BOO HISS TVR, REALITY OF SPEED 6 ENGINES BLOWING UP
Discussion
MY STORY:
How TVR, and my main Dealer, have absolutley no interest at all in looking after TVR customers when things go very wrong. The ONLY people who have helped fight my loosing battle have been DOM @ TVR POWER.
I have a T350 Red Rose 2005 model, serviced only by TVR Main Dealers from new and alway done on the monthly intervals not mileage as its very low.
Engine run in from new as per main dealers advice.
12000 mile report from my main dealer in JULY 2007 (at 8000 miles!)
Completed/In progress:
12000 mile service and tappet adjustment: £965
Investigated misfire. Appears to have faulty plug in no.6 cylinder - fault gone when plugs changed: No Additional charge (part of service) Also spark plug cover very poorly sealed and evidence of water ingress under plug cover. Cleaned up and resealed - No Additional charge (part of service)
Checked for coolant leaks. Several hoses leaking as clips loose. Tightened & re-tested - no evidence of leaks now
Drilled new mount hole for rear hatch trim & refitted: £10
Further repairs required:
Clutch starting to drag and evidence of slight fluid leak from clutch slave cylinder area. Will require gearbox off/bellhousing out to confirm. Replace clutch: £1075 / replace slave cylinder complete (with clutch repair): £389 / replace clutch slave cylinder seals only: £284 (with clutch repair) Unfortunately, we won't know the extent of the required repairs until we remove the gearbox etc.
N/s headlight perspex badly misted up as lens loose. Remove & reseal cover: £205 (nb: lens may break when trying to remove. Additional £64 if new lens required) Also, hole drilled in bottom of light aperture. Can either be silicon sealed (FOC once lens off) or body repaired: £125 with lens off
ECU coolant temperature sender & terminals corroded. Replace sensor & terminals: £61
Dash coolant temperature sender faulty (ref fault code:128). Replace sensor: £69
Alternator fusible link not standard (has had temporary repair carried out) Replace with correct fuse: £25
Fuel leak from throttle bodies. Remove throttles, reseal & refit: £197
Rear exhaust mounts failed. Replace exhaust mounts: £46 (with clutch repair as exhaust off)
Exhaust come loose from catalytic converters. Refit: FOC (with clutch repairs as exhaust off)
Catalytic converter heatshield welds cracked. Remove cats & repair: £142 (pair) Also check condition of cats following misfire and advise...
N/s engine mount failed & engine dropped and o/s starting to split. Replace both engine mounts: £220 (n/s) / £103 (o/s)
Heavy oil leak from oil pressure sender. Replace sender: £145
Handbrake cable rubbing on front-to-rear brake pipe (potential MOT failure) Re-position & sleeve cable/pipes: £35
O/s/r upper wishbone bush worn/moved. Rebush wishbone: £121 (recommend both sides done at same time to maintain balance but not essential)
Anderson socket (jump start socket) corroded & +ve terminal pushed back & cover missing. Recommend new: £161
Play in n/s/f droplink (top rubber split) Replace droplink: £75
Rear brake pads breaking up & pitted. Replace brake pads: £100
Front brake pads starting to pit. Replace brake pads: £108
Oil leak from oil tank gasket. Replace gasket: £49
Windows operation slow & no guide rubbers fitted in roof line. Also inner tape coming adrift. Fit rubbers & replace inner tape: £94 (both sides) Also both doors not popping open well. May be possible to re-align slightly to improve: £47-71/door (this may also reduce the windnoise around the o/s door)
Additional Notes:
Rear diffuser damaged by exhaust. Bodyshop repair - awaiting quote
Front no.plate starting to come adrift (non-standard fitment)
Slight buckle to inside of o/s/f wheel rim
Both n/s & o/s/f wheels kerbed
Lower oil pipe chafed on undertray due to failed engine mount on n/s
Some swarf found on both engine oil drain plugs. Most camshaft lobes & associated cam followers marked/scored. May suffer from engine problems in future but ok at present. Recommend re-checked again next service
THIS IS A CAR THAT HAS DONE 8K AND 2 YEARS OLD!! less than 1000 miles after having most, if not all of this done as per main dealers notes, the engine blew up and i have been advised i need a complete new engine.
My main dealer was not intersted. TVR not interested. Dom at TVR power has really been the only help to try and get some good will out of TVR, who to date, decline to respond.
I would love to hear anyone elses story..
