this car out properly. It is a dream to drive at 2,000 revs. I can only imagine what it must be like at 5k and beyond. So when, when, when will I be able to give it some????
The car gets better as it runs in and 1000 miles is not run in. You will have to be patient.
Whaddayamean "not run in" at 1,000 miles? Nooooooo I've had my Tam less than 2 weeks and due to work (zzzzz) and other commitments I've only managed to do 180 miles! I am driving sooooo carefully (well as careful as you can be in London!) trying to run her in sensibly, waiting (and waiting) for the day I can say "1,000 miles at last... service then wahaaaaayyyyy!!!!". I can't wait to try this car out properly. It is a dream to drive at 2,000 revs. I can only imagine what it must be like at 5k and beyond. So when, when, when will I be able to give it some????
I had misgivings after trading a modified 5.0litre Chimeara for a brand new 4.2 Cerbera. At the time I wondered what I had done and voiced my opinion to the missus.
One day, however, I realised that the Cerbera was a different animal and needed driving differently and from then on it was just fantastic!
I think it's just such a huge culture shock going from the big friendly Rover V8 to the aggressive AJP8 and Speed 6 engines that it takes a good few thousand miles to get used to it and get what the car is all about!
Stick with it, it'll all come right in the end and remember - you're bloody lucky being able to choose as I can't even have a Cerbera over here any more!
One day, however, I realised that the Cerbera was a different animal and needed driving differently and from then on it was just fantastic!
I think it's just such a huge culture shock going from the big friendly Rover V8 to the aggressive AJP8 and Speed 6 engines that it takes a good few thousand miles to get used to it and get what the car is all about!
Stick with it, it'll all come right in the end and remember - you're bloody lucky being able to choose as I can't even have a Cerbera over here any more!
K.K. said:
[quote=999]
The car gets better as it runs in and 1000 miles is not run in. You will have to be patient.
Whaddayamean "not run in" at 1,000 miles? Nooooooo I've had my Tam less than 2 weeks and due to work (zzzzz) and other commitments I've only managed to do 180 miles! I am driving sooooo carefully (well as careful as you can be in London!) trying to run her in sensibly, waiting (and waiting) for the day I can say "1,000 miles at last... service then wahaaaaayyyyy!!!!". I can't wait to try this car out properly. It is a dream to drive at 2,000 revs. I can only imagine what it must be like at 5k and beyond. So when, when, when will I be able to give it some????
The running in process should have a gradual increase in the rpm upto and and over the 1000 mile service. I hope your dealer didn't tell you to drive at a maximum of 2k for 1000 miles?
Thanks Guys.
I think some of this is the fact that it isn't the 'big friendly' engine as mentioned above. I need to take it by the scruff of the neck, not easy to do when you're short changing gears during the run-in period IYKWIM. It certainly flies once above 3000rpm or so. The max revs I've reached is 5000 rpm executing a nice overtaking manouvre (once nice and hot for a few seconds only through the gears before anyone tells me off). The car certainly seems happier with a few miles on it, and like I said I can't fault it mechanically. I also need to get used to using more throttle than I've needed to use in the past, not a big deal
I'm looking forward to the ability to start stretching the revs a bit in the coming miles.
I don't defend my comments about build quality. I never made excuses for TVR during the ownership of my Chimaera, and refuse to do so now. TVR's paintshop still produces bad quality work and their trimmers must love throwing glue around. As for the what they let leave the factory - I can send anyone who asks pictures of my passenger door trim - Blunkett would have spotted it was terrible and needed replacing.
I think some of this is the fact that it isn't the 'big friendly' engine as mentioned above. I need to take it by the scruff of the neck, not easy to do when you're short changing gears during the run-in period IYKWIM. It certainly flies once above 3000rpm or so. The max revs I've reached is 5000 rpm executing a nice overtaking manouvre (once nice and hot for a few seconds only through the gears before anyone tells me off). The car certainly seems happier with a few miles on it, and like I said I can't fault it mechanically. I also need to get used to using more throttle than I've needed to use in the past, not a big deal
I'm looking forward to the ability to start stretching the revs a bit in the coming miles.
I don't defend my comments about build quality. I never made excuses for TVR during the ownership of my Chimaera, and refuse to do so now. TVR's paintshop still produces bad quality work and their trimmers must love throwing glue around. As for the what they let leave the factory - I can send anyone who asks pictures of my passenger door trim - Blunkett would have spotted it was terrible and needed replacing.
