ABS (again)

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Discussion

lrussell5

Original Poster:

567 posts

270 months

Tuesday 23rd July 2002
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Apparently there's an article in this week's What Car website newsletter saying the Euro beaurocrats are cponsidering making ABS compulsory for all passenger cars in 2003 in the interests of pedestrian safety. Let's have a heated debate...?

grigio alloy

122 posts

269 months

Tuesday 23rd July 2002
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Lance,
I don`t know about pedestrian safety but driver safety in any case. I know alot of you still think ABS is for damp-eyed nancy boys but haven driven a Boxster S again at the weekend I am convinced it has to be a future `must´ on my Tamora if technically and financially viable. For once I have to agree with the Eurocrats.
By the way the Tamora is still, as I often hear from passersby here in sunny Deutschland, `ein geiles Auto´

lrussell5

Original Poster:

567 posts

270 months

Tuesday 23rd July 2002
quotequote all
I'm with you on this, would have it on my Tamora anyday. Saved me many many times in the past.
Just not sure its the best way to help pedestrians - correct em if I'm wrong but arent most deaths under 40mph where visibility and reaction times are at least as significant as braking? Spend it on pedestrian education I reckon

nubbin

6,809 posts

285 months

Tuesday 23rd July 2002
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Any more news from Herr Bornemann, grigio? Has he taken your car to pieces yet? What does ein geiles auto mean?

grigio alloy

122 posts

269 months

Tuesday 23rd July 2002
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Nubbin,
I have to sort out warranty work on my car with TVR in Blackpool before I get it taken to pieces by Joachim at Bornemann.
(The warranty work involves restitching dashboard as my `special order Grigo alloy stitching´ is brown/oil stained in several places and was so on delivery. Also the bonnet does not fit, passengers door does not shut properly, bodywork damaged from doors on both sides, and alarm not working).
Discussions are ongoing about how/when to get my car from Germany to Blackpool.
So at the moment no idea when I will be getting the ABS investigated.
Re: other postings about performance and more powerful engines. I reckon with such long throttle pedal movement acting as a form of traction control, a 4.0litre 380-390 bhp would be okay and I am guessing that TVR could probably tailor the torque curve to make it less aggressive than the Tuscan S.
Add Tuscan S brakes and seats, sort out the seatbelt problem with open roof, fix the non visible digi display in sunlight, add halogen headlights and maybe even aircon as standard and we are away - with ABS aftermarket when TVR refuse to offer it as an option.
Price 5-6000 quid more than standard 3.6 model.
Only problem is why would anyone then consider a Tuscan S at 49k when a Tamora S would be at least as quick with all the goodies for 5K less
Geiles Auto = sexy/horny/hot car. Without wanting to sound too immodest they are right!!
The Boxster S really is very good as an overall package and with great resale value etc etc but there are too many of them around. The Tamora is the `soul´ choice.
If only it had the Boxster S brakes, (with ABS of course)!


lrussell5

Original Poster:

567 posts

270 months

Tuesday 23rd July 2002
quotequote all
re that infuriating seatbelt problem I'm going to get some polished aluminuim guards made up that will bolt down onto the b-pillar stub behind the belt feeder. As low as possible so as not to foul the roof but giving, say, 5mm clearance for the belt. Once I get this sorted (and if it works / looks ok) I'll post the details for everyone. As mentioned to nubbin earlier have completely licked the roof seals/boot stowage problem now for very little money. let me know if you want details. all that leave is the exhaust resonance and deteriorating bison! rgds

robertm

253 posts

270 months

Tuesday 23rd July 2002
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Lance,

I saw your earlier comment regarding the carbon fibre in the boot. Is this to help the roof panel slide in/out more easily without damaging the seals/mohair?

If so, I'd be interested in more details.

I was speaking with Leven yesterday, and at my request, they are investigating a roof bag that will hopefully allow the roof panel to slide in to position without doing it any damage.

What's happening to your bison trim, is it wearing out or something?

