Chimaera motorway driving
Discussion
Hi guys, first post on Pistonheads!
Need some advice from people who own Chimaeras...
I've always wanted one. I've been saving my pennies and I'm within 2 months of being able to start looking!
However for the next 18 months I'm going to be commuting 150-200 miles two days a week. I enjoy long journeys, and so far have been driving a little '14 plate 1.2 Polo, which is surprisingly comfy on the motorway.
My question is what a Chimaera will be like on this drive. I know it will cost more, and there are potentially reliability issues, but I'm interested in how comfortable and driveable they are on 200 mile journeys to and from work. Will I get home every night deaf and exhausted?
Steve
Need some advice from people who own Chimaeras...
I've always wanted one. I've been saving my pennies and I'm within 2 months of being able to start looking!
However for the next 18 months I'm going to be commuting 150-200 miles two days a week. I enjoy long journeys, and so far have been driving a little '14 plate 1.2 Polo, which is surprisingly comfy on the motorway.
My question is what a Chimaera will be like on this drive. I know it will cost more, and there are potentially reliability issues, but I'm interested in how comfortable and driveable they are on 200 mile journeys to and from work. Will I get home every night deaf and exhausted?
Steve
I've driven mine for 600 miles in a day quite a few times now, & over 300 miles in a day literally hundreds of times.
I've also completed many continental trips where the car has taken myself, my wife and all our luggage down to Italy & the South of France covering 3,000 plus miles over a two week period.
Trips to Le Mans are an annual event for me, they feel like a run to the corner shop these days.
The petrol tank range is anything from 260 - 310 miles depending on how you drive it, on a motorway at a steady 80mph you can perfectly safely do 280 mile stints between fill ups.
Economy again will very much depend on how you drive it, bank on an average of 23mpg and a best figure of 28mpg on the motorway. Spank it however and you can easily fall into the mid to high teens (15 - 18mpg).
The Chimaera was designed as the GT brother to the Griffith; comfort is excellent, luggage space huge for a car of this type, and the relaxed nature of the V8 engine completes the perfect recipe for touring and long trips.
That's not to say the car is soft, like all TVRs it has an aggressive edge, it's just the Chimaera disguises it well on a long run.
I dont think you'll be disappointed
I've also completed many continental trips where the car has taken myself, my wife and all our luggage down to Italy & the South of France covering 3,000 plus miles over a two week period.
Trips to Le Mans are an annual event for me, they feel like a run to the corner shop these days.
The petrol tank range is anything from 260 - 310 miles depending on how you drive it, on a motorway at a steady 80mph you can perfectly safely do 280 mile stints between fill ups.
Economy again will very much depend on how you drive it, bank on an average of 23mpg and a best figure of 28mpg on the motorway. Spank it however and you can easily fall into the mid to high teens (15 - 18mpg).
The Chimaera was designed as the GT brother to the Griffith; comfort is excellent, luggage space huge for a car of this type, and the relaxed nature of the V8 engine completes the perfect recipe for touring and long trips.
That's not to say the car is soft, like all TVRs it has an aggressive edge, it's just the Chimaera disguises it well on a long run.
I dont think you'll be disappointed
He's right....but noise is all a matter of personal taste.
I did 80 miles home from its service in mine yesterday, part A road single carriageway in heavy traffic, part A1 dual carriageway. I enjoyed the overtaking opportunities, and the chance to let some flames out when i saw a Caterham on a trailer (will I EVER grow up??). But the constant drone on the motorway and the inability to listen to any talk radio over the noise was a bit of a drag compared to my normal whisper quiet Audi A8.
Mechanically it will be fine, personally I would find the noise, and the lack of anywhere to put your left foot, irritating.
I see you are in Hertfordshire - does that 100 miles include the M25 car park? Chimaeras have a fairly heavy clutch.
Buy some ear muffs!
I did 80 miles home from its service in mine yesterday, part A road single carriageway in heavy traffic, part A1 dual carriageway. I enjoyed the overtaking opportunities, and the chance to let some flames out when i saw a Caterham on a trailer (will I EVER grow up??). But the constant drone on the motorway and the inability to listen to any talk radio over the noise was a bit of a drag compared to my normal whisper quiet Audi A8.
