Mint 2.5 or standard 3R?

[fangsween]

Hi,

I am looking to buy my first noble and have come accross a problem. I can either buy a mint 2.5 or a standard looking 3R, what would be the best option? The 3R would probably end up costing me 6k extra.

Is there alot of difference between the two cars? The 2.5 has recently been serviced however does not have a huge amount of service history during the first few years however i have been assured by the people at noble that the car was cared for during this period; should i worry about this?

Any help would be most appreciated.

Thanks

Daniel

[sjc]

It will depend entirely on how much has been done to the 2.5 and how little to the 3R, but generally it would be 3R if budget allows. If not, a good 2.5 wil give you plenty of enjoyment.

[ThatPhilBrettGuy]

Check what ECU the 2.5 has. If it's not an MBE and still the original Magneti Marelli you've got trouble in the future.

[fangsween]

Thanks for the responses. I believe that the ECU has just recently been re-mapped by a Noble main agent, who have looked after the car over the last few years. Neither car has been modified, and both have less than 15k on the clock. The 2.5 is nearly 7 grand cheaper too. I'm just not sure which one to pick; by picking the 2.5, would i always be wanting the 3R?!!

I need help!!!!

[Adrian W]

I would have thought if the 3R has a six speed and an LSD and the 2.5 hasn't it would be a no brainer

[snuffy]

I suppose for most people ( me included ) you have to draw the line somewhere when it comes to how much you spend.

[node]

Go for the 3R.

[saucyboy]

Or a very well sorted GTO-3, with 6 spd, LSD and M400 linkage. Up for 25k but open to offers.

James

[mgbond]

I have a 2.5 and have had to do a lot to it. If I could have a 3R would have been brought.

Nearly all the mods required for the 2.5 are already sorted on the 3R.

So if you are looking for a 2.5 then the following should have been done./

1. ECU upgrade (If done would be a MBE)
2. LSD (people still have a fixed diff but mine went within 2 mths of buying it and the car was 4 yrs old, so it depends on how you drive it.)
3. Fan upgrade. (larger fans)
4. Porbably ok but there was a batch of bad Radiators
5. Trackday sump (TDS). Not essential but if you do want to take it on a track or driver training then it gives you a warm feeling that it should be ok.
5. Anything else the car has had done is a bonus, as with all of them the floor could do with sealing, colling mods and lots more. But the above 1,2 and 5 are probably the most important.

Bondy

[fangsween]

Thanks for all your help.

I decided that it would be better to go for a newer model rather than the earlier car; and as fate may have it, i came accross a beautiful M400 which i quickly put a deposit down on. So i am now part of the club, and i cant wait to start enjoying it.

Does anyone have any planned meets over the next twelve months?

Is there anything i should be aware of as a new noble owner?!

[ThatPhilBrettGuy]

fangsween said:

Is there anything i should be aware of as a new noble owner?!

If it's cold and wet, as the M400 has warm weather tyres as standard be careful not to end up in a hedge!

[AMG Merc]

fangsween said:

Does anyone have any planned meets over the next twelve months?

Is there anything i should be aware of as a new noble owner?!

Daniel, welcome!

If you've taken delivery then why not bring it to the Ace Cafe this Wednesday evening (Lotus, TVR, Marcos, Noble) monthly natter evening. Details atop this page.

There are regular weekend runs to Goodwood (all marques)as well as others during the decent weather so keep a look in here and also the events thread on the main page.

Edited by AMG Merc on Monday 16th February 16:17

[node]

fangsween said:

Thanks for all your help.

I decided that it would be better to go for a newer model rather than the earlier car; and as fate may have it, i came accross a beautiful M400 which i quickly put a deposit down on. So i am now part of the club, and i cant wait to start enjoying it.

Does anyone have any planned meets over the next twelve months?

Is there anything i should be aware of as a new noble owner?!

M400, even better

If its not going to be garaged, try and keep it under a waterproof cover overnight. Sometimes if rain gets in the engine bay, the engine tends to splutter. When the water dries off its fine.

[ThatPhilBrettGuy]

node said:

If its not going to be garaged, try and keep it under a waterproof cover overnight. Sometimes if rain gets in the engine bay, the engine tends to splutter. When the water dries off its fine.

Mine stayed outside for the first 18 months of its life and I never had that issue. The speedo packing up is another matter...

[fangsween]

Hi Rob,

Thanks for the invite, but i wont be taking delivery until mid March so i will have to hold off for a bit. I like the idea of going to goodwood; i bet its a blast when there are a number of them. My favorite thing about the car is that you very rarly see them (unlike Ferrari's and Porsche's!).

[sjc]

Congrats,There's not many for sale, where did you get?

[mgbond]

March the 15th there is a south coast meet. I think Nicksy is trying to get a load of us down here together either for our own run or to join the south coast one. Also Goodwood (1st Sunday of every month) starts March and a few of us attend that.

Bondy

[fangsween]

Im gonna keep it under cover, don't like the idea of rain getting at it!

Does anybody know where it is best to be a taliored car cover from? Both an indoor and an outdoor one? I don't wanna get one of those cheap ones, are there any official ones around?

[AMG Merc]

http://www.classicadditions.com/

...have tailored to Noble shape including wing on.

[fangsween]

I just wanted to say thanks to everybody for their input, its nice to see that us Noble owners are the elite of the car owners clubs! I have about 3 and a half weeks till the car arrives, so im using my time well by modifing my garage to meet the cars spec! Who said Christmas only came once a year!!