M12 GTO 3R versus M400.... surprise!
Discussion
Now I need to be careful what I say here as I can see that Simon H. is on the forum and I know what advise he gave me on this one but...
I dropped in on the very helpful people at Mole Valley today for my first drive in a Noble. Given that I intend to use the car mainly for work use with the occasional track blast the 3R was in my sights. I drove it and it was fantastic fun but a had a couple of issues that niggled me when I got back from the test drive; the angle of my legs in the footwell and the seat which I found a bit harsh and not all that well padded.
Feeling a bit dispondent the salesman suggested a trip in the M400. From what little I know of the differences between the 2 I expected a bone shaking and even more uncomfortable ride so nearly declined but curiosity got the better of me and off we went.
Amazed... I most certainly was!!! OK, the ride is harder and the cabin a bit noisier, but the seating position is a LOT better thanks to the narrower transmission tunnel and the seat... a thousand times more comfortable IMHO. In addition I found the gearchange and selection of 1st and reverse a lot easier and smoother and the clutch a bit lighter... not sure why but that's how it felt.
Whilst the 3R was fun, I found it hard work in the way that I used to find my Ultima Spyder a bit tiring to drive. But the M400... it fitted like a glove :-) You know what I mean... when you just get right into a car from the first second.
Shame for the bank balance, but the M400 is the future for me! A few fiscal chats and I hope to join the Nobility in the new year ;-)
I dropped in on the very helpful people at Mole Valley today for my first drive in a Noble. Given that I intend to use the car mainly for work use with the occasional track blast the 3R was in my sights. I drove it and it was fantastic fun but a had a couple of issues that niggled me when I got back from the test drive; the angle of my legs in the footwell and the seat which I found a bit harsh and not all that well padded.
Feeling a bit dispondent the salesman suggested a trip in the M400. From what little I know of the differences between the 2 I expected a bone shaking and even more uncomfortable ride so nearly declined but curiosity got the better of me and off we went.
Amazed... I most certainly was!!! OK, the ride is harder and the cabin a bit noisier, but the seating position is a LOT better thanks to the narrower transmission tunnel and the seat... a thousand times more comfortable IMHO. In addition I found the gearchange and selection of 1st and reverse a lot easier and smoother and the clutch a bit lighter... not sure why but that's how it felt.
Whilst the 3R was fun, I found it hard work in the way that I used to find my Ultima Spyder a bit tiring to drive. But the M400... it fitted like a glove :-) You know what I mean... when you just get right into a car from the first second.
Shame for the bank balance, but the M400 is the future for me! A few fiscal chats and I hope to join the Nobility in the new year ;-)
I kind of expect that the main differences will be to do with seating position and comfortable. With the obvious ones being power and handling.
It's a pity I bought my 3R this year as I will have to wait a while before getting the M400.
Still, the 3R is awesome and since I don't use mine everyday I never have any complaints about the seats, driving position or gearchange.
It's a pity I bought my 3R this year as I will have to wait a while before getting the M400.
Still, the 3R is awesome and since I don't use mine everyday I never have any complaints about the seats, driving position or gearchange.
All IMHO.
M400 cabin changes. Seats are more padded.....that's it. All the other size changes are so small I didn't notice any of them.
I'm not being rude (honest!) but the actual size of the changes and how big people think the changes are are two very different things. A certain car designer was overheard to say as much...
M400 cabin changes. Seats are more padded.....that's it. All the other size changes are so small I didn't notice any of them.
I'm not being rude (honest!) but the actual size of the changes and how big people think the changes are are two very different things. A certain car designer was overheard to say as much...
ThatPhilBrettGuy said:
All IMHO.
M400 cabin changes. Seats are more padded.....that's it. All the other size changes are so small I didn't notice any of them.
I'm not being rude (honest!) but the actual size of the changes and how big people think the changes are are two very different things. A certain car designer was overheard to say as much...
I guess you're right Phil... it all boils down to perception and feel and the M400 just felt more 'right' for me. I also suffer from a partially paralysed left leg thanks to too many skiing/rugby bashes. The angle my legs sit in the footwell is a major thing for me and the drop foot I have on the end of my left leg suffers less with the slightly reduced angle. These are personal issues to me and obviously don't affect others. Still, roll on the new year :-)
I'll buy yours in a couple of years if I haven't changed marque!Must admit I found the M400 easier to drive than the 3R ?
A little bird told me
that the Auz 3R's have the M400 seats fitted due to homologation, which would imply they should fit it 'new' 3R's ? Now the question is do 'new' 3R's now have the same transmission tunnel as the M400, I know they now have the improved steering lock ? Just some thoughts
Cheers
Michael
A little bird told me
that the Auz 3R's have the M400 seats fitted due to homologation, which would imply they should fit it 'new' 3R's ? Now the question is do 'new' 3R's now have the same transmission tunnel as the M400, I know they now have the improved steering lock ? Just some thoughts Cheers
Michael
domcross said:
I guess you're right Phil... it all boils down to perception and feel and the M400 just felt more 'right' for me. I also suffer from a partially paralysed left leg thanks to too many skiing/rugby bashes. The angle my legs sit in the footwell is a major thing for me and the drop foot I have on the end of my left leg suffers less with the slightly reduced angle. These are personal issues to me and obviously don't affect others. Still, roll on the new year :-)
It may be the tunnel or the seat having a different profile at the end, so changing the angles a bit.
Like I said/you said it's really personal. Me? No difference. Which ever one you get I'm sure you'll have a blast.
Cheers
Phil
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