Griff spotlights

Griff spotlights

Author
Discussion

Craig

Original Poster:

1,181 posts

291 months

Monday 16th July 2001
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Does anyone know where to get hold of the Cibie front splotlights for the Griff reasonably priced?

Midnight Blue

96 posts

285 months

Monday 16th July 2001
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They're a standard Valeo part number (Valeo own Cibie). Can't remember the exact part number, but it's on a sticker on the back of the light. The description in the Valeo book is "TVR3". Your local independent parts specialist should be able to get them for you. I paid 30 quid for a new one about a month ago. If you need the exact details then I can get them for you.

Craig

Original Poster:

1,181 posts

291 months

Monday 16th July 2001
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thanks - I'll take the light out and have a look

DIGGA

41,311 posts

290 months

Tuesday 17th July 2001
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Presumably, you're replacing broken spotlights? - I've done three myself, but not since I fitted the 'Carbodisc' guards (available from Pistonheads and the TVR Car Club). HOWEVER! I have to admit a vested interest here, as it is my company which makes the product. On my first Griff I'd used motorcycle lamp guards, but when I bought my current car, I found they were no longer available, so I started making them out of necessity (for all current TVRs). Appologies for the blatant, opportunistic sales plug! Marcus & Ocean Haze Griff 500

Midnight Blue

96 posts

285 months

Tuesday 17th July 2001
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Hmmm, Tried Carbodiscs (or however you spell that). Fitted them before Le Mans last year, one of them didn't make it there and the other one didnt make it back. Thought of using the Armourfend kit for the lights, but 20 quid (after you've added the VAT and P&P) seemed a bit steep for two circles of sticky-backed plastic. It especially annoys me when companies quote prices without VAT, P&P, etc.

IPAddis

2,479 posts

291 months

Tuesday 17th July 2001
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I've got Carbodisks and they definately do work as I have some serious stone chips in the plastic! I also found that the velcro pads fell off 2 minutes after fitting them. After a number of home-made attemps, I have finally found a solution that works. Get some double-sided stick tape from Homebase and fold it back on itself a few times to make a thicker rectangular pad. Repeat until you have 3 pads per carbodisk. Stick to the carbodisk at 12, 4 and 8 o-clock, ensuring you are far enough away from the centre to give maximum light but close enough for the pads to reach both disk and light. Then get some black gaffa tape, and gaffa tape the edge of the carbodisk to the edge of the light, under the black rubber band that holds it onto the car. I've had mine attached for 9 months with no problems. The sticky pads are for holding the disks on and the gaffa tape stops water getting in.
quote:
Hmmm, Tried Carbodiscs (or however you spell that). Fitted them before Le Mans last year, one of them didn't make it there and the other one didnt make it back. Thought of using the Armourfend kit for the lights, but 20 quid (after you've added the VAT and P&P) seemed a bit steep for two circles of sticky-backed plastic. It especially annoys me when companies quote prices without VAT, P&P, etc.
Ian A Griff 500

DIGGA

41,311 posts

290 months

Wednesday 18th July 2001
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quote:
Hmmm, Tried Carbodiscs (or however you spell that). Fitted them before Le Mans last year, one of them didn't make it there and the other one didnt make it back. Thought of using the Armourfend kit for the lights, but 20 quid (after you've added the VAT and P&P) seemed a bit steep for two circles of sticky-backed plastic. It especially annoys me when companies quote prices without VAT, P&P, etc.
We'd like to think we give a reasonable customer service on the Carbodiscs etc. Normally in the rare case that problems did arise, the retailer (e.g. Pistonheads or TVRCC) would advise us, and we could take appropriate action. In your particular case, please either contact your retailer, our ourselves on 01543 573994 (obivously we'll need some kind of proof of purchase) and we'll try and sort things out. HOWEVER, we can't stress enough the importance of correct preparation of the surface of the lamps. Naturally we have tested the product, and there are many customers using the product without any difficulty and we'd like to add you to the list of satisfied customers if possible. Marcus & Ocean Haze Griff 500

