Off to view a V8S

[The Big G]

I have been a serial lurker on Pistonheads and this sub forum for a couple of years, and am now in the position to take the dive into S series ownership.

I am wishing to go and view a couple of cars over the next week or so and was hoping someone on here may have come into contact with them and may know a bit about their past.

The cars are




http://pistonheads.com/sales/2054481.htm

and a S3



http://pistonheads.com/sales/2196161.htm

I would also really appreciate any tips on what to look for along with the tvrsseries.com buyers guide. I really don't want to be having to complete a body lift to repair its chassis in the next year or two so rust is definitely No 1!

I do think the V8 will be the car for me, over the S3 because I will always be thinking I could have gone bigger, any thought on this theory??

Looking forward to getting to know you all and thanks for the help in advance too.



Gordon

[tinks v8S]

looks nice and at that price ,would not matter if out riggers had gone

WELCOME

[Longers]

Welcome to the forum Gordon

I'm loving the V8S in black! I wonder if Mrs L would notice if I swapped it for my black S2...? Who am I kidding, of course she would

Good luck with the search.

[Barkychoc]

The V8 can suffer from a few more engine issues than the V6.

Namely - camshaft wear (circa 60 - 70k miles usually)
Slipped liners (fairly unusual but can happen)
Head Gaskets can also be a weak point.

But if you will think that you'll always wish you went for a V8 then go for it.

The noise is amazing

A crucial factor is if you can work a spanner or not / fancy doing a bit of work yourself.
If you're a cheque book warrior then buy the very best even if it means paying a premium - it will work out cheaper in the long run, thats coming from someone who went the other route

[TurboTony]

I have an S3 which is probably a faster car than I am a driver.... particularly given the busy state of the roads nowadays. The V6 sound is fantastic - slightly lighter and more exotic IMHO than the V8. This should start a debate!!!!!!!!!!!! They both look the same and your friends will not know any different. I looked for a car in the right condition and colour. I would have bought a V8 if one had been right for me but do not regret having the 2.9.

Cheers
Tony

[DJ8226]

Hi Gordon - take a small trolley jack an inspection mirror and a torch and get under your prospective buy and thoroughly investigate the outriggers, the trailing arms and the big tubes they are fastened to along with the seat belt mounts and tub supports plus the fuel tank and its cradle. If possible get the back wheels off you will be able to see so much more. I own a S3 2.9 V6 so can't comment on V8 reliability but Ford engine is proven and is adequate although V8 will be slightly quicker and sound better, again its debate able! If in doubt let the guys on here know whereabouts you are and ask for them to pop down and provide a second opinion if you decide to commit. Lots of nice fettled cars about but also some dogs. Use you head and don't start it up until you've checked out eveything else. Once happy with the chassis and other bits, start it up and get it up to temp whilst its stood still (it will take a while in this weather) once hot check the cooling fan kicks in, and the water system is not spitting or leaking water anywhere, if all is well it should heat up and cool down with no loss of water. Swirl pot also needs to be in good order as to replace can be costly. Finally test drive and check it stops as it should in a stright line and the handbrake works. 3-4 clicks to hold the car. Also check for other fluid leaks beneath plus exhaust should be in good order. If its really rusty car may have been stood a while not a reason to walk away but a new exhaust is £300 so maybe a negotiating point. You will know when you find the right car. Buckets of history and a big fat portfolio of pics and fully documented history could also tell you a lot. Good luck - buyers guide on S series web page is also very good. I had that tucked under my arm and it gave me a good idea what to look for.

Here is mine...

well happy with it. Had it a YEAR today and have no regrets whatsoever! Let us know how you get on.

Edited by DJ8226 on Friday 19th November 21:55

[Barkychoc]

TurboTony said:

The V6 sound is fantastic - slightly lighter and more exotic IMHO than the V8. This should start a debate!!!!!!!!!!!! They both look the same and your friends will not know any different. I looked for a car in the right condition and colour. I would have bought a V8 if one had been right for me but do not regret having the 2.9.

Cheers
Tony

I don't disagree with anything you say - I was looking for a V6 and came across the V8S locally via the forums. I have always secretly hankered after a V8 of some description and now
The V6 really does make a good noise too.

[Oldred_V8S]

That V8S looks the business especially in black.

[The Big G]

Thanks for all the warm welcome and the good info.

I was hoping to have been able to view the black V8 today but the owner hasn't been answering his phone

Barkychock - what a lot of work you've done with yours, I don't think I'm quite up to that level of spanner wielding yet, but am willing to learn. I'll try anything, then get a mechanic in if I get stuck/bugger it! Hoping it'll be a good car to learn on too... Also think the V8's more something for me than anyone else, I may be regretting not buying one if I dont. But have to wait and find the right car first!

DJ8226 said:

Lots of good stuff

I like your thinking, seems like a good way to work through the viewing, off to buy an inspection mirror now.

Thanks again for your help and I'll keep you all updated on the search. It may take all winter though but there is no rush, just got to find the S for me

[350Wedge]

The Big G said:

Thanks for all the warm welcome and the good info.

I was hoping to have been able to view the black V8 today but the owner hasn't been answering his phone

Barkychock - what a lot of work you've done with yours, I don't think I'm quite up to that level of spanner wielding yet, but am willing to learn. I'll try anything, then get a mechanic in if I get stuck/bugger it! Hoping it'll be a good car to learn on too... Also think the V8's more something for me than anyone else, I may be regretting not buying one if I dont. But have to wait and find the right car first!

DJ8226 said:

Lots of good stuff

I like your thinking, seems like a good way to work through the viewing, off to buy an inspection mirror now.

Thanks again for your help and I'll keep you all updated on the search. It may take all winter though but there is no rush, just got to find the S for me

I know Rob who owns the black one. I'm pretty sure he's away this weekend hence no answer on the phone. I doubt you'll get him until next week tbh. I had been considering that car myself and its well worth the money.... The only reason I'm not going for it is because I now have a deposit paid on a big bad wedge that I'm picking up in a few weeks

[The Big G]

Thats a pretty good excuse, I'll try again later when he's back. He has my number anyway if he wishes to give me a call.

350Wedge - Do you know much about the cars past? If so would you PM me please.

Thanks again everyone.

G

[pies]

http://www.pistonheads.com/members/showServiceHist...

[The Big G]

Its been a busy few months recently and I thought I should update you all on the process on my search for an S. I went to view the black V8S at the top and it met all expectations. I agreed a price but it took a while to get it inspected at austec due to the snow. This didn't find anything new apart from a couple of niggles and I purchased it just before Christmas!!!!

Unfortunately I have been really busy with work recently so haven't had much time to enjoy it except for a great hoon on Christmas to get to know it properly.

Unfortunately I have also managed to rip a huge gash in the silencer and bend its mounting points on the chassis. All's well with that now though as a nice new stainless system has been fitted to it now. A real improvement visually on the old rusty mild steel tailpipes too! Just a winter now to spend underneath her with some POR15 as the powder coat is beginning to peal away and some surface rust is beginning to set in. At least its all solid for the moment and I'll hopefully have caught it in time.

Hopefully I'll not be asking too many questions as on how best to go about certain jobs as lots of the answers are one here already!

Am at the moment I'm wanting to be free to make it to the Sunday of SCH2011 (if work plays ball!) and get to meet some of you and see some lovely cars too.

Gordon

[G20RG B]

Well done Gordon, Welcome to TVR ownership.

[DJ8226]

Well Done Gordon - Glad you've found your own P&J. Roll on he warmer weather.

[bigV8]

where did you get the V8S exhaust from if you don't mind me asking ?

[The Big G]

I bought this one from tvrcarparts.com.

I was lucky as I got it for that price too (it didnt sell in the auction and I found it too late) along with a couple of other bits required too. They made it for a different customer but apparently he couldn't get it to fit so he returned it. Turned out that he had a V6 but had thought it was a V8 for the last 3 years!! The part seems good quality but I couldn't get it to fit myself too so took it to Austec Racing and they bent it to the required shape for my chassis. I was contemplating a custom stainless system but this seemed easier in the end and keeps the car closer to standard. And its something else to polish! Now to get lots of other parts re-chromed too as it really shows them up. Then there is the peeling lacquer on the paint work, inop electric mirrors. The list goes on and on, guess it'll keep me busy for a while .

On that subject, does anyone know what the two black relays are above the steering column under the dash are for as mine keep on falling out (I'll be embarrassed if they're the for the mirrors!)