The only thing they do on a 1k service is change the oil and a quick check over to make sure nothings about to fall off.. I hope they are not charging you for this... as it takes about 20 mins to do and most manufacturers do this one for free as its there way of making sure all the nuts and bolts were done up corrrectly and the steering wheel wont come off in your hand...
They may charge for the oil, about £100.
1000 mile is when you should be giving them a good long list of niggles to fix whilst its in.
Carrying a notepad and pen for the first 1000 miles (as someone suggested to me on here) was most definately the best way. You just give them the list and thats that.
1000 mile is when you should be giving them a good long list of niggles to fix whilst its in.
Carrying a notepad and pen for the first 1000 miles (as someone suggested to me on here) was most definately the best way. You just give them the list and thats that.
I have a list 
I thought they adjusted the tappets and made sure all the nuts and bolts were tight at this service?
My dealer wants the car for 2 days (I didn't mention any niggles, but they said they would attend to any at this time - they'll get a typed document with photos of affected parts/areas - I don't want to go back in 2 days and have them say "we couldn't see what was wrong" etc. - all car dealers have this problem of course!)
I thought they adjusted the tappets and made sure all the nuts and bolts were tight at this service?
My dealer wants the car for 2 days (I didn't mention any niggles, but they said they would attend to any at this time - they'll get a typed document with photos of affected parts/areas - I don't want to go back in 2 days and have them say "we couldn't see what was wrong" etc. - all car dealers have this problem of course!)
1000 miles service should include a valve clearance check and adjust. Push your dealer to ensure this is done. This is the most important service part of the S6 engine.
Oh and I understood the engine is not fully run in until well over 2000 miles and from the 1000 mile service up to 2000 miles you should slowly begin to explore the upper rpm levels building up to full rpm limit at 2000 miles plus.
Make sure you warm it up properly.
Have fun !
Whitey
Oh and I understood the engine is not fully run in until well over 2000 miles and from the 1000 mile service up to 2000 miles you should slowly begin to explore the upper rpm levels building up to full rpm limit at 2000 miles plus.
Make sure you warm it up properly.
Have fun !
Whitey
Stick to the running in instructions as per the owners manual. Too gentle driving can be just a bad a too hard...
Ours has just gone over 4000, and it's absolutely flies! But you do have to be a lot more aggressive with it.
4k RPM to 6.5k RPM will show you what the 350 is all about. Wait until then to see if the car is for you.
Tuan
Ours has just gone over 4000, and it's absolutely flies! But you do have to be a lot more aggressive with it.
4k RPM to 6.5k RPM will show you what the 350 is all about. Wait until then to see if the car is for you.
Tuan
trefor said:
As for the what they let leave the factory - I can send anyone who asks pictures of my passenger door trim - Blunkett would have spotted it was terrible and needed replacing.
You did not buy the car off the factory. The dealer should have prepared the car for sale - thats part of what they take profit for. An experienced dealer should know how complete the car is and what's needed before handover. Seems that the first thousand miles of ownership has been spoiled to some extent by the numerous niggles - not down to anyone but the dealer who prepared? and sold you the car.
trefor said:
Thanks Guys.
I need to take it by the scruff of the neck, not easy to do when you're short changing gears during the run-in period IYKWIM. It certainly flies once above 3000rpm or so. The max revs I've reached is 5000 rpm
I have found that with the gearing on the t350, you have to really ring it to drive fast as below 5k, its nice but nothing compared to above that.
Having driven many fast cars, i do have to admit that with the t350 it took a while to realise how fast it really is, if you drive it up to 7k in each gear, wow it really is fast but the engine being so smooth does take a bit of the thrill away.
One must consider the smoothness, as i have driven some turbo car back to back with Na cars and even though the turbo car feels faster its not, its only the ilussion from the kick of the boost.
I had a similar feeling from the M3 e46, But in comparison the t350 engine is becoming nearly as smooth.
In the end its up to personal taste, smoothness ultimately means a faster more progressive and controllable car, peaky power curve means more sensation but less control of the drive. This is why all the WRC rally car work so hard to develop there peak power much lower down the rev range, giving them a more progressive feel and easier driving.
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