mmertens

397 posts

289 months

Wednesday 18th July 2001
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Just a bit off-topic, I was looking at getting carbodisks for my '98 cerbie, actually bought them (not cheap at I think £39 the pair) at Kerridges, went outside to fit them and then saw they do not cover an approx 1-1.5 cm rim of the cerbie headlights. I thought that was strange as a small stone could still easily hit the glass. Kerridges agreed and took them back. Pity really because the idea is not bad. DIGGA, is there a specific reason why you don't make the cerbie disks bigger?

Midnight Blue

96 posts

285 months

Wednesday 18th July 2001
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Hi DIGGA, I han't gone back to the retailer (Pistonheads in this case) to complain. I'd just written it off and put it down to experience. The problem for me was the velcro giving way, rather than the adhesive. The discs disappeared, just leaving one side of the velco mount stuck to the light. I'm fairly sure I have the receipt, I'll dig it out and contact you. It's refreshing to see that proactive customer service is still alive out there!

DIGGA

41,311 posts

290 months

Wednesday 18th July 2001
quotequote all
quote:
Just a bit off-topic, I was looking at getting carbodisks for my '98 cerbie, actually bought them (not cheap at I think £39 the pair) at Kerridges, went outside to fit them and then saw they do not cover an approx 1-1.5 cm rim of the cerbie headlights. I thought that was strange as a small stone could still easily hit the glass. Kerridges agreed and took them back. Pity really because the idea is not bad. DIGGA, is there a specific reason why you don't make the cerbie disks bigger?
YES - We initially made them larger, but had problems with the headlamp shroud\cowl being varying in size between cars (not sure why), and we needed to leave sufficient tolerance. This is not ideal[i], and as you say there may be a gap, but with the majority of the lamp's surface being covered, the risk of total breakage is greatly reduced. Replacing these lamp units is fairly involved - the shroud\cowl surrounding the lens needs removing. Incidentally, the lens was originally fitted to Scania 'LT series' trucks - may save someone some cash if they need to replace them. Marcus & Ocean Haze Griff 500

BeanCaker

616 posts

280 months

Thursday 19th July 2001
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Midnight Blue, where did you get your driving light? TVR dealer quoting £80 each. If you have the exact Valeo part number grateful if you could post it here. Thanks.

Midnight Blue

96 posts

285 months

Friday 20th July 2001
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Hi BeanCaker, I have the part number and phone number where I bought it in the garage. I'll dig them out for you over the weekend and post them on Monday.

Midnight Blue

96 posts

285 months

Monday 23rd July 2001
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Hi BeanCaker, The Valeo part number is 082348. I go mine from Milehams in Dunstable, 01582 609609. They're not that difficult to fit, but if you need instructions then let me know. Cheers, Matt.

davidd

6,527 posts

291 months

Tuesday 24th July 2001
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I've just bought a new lamp from offord, £39 plus the vat.

BeanCaker

616 posts

280 months

Tuesday 24th July 2001
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Who and where is Offord ??

davidd

6,527 posts

291 months

Wednesday 25th July 2001
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The a very good independant servicing outfit, based just outside Cambridge. You can reach them on.. 01480 811 484 or www.offord.com Nice people I'm sure they will help you out. David

Midnight Blue

96 posts

285 months

Monday 30th July 2001
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As posted below I contacted Marcus (DIGGA) at Digbits regarding the Carbodiscs I bought. We had a great chat about all things TVR, and Marcus was keen to help with any problems. A replacement set of discs arrived free of charge the next day, just as promised. That level of customer service and knowledge is well above the call of duty. I'm not easily impressed, but to be contacted by a supplier directly and offered a solution to a problem that I hadn't even complained about; that's service. I was 'forced' to spend the whole weekend testing the new discs (just the weather for it too!). I was unable to dislodge them at all, and I wasn't being gentle. Top marks for Marcus and Digbits.