New Owners Questions
Discussion
Guys, I have some newby questions if you could help me out.
I want to join a roadside assistance group as I intend to use my Viper as a car (as opposed to a toy). Is there anything particular I need to be aware of when selecting an assistance company? Any recommendations and particular level of cover I need to get?
I want to get a cover for the car which needs to be good for both outside and inside without damaging the paint or making the car sweat, what are the best ones and where can I get them?
As a new owner is there anything I need to pay particular attention to? I’m aware of the need to treat the accelerator with some care at first…
Really appreciate any input you might have and look forward to seeing some of you soon,
Mark
I want to join a roadside assistance group as I intend to use my Viper as a car (as opposed to a toy). Is there anything particular I need to be aware of when selecting an assistance company? Any recommendations and particular level of cover I need to get?
I want to get a cover for the car which needs to be good for both outside and inside without damaging the paint or making the car sweat, what are the best ones and where can I get them?
As a new owner is there anything I need to pay particular attention to? I’m aware of the need to treat the accelerator with some care at first…
Really appreciate any input you might have and look forward to seeing some of you soon,
Mark
I use the RAC they have a specialist recovery vehicle working on each area for suitable for Supercars it has a very low loading angle and only having used it once it was well worth it.
Plus the driver was great took loads of pics said he had the best job in the world recovering Ferrari's Porsche and Lambo's but he had never had a Viper.
My normal insurance for daily us is with Footman James not the cheapest but I do get free recover in Europe automatic European cover and no mileage restriction with an agreed price.
Plus the driver was great took loads of pics said he had the best job in the world recovering Ferrari's Porsche and Lambo's but he had never had a Viper.
My normal insurance for daily us is with Footman James not the cheapest but I do get free recover in Europe automatic European cover and no mileage restriction with an agreed price.
Edited by viper paul on Tuesday 4th March 11:04
A healthy fear of the car is never a bad thing Mark...
I think one good point is to not plant the loud pedal until the car is going in a straight line, otherwise you'll know about it. You've got a reasonable advantage having driven BMW's for years, being that they are rear wheel drive, which will give you a good grounding.
As we've discussed before, just be careful, and take it easy for a while... especially while tyres and tarmac are cold and potentially damp. Get to know the car before getting too confident, I will happily admit that I am still getting used to mine, and slowly building confidence, this isn't a bad thing.
A-Plan have been pretty good for me, Insurance-wise so far, but a few of the guys have been moving over to Headley Insurance as they have started a Viper Scheme this year I believe... Baz has a bit more information on this I think.
With regard to covers, there are a few companies out there who supply them, mine came with one when I bought it, but it's a GTS cover, fits pretty well, just a bit baggy at the back because of the difference in shape... Looks like this, with the bag, but as I say for a GTS...
Snakeoyl supply them at http://www.snakeoylproducts.com/home.php?cat=287
You know where I am if I can help with anything...
I think one good point is to not plant the loud pedal until the car is going in a straight line, otherwise you'll know about it. You've got a reasonable advantage having driven BMW's for years, being that they are rear wheel drive, which will give you a good grounding.
As we've discussed before, just be careful, and take it easy for a while... especially while tyres and tarmac are cold and potentially damp. Get to know the car before getting too confident, I will happily admit that I am still getting used to mine, and slowly building confidence, this isn't a bad thing.
A-Plan have been pretty good for me, Insurance-wise so far, but a few of the guys have been moving over to Headley Insurance as they have started a Viper Scheme this year I believe... Baz has a bit more information on this I think.
With regard to covers, there are a few companies out there who supply them, mine came with one when I bought it, but it's a GTS cover, fits pretty well, just a bit baggy at the back because of the difference in shape... Looks like this, with the bag, but as I say for a GTS...
Snakeoyl supply them at http://www.snakeoylproducts.com/home.php?cat=287
You know where I am if I can help with anything...
I've got the Snakeoyl Weathershield cover for my Viper. It's been under there, outside all winter so far with no problems. They breathe although they are weather proof. I also put a softer cover underneath for added paintwork protection.
They make them specifically for whichever Gen Viper you have. Only problem is they don't take credit cards but I did a bank transfer with no problems and Kurtis kept me up to date via email as to what stage and where the cover was on it's journey from the States.
