TVR engineering rebuild

[mackempete]

A car I'm looking at has had a recent engine rebuild at TVR engineering, last Oct i think it was. I've spoke to the dealer (non-tvr specialist) who says the invoice was for over £6k. Does this sound like its been rebuilt to Red Rose spec or would that be about the right cost for a standard rebuild?
I rang TVR engineering but they wont give me any details... against policy apparently!

I appreciate that this is a pretty hard one to answer and I'm sure Rob Ingleby will let me know when he inspects it for me.

[dean_ratpac]

check receipts - it will say so on there. i don't think it has, i believe RR rebuilds are 7K+

[redleicester]

mackempete said:

....and I'm sure Rob Ingleby will let me know when he inspects it for me....

Doubt that somehow....

[mackempete]

He inspected it this afternoon and he didnt say anything about the engine been RR spec. He did say that it felt slightly down on power compared to what a 4.5 should be and that it would probably just need setting up by a TVR specialist. On the bright side because the fueling is out it pop's and bangs for fun

I havent bought the car yet so I havent got the invoices infront of me. I'll have a look through when I get them see what parts were replaced at the rebuild. What sort of warranty do TVR engineerign usually offer on a rebuild?

[SprintV8]

Why not just Phone TVR Engineering as ask them what's been done and if the warranty if any is transfered to a new owner.

[mackempete]

mackempete said:

I rang TVR engineering but they wont give me any details... against policy apparently!

Tried that mate. Very unhelpful as I wasn't the owner when the engine was rebuilt.

[darreni]

My 4.2 was rebuilt by TVR eng- i had to really apply some pressure just to get a list of parts replaced & work done, & i was paying the f**king bill!
Standard rebuild warranty is 6 months. (or was when mine was done - nov 2003)

[mackempete]

They were very unhelpful. I could understand if i was asking for the personal details of the owner or details about the car. I offered to give them the owner, at the times, name and the registration number to...

In contrast I rang both Hexham and Harrogate HC and Dave Gerald. They all bent over backwards to give me info on the car when they had worked on it.

[longbow]

To be honest I doubt their filing system is modern enough to keep records more than a few months back, plus now they've delegated all engine work to TVR Power they won't be interested anymore unfortunately.

[mackempete]

I would of thought that they would need the invoices and customer records for financial purposes? Then again having never rang a business I wouldn't really know.

[BigAlinEmbra]

You need to keep "official" financial documents such as invoices for the current financial year and the 6 preceding ones.

That said, you don't have to have it filed and at the tips of your fingers. It could be archived away if they have a small finance dept.

[mackempete]

I'll give them a ring after I've bought the car see if they are anymore accommodating with the info. To be honest they almost seemed defensive?

[SprintV8]

Sorry didn't read the your post fully.

I'll be inclinded to see the invoice for any work done and making your own mind up that it has been done before parting with any cash.And also checking what part's where used.

Just ask them to confirm if the work was done there would be a start.

[Byff]

mackempete said:

On the bright side because the fueling is out it pop's and bangs for fun

They all pop and bang, doesn't mean the fueling is out.

I've given you my mobile number - I'm not doing anything tomorrow (today, Christ, look at the time), I could take a look at it from an owners point of view if you want. If you didn't know about popping and banging, sounds like you need to sample a few more before parting with your hard earned

That's presuming the car is local of course, don't fancy a 600 mile round trip in a day Even just meeting up for a chat, nothings too much trouble to help a fellow (to be) Cerbera owner.

[mackempete]

yeah it is getting on a bit

I'll give you a ring later today if thats ok? could do with some info/advice.

Edited by mackempete on Wednesday 16th August 01:26

[Mr.Cerbera]

There are a zillion Cerbs available at the moment.

This one has too many possible pitfalls to be a safe bet IMHO.

Look around and try a few more out before you part with those hard-earned readies.

[Byff]

mackempete said:

I'll give you a ring later today if thats ok? could do with some info/advice.

Yeah, no problem.

[mackempete]

Mr.Cerbera said:

There are a zillion Cerbs available at the moment.

This one has too many possible pitfalls to be a safe bet IMHO.

Look around and try a few more out before you part with those hard-earned readies.

I've had the car inspected by an expert and he's quite happy that the car is in pretty good condition and that I'm getting a good deal. There's a few bits and bobs that need looking at. Tappets need doing, the diff had a bit of oil on it (possibly breather), Exhaust was a little bent, a little down on power, pops and bangs more than normal , oh and the horn doesn't work. Though the extra banging and popping should let people know I'm coming...

I'm no expert but from the research I've done on here I would say no Cerb could be considered a safe bet. I think i've done all I can to ensure that I'm not going to waste my cash. I've rang all the dealers and specialists that have looked after the car, Its been HPI'd and Inspecteddriven by an expert and I've put 3-4k aside to sort out any niggles that come up in the first year. Can anyone think of anything else i should be doing?

[byker28i]

My car just had it's 24K service plus tappets adjusted and the bill was £1700 - just so you know.

[mackempete]

Really? What else did you have done?

My friend had his done at offords and it was just over £600. His was a 4.2 though, Are 4.5's harder to do?