How Noble London, Giles, and Lee really went the extra mile!
Discussion
Here's my story of Noble ownership over the last few months. It's a story of problems, major problems, really major problems, and a wonderful example of customer service and commitment to sort it all out from Noble London, Giles, and Lee Noble himself.
If you don't want to read the whole thing, then skip to the Summary bit at the bottom....
My Noble ownership started back in April when I spent more than I could really afford on a used M400 after Giles took me out on a test drive.
A few happy months of motoring followed punctuated only with a puncture and 2 new rear tyres (not cheap).
Anyway, to the point of the story – the last few months - After a thousand miles or so, I noticed that it appeared to be using oil. After checking that it should use 1 litre per thousand miles, and I thought it was using more, I took it back to Noble London where Martin had it looked at by Skip. On advice from the factory they fitted a restrictor in one of the oil lines near the turbos (I think), filled it up and asked me to do a controlled 500 miles and bring it back to check the usage.
It was still using more oil than it should, and there was no evidence of a leak, or oil getting into the intercooler etc... Following compression and leakdown tests indicating a problem, it was decided to take the engine out.
Now although I had a 3rd party warranty when I bought the car, there are limits on it and I was starting to get "a bit" worried......
On stripping the engine I got a call from Noble London - basically three of the pistons showed signs of damage, and the bores were knackered!! After Noble London talking to several people, the consensus was that basically the engine was beyond a sensible repair. Martin informed me of this, but advised me that they would see what they could do. That was not a good day - thoughts of having to sell the car etc......
Martin had raised the matter with Giles who in turn had been in close contact with the factory. They came to an agreement to have a look at the engine, so it was duly shipped back to the factory. I obviously don't know all the details, but apparently Giles went well out of his way in pursuing the matter. Lee Noble became involved personally, and Giles and Lee came to an agreement.
Martin then phoned me back to let me know that the situation had massively improved, as they had agreed to supply a new engine.
The engine was duly delivered and fitted. Various other jobs were also carried out by Noble London including fully servicing the injectors etc.. On road test by Noble London there was a problem with the idle speed. The ECU was shipped back to Noble who then provided a software upgrade FOC.
I picked the car up on Saturday after being without it for what seems like forever. It's great to have it back, and I'm now in the process of putting 1000 miles on it running it in.
Whilst the engine was out and the exhaust would need to be re-fitted anyway, when it was all being put back together, and seeing as Noble London now supply them, I got them to replace the standard exhaust with the Roush one (with uprated wiring, fuel pump etc..). It sounds good, but I'll have to wait 1000 miles before I can hear it at higher revs!
I apologise for the length of this post, but wanted to provide a picture of my experience with Noble London and their backing from the Noble factory.
Summary
=======
I had a major problem which without so much help from the people concerned would in all likelihood have meant me having to sell the car.
I would like to publicly thank:
Noble London as an organisation - your customer care and the way you operate makes a refreshing change in this day and age. I have no hesitation in recommending you to anyone contemplating using your services.
Martin - for always keeping me informed of the situation, telling it like it is, and always doing your level best for the customer.
Skip - for doing the work but also for being happy to discuss the details of what the situation is, and explaining the technical bits clearly to someone like me who knows a bit, but is far from an expert.
Noble Automotive - for making such great cars, and helping to sort this issue out.
And in particular to Giles and Lee:
Giles - for your concern for your customers, and for going out of your way to get to a satisfactory solution. In the light of what is going on with your own situation and the recent announcement, I find it even more remarkable that you managed to sort this issue out so well.
Lee Noble - although I've never met you, thank you for resolving this with Giles, and for getting personally involved. It is very, very much appreciated.
Many thanks to all of you,
Conrad.
great news conrad - pleased to hear you got your Toy back in time for xmas, those 1000 miles will fly by
3 melted pistons by the sounds of it
were they all on the same bank of the engine
did it have the fuel pump upgrade
out of interest, what happened to the old engine ?
3 melted pistons by the sounds of it
were they all on the same bank of the engine did it have the fuel pump upgrade
out of interest, what happened to the old engine ?
Edited by gadgeroonie on Monday 18th December 16:38
[quote=C&C]Summary
=======
I had a major problem which without so much help from the people concerned would in all likelihood have meant me having to sell the car.
I would like to publicly thank:
Noble London as an organisation - your customer care and the way you operate makes a refreshing change in this day and age. I have no hesitation in recommending you to anyone contemplating using your services.
Martin - for always keeping me informed of the situation, telling it like it is, and always doing your level best for the customer.
Skip - for doing the work but also for being happy to discuss the details of what the situation is, and explaining the technical bits clearly to someone like me who knows a bit, but is far from an expert.
Noble Automotive - for making such great cars, and helping to sort this issue out.
And in particular to Giles and Lee:
Giles - for your concern for your customers, and for going out of your way to get to a satisfactory solution. In the light of what is going on with your own situation and the recent announcement, I find it even more remarkable that you managed to sort this issue out so well.[/quote]
Conrad - glad you got your car back; saw it when Skippy had the engine in pieces and it was a clear case of new engine required. Once it's run in and with your new Roush exhaust you'll certainly notice the difference!
Second everything you say about the boys at NL - I was there again today (I really only go in for the tea!) and it's looking hopeful that things will work out OK for them. Should know in the next day or so.
=======
I had a major problem which without so much help from the people concerned would in all likelihood have meant me having to sell the car.
I would like to publicly thank:
Noble London as an organisation - your customer care and the way you operate makes a refreshing change in this day and age. I have no hesitation in recommending you to anyone contemplating using your services.
