S1 or S2

[Kieron75]

Is there a thread that says what the real world experience differences are between the S1 and S2 models? I'm just after a nice driver rather than a racer so is there some key points to know. I'm after a nicely sorted car and a couple of opportunities are out there with an attractive S1 having floated to the top.

[TvrJohn]

S1 the prototype, yes i had one
S2 door size increased for ease of access egress, + further developments, yes i had a 2.9

currently have my third V8S its a keeper, need i say more ?

[glenrobbo]

TvrJohn said:

S1 the prototype, yes i had one
S2 door size increased for ease of access egress, + further developments, yes i had a 2.9

currently have my third V8S its a keeper, need i say more ?

The above info is a little bit wrong, the S2 saw the change to the 2.9 engine & improved anti-squat rear trailing arm geometry. It was the S3 that had the longer doors & conventional dash. The S3 /S3C would be the sensible choice, but I prefer the swoopy dash, the raw sound & the pure pleasure of my early S1.

To be honest, you won't be disappointed with any model of the S Series

[Deeman]

I'm with Glen on this - I had an S2 and it had small doors. Being 6ft 5, it was a bit of an issue getting in and out of it. S3 S4 and V8s all have longer doors, and its so much easier for the tall amongst us (and there seem to be a lot) Any S is great fun, especially for the purpose you intend. Plenty of acceleration and grunt to not be a disappointment - but the trouble is, most always end up wanting more, once they've had a taste. Hence why I went from an S2 to V8S. V6 V V8 are very different experiences in my view. The V6 is thrashy and eager with pops and bangs and can mix it with the V8. The V8 is a more refined ride with chassis enhancements, loads of torque on tap. The best analogy is its like a jack russell with loads of energy as a V6 or a Rottweiler who isn't quite as zappy, but has power of the V8 - that power doesn't necessarily mean it leagues ahead in performance or experience.

[phillpot]

Apart from the door issue my concern with an S1 would be the 2.8 engine.

I'll probably be shot down in flames here but pro-rata for the small number of 2.8's as against 2.9's there seen to be perhaps an equal number of posts about poor running/misfire etc?

A good one is no doubt a good one but I get the impression from posts I've read on here that problems can be tricky to sort, maybe partly because there is far less experience of that engine on here, because of the low numbers?


Just my two'penneth

[HvdWeerden]

phillpot said:

Apart from the door issue my concern with an S1 would be the 2.8 engine.

+1

2.8 is older mechanical K-Jetronic , 2.9 is LH-Jetronic (trouble free ;-)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jetronic

[glenrobbo]

Maybe I've been lucky*, I've had no real problems, but there is plenty of expertise among the Capri 2.8 Injection fraternity, and if I do get problems I can't solve myself, the very expert Ric Wood is just down the road. ( But you do have to pay quite a lot for his expertise. )

The biggest downside to the 2.8 is the rather limited amount of tuning you can do, because the 'siamese' exhaust ports restrict the breathing somewhat.
But if you're not intending to go racing it, just enjoy that fantastic sound & the huge grin factor!


The short door is not a real hardship even for a 6 foot old git like me, and once you're in the seat, there's loads of room to enjoy the perfect driving position.

• Coincidence or not, but Gladys Knight just started singing " The best thing that ever happened to me" on the radio.

"I guess you could say I've been lucky" to have my S1 and to have met such nice people as a result through this forum.

Edited by glenrobbo on Tuesday 9th September 12:38

[Kitchski]

Real world differences between S1 and S2? Not much IMO! They look different with the wheels and graphics standing out on the S1 (unless you get an S1.5 like mine) and the 2.9 engine over the 2.8 is the big change.
On the dyno, (in my experience) there's a good 20bhp difference between the 2.8 and 2.9 (book figures mean nothing on these engines), so if you're stat geek or a drag-strip addict you'd probably want the 2.9.
All that said, the 2.8 is equally as good (probably slightly more fun in fact as it enjoys revving more) just thrashing around the countryside. The noise from an S1 is unique, whereas the S2/3/4 do sound the same. They all sound nice of course, but the 2.8 gives you pops and bangs galore as the injection system is woefully inefficient! But in a car like the S, I don't mind it dumping buckets of fuel into the exhausts on the overrun too much

As far as the injection systems go, the K-Jet (mechanical) is actually more simple to understand and diagnose, in my opinion. The difference is that it needs to be on the ball, and running well to get the best from it. The 2.9 can be in average health and still drive ok, but if the 2.8 has a fuel valve gum up or something, you know about it. Consequently the 2.8 gets a rep for being troublesome, but in reality it isn't.