Mechanically it will be fine, personally I would find the noise, and the lack of anywhere to put your left foot, irritating.
I see you are in Hertfordshire - does that 100 miles include the M25 car park? Chimaeras have a fairly heavy clutch.
Buy some ear muffs!
I had my 450 for 2 years and 32500 miles - a lot of which was Essex to Northants motorway driving.
There will be days when it does your head in. You'll have a headache, feel like s
t and a noisy car in crap weather is the icing on the cake. It's crap.
Other days, you'll love it (costs aside!.
The only thing I found is that being low down you can't see far ahead in traffic queues, and larger vehicles look over you.
Glad I did it, but I wouldn't do it again.
There will be days when it does your head in. You'll have a headache, feel like s
t and a noisy car in crap weather is the icing on the cake. It's crap.Other days, you'll love it (costs aside!.
The only thing I found is that being low down you can't see far ahead in traffic queues, and larger vehicles look over you.
Glad I did it, but I wouldn't do it again.
I love everything about the car but the noise on long motorway runs does become tiresome, maybe some quality sound deadening would help.
When all the small issues have been sorted such as the immobiliser and start solenoid circuit then reliability should not be an issue, i would only advise buying one if you can do most of the maintenance and repairs yourself or know someone reliable that can help, labour times can be quite long!
When all the small issues have been sorted such as the immobiliser and start solenoid circuit then reliability should not be an issue, i would only advise buying one if you can do most of the maintenance and repairs yourself or know someone reliable that can help, labour times can be quite long!
It isn't the ideal daily commute motorway car thats for sure. As QBee said, noise is a personal thing. I can stomach motorway journeys in the Chim, but they're not what it is designed for IMO. This is the job for the family hatch back.
I find you have to become a lot more aware of your surroundings in the Chim on the motorway, especially in the SE where the motorways are full of foreign HGV drivers. You're not as visible to them for starters and would fit nicely between the fifth wheel and first axle of the trailer should they pull out at the last minute on top of you. Secondly, most of them couldn't give a sh*t about you as they're usually more interested in watching a DVD or using their laptop whilst driving.
Noise is one thing, but the steering on the Chim isn't lazy like a standard saloon, so it is easy to wonder lanes for a very brief moments break in concentration. Of course, add to this the drone of the exhaust on very unscenic rmotorway outes...
A long journey wouldn't bother me, but if it was all motorway, then the Chim wouldn't be my first choice. Some motorway, with lots of quick A and B roads... Well that is a different matter.
I find you have to become a lot more aware of your surroundings in the Chim on the motorway, especially in the SE where the motorways are full of foreign HGV drivers. You're not as visible to them for starters and would fit nicely between the fifth wheel and first axle of the trailer should they pull out at the last minute on top of you. Secondly, most of them couldn't give a sh*t about you as they're usually more interested in watching a DVD or using their laptop whilst driving.
Noise is one thing, but the steering on the Chim isn't lazy like a standard saloon, so it is easy to wonder lanes for a very brief moments break in concentration. Of course, add to this the drone of the exhaust on very unscenic rmotorway outes...
A long journey wouldn't bother me, but if it was all motorway, then the Chim wouldn't be my first choice. Some motorway, with lots of quick A and B roads... Well that is a different matter.
Amazed at the replies, thanks guys!
The drive is M25-M40, so the description of 'car park' is pretty accurate... I suppose I'll be getting a good left leg workout every week!
Based on your replies I'm sure it'll be a pleasure. It's only 2 days a week anyway, so even if it's not, it'll be worth it for the other 5 days.
The drive is M25-M40, so the description of 'car park' is pretty accurate... I suppose I'll be getting a good left leg workout every week!
Based on your replies I'm sure it'll be a pleasure. It's only 2 days a week anyway, so even if it's not, it'll be worth it for the other 5 days.
Am I the only one wuo doesn't find the noise a problem? I have a sleeved exhaust and the cabin noise is little different to the previously standard system. With the roof on 
and the windows up the wind noise is negligible and very good for a car of this type. Conversation is is easily acceptable at most speeds.
We were on the M3 at the weekend as part of a 120 mile journey and my wife (who likes the Tiv but doesn't like rough travel and loud noises) commented on how cosy it was in our little cocoon! Praise indeed.