Martin - for always keeping me informed of the situation, telling it like it is, and always doing your level best for the customer.
Skip - for doing the work but also for being happy to discuss the details of what the situation is, and explaining the technical bits clearly to someone like me who knows a bit, but is far from an expert.
Noble Automotive - for making such great cars, and helping to sort this issue out.
And in particular to Giles and Lee:
Giles - for your concern for your customers, and for going out of your way to get to a satisfactory solution. In the light of what is going on with your own situation and the recent announcement, I find it even more remarkable that you managed to sort this issue out so well.[/quote]
Conrad - glad you got your car back; saw it when Skippy had the engine in pieces and it was a clear case of new engine required. Once it's run in and with your new Roush exhaust you'll certainly notice the difference!
Second everything you say about the boys at NL - I was there again today (I really only go in for the tea!) and it's looking hopeful that things will work out OK for them. Should know in the next day or so.
In the light of recent events, and a period of not so positive threads generally, what a refreshing change. I got my original 3R from Noblelondon and I'm not surprised in the slightest that you received such good customer care, really hope they're up and running again soon.I'll possibly be grabbing an M400 in the very near future and they've allready been my first phone call.
sjc said:
In the light of recent events, and a period of not so positive threads generally, what a refreshing change. I got my original 3R from Noblelondon and I'm not surprised in the slightest that you received such good customer care, really hope they're up and running again soon.I'll possibly be grabbing an M400 in the very near future and they've allready been my first phone call.
Andy - there's a low mileage titanium M400 at NL....
gadgeroonie said:
3 melted pistons by the sounds of it were they all on the same bank of the engine
did it have the fuel pump upgrade
out of interest, what happened to the old engine ?
were they all on the same bank of the engine did it have the fuel pump upgrade
out of interest, what happened to the old engine ?
Not sure if they were all on the same bank. It didn't have the fuel pump upgrade (although it does now).
The old engine went back to the factory, and they replaced it with a new one, so I guess it's at the factory??
sjc said:
In the light of recent events, and a period of not so positive threads generally, what a refreshing change.
Couldn't agree more - it's not all bad news - very happy to be able to help redress the balance a bit.
alex_123_fra said:
Glad you got her back and all is well. Not nice when they're sick
Now all you need is some good weather!
See you about
Now all you need is some good weather!
See you about
Also glad your's is sorted Alex. Hope to see you around soon. Possible future tunnel run perhaps?
robp said:
Second everything you say about the boys at NL - I was there again today (I really only go in for the tea!) and it's looking hopeful that things will work out OK for them. Should know in the next day or so.
I really hope it does work out for them. They deserve it. It's people like them who really add to the experience of owning a Noble. Long may they continue.
Another big thanks to the boys at NL - yesterday, my starter motor packed in completely. AA bump started it and I drove down to NL (fortunately not stalling in the M25 traffic)where NL immediately swapped it for another one, but as the solenoid was mysteriously 10mm longer it was just a little too close to the fuel tank for their liking. So offending bolts were covered as a temp measure and my original will go back for re-conditioning and swapping back at a later date. Now it's 6pm getting colder and foggier, and I head home up the A1. After about 1/2 mile doing 70 mph in middle lane, the engine just dies on me - electrics were fine but the engine simply cut out. By tremendous good fortune the engine cut out right beside a layby and I managed to coast across and into it. Well for those who remember Fawltey Towers, if I'd had a birch twig I'd have made Basil look like a paragon of good nature..
Phoned NL and Skippy came out in the flat-bed truck within 10 mins. Problem was identified as an electric connector down by the battery for the new fuel pump - just worked loose and came apart, so no fuel. Skippy plugged it all back up again and off I went (with no further mishaps fortunately)
So once again, thanks to Skippy , Martin & Phil for such excellent customer service.
Phoned NL and Skippy came out in the flat-bed truck within 10 mins. Problem was identified as an electric connector down by the battery for the new fuel pump - just worked loose and came apart, so no fuel. Skippy plugged it all back up again and off I went (with no further mishaps fortunately)
So once again, thanks to Skippy , Martin & Phil for such excellent customer service.
robp said:
Another big thanks to the boys at NL - yesterday, my starter motor packed in completely. AA bump started it and I drove down to NL (fortunately not stalling in the M25 traffic)where NL immediately swapped it for another one, but as the solenoid was mysteriously 10mm longer it was just a little too close to the fuel tank for their liking. So offending bolts were covered as a temp measure and my original will go back for re-conditioning and swapping back at a later date. Now it's 6pm getting colder and foggier, and I head home up the A1. After about 1/2 mile doing 70 mph in middle lane, the engine just dies on me - electrics were fine but the engine simply cut out. By tremendous good fortune the engine cut out right beside a layby and I managed to coast across and into it. Well for those who remember Fawltey Towers, if I'd had a birch twig I'd have made Basil look like a paragon of good nature..
Phoned NL and Skippy came out in the flat-bed truck within 10 mins. Problem was identified as an electric connector down by the battery for the new fuel pump - just worked loose and came apart, so no fuel. Skippy plugged it all back up again and off I went (with no further mishaps fortunately)
So once again, thanks to Skippy , Martin & Phil for such excellent customer service.
Phoned NL and Skippy came out in the flat-bed truck within 10 mins. Problem was identified as an electric connector down by the battery for the new fuel pump - just worked loose and came apart, so no fuel. Skippy plugged it all back up again and off I went (with no further mishaps fortunately)
So once again, thanks to Skippy , Martin & Phil for such excellent customer service.
Yes, excellent service!
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