Discussion
I have used TVR S series cars as my every day, year round transport for around 6 years. I am starting to think about replacing my S3, but with what? Commuting from the Borders into Edinburgh on snowy mornings in a Griff, with power beyond its chassis capability may not be too smart. I recently tested an Elise, but couldn’t live with the peaky, harsh engine day in day out. What I need is another sensibly powered V6 convertible.
We hear much about the M12, but even if I could stretch to one, it doesn’t fit the bill as the roof doesn’t come off. What about the M10? Looks good on paper but I’ve not even seen one in the flesh. Anybody any experience of the M10? Is it a practical every day proposition? How reliable? How well finished? Does the chassis share TVRs propensity to rust? Are they still built / when did they stop building? How many have been built? Is there a second hand market?
Answers on a postcard please!
We hear much about the M12, but even if I could stretch to one, it doesn’t fit the bill as the roof doesn’t come off. What about the M10? Looks good on paper but I’ve not even seen one in the flesh. Anybody any experience of the M10? Is it a practical every day proposition? How reliable? How well finished? Does the chassis share TVRs propensity to rust? Are they still built / when did they stop building? How many have been built? Is there a second hand market?
Answers on a postcard please!
POSTCARD
I don't know a lot about the M10 other than what I have overheard. I believe the styling of the car was one of the main reasons that it was unpopular. I think it was probably also underpowered (168 bhp) and as such was pitched against a well established section of the market and struggled.
Have a look at www.supercars.net/cars/1999@$Noble@$M10.html for some outline information.
According to the factory, they only ever built 9 and production has been stopped. I guess this was because the M10 wasn't popular so they decided to pull the plug in favour of a move upmarket into a more powerful sector, hence the M12.
I did actually come across one which was for sale last summer in Christopher Neils but I guess that is quite rare and I don't suppose they still have it. If you are seriously trying to track one down then I would suggest contacting Alan at the factory as he may have some idea where they are.
I don't know a lot about the M10 other than what I have overheard. I believe the styling of the car was one of the main reasons that it was unpopular. I think it was probably also underpowered (168 bhp) and as such was pitched against a well established section of the market and struggled.
Have a look at www.supercars.net/cars/1999@$Noble@$M10.html for some outline information.
According to the factory, they only ever built 9 and production has been stopped. I guess this was because the M10 wasn't popular so they decided to pull the plug in favour of a move upmarket into a more powerful sector, hence the M12.
I did actually come across one which was for sale last summer in Christopher Neils but I guess that is quite rare and I don't suppose they still have it. If you are seriously trying to track one down then I would suggest contacting Alan at the factory as he may have some idea where they are.
Hi Rick.
I recon I can answer most of your questions on the M10.
You would be lucky to see one in the flesh; they only made five before they moved onto building the M12.
The chassis is the same as the m12 (less extensions for pivoting boot/bonnet) and the engine is the same as the m12 (less the twin turbo's).
They don’t make the M10 any more. I can’t comment on reliability as I have not had mine that long. The car will be okay for everyday use, so long as you have a sturdy back, as they sit very low!!
They stopped building them around 1998. As to your questions with the second hand market, well your guess is as good as mine, but with only five out there, good luck.
Duncan.
>> Edited by dmcewan on Friday 8th March 22:33
I recon I can answer most of your questions on the M10.
You would be lucky to see one in the flesh; they only made five before they moved onto building the M12.
The chassis is the same as the m12 (less extensions for pivoting boot/bonnet) and the engine is the same as the m12 (less the twin turbo's).
They don’t make the M10 any more. I can’t comment on reliability as I have not had mine that long. The car will be okay for everyday use, so long as you have a sturdy back, as they sit very low!!
They stopped building them around 1998. As to your questions with the second hand market, well your guess is as good as mine, but with only five out there, good luck.
Duncan.
>> Edited by dmcewan on Friday 8th March 22:33
Noble M10 - I've had the first production M10 from new, the one appearing in the Telegraph article.
Brilliant experience on UK roads from Devon to North of Scotland, including gentle canters around Silverstone, Mallory, Donnington and Castle Combe.
I've seldom worried about only 168 bhp, as it's so light. One set of tyres lasted about 15k.