My biggest gripe on long journeys is the quality of our roads - and I've softened the Nitrons, accordingly. Chimaera suspension can never be described as soft so some of our potholes and manhole covers become very tiresome when bouncing down the Queen's highway. Indeed, if you follow a covoy of TVRs you will frequently see them weaving down the road to avoid various road bumps. I guess you shouldn't too many of these on motorways.
Go ahead and do it. You won't regret it!
and the windows up the wind noise is negligible and very good for a car of this type. Conversation is is easily acceptable at most speeds.We were on the M3 at the weekend as part of a 120 mile journey and my wife (who likes the Tiv but doesn't like rough travel and loud noises) commented on how cosy it was in our little cocoon! Praise indeed.
My biggest gripe on long journeys is the quality of our roads - and I've softened the Nitrons, accordingly. Chimaera suspension can never be described as soft so some of our potholes and manhole covers become very tiresome when bouncing down the Queen's highway. Indeed, if you follow a covoy of TVRs you will frequently see them weaving down the road to avoid various road bumps. I guess you shouldn't too many of these on motorways.
Go ahead and do it. You won't regret it!
Stevesc said:
Amazed at the replies, thanks guys!
The drive is M25-M40, so the description of 'car park' is pretty accurate... I suppose I'll be getting a good left leg workout every week!
Based on your replies I'm sure it'll be a pleasure. It's only 2 days a week anyway, so even if it's not, it'll be worth it for the other 5 days.
Buy a Chimaera - they are the best performance car pound for pound that you can buy and will never fail to put a smile on your face. Every journey is special.The drive is M25-M40, so the description of 'car park' is pretty accurate... I suppose I'll be getting a good left leg workout every week!
Based on your replies I'm sure it'll be a pleasure. It's only 2 days a week anyway, so even if it's not, it'll be worth it for the other 5 days.
But keep in mind the wonderful availability of quality sheds, and be prepared to buy one for those nasty 100 mile commutes around the NCP that is the M25 north west quarter.
I have been a in a few of those jams where you are on and off the clutch every 10 seconds. Pure hell in a Chim with a heavy clutch.
In your position I would be spending the £900 on a decent shed with good crash protection and an auto gearbox for the commuting. I bought this last Sunday for £895, admittedly for my wife, as I have an A8 for my weekly 270 mile commute on the A1/M11. Leather, climate control, wonderful Saab seats, auto gearbox, 2.3 Turbo, 170 bhp and well over-engineered to be safe in a crash.
pb450 said:
Am I the only one wuo doesn't find the noise a problem? <snip>
My biggest gripe on long journeys is the quality of our roads - and I've softened the Nitrons, accordingly. Chimaera suspension can never be described as soft so some of our potholes and manhole covers become very tiresome when bouncing down the Queen's highway. Indeed, if you follow a covoy of TVRs you will frequently see them weaving down the road to avoid various road bumps. I guess you shouldn't too many of these on motorways.
Go ahead and do it. You won't regret it!
No I don't find the noise a problem either and mines been the daily for 8 years and frequently do 200 - 300 mile trips and agreeMy biggest gripe on long journeys is the quality of our roads - and I've softened the Nitrons, accordingly. Chimaera suspension can never be described as soft so some of our potholes and manhole covers become very tiresome when bouncing down the Queen's highway. Indeed, if you follow a covoy of TVRs you will frequently see them weaving down the road to avoid various road bumps. I guess you shouldn't too many of these on motorways.
Go ahead and do it. You won't regret it!
the biggest issue is teh poor road surfaces and potholes.
Yes it can be a bit tiresome in a queue but that's a small price to pay imo.
I miss my A6 3.0TDI Quattro for the commutes. There is a lovely 550i on 'The Bay' at the moment...
QBee, pop over and see Simon at E-Maps (http://www.e-maps.co.uk). Nice chap. Put a remap on my Audi and it went like the wind, a completely different car. He has a very good reputation on the BMW Land forums.
QBee, pop over and see Simon at E-Maps (http://www.e-maps.co.uk). Nice chap. Put a remap on my Audi and it went like the wind, a completely different car. He has a very good reputation on the BMW Land forums.
