Potential Chimaera convert!!!
Discussion
Hi,
I was sent to this form from Evo.co.uk as the best place for info on buying a Chimaera... I have read 99% of the posts on here now and would just like to say thanks for all the advice given out so far - It has proved invaluable so far and I am about to arrange a test drive...
I have seen that there seems to be a big service at around 360000 miles - As my budget is a max of around £13-£15K should I look for a car with higher mileage that has had this big service done??
Also, can you advise me on what size speakers can be fitted into the car as I have a very high quality system in my current motor and whilst the exhaust note is pure magic, I would still like to fit some nice speakers and CD player...
How much differnce in performance/economy/cost/insurance etc is there between the standard 4.0 and the HC variant??
Chimaera Wolf - Check your email...
Cheers
Chris
I was sent to this form from Evo.co.uk as the best place for info on buying a Chimaera... I have read 99% of the posts on here now and would just like to say thanks for all the advice given out so far - It has proved invaluable so far and I am about to arrange a test drive...
I have seen that there seems to be a big service at around 360000 miles - As my budget is a max of around £13-£15K should I look for a car with higher mileage that has had this big service done??
Also, can you advise me on what size speakers can be fitted into the car as I have a very high quality system in my current motor and whilst the exhaust note is pure magic, I would still like to fit some nice speakers and CD player...
How much differnce in performance/economy/cost/insurance etc is there between the standard 4.0 and the HC variant??
Chimaera Wolf - Check your email...
Cheers
Chris
360000? 360k? The factory will probably service it for nothing at that mileage just for the publicity!!
I take it you meant 36,000 miles. Don't know about that being a biggie, its not like theres a cam belt to change or anything. In my experience they are all biggies, or at least every 12k/12mths they are. Depends have hard you drive I guess. Brakes (and I mean discs not just pads) seem to be a consumable for me at least.
Speakers - you will get 9x6 in the rear bulkhead no problem, many people have done it. I have 10x7's personally (and yes, my amp goes to 11!!! Spinal Tap rule!) Pedants will say you need the vents, but practical experience says you don't. Some have fitted a 10" sub-woofer, slightly OTT IMHO, but its a matter of taste I guess.
The fronts, you are best to stick with the original size and just upgrade the quality. I have Alpine DD components with separate tweeters which are fine. Whatever you do at the front will be swamped by what you have 12" behind your head!
Plenty of room for amps etc on the reverse of the bulkhead above the petrol tank. A sheet of MDF to screw everything to helps. Wiring you can squirrel away under the carpets (couple of deep channels under there which are ideal). Best way into the boot is through the space behind the seats, accessible through a carpeted access panel for the door solenoids. You will get nasty fibreglass rashes feeding wires up over the wheelarch into the boot!
My advice, if you treasure your car (and don't we all) is don't get a "professional" to do it, unless they are very recommended highly and you can view examples of their work. It is too easy to rip and mess up the carpets as they are often well stuck down, and if your professional fitters set the work experience kid onto running the cables in you will be looking at several hundred pounds to restore your interior afterwards. Do it yourself, and take the time to do it properly. The difference between a professional and an amateur is often only that one has to make a profit on the job. Pride in your work is a sadly old fashioned concept.
Phil
I take it you meant 36,000 miles. Don't know about that being a biggie, its not like theres a cam belt to change or anything. In my experience they are all biggies, or at least every 12k/12mths they are. Depends have hard you drive I guess. Brakes (and I mean discs not just pads) seem to be a consumable for me at least.
Speakers - you will get 9x6 in the rear bulkhead no problem, many people have done it. I have 10x7's personally (and yes, my amp goes to 11!!! Spinal Tap rule!) Pedants will say you need the vents, but practical experience says you don't. Some have fitted a 10" sub-woofer, slightly OTT IMHO, but its a matter of taste I guess.
The fronts, you are best to stick with the original size and just upgrade the quality. I have Alpine DD components with separate tweeters which are fine. Whatever you do at the front will be swamped by what you have 12" behind your head!
Plenty of room for amps etc on the reverse of the bulkhead above the petrol tank. A sheet of MDF to screw everything to helps. Wiring you can squirrel away under the carpets (couple of deep channels under there which are ideal). Best way into the boot is through the space behind the seats, accessible through a carpeted access panel for the door solenoids. You will get nasty fibreglass rashes feeding wires up over the wheelarch into the boot!
My advice, if you treasure your car (and don't we all) is don't get a "professional" to do it, unless they are very recommended highly and you can view examples of their work. It is too easy to rip and mess up the carpets as they are often well stuck down, and if your professional fitters set the work experience kid onto running the cables in you will be looking at several hundred pounds to restore your interior afterwards. Do it yourself, and take the time to do it properly. The difference between a professional and an amateur is often only that one has to make a profit on the job. Pride in your work is a sadly old fashioned concept.
Phil
quote:
My advice, if you treasure your car (and don't we all) is don't get a "professional" to do it, unless they are very recommended highly and you can view examples of their work. It is too easy to rip and mess up the carpets as they are often well stuck down, and if your professional fitters set the work experience kid onto running the cables in you will be looking at several hundred pounds to restore your interior afterwards. Do it yourself, and take the time to do it properly. The difference between a professional and an amateur is often only that one has to make a profit on the job. Pride in your work is a sadly old fashioned concept.
You sound (
) like you've had some experience of bad workmanship phil – but then one of our present cars had a CD unit purchased and fitted at Halfords – they did it in about half a day and we've had no problems. Mike
TVR owner one day (after Christmas)
Edited by MikeyT on Wednesday 19th December 13:02
I know two VERY good car hifi dealers personally, Prestige Audio in London and SQ Plus in Manchester - My current car has an SQ+ install ( see it at www.sqplus.com/img/installs/e36coupe.htm ) but I have only used the Playstation once and never watched TV in it, so I'll not be going quite as silly in the TVR..... Do you know what size ( 5.25"/6") the front speakers are as standard?
Also, while I am asking everything I can think of, can you change the wheels on TVRs? I have only ever seen a Chim with standard or Griff wheels - Is there a reason for this?? I don't particularly dislike the standard ones, or can think of any others that would look any better though....
Also, while I am asking everything I can think of, can you change the wheels on TVRs? I have only ever seen a Chim with standard or Griff wheels - Is there a reason for this?? I don't particularly dislike the standard ones, or can think of any others that would look any better though....
quote:
Also, while I am asking everything I can think of, can you change the wheels on TVRs? I have only ever seen a Chim with standard or Griff wheels - Is there a reason for this?? I don't particularly dislike the standard ones, or can think of any others that would look any better though....
TMS have a few types of wheels on their site I think: www.tms-tvr.com (think that's the right URL!)
TVR owner one day (after Christmas)
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