New S3 owner first post
Discussion
Hello Everyone.
Having recently acquired an S3 I'm looking forward to an enjoyable exchange of knowledge on here with fellow S owners,especially over the dark winter months.
Happy to say I'm retired,which sadly means,inevitably,that I'm an old git.
My TVR ownership is now entering it's third phase.
The first was way back in the '70's when I owned a 2500M.
The second was a mid-life crisis sort of thing when I owned Cerbera 4.5 and a Tuscan 4.0 in quick sucession before I realised that I needed to go to something rather cheaper to run unless I wanted a retirement in poverty.
I'm hoping an S answers my needs now because firstly they offer superb value for money and secondly they are relatively uncomplicated so I will enjoy a lot of jobs that I can do myself.
I decided to get an excellent example rather than a tired one,my reasoning being that I lacked the energy for a total rebuild and,in any case,any 25 year old car would always have enough issues crop up naturally.
The car may well be known on here.I bought it privately from a nice guy called Steve who lives in Halifax who spent last winter fettling various things,enjoyed it over the summer and then has moved on to a Chim for his project this winter.
It was already a good example having had a body off chassis renovation at a TVR dealer a few years ago.
Being used only to modern cars recently three things struck me on the drive home.
1.Noise levels were high...which is fine,mostly a nice exhaust note of course.
2.Brakes needed a good shove...perhaps some room for improvement here?
3.Steering was light and positive in a straight line but weighted up considerably on roundabouts.Got home and tyre pressures were only 20psi so stuck them up to 28(more than recommended,I know).Not driven the car again yet so I'll see what this does.
Anyway, no more to say yet,thanks for reading.
Hope to talk again.
John.
Having recently acquired an S3 I'm looking forward to an enjoyable exchange of knowledge on here with fellow S owners,especially over the dark winter months.
Happy to say I'm retired,which sadly means,inevitably,that I'm an old git.
My TVR ownership is now entering it's third phase.
The first was way back in the '70's when I owned a 2500M.
The second was a mid-life crisis sort of thing when I owned Cerbera 4.5 and a Tuscan 4.0 in quick sucession before I realised that I needed to go to something rather cheaper to run unless I wanted a retirement in poverty.
I'm hoping an S answers my needs now because firstly they offer superb value for money and secondly they are relatively uncomplicated so I will enjoy a lot of jobs that I can do myself.
I decided to get an excellent example rather than a tired one,my reasoning being that I lacked the energy for a total rebuild and,in any case,any 25 year old car would always have enough issues crop up naturally.
The car may well be known on here.I bought it privately from a nice guy called Steve who lives in Halifax who spent last winter fettling various things,enjoyed it over the summer and then has moved on to a Chim for his project this winter.
It was already a good example having had a body off chassis renovation at a TVR dealer a few years ago.
Being used only to modern cars recently three things struck me on the drive home.
1.Noise levels were high...which is fine,mostly a nice exhaust note of course.
2.Brakes needed a good shove...perhaps some room for improvement here?
3.Steering was light and positive in a straight line but weighted up considerably on roundabouts.Got home and tyre pressures were only 20psi so stuck them up to 28(more than recommended,I know).Not driven the car again yet so I'll see what this does.
Anyway, no more to say yet,thanks for reading.
Hope to talk again.
John.
Steering UJs (there are 2) and bulkhead bearing/bushing take a pounding from road spray so can deteriorate quickly. I went through on middle UJ in 2-months (2,000ish miles).
Although the plastic central bush in the bulkhead bearing can fall out and just need tapping back in place.
Steve Heath's Bible is worth the money along with a Haynes manual for the Sierra / Granada (I have both Haynes as the engine info differs between the two despite the engine being the same).
24 psi for 15-inch tyres is a pretty good baseline. Steerings never going to be light but the geo being out makes a big difference.
Welcome to the fold, loads of social meets around the country. Check out the S-Club Tour as well. This years was excellent fun, loads of nice people, a few strange ones and good driving.
I bought a Tamora then decided to buy an S to 'practice'. Best decision I've made (from a car point of view). They're both brilliant fun and make every drive an occasion.
Although the plastic central bush in the bulkhead bearing can fall out and just need tapping back in place.
Steve Heath's Bible is worth the money along with a Haynes manual for the Sierra / Granada (I have both Haynes as the engine info differs between the two despite the engine being the same).
24 psi for 15-inch tyres is a pretty good baseline. Steerings never going to be light but the geo being out makes a big difference.
Welcome to the fold, loads of social meets around the country. Check out the S-Club Tour as well. This years was excellent fun, loads of nice people, a few strange ones and good driving.
I bought a Tamora then decided to buy an S to 'practice'. Best decision I've made (from a car point of view). They're both brilliant fun and make every drive an occasion.
Welcome to the team...you will not regret it.
Don't worry about the noise, an S is the TVR designed to be driven without the roof so you won't notice it.
