I never thought i'd say this but !!!
Discussion
Once the car is perfect again I’m considering selling it, this morning a letter from Noble Automotive dropped on a lot of mats, the letter says as of the 1st of July Noble will no longer supply parts direct and customers will only be able to buy parts from authorised dealers.
I’m sorry but I don’t think I can be bothered with the hassle of calling either Kerriges or Mole Valley to get some muppet either say you have to come in or we don’t stock that part, we will have to order it from the factory.
Unless dealer inventory increases significantly (which it won’t) this has no chance of working.
The argument that you can’t deal with Ferrari or Porsche direct holds no water as both are far more reliable, the parts are properly developed and tested and both have proper dealer networks with significant inventory and 99% of all parts are available in 24 hours.
I think this is the final straw, it is very fast becoming clear that Noble’s new strategy is to dump the M12/400 customers as quickly as possible and concentrate on the new car.
I think it's now worth publishing a list of every standard Ford,Rover or Peugeot part thats on the car so at least these parts would be easily available and sensibly priced.
I’m sorry but I don’t think I can be bothered with the hassle of calling either Kerriges or Mole Valley to get some muppet either say you have to come in or we don’t stock that part, we will have to order it from the factory.
Unless dealer inventory increases significantly (which it won’t) this has no chance of working.
The argument that you can’t deal with Ferrari or Porsche direct holds no water as both are far more reliable, the parts are properly developed and tested and both have proper dealer networks with significant inventory and 99% of all parts are available in 24 hours.
I think this is the final straw, it is very fast becoming clear that Noble’s new strategy is to dump the M12/400 customers as quickly as possible and concentrate on the new car.
I think it's now worth publishing a list of every standard Ford,Rover or Peugeot part thats on the car so at least these parts would be easily available and sensibly priced.
Edited by Adrian W on Thursday 28th June 13:07
Totally agree Adrain, living in Devon the only way l can get parts is Direct from Bill as there are no Main dealers that have any idea of what you are talking about this side of London. The letter states from 'offical franchised dealers' so sales only dealers in other words ! So l guess this means Noble Motorsport, Roush and Ray West etc won't be able to supply ?
.
m12_nathan said:
That is a joke.
Quick, set up NobleParts.com and get an arrangement with the factory for parts at cost...
I give up....it is hard enough to get parts from the factory, it has taken 12 weeks for me to get a complete set of lights( pods etc) from the factory, god knows what it will be like when this comes into force.Quick, set up NobleParts.com and get an arrangement with the factory for parts at cost...
Maybe it is Nobles way of trying to increase sales at dealers, as they havent got any cars to sell at the moment.
Still find it funny how they stopped people like roush being a authorized service center because they dont sell Noble cars, when there isnt actually a car to sell!!!
Plus Bill at the Factory has always been very helpfull and could give advice as well as sell parts, will miss having that help/knowledge available.
I am guessing 1G in the states might be doing a good trade with the UK, for spare parts, will probably be the quickest way to get parts.
just my 2p worth....rant over.
Looking forward to Justin's spin on this.
Edited by alex s on Thursday 28th June 14:26
To be honest, after Adrian and I have done so much work on his car, and so many other people here have as well, we can get around this stupid move. If someone is making the parts you can guarantee we'll get hold of them. Be so much nicer if it was via the factory, but if they want to play this game, so be it.
I feel really sorry for Bill. I bet it's not his doing.
I feel really sorry for Bill. I bet it's not his doing.
Having spent so much on the car, I am in catch 22.
Do I sell now or later?
I love the car, and I used to love the factory, alas it is no more.
Time to let go I think.
Will I buy another Noble?
No matter how good it is, the answer is no. I have a 2 and a half year old car that is no longer supported.
The qustions to ask are :-
How long will they support the new car?
How long will they support the new car?
How long will they support the new car?
How long will they support the new car?
How long will they support the new car?
And that has to be the only question!
Do I sell now or later?
I love the car, and I used to love the factory, alas it is no more.
Time to let go I think.
Will I buy another Noble?
No matter how good it is, the answer is no. I have a 2 and a half year old car that is no longer supported.
The qustions to ask are :-
How long will they support the new car?
How long will they support the new car?
How long will they support the new car?
How long will they support the new car?
How long will they support the new car?
And that has to be the only question!
Have I missed something here ? I thought the original post said that parts would be available from the Noble dealers ? If so how is that not supporting the car ? Can any Ford owner walk into the Dagenham factory and buy parts ?
Ive owned my Noble for 54 weeks now and 28 of those it has been at Kerridges for one reason or another, atm im waiting for wheels which are being manufactured as we speek in S.A.
Parts do take for ever to arrive but eventually they do so unless I'm missing the point doesn't it mean parts are available but just not direct from the factory ?
Hope I'm making sense ?
Steve
Ive owned my Noble for 54 weeks now and 28 of those it has been at Kerridges for one reason or another, atm im waiting for wheels which are being manufactured as we speek in S.A.
Parts do take for ever to arrive but eventually they do so unless I'm missing the point doesn't it mean parts are available but just not direct from the factory ?
Hope I'm making sense ?
Steve
Edited by daddysumo on Thursday 28th June 15:58
daddysumo said:
Have I missed something here ? I thought the original post said that parts would be available from the Noble dealers ? If so how is that not supporting the car ? Can any Ford owner walk into the Dagenham factory and buy parts ?
Ive owned my Noble for 54 weeks now and 28 of those it has been at Kerridges for one reason or another, atm im waiting for wheels which are being manufactured as we speek in S.A.
Parts do take for ever to arrive but eventually they do so unless I'm missing the point doesn't it mean parts are available but just not direct from the factory ?
Hope I'm making sense ?
Steve
Steve I think that is the point, even with the factory supplying direct the wait is getting longer, if you then have to wait for the dealer to get round to ordering it, getting it from Noble, then them sending it out the delay will just get longer....Ive owned my Noble for 54 weeks now and 28 of those it has been at Kerridges for one reason or another, atm im waiting for wheels which are being manufactured as we speek in S.A.
Parts do take for ever to arrive but eventually they do so unless I'm missing the point doesn't it mean parts are available but just not direct from the factory ?
Hope I'm making sense ?
Steve
Edited by daddysumo on Thursday 28th June 15:58
Also there could be an issue of the dealers passing on the cost of the extra hassle for them to order stuff in and then send it out(that is assuming any of them will be willing to offer a mail order service!!!)
Alex I agree totally with what you have said but that does not mean the factory are not supporting the M12 though does it ? If I want a part for any of my other cars I go to my local dealer and get them to order it and wait.
Surely this is the same path now for Noble spares ?
So support is still there ?
Steve
Surely this is the same path now for Noble spares ?
So support is still there ?
Steve
Do any other manufactures sell parts from the factory ? Lotus, for example, don't. I know that are not as big as Noble but they are hardly the size of Ford either.
Another thing I've remembered : About 3 years ago I'm sure I heard that Noble were ditching all their dealers and moving everything back to the factory. Is that right or did I imagine it ?
Another thing I've remembered : About 3 years ago I'm sure I heard that Noble were ditching all their dealers and moving everything back to the factory. Is that right or did I imagine it ?
Also not pleased with receiving the letter, a few months ago I needed a new filler cap, if a dealer does not have one I presume I would now have to wait for it to go from Noble to a dealer (none of whom are near to me where as Barwell is only an hour away) then wait for the dealer to get it to me or travel a fair distance to fetch it. Not good news for Noble owners. Was thinking of keeping mine, but this is just another reason to consider selling.
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