350i....390se......400se or a 450se?????????
Discussion
Hi peeps...Well im in a bit of a dilema....Fortunately im now in a position to acquire my first V8.....
.....
...But which one do i go for???...I have to say im a sucker now for red wedges and the 350i that was posted up looks a really good wedge..I have requested pictures of the engine and have been informed that the chassis is in really good nick...I also have a friendly fellow wedger in that part of the world at the moment who will go and have a look for me...Or do i go for a 400se that i know of that could be for sale or wait for a 390se or 450se to come up...Plus what do i do with delilah..The insurance would be cheaper on the V8 if its a second car and there is no reason why a man shouldnt own two TVRs..Mmmm...I will need another garage too...Or do i sell my beloved un-supercharged but with an unleaded head conversion and then sell the blower...
.....Cheers...Ziga
I think i need my beard back for some serious scratching!!!
........But which one do i go for???...I have to say im a sucker now for red wedges and the 350i that was posted up looks a really good wedge..I have requested pictures of the engine and have been informed that the chassis is in really good nick...I also have a friendly fellow wedger in that part of the world at the moment who will go and have a look for me...Or do i go for a 400se that i know of that could be for sale or wait for a 390se or 450se to come up...Plus what do i do with delilah..The insurance would be cheaper on the V8 if its a second car and there is no reason why a man shouldnt own two TVRs..Mmmm...I will need another garage too...Or do i sell my beloved un-supercharged but with an unleaded head conversion and then sell the blower........Cheers...ZigaI think i need my beard back for some serious scratching!!!
Edited by mrzigazaga on Wednesday 3rd April 12:41
mrzigazaga said:
Hi peeps...Well im in a bit of a dilema....Fortunately im now in a position to acquire my first V8.............But which one do i go for???...I have to say im a sucker now for red wedges and the 350i that was posted up looks a really good wedge..I have requested pictures of the engine and have been informed that the chassis is in really good nick...I also have a friendly fellow wedger in that part of the world at the moment who will go and have a look for me...Or do i go for a 400se that i know of that could be for sale or wait for a 390se or 450se to come up...Plus what do i do with delilah..The insurance would be cheaper on the V8 if its a second car and there is no reason why a man shouldnt own two TVRs..Mmmm...I will need another garage too...Or do i sell my beloved un-supercharged but with an unleaded head conversion and then sell the blower........Cheers...Ziga
More is better,ask any woman abut shoes....okay, just kidding, but keep buying, keep saving Wedges, while you still can and there are still some around. Just a thought. ........But which one do i go for???...I have to say im a sucker now for red wedges and the 350i that was posted up looks a really good wedge..I have requested pictures of the engine and have been informed that the chassis is in really good nick...I also have a friendly fellow wedger in that part of the world at the moment who will go and have a look for me...Or do i go for a 400se that i know of that could be for sale or wait for a 390se or 450se to come up...Plus what do i do with delilah..The insurance would be cheaper on the V8 if its a second car and there is no reason why a man shouldnt own two TVRs..Mmmm...I will need another garage too...Or do i sell my beloved un-supercharged but with an unleaded head conversion and then sell the blower........Cheers...Ziga
mrzigazaga said:
Hi peeps...Well im in a bit of a dilema....Fortunately im now in a position to acquire my first V8.............But which one do i go for???...I have to say im a sucker now for red wedges and the 350i that was posted up looks a really good wedge..I have requested pictures of the engine and have been informed that the chassis is in really good nick...I also have a friendly fellow wedger in that part of the world at the moment who will go and have a look for me...Or do i go for a 400se that i know of that could be for sale or wait for a 390se or 450se to come up...Plus what do i do with delilah..The insurance would be cheaper on the V8 if its a second car and there is no reason why a man shouldnt own two TVRs..Mmmm...I will need another garage too...Or do i sell my beloved un-supercharged but with an unleaded head conversion and then sell the blower........Cheers...Ziga
I think i need my beard back for some serious scratching!!!
Look, as a former wedginista I can confirm that there is no going back from a V8. Delilah, even with her supercharger fitted will just not be the same once you have driven a V8. The raw, visceral, animal snarl of a properly sorted V8 wedge working hard is just irreplaceable. Factor in the practical stuff like the better suspension and brakes of the V8 wedges and you can see that you're gonna end up divorcing Delilah if you go anywhere near the V8 floosies! ........But which one do i go for???...I have to say im a sucker now for red wedges and the 350i that was posted up looks a really good wedge..I have requested pictures of the engine and have been informed that the chassis is in really good nick...I also have a friendly fellow wedger in that part of the world at the moment who will go and have a look for me...Or do i go for a 400se that i know of that could be for sale or wait for a 390se or 450se to come up...Plus what do i do with delilah..The insurance would be cheaper on the V8 if its a second car and there is no reason why a man shouldnt own two TVRs..Mmmm...I will need another garage too...Or do i sell my beloved un-supercharged but with an unleaded head conversion and then sell the blower........Cheers...ZigaI think i need my beard back for some serious scratching!!!