How TVR, and my main Dealer, have absolutley no interest at all in looking after TVR customers when things go very wrong. The ONLY people who have helped fight my loosing battle have been DOM @ TVR POWER.
I have a T350 Red Rose 2005 model, serviced only by TVR Main Dealers from new and alway done on the monthly intervals not mileage as its very low.
Engine run in from new as per main dealers advice.
12000 mile report from my main dealer in JULY 2007 (at 8000 miles!)
Completed/In progress:
12000 mile service and tappet adjustment: £965
Investigated misfire. Appears to have faulty plug in no.6 cylinder - fault gone when plugs changed: No Additional charge (part of service) Also spark plug cover very poorly sealed and evidence of water ingress under plug cover. Cleaned up and resealed - No Additional charge (part of service)
Checked for coolant leaks. Several hoses leaking as clips loose. Tightened & re-tested - no evidence of leaks now
Drilled new mount hole for rear hatch trim & refitted: £10
Further repairs required:
Clutch starting to drag and evidence of slight fluid leak from clutch slave cylinder area. Will require gearbox off/bellhousing out to confirm. Replace clutch: £1075 / replace slave cylinder complete (with clutch repair): £389 / replace clutch slave cylinder seals only: £284 (with clutch repair) Unfortunately, we won't know the extent of the required repairs until we remove the gearbox etc.
N/s headlight perspex badly misted up as lens loose. Remove & reseal cover: £205 (nb: lens may break when trying to remove. Additional £64 if new lens required) Also, hole drilled in bottom of light aperture. Can either be silicon sealed (FOC once lens off) or body repaired: £125 with lens off
ECU coolant temperature sender & terminals corroded. Replace sensor & terminals: £61
Dash coolant temperature sender faulty (ref fault code:128). Replace sensor: £69
Alternator fusible link not standard (has had temporary repair carried out) Replace with correct fuse: £25
Fuel leak from throttle bodies. Remove throttles, reseal & refit: £197
Rear exhaust mounts failed. Replace exhaust mounts: £46 (with clutch repair as exhaust off)
Exhaust come loose from catalytic converters. Refit: FOC (with clutch repairs as exhaust off)
Catalytic converter heatshield welds cracked. Remove cats & repair: £142 (pair) Also check condition of cats following misfire and advise...
N/s engine mount failed & engine dropped and o/s starting to split. Replace both engine mounts: £220 (n/s) / £103 (o/s)
Heavy oil leak from oil pressure sender. Replace sender: £145
Handbrake cable rubbing on front-to-rear brake pipe (potential MOT failure) Re-position & sleeve cable/pipes: £35
O/s/r upper wishbone bush worn/moved. Rebush wishbone: £121 (recommend both sides done at same time to maintain balance but not essential)
Anderson socket (jump start socket) corroded & +ve terminal pushed back & cover missing. Recommend new: £161
Play in n/s/f droplink (top rubber split) Replace droplink: £75
Rear brake pads breaking up & pitted. Replace brake pads: £100
Front brake pads starting to pit. Replace brake pads: £108
Oil leak from oil tank gasket. Replace gasket: £49
Windows operation slow & no guide rubbers fitted in roof line. Also inner tape coming adrift. Fit rubbers & replace inner tape: £94 (both sides) Also both doors not popping open well. May be possible to re-align slightly to improve: £47-71/door (this may also reduce the windnoise around the o/s door)
Additional Notes:
Rear diffuser damaged by exhaust. Bodyshop repair - awaiting quote
Front no.plate starting to come adrift (non-standard fitment)
Slight buckle to inside of o/s/f wheel rim
Both n/s & o/s/f wheels kerbed
Lower oil pipe chafed on undertray due to failed engine mount on n/s
Some swarf found on both engine oil drain plugs. Most camshaft lobes & associated cam followers marked/scored. May suffer from engine problems in future but ok at present. Recommend re-checked again next service
THIS IS A CAR THAT HAS DONE 8K AND 2 YEARS OLD!! less than 1000 miles after having most, if not all of this done as per main dealers notes, the engine blew up and i have been advised i need a complete new engine.
My main dealer was not intersted. TVR not interested. Dom at TVR power has really been the only help to try and get some good will out of TVR, who to date, decline to respond.
I would love to hear anyone elses story..
A depressing story, but why are you surprised that TVR are not interested?
There are NO main dealers, as there are new no cars to sell.