Viper Nigel
They make them specifically for whichever Gen Viper you have. Only problem is they don't take credit cards but I did a bank transfer with no problems and Kurtis kept me up to date via email as to what stage and where the cover was on it's journey from the States.
Viper Nigel
Now I've driven it a bit I have a couple of other questions...
I tried to fill it up but found that the fit between the nozzle and the filler (where the little metal flap that you push the nozzle through is) was really tight so I had to be really gentle with the pump otherwise it cutoff. Is this normal? I know the pump was OK as its a local station and I had used the same pump the day before on my other car with no issues.
The throttle seems to stick a bit when at idle, if I tap it it returns to normal. I need to investigate if it needs lubricating or if the spring is old and weak, has anyone else experienced this?
One last thing. I had read about Vipers following tram lines but mine seems excessive. I am looking into tyre pressures and playing with them (all at 29-30 right now) and have old tyres on the front, new on the rear. I just wondered if this is just something I have to put up with or if fiddling with the setup somewhere reduces it? Any thoughts much appreciated, overall I'm loving the car, the noise, power and attention it gets are all very impressive!
Mark
I tried to fill it up but found that the fit between the nozzle and the filler (where the little metal flap that you push the nozzle through is) was really tight so I had to be really gentle with the pump otherwise it cutoff. Is this normal? I know the pump was OK as its a local station and I had used the same pump the day before on my other car with no issues.
The throttle seems to stick a bit when at idle, if I tap it it returns to normal. I need to investigate if it needs lubricating or if the spring is old and weak, has anyone else experienced this?
One last thing. I had read about Vipers following tram lines but mine seems excessive. I am looking into tyre pressures and playing with them (all at 29-30 right now) and have old tyres on the front, new on the rear. I just wondered if this is just something I have to put up with or if fiddling with the setup somewhere reduces it? Any thoughts much appreciated, overall I'm loving the car, the noise, power and attention it gets are all very impressive!
Mark
Mark,
I have the same problem with filling up, and have heard it's pretty common, the trick is just to get the flow right on the pump, adjust it up slowly, I think the pipe to the tank is pretty slim so fills up quick and affects the pressure against the filler nozzle, which in turn causes the cut out... You'll get used to it.
Can't comment or help regarding the throttle I'm afraid, but perhaps your throttle body cables need re-setting? Someone else may have a better idea.
Following tram lines in the road is pretty common, first time mine did it heavily was on the way back from Silverstone last year on a section of the A34 which was particularly bad, made me jump out of my skin as it hadn't done it before and I wondered what the hell was going on... I don't think there is anything you can do about it other than get used to it I'm afraid.
Glad everything is going well!
I have the same problem with filling up, and have heard it's pretty common, the trick is just to get the flow right on the pump, adjust it up slowly, I think the pipe to the tank is pretty slim so fills up quick and affects the pressure against the filler nozzle, which in turn causes the cut out... You'll get used to it.
Can't comment or help regarding the throttle I'm afraid, but perhaps your throttle body cables need re-setting? Someone else may have a better idea.
Following tram lines in the road is pretty common, first time mine did it heavily was on the way back from Silverstone last year on a section of the A34 which was particularly bad, made me jump out of my skin as it hadn't done it before and I wondered what the hell was going on... I don't think there is anything you can do about it other than get used to it I'm afraid.
Glad everything is going well!
First off the filling process, I always use the nozzle upside down.
Tramlines as the weather is bad if your on a dual carriage way you are probably in the inside lane, the ruts the trucks cause mean you are only riding on a couple of cms at the edges this makes the handling somewhat weird, most of the time even if I am on my own on a dual carriageway I will still be in the outside lane.
The idle problem is a know problem its called idle hang there are many posts about it on the US board restricting the airflow worked for me, but remember if the battery has been disconnected the car will take some miles and as much as 45 minutes to re learn the settings, especially the idle.
Tramlines as the weather is bad if your on a dual carriage way you are probably in the inside lane, the ruts the trucks cause mean you are only riding on a couple of cms at the edges this makes the handling somewhat weird, most of the time even if I am on my own on a dual carriageway I will still be in the outside lane.
