its a yes or no question really
Discussion
hi guys first time user,really big fan of the noble and when i get bk off my hols next month will be selling my evo fq-400 to buy one (lets hope the evo sells easy) been reading through loads of stuff from u guys so wont ask anoying questions about what 2 look out 4 etc, i want an m400 but i have 2 ask do u guys think they are worth the 10-12k more than what u could get a 3r 4, thanks!
Oh that's a provocative question but in my humble opinion, it very much depends on what you want the car for? If you are planning on lots of track use, maybe the M400 is the car for you but if you simply want a fast road car, any of the variants will give you more than sufficient power and a 'less harsh' ride.
I had the same dilemma a year ago (when I too went from an Evo to a Noble). I drove both and for me the answer was easy because I am 6'2" and couldn't live with the 3R pedal position, which is slightly offset to the left.
You are never really going to get a feel for the handling / performance in a test drive situation, but what I would say is that the M400 is a perfectly comfortable car to live with and I would have no problem using it as an everyday car (even though I don't!)
As an M400 owner I would obviosuly say go for the M400 but there plenty of people who will equally say the 3R, modded or not.
You are never really going to get a feel for the handling / performance in a test drive situation, but what I would say is that the M400 is a perfectly comfortable car to live with and I would have no problem using it as an everyday car (even though I don't!)
As an M400 owner I would obviosuly say go for the M400 but there plenty of people who will equally say the 3R, modded or not.
I've done a copy/paste with this from another thread.....
I've had two, a 3R and now an M400.I'm in the minority because I actually think for 90% of the time the M400 is a better everyday road car than the 3R,as well as on track. Granted its a bit stiffer, but much better seats,better turning circle, better gearbox linkage and extra room in the footwell more than compensate.(A very late 3R might have the latter of these).As for reliabilty, no major issues,done 20 thousand miles in the M400 using it everyday, leagues ahead of the 4 blackpool cars I had.Most owners find it very hard to replace, which is why I ended up with another one!
I've had two, a 3R and now an M400.I'm in the minority because I actually think for 90% of the time the M400 is a better everyday road car than the 3R,as well as on track. Granted its a bit stiffer, but much better seats,better turning circle, better gearbox linkage and extra room in the footwell more than compensate.(A very late 3R might have the latter of these).As for reliabilty, no major issues,done 20 thousand miles in the M400 using it everyday, leagues ahead of the 4 blackpool cars I had.Most owners find it very hard to replace, which is why I ended up with another one!
thanks for the input guys, i think the point im really going to have to take on board is the 1 from JMG im 6ft 3 myself so the driving position will be a big thing for me, didnt want to "put anyone's nose out of joint" so to speak with a 400 that is!! just couldnt help but think wow im sure if i bought a 3r and put 10k into it that would be some machine! another thing is the prestige of owning a m400 one of the same reasons why i bought an fq-400 evo!! people kept saying to me god for what u paid for that u could of bought a normal one and put the rest of the money into tuning and had something far faster! to be honest i think i will buy a m400 and i know i will go down the tuning line at some time so its always nice to have a good platform to start from. lol by the way anyone want to buy an evo lol
Hi there,
In my opinion, if you are going to do something, get the best you can. I have just recently purchased a M400 and after looking at a number of 2.5 and 3R's i am please with my decision. The fact that there are only about 70 around makes it a rare Noble to start with, and if you keep it in good condition, you should get the premium back if you ever sell it (im not planning to!!).
Good luck, and try not to let your head rule your heart!!
In my opinion, if you are going to do something, get the best you can. I have just recently purchased a M400 and after looking at a number of 2.5 and 3R's i am please with my decision. The fact that there are only about 70 around makes it a rare Noble to start with, and if you keep it in good condition, you should get the premium back if you ever sell it (im not planning to!!).
Good luck, and try not to let your head rule your heart!!
As someone of 6ft5 I have no problem with leg room in my 3R. I have read reports about the position of the pedals etc and can say for myself I have never had a problem. The head room isnt that great, but am guessing thats the same on the M400. My plan is to up mine to 400+ this summer. 10k is alot to pay for a bit more leg room!! Have fun which ever one you choose. Paul
wow i never realised that there were only 70ish m400 nobles about, i thought we would be talking a few hundred at least! 
im very glad to hear that u tall guys dont have to many probs, being 1 myself, when i priced up getting the evo upto 500hp its was going to cost around 5k,do u guys think it would cost simular to get the same power from an m400 or is that to much/little ?
im very glad to hear that u tall guys dont have to many probs, being 1 myself, when i priced up getting the evo upto 500hp its was going to cost around 5k,do u guys think it would cost simular to get the same power from an m400 or is that to much/little ?
Edited by scolly on Sunday 22 February 00:19
Edited by scolly on Sunday 22 February 00:20
Be careful when buying an M400 there were issues (documented) with a lot suffering valve surge due to the factory setting the boost map too high in the ECU.
If I were buying an M400 now I would insist on a RR check and possibly ask the likes of an M400 expert to attend and look at the mapping and power delivery just to make sure all is OK.
Yellowshed on here is such an expert and gives good advice.
He is responsible for many a modified Noble and is well respected for his engine mapping knowledge.
As said before there are pros and cons for both models. The M400 has the centre tunnel shifted slightly to give the driver more room (a definate plus).
It is fitted with a baffled track day sump as standard and LSD. The gear linkage is far better (Peter G had a few made up for 3R owners),
The seats are better IMO.
I liked the suspension set-up better and found it very compliant and with -ve camber mods done to the uprights the traction and corner grip were beyond road needs.
I would have the geo sorted before any power mods.