Edited by mrzigazaga on Wednesday 3rd April 12:41
I'd buy my old one back if I could find it! (H902 POG, where are you????)
Mmmm....So it might be the case of..
..."Bye...bye....bye...Delilah"....
..I suppose i will always have fond memories of her..We have been through the good times and the bad..The happy and the sad...And also some dam right frustrating times...But she was my first love and i will always love her..And they say if you love something you must let it go...(Thats never made any sense to me whatsoever)..So it looks like Vicky the V8 hoare might be replacing delilah the delicious.......
..............
..............f
k it...V8 all the way home.....
..."Bye...bye....bye...Delilah"......I suppose i will always have fond memories of her..We have been through the good times and the bad..The happy and the sad...And also some dam right frustrating times...But she was my first love and i will always love her..And they say if you love something you must let it go...(Thats never made any sense to me whatsoever)..So it looks like Vicky the V8 hoare might be replacing delilah the delicious...................................fk it...V8 all the way home.....Hi Mark
Depends on your budget imho. Buy the best condition one you can for the budget you have ... rather have a top condition 350i than a ropey 400se.
Happy to look at the red 350i in Dorchester for you if you like (only 20 mins away), but wouldn't want to waste the sellers time.
Cheers,
Chris
Depends on your budget imho. Buy the best condition one you can for the budget you have ... rather have a top condition 350i than a ropey 400se.
Happy to look at the red 350i in Dorchester for you if you like (only 20 mins away), but wouldn't want to waste the sellers time.
Cheers,
Chris
So Mark, you wanted to know about V8 wedge ownership..... Here's a little something I posted in 2005.....just to whet your appetite so to speak!
............and then there's the bit about making rapid progress across country................
Hard work? yes, but sheer exhileration when you get it right, terror when you get it wrong.
Let me explan: my house to Alfreton goes something like this.....
Turn right out of my drive, proceed gently down the narrow, bumpy road that leads to the main Alfreton road. Its about 1 mile this bit, so its nice to finish off warming the engine up before I play hard...
The wedge gurgles and snuffles, like it is waking up. I can smell the exhaust. It's running rich as it warms up. It makes driving smoothly a bit of a challenge, especially given the bumpy road. I wave at the Chim owner just down the road from me. He ALWAYS grins as I go by. I never hear him pass my house...
Reach the main road. Engine Ts and Ps all good. Road clear. PLAYTIME!!!!!!!!!!!!
Turn right, there's a pub opposite the turn, and it's a sunny evening so people are outside enjoying a quiet drink. Only, it's not quiet any more.
I give it some throttle, The rear squats and moves a foot or so to the left as I make the turn. A dab less steering lock and we're straight again. 2 seconds later and it's time for second gear, the noise is huge, Someone has dropped their beer. 3 seconds later it's doing 60 and pulling very hard. Into third and the exhaust note takes on a menacing, hard edged throb as a 14 year old wedge spots a Toyota Supra ahead. (the last of the twin turbo models, late 1990s vintage) No chance to overtake, so I slow to 60 behind the Jap tin top. I hold fourth gear and the noise bounces off the dry stone wall to my left. He's noticed me, the Toyota driver. His car has some flash rims on and an exhaust that makes the wedges look no bigger than a Nissan Micras. I can't hear it though.
Through Tansley, I can read his mind. He's waiting for the NSL zone that starts on the hill after the village. He keeps glancing in the mirror. Doing 45mph now, I select third and wait.
He goes, so do I. Wedge tail squats, noise rises. Redline! Fourth, pulling very hard now. He's not getting away, not by a long chalk. In fact the wedge is staying with him very easily. There's a right hander coming up. Its open, good sight line, up hill. I take the appropriate line exiting in third gear. Toyota man has slowed a bit too much and is struggling to get momentum on the exit. I keep it tight and blast past him, riding a humungous tidal wave of noise. Into 4th and the engine is on cam again immediatley. I hold the throttle down as I crest the rise. The car goes light for a second, but then I am going very fast now. The Toyota is 200meters back. He's working hard. I come up on some traffic. There's a blind bend ahead so I slow down. I know there's a nice down and up double S bend ahead followed by a short downhill straight and a 90degree right. Toyota man is back on my arse. I wait for the clear spot and blat past the traffic before braking hard for the double S. Toyota man is all over me now. I think he has more grip maybe? Short straight to the 90 right which I take in second. Got to be careful here, easy to get it sideways on the exit. The engine is popping and snorting on the over run. Toyota very close on the exit, hit throttle hard, to 6000 rpm in second, snatch third but not before the wedge emits a mighty pop from the exhaust. I smile to myself cos I know that Toyota man has just had his front bumper flame kissed! Except he hasn't cos the wedge has already opened up a good 50 meters on him.
