Performance...S3 versus V8S.....?

[S3Paulo]

Hello Chaps....those of you that sort of upgraded from the V6 to the V8 s...could you, in a sentence or two sum up the performance difference...i.e. is it significant. My S3 is pretty quick but alas! I keep getting shown a clean pair of heels from the likes of Skoda etc.... Would a V8S be the answer to all my little show downs....

Cheers Chaps.....Paul.

[the gazman]

S3Paulo said:

Hello Chaps....those of you that sort of upgraded from the V6 to the V8 s...could you, in a sentence or two sum up the performance difference...i.e. is it significant. My S3 is pretty quick but alas! I keep getting shown a clean pair of heels from the likes of Skoda etc.... Would a V8S be the answer to all my little show downs.... Cheers Chaps.....Paul.

Whilst the difference between the V6 and V8 is about 50 or 60 BHP, its the torque that really makes the difference but unfortunately loads of hot hatches can show the S's a clean pair of heels.
However if you want to get some power you can either go Cosworth in your S3+ Turbo if you wish, or get a V8s up to 280ish by spending heaps of money but is that the point, surely these are classic cars and if all you want is power, it would be cheaper to get a Prodrive Scoobi-Doo.

[greenv8s]

A standard V8S isn't the fastest TVR around by a long shot, but it is substantially faster in a straight line than a V6 S, other things being equal.

[V8Smith]

From someone that went from an S2 2.9 to a V8S, even in standard form, the V8S feels and is much faster. I too used to struggle with good hot hatches but not since getting the V8? And like Pete says with a little work and tuning you can find performance that will frighten a 5 ltr, go on you know you want to.

All IMHO

Mike

[S3Paulo]

the gazman said:

...but is that the point, surely these are classic cars and if all you want is power, it would be cheaper to get a Prodrive Scoobi-Doo.

I hear what your saying gazman...it's just that sometimes the letters TVR seem to provoke other 'would haves' into tail gating, pushy driving styles....It,s not just young guns in hot hatches either...I had a women in a Clio trying to bulldoze me off the road this morn.... and old lizards in Passats are another culprit...not to mention those born again, caravaning, wanky Skoda drivers in their new VrS's.

Due to various building works around the gaff I will be selling it on soon, but hopefully... I will be back in something a tad faster...

[HarryW]

I think in anything other than a straight line the biggest single difference is the nut behind the wheel . That also holds true for any of the 'bigger' TVR's and tuned up ricers to boot.
As already said its not about absolute power, it's a class(ical) thing. However the ability to able to do it quickly in a classical shaped car has more plus points than negative . More than once after a blat out I have been asked whether I'm sure I only have a 4ltr under the bonnet , me I enjoy those momments . I also happen to really like the S shape, more so than any griff-aera with a bigger lump, if you can have the performance to keep up it helps too, which in an S3 ultimately you would struggle.

Bottom line, if you love the S shape then by all means get the V8S, if you want 5ltr performance (buy mine!!) then spend another £5K and get a grif500 and be done with it. AIMHO etc.....

[V8Smith]

Paulo if I were you I would wait and buy Harrys, its a well sorted car and there probably aint any faster 4ltr Tivs, it will be very close to 5 ltr performance, you will see off a lot more than hot hatches....

Mike

[greenv8s]

Incidentally to respond to one of your other comments, I find that my TVR gets a very positive reaction from other drivers. Sometimes I get people giving me the thumbs up, or asking to me to give it some welly, but if anyone's tried to 'race' me I can't say I've really noticed it.

[shnozz]

V8Smith said:

Paulo if I were you I would wait and buy Harrys, its a well sorted car and there probably aint any faster 4ltr Tivs, it will be very close to 5 ltr performance, you will see off a lot more than hot hatches.... Mike

Harry's car will be a fantastic choice for someone wanting an S with superb performance. Very fast indeed. Talking of which, I want another passenger run before you sell mate.

[S3Paulo]

greenv8s said:

Incidentally to respond to one of your other comments, I find that my TVR gets a very positive reaction from other drivers. Sometimes I get people giving me the thumbs up, or asking to me to give it some welly, but if anyone's tried to 'race' me I can't say I've really noticed it.

Yes...public reaction is usually positive...TBH..my driving experiences are not all fraught with nose to nose drive offs...it's just that they never occur when I'm out and about in the anonymous silver Mundeo.

It always makes me smile, when for instance, I've pulled in to get fuel and amongst the hubbub of the supermarket forecourt I hear the words "...look there's a TVR.." I always feel a bit sheepish when a particularly bold member of the public says out loud
"...great car mate.." I usually smile and reply "err thanks"....

On balance I think there is only one thing worse than being noticed and that's not being noticed...(one of Wildes I believe).

[HarryW]

shnozz said:

V8Smith said: Paulo if I were you I would wait and buy Harrys, its a well sorted car and there probably aint any faster 4ltr Tivs, it will be very close to 5 ltr performance, you will see off a lot more than hot hatches.... Mike Harry's car will be a fantastic choice for someone wanting an S with superb performance. Very fast indeed. Talking of which, I want another passenger run before you sell mate.

will do, realistically we are looking at early March at the earliest before I put it up.