Discussion
I am looking at purchasing an S over the coming months (Longers has finally broken me 
)
However, I dont have access to a garage which means she will have to live on the drive (off the road). I understand there are all types of covers to keep the weather out but any advice on which covers would be appreciated together with any other advice and tips on outside storage such as keeping the battery in good nick etc would be very much appreciated
)However, I dont have access to a garage which means she will have to live on the drive (off the road). I understand there are all types of covers to keep the weather out but any advice on which covers would be appreciated together with any other advice and tips on outside storage such as keeping the battery in good nick etc would be very much appreciated
Yay, well done
Opinions will vary as much as the cars do.
Mine is water tight and does not need a cover. However, I have a Leven half cover. Theses are top quality and very heavy so don't move (I'd call it leatherette or similar). They are completely waterproof, but not cheap (I have one for my wedge too). My only issue is that my boot is a tight fit which means I can't slip the flap in and it has marked a small part of the laquer on the boot.
I bought a cheapish unbranded one for my cerb which was OK for 2 years but as they don't fit perfectly then it chaffed and marked the lacquer on the wing.
As to the battery, use a trickle charger and be wary if you have a battery in the boot and the boot is electric..... Discovering that little trick in my garage was Barkychoc's first close up experience with a V8S IIRC
Opinions will vary as much as the cars do.
Mine is water tight and does not need a cover. However, I have a Leven half cover. Theses are top quality and very heavy so don't move (I'd call it leatherette or similar). They are completely waterproof, but not cheap (I have one for my wedge too). My only issue is that my boot is a tight fit which means I can't slip the flap in and it has marked a small part of the laquer on the boot.
I bought a cheapish unbranded one for my cerb which was OK for 2 years but as they don't fit perfectly then it chaffed and marked the lacquer on the wing.
As to the battery, use a trickle charger and be wary if you have a battery in the boot and the boot is electric..... Discovering that little trick in my garage was Barkychoc's first close up experience with a V8S IIRC
nothing to beat top down and wrapped up warm on a crisp winters morning.Stone Cold said:
Thanks Dave, dont want to sell yours do you, you dont really need three 
On the battery front I will have to work out how to get leccy from the house to the drive/car.....discreetly and safely, dont want to find next door plugged into it!
Always need three, unless there is room for four of courseOn the battery front I will have to work out how to get leccy from the house to the drive/car.....discreetly and safely, dont want to find next door plugged into it!
You could consider using a solar charger to maintain your battery such as:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Solar-Briefcase-Battery-Tr...
Most are waterproof so can be left outside.
Cheers
Tony
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Solar-Briefcase-Battery-Tr...
Most are waterproof so can be left outside.
Cheers
Tony
Hi,
I have just purchased an all year protection cover from these guys:
http://www.everycarcovered.com/1338-s1-s4c-v8s-198...
Can't tell you the name of the guy we spoke to off the top of my head, but he was extremely knowledgable, happy to talk you through the covers etc. I only just got it and it seems a good fit on the car (according to my Dad who has sorted the whole thing since I am abroad!).
Give them a call. The cover listed is fit for 'TVR S shape cars', but it's not an absolutely EXACT fit. They will also manufacture a cover to perfectly fit, but is a bit more money as it's made to order and IMHO I reckon the one listed is good enough.
Like I say only just got it so can't comment on how well it will last etc. but certainly worth a call if you're going to keep one outside.
Andrew
I have just purchased an all year protection cover from these guys:
http://www.everycarcovered.com/1338-s1-s4c-v8s-198...
Can't tell you the name of the guy we spoke to off the top of my head, but he was extremely knowledgable, happy to talk you through the covers etc. I only just got it and it seems a good fit on the car (according to my Dad who has sorted the whole thing since I am abroad!).
Give them a call. The cover listed is fit for 'TVR S shape cars', but it's not an absolutely EXACT fit. They will also manufacture a cover to perfectly fit, but is a bit more money as it's made to order and IMHO I reckon the one listed is good enough.
Like I say only just got it so can't comment on how well it will last etc. but certainly worth a call if you're going to keep one outside.
Andrew
Just bought a Tempest tailored one [£250] from www.specialisedcovers.com - breathable, good fit and reasonably easy to put on/take off, even in a breeze and has under body straps to stop it blowing away. Cover fabric seems a little delicate, will see how it performs over the winter. Best way to keep the battery charged - drive the car when ever you get the chance [lots of trips into town for things I'd "forgotten"]
mycroft said:
You really should build a garage
Easy for you to say being a builder...!Adrian, you could do worse than look at Dale's old S3, just remember to take some ear plugs cos it's at the loud end of the scale
As for keeping the battery charged...