The door thing between the S1/2 and S3/4 is worth noting though. Really makes a difference, and I'm only short!

I work around TVRs daily, and speaking as an S1 owner I don't lust after an S2. I'd just advise buying on condition, and more importantly paintwork/chassis condition. They're the two big expenses to put right and the value of these cars doesn't always justify it, so worry less about the spec and more about the actual car. Walk away from anything with a Hammerite-painted chassis!

V8S on the other hand.........

[Kieron75]

Oooohhhh, you had me at "pops and bangs". Thanks for the kind responses gents.

[glenrobbo]

Kieron75 said:

Oooohhhh, you had me at "pops and bangs". Thanks for the kind responses gents.

That's what ahm talkin' about!

It's a nice sunny evening so it's time to get the roof down & head off popping & banging into the wilds of Cheshire for our monthly meet at the Antrobus Arms.

[Mr Clifford]

For the record, im 6 feet 3 and have an S2

No problems with the doors for me at all.

Please don't make this a reason not to buy an S

[Kieron75]

I'm a mere 6' 2.5", but i had no problems with my Mini 1275GT in my formative years, so i'm not bothered about doors or dimensions. I was curious to hear (unprompted) opinions on the motors and their foibles so i think i'm good now. Whatever car i fall for ultimately has to come across to me here in the US so has to be 25+ on import which really only makes the S1 and S2 models available at the moment. I liked the suggestion of the S1's pops and bangs because that is what i remembered fondly of a gaudy yellow Cerbera i saw menacingly rolling around Surrey Quays in South London around 97/98.

[Deeman]

Mr Clifford said:

For the record, im 6 feet 3 and have an S2

No problems with the doors for me at all.

Please don't make this a reason not to buy an S

I'm not saying I couldn't get in - it was just harder for me than with the longer doored cars. Personally they are all great, but given the choice........

[Longers]

Kitchski said:

I'd just advise buying on condition, and more importantly paintwork/chassis condition. They're the two big expenses to put right and the value of these cars doesn't always justify it, so worry less about the spec and more about the actual car.

which means you shouldn't exclude the S3 from your search either.

[Mr Clifford]

Deeman said:

I'm not saying I couldn't get in - it was just harder for me than with the longer doored cars. Personally they are all great, but given the choice........

I know, I know

For me its about buying the best you can find from any of the models.
Once you buy one you`ll love it anyway, whatever model !

[phillpot]

Kieron75 said:

Whatever car i fall for ultimately has to come across to me here in the US so has to be 25+ on import which really only makes the S1 and S2 models available at the moment.

Hadn't realised you're Stateside so yes, the 25 year thing does limit your choice a little. My S3 is a very early one, registered 01/08/90 as a 290S. It has the "straight" dashboard but they were obviously hadn't got around to re-printing the owners handbooks because that shows the "swoopy" curved dash.
Maybe hang on a year and get the "Best of a fine bunch"

Good luck finding the right car for you!

[Kieron75]

Other than the doors, what is it that really sets the S3 apart from the others? I saw that elsewhere that enthusiasts typically extol the S3 as the choice model of the series.

[phillpot]

S3 onwards were available with the driving lamps moulded into the valance (looks much better ) and perhaps it's the more "traditional" dash design that people like, and did we mention longer doors?



Going back to S1's, they had wind up windows, not the "end of the World" but just another difference, although if you're looking at a right hand drive car in a country that drive on the wrong side of the road leccy windows can be useful at toll booths and drive throughs etc.

[Deeman]

Build quality is reported to improve through to the later models too....(god knows what that means for the earliest cars then!)

[Blue 30]

Hi...

I have an early S3290 so cant comment on S1 or S2 models. But in reply to the 'dissing' & the poor tunability of the 2.8 engine.......... Do so at your peril !
Especially the constant reference to those Siamese exhaust ports being a restriction.... Rubbish !
As that will only come into play if you're attempting to extract well over 220bhp.
The 2.8 IS tunable & eminently so ! Two things to prioritise, the first being cost as you wont get 'ouwt for nowt'. Second is finding/using a proven reputable tuning expert on the Cologne unit. (not one that just says they are). I have (in a non TVR classic) a 2.8 (originally a Granny carb 2.8 engine) now totally remanufacturered to 3.0 in EFI format. And rolling road proven (by Emerald's Dave Walker) at just over 200bhp, turned down to 190ish for drivability & economy. So if a 2.8 is done right, it will be right...
And dont forget tuning isnt just for engines, as one should improve the 'stop' pedal as well as the 'go' pedal. Then there's the drive-line..... Etc etc.

Edited by Blue 30 on Tuesday 9th September 22:51