Nice flat open section of bends next. Right, left right left, hold the throttle down through the last two. In third at 5000rpm you get understeer on the last turn in.
Slow for Wessington. School here, so no faster than 25mph, even at night, cos you never know when kids will be playing. Toyota man blasts past me doing about 60 in the 30 limit. He's waving as if he thinks he's won some huge victory!
Pah! we'll see about that once we can get to safer roads again.
Leave the village after a nasty downhill left hander. Short straight to another 90 right. Going very hard now. The tail goes light as I brake for the right hander. I get back on the power and the wedge rockets though the corner in a wonderful power drift. I have got it wrong there before and nearly ended up in the hedge, this time though it's perfect.
Accelerate hard, towards the next left hander that opens into another perfect set of S bends to a railway bridge.
I can see Toyota man ahead, quarter mile distant.
I power through the bends, straight lining most of them (vision is good) braking only for the last right hander before the bridge and the steep climb beyond.
Back on the throttle, 5000rpm and the noise is fantastic. Wedge is alive, I swear, under the bridge in a blur of air pressure and echoes. Closing on Toyota. The V8 is giving everything now as it propels me up the hill. Exhaust note is hard, menacing.
I'm back on his tail now.
Stop at the T junction. Engine Ts and Ps all good
He goes right. I go right. Lots of opposite lock to keep things straight as we accelerate, but he's going nowhere, and he knows it. Traffic Lights I turn left, he goes straight, but stops as I turn past his rear. I slow to hear him point at the wedge and yell "Thats F***in awesome, what is it? "
I watch his blinged jap car drive away. He won't ever suffer from water leaks, mouldy carpets, sticky light pods or rumbly diffs. But neither will he forget the day a blue, wedge-shaped mystery car blew away his P&J.
Thats V8 wedge ownership.
............and then there's the bit about making rapid progress across country................
Hard work? yes, but sheer exhileration when you get it right, terror when you get it wrong.
Let me explan: my house to Alfreton goes something like this.....
Turn right out of my drive, proceed gently down the narrow, bumpy road that leads to the main Alfreton road. Its about 1 mile this bit, so its nice to finish off warming the engine up before I play hard...
The wedge gurgles and snuffles, like it is waking up. I can smell the exhaust. It's running rich as it warms up. It makes driving smoothly a bit of a challenge, especially given the bumpy road. I wave at the Chim owner just down the road from me. He ALWAYS grins as I go by. I never hear him pass my house...
Reach the main road. Engine Ts and Ps all good. Road clear. PLAYTIME!!!!!!!!!!!!
Turn right, there's a pub opposite the turn, and it's a sunny evening so people are outside enjoying a quiet drink. Only, it's not quiet any more.
I give it some throttle, The rear squats and moves a foot or so to the left as I make the turn. A dab less steering lock and we're straight again. 2 seconds later and it's time for second gear, the noise is huge, Someone has dropped their beer. 3 seconds later it's doing 60 and pulling very hard. Into third and the exhaust note takes on a menacing, hard edged throb as a 14 year old wedge spots a Toyota Supra ahead. (the last of the twin turbo models, late 1990s vintage) No chance to overtake, so I slow to 60 behind the Jap tin top. I hold fourth gear and the noise bounces off the dry stone wall to my left. He's noticed me, the Toyota driver. His car has some flash rims on and an exhaust that makes the wedges look no bigger than a Nissan Micras. I can't hear it though.
Through Tansley, I can read his mind. He's waiting for the NSL zone that starts on the hill after the village. He keeps glancing in the mirror. Doing 45mph now, I select third and wait.