The idle problem is a know problem its called idle hang there are many posts about it on the US board restricting the airflow worked for me, but remember if the battery has been disconnected the car will take some miles and as much as 45 minutes to re learn the settings, especially the idle.
Edited by viper paul on Tuesday 25th March 22:15
Actually with the tramlining, the car generally fights me on poorly surfaced A-Roads, where the surface is new its fine but on older roads its all over the shop especially under power. It feels fairly normal in truck lines, cars usually jump in and out of those ruts (well mine do anyway...). Its the A-Road thing I would like to lessen.
Mark
Mark
mstanyer said:
Actually with the tramlining, the car generally fights me on poorly surfaced A-Roads, where the surface is new its fine but on older roads its all over the shop especially under power. It feels fairly normal in truck lines, cars usually jump in and out of those ruts (well mine do anyway...). Its the A-Road thing I would like to lessen.
Mark
have you had a complete wheel alignment/camber/toe in-out check done? haven't tramlined under (additional ie other than cruising) power yet - that would be scarey..! Mark
viper paul said:
First off the filling process, I alwasy use the nozzle upside down.[/viper]
ditto, or whichever angle works!
ditto, or whichever angle works!
i had new tyres and full alignment, beleive me it handles like a different car if done correctly
i think in the early days they didnt leave the factory that well setup. I remember my gen1 RT fairly new at the time, low mileage only had 3 measurements within the correct tolerances out of a possible 16 !
anyone who gets an alignment should get the latest spec possible for your model, so if you have a 94 its worth using the 96 specs
if your tyres are older than 6 years, you should really think about skipping them, regardless of the thread left. I doubt a couple of lbs of pressure will sort any tramlining, ive only ever noticed it on poor road surfaces like the M1 around milton keynes it certainly makes you grip that steerinh wheel tighter
i think in the early days they didnt leave the factory that well setup. I remember my gen1 RT fairly new at the time, low mileage only had 3 measurements within the correct tolerances out of a possible 16 !
anyone who gets an alignment should get the latest spec possible for your model, so if you have a 94 its worth using the 96 specs
if your tyres are older than 6 years, you should really think about skipping them, regardless of the thread left. I doubt a couple of lbs of pressure will sort any tramlining, ive only ever noticed it on poor road surfaces like the M1 around milton keynes it certainly makes you grip that steerinh wheel tighter
Edited by Viper on Tuesday 25th March 21:57
Thanks for that guys, really appreciate your help. So how do I go about getting the settings and is it OK to take those and the car to my local computer tracking garage or does it need something a bit more specialist? I have a 97 GTS so presumably I would want to use the 02 GTS settings on it or do the 18" wheels make a difference? I think the front tyres are original so will investigate a change as well. Does anyone run anything other than Michelin tyres - I've never been a fan of Michelin and much prefer Goodyears if they come in the correct size...
Thanks again,
Mark
Thanks again,
Mark
mstanyer said:
Thanks for that guys, really appreciate your help. So how do I go about getting the settings and is it OK to take those and the car to my local computer tracking garage or does it need something a bit more specialist? I have a 97 GTS so presumably I would want to use the 02 GTS settings on it or do the 18" wheels make a difference? I think the front tyres are original so will investigate a change as well. Does anyone run anything other than Michelin tyres - I've never been a fan of Michelin and much prefer Goodyears if they come in the correct size...
Thanks again,
Mark
Mark, Viper is quite correct. When my car (94 RT) went in for it's major work, it had Goodyears on, as per the original car. They were shot to pieces and as hard as nails. Within about a week I'd had a new set of Michelin Pilots (17's) fitted and they made a huge difference. Then Neil pointed me to a workshop in Bromsgrove/ Redditch (Worcestershire) that performed a 4-point alignment set up (£140 IIRC), and the car ran true and straight after that had been done, so much more accurace in the steering and response. I believe that a few owners have had this work done there in the past. It doesn't cure the tramlining, but then again, I don't tend to spend much time in the inside lane! The guy's name is Adrian..... I'm sure Neil will be along soon with his contact details. I recommend you give the 4-point alignment serious consideration, especially if you know the car's history is a little bit vague or it hasn't had it done since leaving the factory.Thanks again,
Mark
Edited by Chesta on Wednesday 26th March 10:22
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