Chimaera and road surface
Discussion
As we all know, the roads in the UK are often not well maintained and can be somewhat punishing, even on a run-of-the-mill family car. As I am considering purchasing a Chimaera, I am curious to know just how much more sensitive to potholes etc such a car would be and what suspension adjustments (ride height, spring tensions) could be made that would minimise the risk of damage or generally make the car more able to survive the current state of British roads.
They are not overly harsh as they are more of a GT car.
Old tired suspension benefits from a refresh and one of the best mods is to fit the latest upgraded bilstein kit from black down automotive ( Ben lang) who is an expert in this field.
His kits can be found on ebay.
A lot of people poly bush too but personally I'm not a fan for purely road use.
I would expect most cars these days to have had a refresh but it's worth seeking one out but not a deal breaker, it does show someone cared though.
Old tired suspension benefits from a refresh and one of the best mods is to fit the latest upgraded bilstein kit from black down automotive ( Ben lang) who is an expert in this field.
His kits can be found on ebay.
A lot of people poly bush too but personally I'm not a fan for purely road use.
I would expect most cars these days to have had a refresh but it's worth seeking one out but not a deal breaker, it does show someone cared though.
The most obvious thing as a new owner you’ll notice is how sensitive the steering is.
Given most Tvr racks are only 2.2 turns lock to lock that makes for very small inputs or the car will react badly.
As for suspension and ride height. Standard height will get over almost all speed humps and ensure car doesn’t bottom out over pot holes. Given they came GT spec shocks as mentioned they are stiff but not overly hard.
Buying the softest tyres you can is a huge help in this area but standard 15/16 in wheels as fitted to both Chim and Griffith cars makes the choice rather small.
Larger wheels have often been fitted which offers more tyre choice.
No car likes pot holes so best avoid them but actually Tvr react no worse and given standard ride height and slow speed the cars get over them ok.
They remind me of 1970’s cars like Cortina for feeling a bit crashy and everything seems to shake when you hit bumps but for a sportscar they are pretty good in truth.
Test drive one
Enjoy and goodluck.
Given most Tvr racks are only 2.2 turns lock to lock that makes for very small inputs or the car will react badly.
As for suspension and ride height. Standard height will get over almost all speed humps and ensure car doesn’t bottom out over pot holes. Given they came GT spec shocks as mentioned they are stiff but not overly hard.
Buying the softest tyres you can is a huge help in this area but standard 15/16 in wheels as fitted to both Chim and Griffith cars makes the choice rather small.
Larger wheels have often been fitted which offers more tyre choice.
No car likes pot holes so best avoid them but actually Tvr react no worse and given standard ride height and slow speed the cars get over them ok.
They remind me of 1970’s cars like Cortina for feeling a bit crashy and everything seems to shake when you hit bumps but for a sportscar they are pretty good in truth.
Test drive one
Enjoy and goodluck. My Chimaera with 16" wheels all round (so slightly lower profile on the front) gives a better ride and handles pot holes and ruts in the road better then the other cars in the household. Ok the others are a 3 series on 18's and a Fiesta ST so not exactly the highest profile tyres. I've had the original Bilstein dampers swapped to Gaz Gold adjustable coil overs and while the ride is firmer it's still comfortable on modern roads and doesn't skip around on potholes.
Classic Chim said:
The most obvious thing as a new owner you’ll notice is how sensitive the steering is.
Given most Tvr racks are only 2.2 turns lock to lock that makes for very small inputs or the car will react badly.
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This in particular. When I bought my Chim I hated it as it wandered all over the road on bumpy roads. I was at the point of getting rid after 2 weeks when the penny dropped that I was resting my elbows on the door handle and transmission tunnel and gripping the wheel tightly. Thus, every time I hit an imperfection in the road it came up through the car, moved my arms which translated into steering wheel and front wheel movement. The moment i relaxed my grip or lifted my arms from resting it felt like a different car and I've loved it ever since.Given most Tvr racks are only 2.2 turns lock to lock that makes for very small inputs or the car will react badly.
...
Most people who climb into the passenger set of my car say they are impressed at how well it rides and how crashy it isn't (once they've stopped screaming and are able to speak again).
I've done several european trips in mine (with another looming) and they will deal well with poor roads as long as you remember not to rest your arms and grip the wheel.
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