First Wedge on Monday!!

[mikesp]

Yee hah!! Been waiting years to get one and on Monday............at last I join the ranks of Wedgedom.

Having been all over the car (400SE) like a rash I can't find anything obvious to sort out immediately but I want to get it in to someone who knows where to look for problems so I can sort everything out over winter for next years outings to the UK's outer reaches. I'm sure I came across a garage in Southampton where they are TVR knowledgable. For the life of me I can't remember where though. Anyone any idea?

Here's a recipe for a long thread!!! If you were planning a long touring holiday in a Wedge what items would you check/service/replace/take with you, before going. ie most common things to let you down on the road.

ROLL ON MONDAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[rev-erend]

Well there is Portfield in Chichester and APM is off the A3 somewhere or other.. dont know any others in the area.

[Blackwedge]

Bet you can't wait to get it, like you I wanted one for years and the wait from buying to collecting seemed like ages! I also am on the lookout for someone who knows these cars to look after mine ideally in the Southampton/Portsmouth area. Williams Street Garage in Southampton has been mentioned to me by someone in the owners club, apparently the owner drives a Chim. Anyone on here any experiance of them?

Great to see there will soon be another wedge owner in Hampshire , how many others?

[Waynester]

Excellent, good choice...



Usual/common requirements for most older cars apply here:

Service:
Change engine oil
Plugs
Air/oil filter
Tune up? (poss better mpg etc..)

Check:
Tyres
Exhaust/manifold(s) for leaks
Shocks for leaks
Steering, bushes
Brakes pads/discs
Thermostat/otter switch (fan kicks in when it should, and doesn't overheat).

Take:
Extra engine oil - top up
Pre mixed coolant - top up
Selection of fuses - lights can be wound out by hand though..
Rags
Selection of tools
Insulator tape
WD40/similar
Torch (I always try & make sure i carry one)

This list could go on......


You WILL need

Petrol - lots of petrol, you will use alot!

[B@man]

.... Mobile phone & Breakdown Insurance.

If you have them you won't need em

Welcome to wedgedom

My first drive was 200+ miles and it was snowing for the last 50. I have no regrets whatsoever and have done nearly 3K since AND not need the breakdown cover despite the car being (mainly) 20 this month - Unlike my 06 Mondeo but thats another story.

[mikesp]

B@man said:

.... Mobile phone & Breakdown Insurance.

If you have them you won't need em

Welcome to wedgedom

My first drive was 200+ miles and it was snowing for the last 50. I have no regrets whatsoever and have done nearly 3K since AND not need the breakdown cover despite the car being (mainly) 20 this month - Unlike my 06 Mondeo but thats another story.

Mobile phone on hand and breakdown cover included in insurance from Hagerty @ £238 all in inc 5000 miles max, not bad I thought. Something to be said for being in the upper age bracket?

[Transmitter Man]

Can of tyre seal and a triangle

Congrats on your new aquisition.

Your wallet will increase it's rapid decline - but the grin factor outweighs the cost.

Fuel tank's too small

Phil
420 SEAC

[mikesp]

Blackwedge said:

Bet you can't wait to get it, like you I wanted one for years and the wait from buying to collecting seemed like ages! I also am on the lookout for someone who knows these cars to look after mine ideally in the Southampton/Portsmouth area. Williams Street Garage in Southampton has been mentioned to me by someone in the owners club, apparently the owner drives a Chim. Anyone on here any experiance of them?

Great to see there will soon be another wedge owner in Hampshire , how many others?

I'm in New Milton. William Street is just round the corner from my work in Southampton. That would be handy if there are some good comments about them

[beacon]

Took my wedge to Europe last year , 3000 miles and 8 countries in 10 days , took and had most things listed but only needed a fuse, the fan of all things.

Yes big up the Hagerty !

And good luck with your Wedge

[PR350]

I use William Street a fair bit for my wedge, last time I was there as well as my wedge there was 3 chims in for various bits of work. Mike is the mechanic who has a chim and is a member of the TVRCC - he often goes to the club meets - there is one on Sunday I think

I'm in Fareham so it will be good to have another wedge owner in the region

Paul

[mikesp]

PR350 said:

I use William Street a fair bit for my wedge, last time I was there as well as my wedge there was 3 chims in for various bits of work. Mike is the mechanic who has a chim and is a member of the TVRCC - he often goes to the club meets - there is one on Sunday I think

I'm in Fareham so it will be good to have another wedge owner in the region

Paul

As you've been more than once I take it that's an indication that you're happy with their work then?

[HOTTY]

hi mike
iam new to ph but i owned a 350 for sometime couldn't wait to finish the resto so i bought a 400se also
that did 2000 miles over the winter , had to sell but the 400se bug got me so i bought another currently covered 1000 miles in a couple of months (spare time use only).I have had no problems in breaking down with either (but i always take my phone
the first thing i've done on both though is change all the fluids (brake ,clutch,oil, diff,gearbox)you just don't no when these things were changed last .
best of luck
stephen

[peaktorque]

mikesp said:

Mobile phone on hand and breakdown cover included in insurance from Hagerty @ £238 all in inc 5000 miles max, not bad I thought. Something to be said for being in the upper age bracket?

They wouldn't insure me because I'm not yet 30 (29!).

Never mind though as I managed to get cover for £108

(Lancaster ins. in case you were wondering)

Happy Wedgding

[matt-man]

Welcome to the madness!

Honestly you might be a little snookered in the south. There are some good dealers, but sometimes the money just spiralls out ofd control!

If you have oiley fingers and a bit of patience, most of the work is a piece of cake on the wedge.

Ive only taken the car into the garage for my exhaust to be fitted as it didnt fit and needed to be...'Modified!!!'

I'm based in Godalming just outside Guildford so if your ever up for a blast just let me know!

Cheers,

Matt-Man

[pwd95]

Welcome Mike, Whatever you do don't be tempted to get anything else, it's just not the same. ...

[PR350]

mikesp said:

PR350 said:

I use William Street a fair bit for my wedge, last time I was there as well as my wedge there was 3 chims in for various bits of work. Mike is the mechanic who has a chim and is a member of the TVRCC - he often goes to the club meets - there is one on Sunday I think

I'm in Fareham so it will be good to have another wedge owner in the region

Paul

As you've been more than once I take it that's an indication that you're happy with their work then?

I'd go back again. Their rates are very reasonable and work is certainly good enough. I usually ask Mike to work on my car when it goes in coz he is a TVR owner himself, but that is jst a personal thing.

[mikesp]

Thanks for all your welcome comments and support guys. All info taken on board and appreciated.

So that's 3 Wedgies in Hampshire then and what sounds like a reasonable workshop if one is needed on my doorstep. That's a good start then.

Anyone going to any meets soon. I'm planning to go the Breakfast Club at Goodwood on 6th December. Anyone else going or been there before. Any good??

[Blackwedge]

mikesp said:

Anyone going to any meets soon. I'm planning to go the Breakfast Club at Goodwood on 6th December. Anyone else going or been there before. Any good??

The breakfast Clubs are excellant things, you never know what may turn up. I am planning to take the wedge on 6th December so long as the weather is better than last weekend! Hopefully we will have at least two there - any more?

[singh350i]

im also a new owner of wedgeneering recently purchased a 350i, i bet the 400se is going to be a right handful. good luck with the beast.

does anybody know any1 to maintain mine around the west midlands area??

[mikesp]

singh350i said:

im also a new owner of wedgeneering recently purchased a 350i, i bet the 400se is going to be a right handful. good luck with the beast.

does anybody know any1 to maintain mine around the west midlands area??

I'll let you know about the 'right handful' bit. Good luck with the starting problem. Looks like you got some good info coming in to help. One day I might know enough to make a contribution