He goes, so do I. Wedge tail squats, noise rises. Redline! Fourth, pulling very hard now. He's not getting away, not by a long chalk. In fact the wedge is staying with him very easily. There's a right hander coming up. Its open, good sight line, up hill. I take the appropriate line exiting in third gear. Toyota man has slowed a bit too much and is struggling to get momentum on the exit. I keep it tight and blast past him, riding a humungous tidal wave of noise. Into 4th and the engine is on cam again immediatley. I hold the throttle down as I crest the rise. The car goes light for a second, but then I am going very fast now. The Toyota is 200meters back. He's working hard. I come up on some traffic. There's a blind bend ahead so I slow down. I know there's a nice down and up double S bend ahead followed by a short downhill straight and a 90degree right. Toyota man is back on my arse. I wait for the clear spot and blat past the traffic before braking hard for the double S. Toyota man is all over me now. I think he has more grip maybe? Short straight to the 90 right which I take in second. Got to be careful here, easy to get it sideways on the exit. The engine is popping and snorting on the over run. Toyota very close on the exit, hit throttle hard, to 6000 rpm in second, snatch third but not before the wedge emits a mighty pop from the exhaust. I smile to myself cos I know that Toyota man has just had his front bumper flame kissed! Except he hasn't cos the wedge has already opened up a good 50 meters on him.
Nice flat open section of bends next. Right, left right left, hold the throttle down through the last two. In third at 5000rpm you get understeer on the last turn in.
Slow for Wessington. School here, so no faster than 25mph, even at night, cos you never know when kids will be playing. Toyota man blasts past me doing about 60 in the 30 limit. He's waving as if he thinks he's won some huge victory!
Pah! we'll see about that once we can get to safer roads again.
Leave the village after a nasty downhill left hander. Short straight to another 90 right. Going very hard now. The tail goes light as I brake for the right hander. I get back on the power and the wedge rockets though the corner in a wonderful power drift. I have got it wrong there before and nearly ended up in the hedge, this time though it's perfect.
Accelerate hard, towards the next left hander that opens into another perfect set of S bends to a railway bridge.
I can see Toyota man ahead, quarter mile distant.
I power through the bends, straight lining most of them (vision is good) braking only for the last right hander before the bridge and the steep climb beyond.
Back on the throttle, 5000rpm and the noise is fantastic. Wedge is alive, I swear, under the bridge in a blur of air pressure and echoes. Closing on Toyota. The V8 is giving everything now as it propels me up the hill. Exhaust note is hard, menacing.
I'm back on his tail now.
Stop at the T junction. Engine Ts and Ps all good
He goes right. I go right. Lots of opposite lock to keep things straight as we accelerate, but he's going nowhere, and he knows it. Traffic Lights I turn left, he goes straight, but stops as I turn past his rear. I slow to hear him point at the wedge and yell "Thats F***in awesome, what is it? "
I watch his blinged jap car drive away. He won't ever suffer from water leaks, mouldy carpets, sticky light pods or rumbly diffs. But neither will he forget the day a blue, wedge-shaped mystery car blew away his P&J.
Thats V8 wedge ownership.
Edited by andymadmak on Wednesday 3rd April 15:06
Zig. First of all let me congratulate you for being in a position to buy a V8. It is a very pleasant position to be in. I have had a few V8 Wedges now so I speak from my own personal experience. I won't go into what to look out for, as I know you are well clued up on these cars. What I will say though, is spend as much money as you can afford and buy original. This is for your own personal use, and you are somewhat of a Wedge connoisseur. You need something you can be proud of. Good luck with your search and I will keep my ear to the ground. All the best.
Tony. TCB.
Tony. TCB.
Wow..Andymadmak..It feels like i have just watched a car chase in a film...Amazing story..Do you write books by any chance?.....
I loved wedges before but love em now even more..
My interpretation of my new perception of the dark side of wedges..
The V6 demon was a nifty little cook...But main course is brewing..Theres a cheque in the book!
The first course was served, Consumed in its entirety..Procured from lust by a once proud society..
"Smell that cooking..Thats devil's blood mate"...Said the chef through the hatch as he passed out the plate..
The main course was served..My stomach was churning...I could smell the fuel form the heart of the burning...
Just one taste as i emptied the plate....I looked at the chef who was the devil..He just smiled and said outloud...."V8"
I loved wedges before but love em now even more..
My interpretation of my new perception of the dark side of wedges..
The V6 demon was a nifty little cook...But main course is brewing..Theres a cheque in the book!
The first course was served, Consumed in its entirety..Procured from lust by a once proud society..
"Smell that cooking..Thats devil's blood mate"...Said the chef through the hatch as he passed out the plate..
The main course was served..My stomach was churning...I could smell the fuel form the heart of the burning...
Just one taste as i emptied the plate....I looked at the chef who was the devil..He just smiled and said outloud...."V8"
Edited by mrzigazaga on Wednesday 3rd April 14:51
Mark, you know Delilah has been a great car and has it's up's and down's with you and you love her [you will not forget her] sell her and go for a good 390SE... 400SE.. that you have ALWAYS wanted, that way you will keep your lovely new V8 Diva for ages without ever worrying about changing her again.