Brakes work well if in good nick, although some on here have changed to braided hoses and others (Steve) have upgraded to dinner plates for discs...but may not be necessary for you...yet
As an "old git" in Derbyshire you can expect a visit from Glen shortly to initiate you into the high Peek group if you are not with them all ready...just don't let him use the sink plunger...
Don't worry about the noise, an S is the TVR designed to be driven without the roof so you won't notice it.
Brakes work well if in good nick, although some on here have changed to braided hoses and others (Steve) have upgraded to dinner plates for discs...but may not be necessary for you...yet
As an "old git" in Derbyshire you can expect a visit from Glen shortly to initiate you into the high Peek group if you are not with them all ready...just don't let him use the sink plunger...
Hello & welcome John, from another old git 
You have made an excellent choice in purchasing your S, I know of no other car that gives more pleasure per £.
And this is without doubt the friendliest, most helpful forum on PH.
As mentioned, quite a lot of S Club gatherings throughout the year as well.
I don't know whereabouts in Derbyshire you are located, but it would be good to see you at our next High Peak meet ( in Hayfield ) if you can make it. See TVR Events & Meetings on this Forum. We lead a nomadic life, using a different venue each month to derive the most from our beautiful playground of the Peak District National Park. It seems to be a popular formula. This month we'll be planning for next year's events & meets, all are welcome, so come along & give us your input.
Regarding tyre pressures, I'm running 24 psi front & rear, I don't find the steering too heavy, except at parking speeds. You'll soon get used to it.
Enjoy your S3, hope to see you around.
P.S. Don't worry about the sink plunger, it's only for special occasions
mk1fan said:
This years was excellent fun, loads of nice people, a few strange ones and good driving.
We need names glenrobbo said:
Don't worry about the sink plunger, it's only for special occasions
Like initiating new owners 
Excellent choice of car, had mine around six years now and never seen anything I'd rather have..... although if I did happen to win the Lottery
Plenty of threads on brake upgrades.
I've gone for 278mm discs up front with 887 888 calipers, braided hoses, rear disc conversion (with 250mm discs) and DOT 5.1 fluid. As part of my repair project I'll be fitting a Ford Ka servo and master cylinder (abs type) to replace the rotting Saab install.
However the standard set up had served me well on a couple of trackdays.
Mike, if you didn't meet anyone strange...............
I've gone for 278mm discs up front with 887 888 calipers, braided hoses, rear disc conversion (with 250mm discs) and DOT 5.1 fluid. As part of my repair project I'll be fitting a Ford Ka servo and master cylinder (abs type) to replace the rotting Saab install.
However the standard set up had served me well on a couple of trackdays.
Mike, if you didn't meet anyone strange...............
Hi and welcome - a frienier bunch you will not meet.
Echo all the above and I also found the brakes not to my liking so up upgraded to bigger discs (not dinner plates size) with braided hoses and found them much better. I'm also a Derbyshire lad heading back there soon (chesterfield) so maybe meet up some time.
Enjoy and have fun.
Max
Echo all the above and I also found the brakes not to my liking so up upgraded to bigger discs (not dinner plates size) with braided hoses and found them much better. I'm also a Derbyshire lad heading back there soon (chesterfield) so maybe meet up some time.
Enjoy and have fun.
Max
. TurboTony said:
Welcome
My S also came from someone called Steve in Halifax in 2010.
Some photos would be nice when you can so that we can all admire your new acquisition.
We are all completely normal on here so you have no worries.
Cheers
Tony
I'm sorry? Since When did we start doing "normal"? Now you've got me worried Tony.My S also came from someone called Steve in Halifax in 2010.
Some photos would be nice when you can so that we can all admire your new acquisition.
We are all completely normal on here so you have no worries.
Cheers
Tony
What IS normal, anyway?
I know what reality is: It's an illusion caused by lack of PH. ( or beer )
Thanks for all your replies.
Went out for a short drive yesterday and learnt another thing about the car...when you put petrol in don't squeeze the trigger too hard or you will get wet shoes
Car drove well with no issues and the steering was more manageable with the higher pressures,I'll probably settle on 26 psi.
Delighted with how clean the car is underneath so don't really want to take it out in the wet and the salt...will SORN it from December I think.
Roll on next Spring!!!
Went out for a short drive yesterday and learnt another thing about the car...when you put petrol in don't squeeze the trigger too hard or you will get wet shoes
Car drove well with no issues and the steering was more manageable with the higher pressures,I'll probably settle on 26 psi.
Delighted with how clean the car is underneath so don't really want to take it out in the wet and the salt...will SORN it from December I think.
Roll on next Spring!!!
XK140 said:
..2.Brakes needed a good shove...perhaps some room for improvement here?
Check your servo; press the bottom (around the 6 o'clock position) if it flexes than that's your problem - probably. If your thumb goes through then that's your problem - definitely.Welcome to the best forum on PH and to the wonderful world of 'S' ownership
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