She's back

Author
Discussion

goodlife

Original Poster:

1,852 posts

260 months

Saturday 29th November 2003
quotequote all
After a self-induced break of 6 weeks, the 3R keys are back in hand later this morning.

Feels just like it did on the first day of ownership again... just sooo excited.


joust

14,622 posts

260 months

Saturday 29th November 2003
quotequote all
Excellent news - I've had mine back for 2 weeks now and it just been so much fun.

Remember though it's wet out there. Take care of it please this time!

J

s3am

1,383 posts

253 months

Saturday 29th November 2003
quotequote all
Great news, enjoy!

Sam

STEVEJT

77 posts

272 months

Saturday 29th November 2003
quotequote all
I also had the pleasure of retrieving my car from the factory after having to wait 4 weeks. But oh joy of joy the boys at Noble have done it again and the improvements made are immediately noticeable.
New steering rack, brakes, rear brake valve fitted, improved brake pedal layout, new ECU, new cooling fans (sounds like a hovercraft when operating), modified suspension (something to do with improved toe in angle I think!!!). In addition I purchased the detachable headrests (which will please my wife), fitted a start button (do remember my car was the 2nd off the production line!) and had the lower section of the front clamshell resprayed following two years of stones being thrown at the car.
The result is the car looks new again and the ride seems to be smoother whilst the handling appears to be more intuitive. I will need to spend a bit more time on more challenging roads to confirm my early impressions but certainly on the twisty bits of roads I am familiar with my confidence in the corners was higher than before. However what is immediately noticeable are the brakes. They have changed from being strong to absolute stonking and the pedal layout is ideal for my size 11 plates.
My only concern is the new ECU which I think has had a slight numbing effect on the performance (mine had the 345hp upgrade about 18 months ago). The plus side is a smoother tickover and better starting when hot. I will chat to Lee about this and maybe get the car back on the rolling road to check it out.
I would like to give a big thanks to everyone at Noble for the warm welcome and for their genuine customer care shown to even us long-termers (I purchased my M12 GTO in July 2001).
On a final note whilst driving home from the factory thinking life could not get any better, some oik threw a coke can out of the window of a car in front of me and my eyes popped out as this bouncing bomb headed straight for my new paintwork! Fortunatley the can was on a downward descent when my car got to it and the front splitter must have pushed it aside so no damage done. However, my heart did miss a couple of beats at the time.

dazren

22,612 posts

262 months

Saturday 29th November 2003
quotequote all
Excellent news, but behave yourself as it's wet out there.

DAZ

goodlife

Original Poster:

1,852 posts

260 months

Saturday 29th November 2003
quotequote all
Back in one piece

Thanks for the 'take care' messages. Lesson learnt!

First time driven in really HEAVY downpour on the M25/M4 and the rear spray is mighty impressive - a lot like an F1 car with a single central plume of water stooting high into the sky.

Only one wheelspin so far

bradders

886 posts

272 months

Saturday 29th November 2003
quotequote all
Hi Danny,

Glad you're back on the road. Had a cracking wheel spin this morning myself. Couldn't stop laughing - my mate nearly wet himself!!

Cheers, Mark

goodlife

Original Poster:

1,852 posts

260 months

Saturday 29th November 2003
quotequote all
Thanks Mark,

Mine was most deliberate. Not been out for such a long time and needed that shove-in-the-back buzz.

Waited for a quiet straight (very wet) bit of road, 3nd gear, low speed, bury the throttle and 4000rpm arrives with a waaayyyyhhaaaayyyy as the rears light up .

Got to be done. Why do Noble's make you behave like such a big kid??!!

stuh

2,557 posts

274 months

Sunday 30th November 2003
quotequote all
SteveJT

You mentioned a new steering ? Don't suppose it gives any more lock ?

ibroker

658 posts

259 months

Monday 1st December 2003
quotequote all
Danny

Its because you are a big kid..

goodlife

Original Poster:

1,852 posts

260 months

Monday 1st December 2003
quotequote all
Thanks Andy. That explains it


sidekick

266 posts

252 months

Monday 1st December 2003
quotequote all
Glad to hear she's back Danny, just remember "roundabout" - the clue is in the name! No more fancy ashtray manufacturing!
Martin.

STEVEJT

77 posts

272 months

Tuesday 2nd December 2003
quotequote all
Stuh
The reason for the new steering rack was the original always felt 'gritty'. Afraid the turning circle is the same as before.

ashp

222 posts

259 months

Wednesday 10th December 2003
quotequote all
Steve,

How many miles have you covered in your Noble (there's no history entered) ?

Ash

SteveJT

77 posts

272 months

Wednesday 10th December 2003
quotequote all
My car has done about 13k miles. Still on original tyres (due to be replaced soon) and brake pads. Admittedly I haven't been on the track yet but that is still pretty good for a car like this.

stuh

2,557 posts

274 months

Wednesday 10th December 2003
quotequote all
Cheers SteveJT

13k on original tyres! You obviously need to go sideways more often

Don't make the mistake i made however. I kept putting off replacing the rears until the rear left blew out on a back road. As a consequence i had to pay over the odds for my SO3's at a local garage. They did a very good and swift job however...............