You can get great 350i out there as well but knowing you, you would fancy the 390/400 with its extra power.
From a V8 Beast.
You can get great 350i out there as well but knowing you, you would fancy the 390/400 with its extra power.
From a V8 Beast.
V8, Mark - The sound of Paradise
I wish I had a £1 for everyone who has complemented the sound of my car
and then I would feel like I had just had an inheritance!!!!
Last year I was out with 6 or 7 more modern TVRs parking up in front of York Minster
when a guy came out of the crowd gathering and over to me and said
"I like those other cars to look at, but yours sounded the best by far"
Made my day
Once you get it - make sure you get a decent exhaust fitted
Good luck with the hunt
Rich
I wish I had a £1 for everyone who has complemented the sound of my car
and then I would feel like I had just had an inheritance!!!!
Last year I was out with 6 or 7 more modern TVRs parking up in front of York Minster
when a guy came out of the crowd gathering and over to me and said
"I like those other cars to look at, but yours sounded the best by far"
Made my day
Once you get it - make sure you get a decent exhaust fitted
Good luck with the hunt
Rich
Ok now here is another twist...I dont have to get rid of Delilah in order to buy a V8...All i would need is another garage..When i was getting insurance quotes for a V8 a little while back they were bordering on the edge of stupid but with it being the second car it would be peanuts in comparison..So is there anything wrong with my first car being my first TVR?..Supercharged V6 on one side of the dice and V8 on the other, I can then also have a sticker in both saying "My other car is a TVR"...
.....Ziga
.....Zigamrzigazaga said:
Ok now here is another twist...I dont have to get rid of Delilah in order to buy a V8...All i would need is another garage..When i was getting insurance quotes for a V8 a little while back they were bordering on the edge of stupid but with it being the second car it would be peanuts in comparison..So is there anything wrong with my first car being my first TVR?..Supercharged V6 on one side of the dice and V8 on the other, I can then also have a sticker in both saying "My other car is a TVR"........Ziga
Legend. .....Ziga
pwd95 said:
mrzigazaga said:
Ok now here is another twist...I dont have to get rid of Delilah in order to buy a V8...All i would need is another garage..When i was getting insurance quotes for a V8 a little while back they were bordering on the edge of stupid but with it being the second car it would be peanuts in comparison..So is there anything wrong with my first car being my first TVR?..Supercharged V6 on one side of the dice and V8 on the other, I can then also have a sticker in both saying "My other car is a TVR"........Ziga
Legend. .....Ziga so just you then Wyn, join us, you know you wanna.chj said:
Hi Mark
Depends on your budget imho. Buy the best condition one you can for the budget you have ... rather have a top condition 350i than a ropey 400se.
Happy to look at the red 350i in Dorchester for you if you like (only 20 mins away), but wouldn't want to waste the sellers time.
Cheers,
Chris
Hi chris..That would be cool..I will talk to the guy a bit later and see what is occurring..I initially want a 400+ but the more i look at this car the more im falling in love..He is sending me some more pics..Engine mainly...So i will go from there and will let you know..Thanks..Zigatwowedges...Depends on your budget imho. Buy the best condition one you can for the budget you have ... rather have a top condition 350i than a ropey 400se.
Happy to look at the red 350i in Dorchester for you if you like (only 20 mins away), but wouldn't want to waste the sellers time.
Cheers,
Chris
Mark its good to hear that the rumble of a V8 is in your mind.Having had a 280i (in a capri) now my 350i and having driven a 400 its a 400 for me.i love the 350i but keep thinking of the extra power the 400 has and its an itch i would like to scratch, but going from the 280 to 350 was a big leap so if you can find a good 350 it may be good enough.
Great news Zig glad that you are at last in a position to buy a V8. For my tuppeny worth id like to say
1. Buy the best you can afford - as said by chj a top 350 will be better in the long run than a ropey 400
2. Dont rush it - act in haste repent at leisure. take your time look a few different cars and try to get as close as you can to your ideal spec as possible.
Easier said than done i know once you hear that V8 rumble. It might be a good idea to take a mate along to viewings to act as the voice of reason
GOOD HUNTING !
1. Buy the best you can afford - as said by chj a top 350 will be better in the long run than a ropey 400
2. Dont rush it - act in haste repent at leisure. take your time look a few different cars and try to get as close as you can to your ideal spec as possible.
Easier said than done i know once you hear that V8 rumble. It might be a good idea to take a mate along to viewings to act as the voice of reason
GOOD HUNTING !
Gassing Station | Wedges | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff