Yet another prospective Noble owner with quesions.

[Echo66]

Evening Gents,

Apologies in advance for the usual gamut of questions from a prospective owner. I've read almost 50 pages of this place so far & am almost convinced i can justify getting one.

I've only just started my research on Nobles & am looking at an M12(ver unknown but GTO 3R preffered...ok i can dream!) with about 25k at the top end of the budget. Currently driving an S2000 as a daily driver & i do drive in a 'spirited' fashion so the willingness of an M12 to take a bit of mild punishment once in a while is something i'm concerned about after reading a couple of posts on here.
Reliability & using it as a daily driver is important to me & i couldn't agree more with the 25k paid for a 50k car with 50k car repair bills. I'm not looking at M12's through rose tinted spectacles.

How does it perform in the wet? I have a short commute but driving in the rain & crap of winter is a must.

I'm aware of some of the issues that i need to check i.e. replacement ECU, orig diff, trackday sump, but i'd like to know if there is anything else that can come along & bite you.

How reliable are the turbo's?

Engine life? How good?

I do a lot of driving on the continent & organise regular Euro Hoons for the S2k crowd & even if i move on the automotive stakes, blasting in Europe is still going to be one of my must do's. Doing 3.5k in a week is the norm on a hoon so can an M12 take it?


Ed

[JAZ 34]

Echo66 said:

How does it perform in the wet? I have a short commute but driving in the rain & crap of winter is a must.

Rain - no problem but lay off the right foot and snow........take the bus!

[mgbond]

As you say, you kmow about the things to look out for.

Engines can last a good while apart from Jools high milage car 75k+ (had a couple of engine changes but tracked alot) I think there are a few in the 40k plus area.

I'm on 31k and still on original turbos, but as you are aware of the costs being a bit high some times, both turbos can be repaired or replaced for under 1k I think.

As I now have all the upgrades that the 2.5 should have its only the turbos that I expect to be my nxt biggest bill some day (hopefully a long way in the future).

Bondy

[Echo66]

Thanks for the replies so far.

I've seen a few posts ref ins premiums. Anyone early 40's, 10+ yrs NCB, 3 SP points sort of area & what are you paying on a 10-12k annual mileage basis?

Ed

[Lakelord]

Echo66 said:

Thanks for the replies so far.

I've seen a few posts ref ins premiums. Anyone early 40's, 10+ yrs NCB, 3 SP points sort of area & what are you paying on a 10-12k annual mileage basis?

Ed

I fit the above criteria (except the points) and have just renewed mine at £540 pa - unlimited mileage. Quotes will however vary depending on where you live and whether it's garaged etc. Don't think insurance companies care too much about 3points these days.

[worty]

Echo66 said:

Thanks for the replies so far.

I've seen a few posts ref ins premiums. Anyone early 40's, 10+ yrs NCB, 3 SP points sort of area & what are you paying on a 10-12k annual mileage basis?

Ed

Just renewed mine on a limited 4k pa and it was £495 incluing IPT. My guess is you should be looking at about £6-700

worty

[S26VE P]

defo shop about tho. im 32 with an 03 GTO-3, £800 for 8k miles and garaged.

[Echo66]

worty said:

Echo66 said:

Thanks for the replies so far.

I've seen a few posts ref ins premiums. Anyone early 40's, 10+ yrs NCB, 3 SP points sort of area & what are you paying on a 10-12k annual mileage basis?

Ed

Just renewed mine on a limited 4k pa and it was £495 incluing IPT. My guess is you should be looking at about £6-700

worty

Thats what i'm paying now so thats fine.

Servicing costs are the only thing thats bothering me. With a possible 12k annual mileage two services a year is on the cards. With posts quoting upto £800 for a service thats pushing things. I've got the servicing & MOT on two other cars to add in to the equation which means my annual service budget would be knocking on for £2.5k!



Ed

[sjc]

Echo66 said:

worty said:

Echo66 said:

Thanks for the replies so far.

I've seen a few posts ref ins premiums. Anyone early 40's, 10+ yrs NCB, 3 SP points sort of area & what are you paying on a 10-12k annual mileage basis?

Ed

Just renewed mine on a limited 4k pa and it was £495 incluing IPT. My guess is you should be looking at about £6-700

worty

Thats what i'm paying now so thats fine.

Servicing costs are the only thing thats bothering me. With a possible 12k annual mileage two services a year is on the cards. With posts quoting upto £800 for a service thats pushing things. I've got the servicing & MOT on two other cars to add in to the equation which means my annual service budget would be knocking on for £2.5k!



Ed

The reason being that although you're only looking to spend £25K you've still got the running costs of a hand built 50 grand+ supercar.But..... I've just had my 3 year service on my M400 at Kerridges and it was a smidge over £500 all in.Thats nothing for a car of its performance and abilities.

[Echo66]

sjc said:

Echo66 said:

worty said:

Echo66 said:

Thanks for the replies so far.

I've seen a few posts ref ins premiums. Anyone early 40's, 10+ yrs NCB, 3 SP points sort of area & what are you paying on a 10-12k annual mileage basis?

Ed

Just renewed mine on a limited 4k pa and it was £495 incluing IPT. My guess is you should be looking at about £6-700

worty

Thats what i'm paying now so thats fine.

Servicing costs are the only thing thats bothering me. With a possible 12k annual mileage two services a year is on the cards. With posts quoting upto £800 for a service thats pushing things. I've got the servicing & MOT on two other cars to add in to the equation which means my annual service budget would be knocking on for £2.5k!



Ed

The reason being that although you're only looking to spend £25K you've still got the running costs of a hand built 50 grand+ supercar.But..... I've just had my 3 year service on my M400 at Kerridges and it was a smidge over £500 all in.Thats nothing for a car of its performance and abilities.

Yeah i know. Still hurts a bit. £500 in not a major issue though.
There is also a slight fear element of the jump from mass produced but good machinery to something a little bit special, so i have to stop thinking like a girl & make some proper decisions.

Ed

[Mike Tuckwood]

Hi Ed.


Have you had a go in one yet?
If you haven't, sort one out. I suspect you'll find a lot of your questions will be set aside thereafter.


Mike.

Edited by Mike Tuckwood on Thursday 10th July 13:36

[Echo66]

Mike,

No, i haven't although Chris Neils have my details should one come in i can try on for size. Anyone in Cheshire/South Mcr area want to show their M12 off?

Ed

[Echo66]

This below is on autotrader

http://search.autotrader.co.uk/es-uk/www/cars/NOBL...

as a GTO 3R on a 52 plate.

Thought 3R's were 2003 onwards.

As an aside on a 3R, what upgrades are recommended with things like the LSD being sorted?

[Mike Tuckwood]

Echo66 said:

This below is on autotrader

http://search.autotrader.co.uk/es-uk/www/cars/NOBL...

as a GTO 3R on a 52 plate.

Thought 3R's were 2003 onwards.

As an aside on a 3R, what upgrades are recommended with things like the LSD being sorted?

Ed.

That car is not described correctly.
It's not a 3R, it's just a "GTO 3" (2.5L engine).
It was first registered on Sept 6th 2002.

A 3R can be distinguished at a glance as it has different wheels, and faired in headlamps.


Mike

[obes]

Mike Tuckwood said:

Echo66 said:

This below is on autotrader

http://search.autotrader.co.uk/es-uk/www/cars/NOBL...

as a GTO 3R on a 52 plate.

Thought 3R's were 2003 onwards.

As an aside on a 3R, what upgrades are recommended with things like the LSD being sorted?

Ed.

That car is not described correctly.
It's not a 3R, it's just a "GTO 3" (2.5L engine).
It was first registered on Sept 6th 2002.

A 3R can be distinguished at a glance as it has different wheels, and faired in headlamps.


Mike

If it's a GTO3 its 3 litre. If it's a GTO it's a 2.5

[Mike Tuckwood]

obes said:

If it's a GTO3 its 3 litre. If it's a GTO it's a 2.5

Quite right of course, must read what I've written more closely in future, who put the " and 3 keys so close together in the first place.
Just in case you're confused now Ed, that advertised car is a GTO, (not a GTO 3 or a GTO 3R).



Mike.

[Echo66]

Ha! Thanks for clearing that up. Knew i wasn't going daft after genning up on all the different threads on here.

[NobleGuy]

Echo66 said:

Ha! Thanks for clearing that up. Knew i wasn't going daft after genning up on all the different threads on here.

Lots of ads have this 'mistake'. The faired-in headlamps have also been done retrospectively on non-3R cars, so don't take this as proof. 3R should have a 6-speed and LSD (although I'm almost certain someone will tell us there were some early 3R's with a 5-speed just to confuse things even more).

What does the V5 say with respect to this?
Probably 'Unknown kit-car' knowing the DVLA....

[Mike Tuckwood]

NobleGuy said:

What does the V5 say with respect to this?
Probably 'Unknown kit-car' knowing the DVLA....

It says...... COUPE 2544cc (06-09-2002) PETROL



Mike.

[Echo66]

Well i've come to the conclusion it will have to be a 3R for me. Budget has now been 'tweaked' upwards. From all the reading i've done on here & elsewhere (cracking info in this forum & the Wiki btw gents) i think the increased reliability with LSD etc & less chance of aggro with a 3R is pulling me that way.

On with the search now & hope i can find something.


Ed