1. What about fitting an external plug socket and running a cable to a battery conditioner kept in the car?
2. Do you take your bike battery off when not using that or do you have a way of keeping it charged on the bike? Depends how long you'll be leaving the S standing for but provided you use it once a week it should be fine
3. Rent a garage nearby?
3. Get a job closer to home OR work away less OR take the S with you to London and leave the BMW at home once in a while
4. Teach Kate to drive so she can take it for a run when you're away
5. Perhaps ignore 4
Longers said:
Easy for you to say being a builder...!
Adrian, you could do worse than look at Dale's old S3, just remember to take some ear plugs cos it's at the loud end of the scale
As for keeping the battery charged...
1. What about fitting an external plug socket and running a cable to a battery conditioner kept in the car?
2. Do you take your bike battery off when not using that or do you have a way of keeping it charged on the bike? Depends how long you'll be leaving the S standing for but provided you use it once a week it should be fine
3. Rent a garage nearby?
3. Get a job closer to home OR work away less OR take the S with you to London and leave the BMW at home once in a while
4. Teach Kate to drive so she can take it for a run when you're away
5. Perhaps ignore 4
He could keep it here Ian , i have garage space now my son has left home Adrian, you could do worse than look at Dale's old S3, just remember to take some ear plugs cos it's at the loud end of the scale
As for keeping the battery charged...
1. What about fitting an external plug socket and running a cable to a battery conditioner kept in the car?
2. Do you take your bike battery off when not using that or do you have a way of keeping it charged on the bike? Depends how long you'll be leaving the S standing for but provided you use it once a week it should be fine
3. Rent a garage nearby?
3. Get a job closer to home OR work away less OR take the S with you to London and leave the BMW at home once in a while
4. Teach Kate to drive so she can take it for a run when you're away
5. Perhaps ignore 4
I even have power in the garage ,problem solved mycroft said:
My old car is still for sale on the tvrcc site . You really should build a garage , get your priorities right 
Longers has pointed me in that direction, any info on the car appreciated though.As for the garage, don't have the space to get a vehicle between the properties, and don't think Mrs Cold would appreciate it being built on her front garden!
Longers said:
Easy for you to say being a builder...!
Adrian, you could do worse than look at Dale's old S3, just remember to take some ear plugs cos it's at the loud end of the scale
As for keeping the battery charged...
1. What about fitting an external plug socket and running a cable to a battery conditioner kept in the car?
2. Do you take your bike battery off when not using that or do you have a way of keeping it charged on the bike? Depends how long you'll be leaving the S standing for but provided you use it once a week it should be fine
3. Rent a garage nearby?
3. Get a job closer to home OR work away less OR take the S with you to London and leave the BMW at home once in a while
4. Teach Kate to drive so she can take it for a run when you're away
5. Perhaps ignore 4
1. possibleAdrian, you could do worse than look at Dale's old S3, just remember to take some ear plugs cos it's at the loud end of the scale
As for keeping the battery charged...
1. What about fitting an external plug socket and running a cable to a battery conditioner kept in the car?
2. Do you take your bike battery off when not using that or do you have a way of keeping it charged on the bike? Depends how long you'll be leaving the S standing for but provided you use it once a week it should be fine
3. Rent a garage nearby?
3. Get a job closer to home OR work away less OR take the S with you to London and leave the BMW at home once in a while
4. Teach Kate to drive so she can take it for a run when you're away
5. Perhaps ignore 4
2. Bike lives in the shed and has a trickle charge connecter on it so just plug it inonce a month, can't get a car to the shed!
3. Already checked, cheapest £90 pm, so b
ks to that4.
5.
HvdWeerden said:
Hi Adrian,
Good plan to buy an S ! Will you keep your bike as well ?
A small roof or a carport should be enough to keep your S dry.
Good hunting !
Han
Plan is to keep the R1 as well and see how it goes for a year, you never know I may do your Rubberbut one day, well not yours obviously Good plan to buy an S ! Will you keep your bike as well ?
A small roof or a carport should be enough to keep your S dry.
Good hunting !
Han
On the subject of car covers, I use a Tybond medium cover sourced from ebay for about £40. Fits well but can tend to lift off in high wind, so I use 2 webbing straps around the car to keep it on. They last about 3 years, and I have just purchased my third one. A good budget cover.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/260498594981
To keep the battery topped up, I use the Accumate charger / conditioner. The Accumate is in the garage with a long lead to the car. I have a waterproof connector from the battery to under the wing which I can plug into without removing the cover. I connect it up about every few weeks to keep the battery topped up. Seems to work ok.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/260498594981
To keep the battery topped up, I use the Accumate charger / conditioner. The Accumate is in the garage with a long lead to the car. I have a waterproof connector from the battery to under the wing which I can plug into without removing the cover. I connect it up about every few weeks to keep the battery topped up. Seems to work ok.
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