Robert

lrussell5

Original Poster:

567 posts

270 months

Tuesday 23rd July 2002
quotequote all
yes the bison is waring through to the spongey sub-layer in all the rubbing points. Not sure a Leven bag would help unless it was made of ptfe - the real problem is a lack of space. There are 4 main rubbing points - top right hand corner of boot lid underside, near side wing top underside, near side petrol tank back and near side bulkhead opposite it (if you offer the roof in left-hand down as I do - if not reverse all that!). Watch these points as you do it and mark them with tape. Cut away the carpet in at least 10x10cm patches with a stanley knife and rip off (sounds brutal but is easy and neat). Leave the glue residue and just press on the carbon fibre matting. It's that easy and actually looks as if it was meant to be rather than a bodge. I had some to spare from a 40x30cm piece from www.richbrook.co.uk costing £23. As the carbon is a fraction of the thickness and abrasiveness than the carpet the roof now slides in and out with room and no rubbing. The other "fix" is to make the boot lid open wider, you've probably read this thread but can repeat if you like.

robertm

253 posts

270 months

Tuesday 23rd July 2002
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Leven are sending me a roof bag on sale or return, so I'll give it a try and also posibly combine it with the carbon fibre patches. I've only put the roof in the boot half a dozen times, (I just leave it at home if the weather is OK), since I've had the car, but it's getting marked already.

What's the situation with the bison?

Are TVR taking a sympathetic view to possible re-trimming?

leventech

207 posts

277 months

Tuesday 23rd July 2002
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I have tried one of our Roof Panel Bags (RPB 1) on a Tamora roof this afternoon and it fits very well. However, the clearance in the boot is very tight with or without the bag on the panel, the bag seems to make little difference but it is offering some protection. The handles also make it a much easier operation with less chance of dropping it on the boot opening edges. We are sending a bag out to try on a different car tomorrow as cars do vary and we like to get owner feed back. If it works I will get the banner changed to let all Tamora owners know, or call us for more details.

lrussell5

Original Poster:

567 posts

270 months

Wednesday 24th July 2002
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havent brought the bison problem to their attention yet. I was kinda hoping I wasnt alone but I've only read of one other owner with the same wearing. It may be that you guys with dark-coloured bison havent noticed it yet?? Take a very close look, if you see the a spongey layer underneath its dead!

Ston

633 posts

276 months

Wednesday 24th July 2002
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There is probably an argument for ABS to encourage people to drive more dangerously as they feel 'safer' just because they have it.

I believe there is strong evidence that ABS does save lives and I agree with it, but if you are going to buy a performance car, you really should have the ability to handle it with or without ABS.

You should know where it is safe to drive 'over the limit' and not do stupid things in built up areas or where innocent people could get injured (busy motorway, blind country bends etc.)

It has taken me nearly 8 weeks of familiarising myself with my Cerbera before I even considering pushing it, and I am still learning about its dynamics.

An idiot driving a car with ABS is much more likely to kill someone than an experience safe driver in one that that doesn't have ABS.

lrussell5

Original Poster:

567 posts

270 months

Wednesday 24th July 2002
quotequote all
we all agree with that Ston, the debate is long running and really centres around those 1-in-a-100 emergency situations faced by all of us regardless of obervation/anticipation ability. Of course a good driver aware of his/his car's abilities would never need abs except in exceptional circumstances. But they're the ones that kill you......

anonymous-user

61 months

Wednesday 24th July 2002
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I,ve been using 2 heavy duty bin bags from sainsburys as a roof bag. (one each end) It works great! I couldn't even get it in the boot before.

lrussell5

Original Poster:

567 posts

270 months

Wednesday 24th July 2002
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try that carbon fix, it really works. can show you if you like, guees you cant live so far away from me (Dorking)?

robertm

253 posts

270 months

Wednesday 24th July 2002
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Lance,

Let me know if/when/where you're going to meet and I'll come along for a look in your boot as well!!!

I like the sound of the carbon fibre idea, but I'd like to take a look at exactly how it's done, before I start slicing chunks out of the boot carpet!

lrussell5

Original Poster:

567 posts

270 months

Wednesday 24th July 2002
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know how you feel, it took a fit of frustration for me to commit to it! Are you free Stovey?

nubbin

6,809 posts

285 months

Wednesday 24th July 2002
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Lance, can you send me some photos of the fix, please? It sounds like a good idea.

lrussell5

Original Poster:

567 posts

270 months

Monday 29th July 2002
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need to get my hands on a digi camera. will post all the mods I've made (keeping yours truly's cheesey grin well out of it)

robertm

253 posts

270 months

Monday 29th July 2002
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Do you want me to bring mine when we meet on Saturday???