Edited by Chuffmeister on Wednesday 4th March 13:43
The noise / drone issue is very much dependent on whether catalytic converters are still in place, whether silencers have been modified and which engine you choose. I have a fully decatted 450, supercharged but standard silencers and love it, my wife (who is fairly sensitive to noise) has no complaints even at steady motorway cruising speeds. I regularly do 60-70 mile commutes in mine in the summer and thoroughly enjoy it. Only reason I don't use it more for work is that I'm in the Quarrying, Recycling and Landfill Industry and my Discovery is generally a lot more practical for that environment!!!
pb450 said:
Am I the only one who doesn't find the noise a problem?
No, you're not alone mate I appreciate it isn't a super quiet modern saloon but I'll happily drive my Chimaera for hundreds of miles a day, and regularly do just that.
I often have the radio on or listen to music, I just turn it up a bit when I'm on the motorway and back down when the speeds fall.
I have a standard exhaust but no pre-cats and an ACT de-cat Y piece, so I guess it's a bit noisier than when it left Blackpool in 1996 but honestly I have no issue with excessive noise or droning.
I appreciate it's a subjective thing but I can only assume modern cars have made people soft, I grew up doing big miles on motorcycles so my Chimaera is Rolls Royce refined to me.
600 miles in one day - no problem whatsoever, I think a lot of the noise complaining contributors on this post are either going soft or they're running a fully sleeved exhausts?
Dave.
Just got out of mine having done Guildford to Southend. Undulating surfaces are less than super comfy with my Gas shocks. No pre or main cats mean the drone is a bit loud uphill, the wind noise is the most tiring but I think that is not worse than in an mx5.
I could've taken a 320d but I'm happier in the Trevor. Especially in the Dartford tunnel.
I could've taken a 320d but I'm happier in the Trevor. Especially in the Dartford tunnel.
OK, I am an old fart who begs to differ, and I know it's sunny today....but do none of you remember the way a Chim handles in wind and heavy rain, with heavy spray off the trucks for the superb Chim wipers to deal with, with rivers running across the road, like you get around junctions 17/18/19 of the M25?
Then there's fog, with the Chim's wonderful lights (not), snow and ice on the motorway (not that anyone on this thread has ever come to Grief in snow on a motorway?). Night time in heavy rain on the M25 in a Chim is really special. And the Chim crash protection is second tonone quite a lot.....no side impact protection, nothing solid between the back bumper and the fuel tank.
You are planning on doing those 200 miles twice a week, 48 weeks of the year = 19,200 commuting miles a year. Not a good choice, IMHO.
Buy the Chim - it's the best decision I made by far (as the Mrs isn't reading this) - but have a different choice of car for those foul days on the motorways that we get six months of the year.
ETA - QBee will now dismount from his high horse.
Then there's fog, with the Chim's wonderful lights (not), snow and ice on the motorway (not that anyone on this thread has ever come to Grief in snow on a motorway?). Night time in heavy rain on the M25 in a Chim is really special. And the Chim crash protection is second to
You are planning on doing those 200 miles twice a week, 48 weeks of the year = 19,200 commuting miles a year. Not a good choice, IMHO.
Buy the Chim - it's the best decision I made by far (as the Mrs isn't reading this) - but have a different choice of car for those foul days on the motorways that we get six months of the year.
ETA - QBee will now dismount from his high horse.
Edited by QBee on Wednesday 4th March 14:41
ChimpOnGas said:
pb450 said:
Am I the only one who doesn't find the noise a problem?
No, you're not alone mate I appreciate it isn't a super quiet modern saloon but I'll happily drive my Chimaera for hundreds of miles a day, and regularly do just that.
I often have the radio on or listen to music, I just turn it up a bit when I'm on the motorway and back down when the speeds fall.
I have a standard exhaust but no pre-cats and an ACT de-cat Y piece, so I guess it's a bit noisier than when it left Blackpool in 1996 but honestly I have no issue with excessive noise or droning.
I appreciate it's a subjective thing but I can only assume modern cars have made people soft, I grew up doing big miles on motorcycles so my Chimaera is Rolls Royce refined to me.
600 miles in one day - no problem whatsoever, I think a lot of the noise complaining contributors on this post are either going soft or they're running a fully sleeved exhausts?
Dave.
Totally agree. I also think silent modern cars make folk think there's something wrong with their agricultural '50s origin RV8 when it clicks, clonks and whirrs as well
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