TVR has alienated and turned it's back on it's potential costomer base.
Failed to honour any warrenties post re-sale of TVR, that I am aware of.
Unfortunatly that is the way it is.
Tim
There are NO main dealers, as there are new no cars to sell.
TVR has alienated and turned it's back on it's potential costomer base.
Failed to honour any warrenties post re-sale of TVR, that I am aware of.
Unfortunatly that is the way it is.
Tim
I was beginning to regret selling the Tamora, but now....
adam_thain said:
A rather sorry tale...
Adam, The problem with posts like this are that they have an horrendous impact on the value of your car. Given that you clearly aim to get rid of the car you have just told the whole world how awful it is... you're a brave man and I wish you good luck selling it!!!On the other hand, I reckon that these kinds of tales are not so unusual but they don't see the light of day for exactly this reason.
What did you expect - its a TVR!
ETA - maybe a bit harsh as I think there awesome, I have been round the factory a couple of times and they do entice you but I've never bought one because of the running costs and I live not far from the old factory.
ETA - maybe a bit harsh as I think there awesome, I have been round the factory a couple of times and they do entice you but I've never bought one because of the running costs and I live not far from the old factory.
Edited by ian in lancs on Sunday 10th February 15:36
Some swarf found on both engine oil drain plugs. Most camshaft lobes & associated cam followers marked/scored. May suffer from engine problems in future but ok at present. Recommend re-checked again next service
And you are now surprised it went pop? Why wasn't an investigation done at this point? Swarf or bits of metal in the oil are always a sign of impending doom. I would be asking why they didn't suggest something when the initial symptoms were found.
I would also ask why you carried on driving knowing bits of metal were being shaved off inside the block somewhere?
And you are now surprised it went pop? Why wasn't an investigation done at this point? Swarf or bits of metal in the oil are always a sign of impending doom. I would be asking why they didn't suggest something when the initial symptoms were found.
I would also ask why you carried on driving knowing bits of metal were being shaved off inside the block somewhere?
ian in lancs said:
What did you expect - its a TVR!
ETA - maybe a bit harsh as I think there awesome, I have been round the factory a couple of times and they do entice you but I've never bought one because of the running costs and I live not far from the old factory.
Prick. ETA - maybe a bit harsh as I think there awesome, I have been round the factory a couple of times and they do entice you but I've never bought one because of the running costs and I live not far from the old factory.
Edited by ian in lancs on Sunday 10th February 15:36
Your dream garage has a Lambo and a Ferrari - you'll be paying ten times the price for the same performance and likely worse reliability - certainly more expensive maintenance.
A very sad case the car you bought sounds like a right lemon....It must be asked though did you buy the car new ? A lot of the things in the list must have been noticed before the car went in for its annual service though surely ? It sounds like this car has had a very hard life...something an annual service wont cure. A pointer to this is the clutch needing replacing at around half the mileage it should. Usually +15k ish. Was it warmed up before thrashing every time? The S6 engine is delicate and cannot be abused without expecting a big bill at the end of it. I cannot believe the car was still used after finding metal in the oil either ! No suprise it went pop
Edited by Paxo1 on Sunday 10th February 16:48
ian in lancs said:
What did you expect - its a TVR!
ETA - maybe a bit harsh as I think there awesome, I have been round the factory a couple of times and they do entice you but I've never bought one because of the running costs and I live not far from the old factory.
DOUBLE PRICK.ETA - maybe a bit harsh as I think there awesome, I have been round the factory a couple of times and they do entice you but I've never bought one because of the running costs and I live not far from the old factory.
Edited by ian in lancs on Sunday 10th February 15:36
hang on am i missing something? car goes in for 12000 mile service and they find swarf on the oil drain plugs and the followers damaged and scored and yet they still did the work instead of advising of an investigation/rebuild!!
it would make sense while engine was already out for the clutch to have any engine work done at the same time this would have obviously cost more initally but is then just one engine out and a much reduced labour cost with reference to engine mounts, clutch oil sender ect and any TVR main dealer should of told you this, or was this advice ignored because of cost and one is now kicking ones self!!
it would make sense while engine was already out for the clutch to have any engine work done at the same time this would have obviously cost more initally but is then just one engine out and a much reduced labour cost with reference to engine mounts, clutch oil sender ect and any TVR main dealer should of told you this, or was this advice ignored because of cost and one is now kicking ones self!!
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