Pagid pads also improve braking (though some would argue that there is no lack of performance here anyway).
Tuning wise a Roush / H&S / any dual circuit exhaust with a re-map (and fuel pump wiring mod) is a good place to start, the standard exhaust has the downpipes "siamesed" together just before the back box and this just robs the engine of any decent exhaust flow.
Of course you could throw 15K plus at it and have a monster 600+ HP car but that is a long and slippery road if you are a power addict, one thing of note is the gearbox will need strengthening once you hike the torque figures up.
there is more but the search button is your friend.
F.C.
If I were buying an M400 now I would insist on a RR check and possibly ask the likes of an M400 expert to attend and look at the mapping and power delivery just to make sure all is OK.
Yellowshed on here is such an expert and gives good advice.
He is responsible for many a modified Noble and is well respected for his engine mapping knowledge.
As said before there are pros and cons for both models. The M400 has the centre tunnel shifted slightly to give the driver more room (a definate plus).
It is fitted with a baffled track day sump as standard and LSD. The gear linkage is far better (Peter G had a few made up for 3R owners),
The seats are better IMO.
I liked the suspension set-up better and found it very compliant and with -ve camber mods done to the uprights the traction and corner grip were beyond road needs.
I would have the geo sorted before any power mods.
Pagid pads also improve braking (though some would argue that there is no lack of performance here anyway).
Tuning wise a Roush / H&S / any dual circuit exhaust with a re-map (and fuel pump wiring mod) is a good place to start, the standard exhaust has the downpipes "siamesed" together just before the back box and this just robs the engine of any decent exhaust flow.
Of course you could throw 15K plus at it and have a monster 600+ HP car but that is a long and slippery road if you are a power addict, one thing of note is the gearbox will need strengthening once you hike the torque figures up.
there is more but the search button is your friend.
F.C.
F.C. said:
Be careful when buying an M400 there were issues (documented) with a lot suffering valve surge due to the factory setting the boost map too high in the ECU.
If I were buying an M400 now I would insist on a RR check and possibly ask the likes of an M400 expert to attend and look at the mapping and power delivery just to make sure all is OK.
Yellowshed on here is such an expert and gives good advice.
He is responsible for many a modified Noble and is well respected for his engine mapping knowledge.
As said before there are pros and cons for both models. The M400 has the centre tunnel shifted slightly to give the driver more room (a definate plus).
It is fitted with a baffled track day sump as standard and LSD. The gear linkage is far better (Peter G had a few made up for 3R owners),
The seats are better IMO.
I liked the suspension set-up better and found it very compliant and with -ve camber mods done to the uprights the traction and corner grip were beyond road needs.
I would have the geo sorted before any power mods.
Pagid pads also improve braking (though some would argue that there is no lack of performance here anyway).
Tuning wise a Roush / H&S / any dual circuit exhaust with a re-map (and fuel pump wiring mod) is a good place to start, the standard exhaust has the downpipes "siamesed" together just before the back box and this just robs the engine of any decent exhaust flow.
Of course you could throw 15K plus at it and have a monster 600+ HP car but that is a long and slippery road if you are a power addict, one thing of note is the gearbox will need strengthening once you hike the torque figures up.
there is more but the search button is your friend.
F.C.
F.C, agree with most of that, but "a lot" suffering valve surge might be harsh, maybe more like a few?If I were buying an M400 now I would insist on a RR check and possibly ask the likes of an M400 expert to attend and look at the mapping and power delivery just to make sure all is OK.
Yellowshed on here is such an expert and gives good advice.
He is responsible for many a modified Noble and is well respected for his engine mapping knowledge.
As said before there are pros and cons for both models. The M400 has the centre tunnel shifted slightly to give the driver more room (a definate plus).
It is fitted with a baffled track day sump as standard and LSD. The gear linkage is far better (Peter G had a few made up for 3R owners),
The seats are better IMO.
I liked the suspension set-up better and found it very compliant and with -ve camber mods done to the uprights the traction and corner grip were beyond road needs.
I would have the geo sorted before any power mods.
Pagid pads also improve braking (though some would argue that there is no lack of performance here anyway).
Tuning wise a Roush / H&S / any dual circuit exhaust with a re-map (and fuel pump wiring mod) is a good place to start, the standard exhaust has the downpipes "siamesed" together just before the back box and this just robs the engine of any decent exhaust flow.
Of course you could throw 15K plus at it and have a monster 600+ HP car but that is a long and slippery road if you are a power addict, one thing of note is the gearbox will need strengthening once you hike the torque figures up.
there is more but the search button is your friend.
F.C.
hi f.c u sound like u know what ur talking about, thanks for the input sounds like it would be a good idea to get one of u experts (imo they are usually ppl who own the same car) to come with me when i buy one (of course expenses and beer all paid for 
) just to make sure im getting a good one!!
was reading a thread before and one guy who said he had 497hp and he had the box done from gearboxman if i remember rightly (maybe that was yellowshed)would like to know what that cost him!
been reading all ur threads for months now so forget the details!
i am abit power mad i have to say, its down to the fact that so are my mates and even my fq-400 is the slowest car compared to there's. not that im sad and have to be the fastest but dont want to let the noble name down!
) just to make sure im getting a good one!! was reading a thread before and one guy who said he had 497hp and he had the box done from gearboxman if i remember rightly (maybe that was yellowshed)would like to know what that cost him!
been reading all ur threads for months now so forget the details!
i am abit power mad i have to say, its down to the fact that so are my mates and even my fq-400 is the slowest car compared to there's. not that im sad and have to be the fastest but dont want to let the noble name down!
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