Reliability - I previously had a Chimeara so was concerned that there weren't even dealers for Nobles when I got mine. But only ever had trivial problems, and always sorted out very fast. The first radiator mounts were not stiff enough so it flexed - solved early and no problems. Knocking the boot light switch on before leaving it for 2 weeks does flatten the battery, but there are ways to recover from that! Gear change occassionally grumbly when cold, but that seems to be an M10 / M12 trademark.
Anyone interested in it secondhand?
Brilliant experience on UK roads from Devon to North of Scotland, including gentle canters around Silverstone, Mallory, Donnington and Castle Combe.
I've seldom worried about only 168 bhp, as it's so light. One set of tyres lasted about 15k.
Reliability - I previously had a Chimeara so was concerned that there weren't even dealers for Nobles when I got mine. But only ever had trivial problems, and always sorted out very fast. The first radiator mounts were not stiff enough so it flexed - solved early and no problems. Knocking the boot light switch on before leaving it for 2 weeks does flatten the battery, but there are ways to recover from that! Gear change occassionally grumbly when cold, but that seems to be an M10 / M12 trademark.
Anyone interested in it secondhand?
Yup I've read the reports on the FBS, seen Tiff drive it and visited the website. Concerns: Interior (from the pics) doesn't look up to TVR standards (I am into leather and wood) and the rump is a little ugly.
having said that I've now driven Elise (harsh and basic), VX220 - far superior engine, but still a little raw for every day use, and TT - not a sports car but very fast in a dull sort of way. I would be relucant to swap the S3 for any of these for the reasons stated. If you can convince me of the virtues of the FBS, please try. Currently I'm likely to end up with a rather thirsty Griff!
>> Edited by rick.e on Friday 3rd May 08:31
having said that I've now driven Elise (harsh and basic), VX220 - far superior engine, but still a little raw for every day use, and TT - not a sports car but very fast in a dull sort of way. I would be relucant to swap the S3 for any of these for the reasons stated. If you can convince me of the virtues of the FBS, please try. Currently I'm likely to end up with a rather thirsty Griff!
>> Edited by rick.e on Friday 3rd May 08:31
Hello Rick,
Thanks for the response.
External appearance is something it is too late to change but I would say do not rely on a few photo's as the car looks very different in the flesh. Get in touch (andrewbarber@fbs-eng.co.uk) and I will bring one to you.
We have done a lot of work on the interior recently in response to people's comments. The seats can be leather and we have added transmission tunnel trims in leather. All leather is pretty much any colour you can find leather in. The various brushed metal items are optional if they are not to your taste. Buyers can choose any Momo steering wheel and pretty much any gear knob so you can bring in the wood elements there. We have a supplier who can do an alcantara dash (we have now fitted one to prototype 3 to prove it!) so he can probably also do a leather one (TBC). When comparing FBS interiors with TVR please bear in mind that any TVR is at least 10,000 pounds more than a Census. If money was no object to a customer we would do pretty much whatever was requested!
I agree with your assessments of the three cars mentioned (having driven Elise and TT and observed the VX closely) and I really do think that Census is very suited to your needs plus you can be very specific on trim, paint, etc.
thanks again
Joe
Thanks for the response.
External appearance is something it is too late to change but I would say do not rely on a few photo's as the car looks very different in the flesh. Get in touch (andrewbarber@fbs-eng.co.uk) and I will bring one to you.
We have done a lot of work on the interior recently in response to people's comments. The seats can be leather and we have added transmission tunnel trims in leather. All leather is pretty much any colour you can find leather in. The various brushed metal items are optional if they are not to your taste. Buyers can choose any Momo steering wheel and pretty much any gear knob so you can bring in the wood elements there. We have a supplier who can do an alcantara dash (we have now fitted one to prototype 3 to prove it!) so he can probably also do a leather one (TBC). When comparing FBS interiors with TVR please bear in mind that any TVR is at least 10,000 pounds more than a Census. If money was no object to a customer we would do pretty much whatever was requested!
I agree with your assessments of the three cars mentioned (having driven Elise and TT and observed the VX closely) and I really do think that Census is very suited to your needs plus you can be very specific on trim, paint, etc.
thanks again
Joe
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