Discussion
Hi folks,
Fran here. Just joined Pistonheads and wanted to intro myself. I am current reading as much as possible about Noble ownership as I hope to have saved enough spondoolies for an M400 in the not too distant future. Newtown Motors in South Wales were kind enough to let me have a drive about two years ago and I was hooked. The wealth of knowledge and assistance via this forum has encouraged me to sign up. I'm on a steep learning curve so:- Can anyone recommend any good reading material etc. - over and above this site of course - regarding Noble purchase/ownership (pitfalls, avoids etc?). Also, where do South Wales Nobles owners tend to go for Noble servicing/parts etc?
Cheers and hopefully meet some of you in the coming months.
Fran here. Just joined Pistonheads and wanted to intro myself. I am current reading as much as possible about Noble ownership as I hope to have saved enough spondoolies for an M400 in the not too distant future. Newtown Motors in South Wales were kind enough to let me have a drive about two years ago and I was hooked. The wealth of knowledge and assistance via this forum has encouraged me to sign up. I'm on a steep learning curve so:- Can anyone recommend any good reading material etc. - over and above this site of course - regarding Noble purchase/ownership (pitfalls, avoids etc?). Also, where do South Wales Nobles owners tend to go for Noble servicing/parts etc?
Cheers and hopefully meet some of you in the coming months.
Hi Fran,
Welcome to pistonheads and the Nobility
I'm not an expert on the M400, but I've had a GTO-3 for a year and did the same research you are doing now. In a year of ownership the car has been near faultless (bar a heater fan fault), it did need a thorough service when I bought it to sort out previous poor dealer servicing and to stop some light corrosion becoming worse. Some other owners have also had poor aftersales servicing by the dealers and independants, so get someone good to look after it, when you get one subscibe to www.nobleparts.co.uk (an owners only website). Luckily I am a vehicle tech so can do it myself.
On the plus side the car is fantastically engineered, I've driven a lot of different cars and the M12 is a different league to anything I've had a go in so far. It is pretty much the most involving and exciting car you can own (unless you are a millionaire), go for it
Dave
Welcome to pistonheads and the Nobility
I'm not an expert on the M400, but I've had a GTO-3 for a year and did the same research you are doing now. In a year of ownership the car has been near faultless (bar a heater fan fault), it did need a thorough service when I bought it to sort out previous poor dealer servicing and to stop some light corrosion becoming worse. Some other owners have also had poor aftersales servicing by the dealers and independants, so get someone good to look after it, when you get one subscibe to www.nobleparts.co.uk (an owners only website). Luckily I am a vehicle tech so can do it myself.
On the plus side the car is fantastically engineered, I've driven a lot of different cars and the M12 is a different league to anything I've had a go in so far. It is pretty much the most involving and exciting car you can own (unless you are a millionaire), go for it
Dave
Dave (and also Humpy),
Thanks for the rapid responses. My intention, before purchasing any Noble, would be to have an inspection of the car carried out which I guess would be worth the initial outlay. It would appear that most of the cars are known via this forum anyway and they all seem to be relatively low mileage.
I am wondering why so may Nobles seem to have been subjected to performance upgrades? From my limited experience of the car, this is one area where the car is certainly not lacking (for road use any way). Does this practice reduce reliability or likely to lead to a costly engine rebuild? I have heard that a full rebuild on an M400 could be as much as £7000.
Dave, I note from your info page that you may also be a microlight pilot? I don't fly now but used to fly paragliders regularly in the South Wales area (Club Pilot Qualification). I guess I've always needed something to keep the adrenalin pumping bikes/flying/cars. A couple of years ago I thought about learning to fly helicopters but have put that idea to bed now in favour of owning a top sports car. Cheers all for any help and advice. Fran
Thanks for the rapid responses. My intention, before purchasing any Noble, would be to have an inspection of the car carried out which I guess would be worth the initial outlay. It would appear that most of the cars are known via this forum anyway and they all seem to be relatively low mileage.
I am wondering why so may Nobles seem to have been subjected to performance upgrades? From my limited experience of the car, this is one area where the car is certainly not lacking (for road use any way). Does this practice reduce reliability or likely to lead to a costly engine rebuild? I have heard that a full rebuild on an M400 could be as much as £7000.
Dave, I note from your info page that you may also be a microlight pilot? I don't fly now but used to fly paragliders regularly in the South Wales area (Club Pilot Qualification). I guess I've always needed something to keep the adrenalin pumping bikes/flying/cars. A couple of years ago I thought about learning to fly helicopters but have put that idea to bed now in favour of owning a top sports car. Cheers all for any help and advice. Fran
Franlin said:
I am wondering why so may Nobles seem to have been subjected to performance upgrades?
I also ponder over that one - the Noble is so competent out of the box that it clearly "does what it says on the tin" but man (wo-man!) will always strive for that next peak - otherwise we would still be driving these...
[quote=AMG Merc][quote=Franlin] - the Noble is so competent out of the box that it clearly "does what it says on the tin"
not sure about this statement.
surely most people have modded their cars so it now does produce the engine
power stated on the side of "the tin"
Often a good deal more of the potential power is released while they have the wallet open, simpley because i guess you can!
i am reliably informed the majority of m400 produce between 360 and 385 bhp on an accurate rolling road on a warm day. well shy of the 425bhp stated.
omho
yak293
not sure about this statement.
surely most people have modded their cars so it now does produce the engine
power stated on the side of "the tin"
Often a good deal more of the potential power is released while they have the wallet open, simpley because i guess you can!
i am reliably informed the majority of m400 produce between 360 and 385 bhp on an accurate rolling road on a warm day. well shy of the 425bhp stated.
omho
yak293
You will also want to do some research on www.nobleforums.com. Good luck in your search and be prepared for the permanent grin that goes along with ownership.
yak293 said:
AMG Merc said:
Franlin said:
- the Noble is so competent out of the box that it clearly "does what it says on the tin"
not sure about this statement.
surely most people have modded their cars so it now does produce the engine
power stated on the side of "the tin"
Often a good deal more of the potential power is released while they have the wallet open, simpley because i guess you can!
i am reliably informed the majority of m400 produce between 360 and 385 bhp on an accurate rolling road on a warm day. well shy of the 425bhp stated.
omho
yak293
Yes but all motors have overquoted BHP numbers so its a level playing field. I'm saying that with a measly real 325BHP an M12 is totally adequate as is an M400 with a puny 385BHP! not sure about this statement.
surely most people have modded their cars so it now does produce the engine
power stated on the side of "the tin"
Often a good deal more of the potential power is released while they have the wallet open, simpley because i guess you can!
i am reliably informed the majority of m400 produce between 360 and 385 bhp on an accurate rolling road on a warm day. well shy of the 425bhp stated.
omho
yak293
AMG Merc said:
yak293 said:
AMG Merc said:
Franlin said:
- the Noble is so competent out of the box that it clearly "does what it says on the tin"
not sure about this statement.
surely most people have modded their cars so it now does produce the engine
power stated on the side of "the tin"
Often a good deal more of the potential power is released while they have the wallet open, simpley because i guess you can!
i am reliably informed the majority of m400 produce between 360 and 385 bhp on an accurate rolling road on a warm day. well shy of the 425bhp stated.
omho
yak293
Yes but all motors have overquoted BHP numbers so its a level playing field. I'm saying that with a measly real 325BHP an M12 is totally adequate as is an M400 with a puny 385BHP! not sure about this statement.
surely most people have modded their cars so it now does produce the engine
power stated on the side of "the tin"
Often a good deal more of the potential power is released while they have the wallet open, simpley because i guess you can!
i am reliably informed the majority of m400 produce between 360 and 385 bhp on an accurate rolling road on a warm day. well shy of the 425bhp stated.
omho
yak293
my m400 was dyno'd @363 bhp thats only 85% of it's stated power,and it did feel a little wheezy in the top 2-3 gears compared to fettled examples of m400
yak
caccobra said:
You will also want to do some research on www.nobleforums.com. Good luck in your search and be prepared for the permanent grin that goes along with ownership.
Too many helpful comments already to allow me to say thanks personally to everyone so.... thanks to all who have responded to date. Particularly, grateful to Caccobra for the advice to visit this forum. I have now subscribed and will read historic entries re Nobles with interest. Cheers Fran.Gassing Station | Noble | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff