New Cerbera Owner
Discussion
Hi Folks!
Proud to say I've taken the plunge and within an hour of selling my S Class Merc, the 1997 cerbera 4.2 with 50,000 miles was on the drive
http://album.alval.net/My%20Vehicles/1997%20TVR%20...
Theres little squeeze balls attached to the seats, at first i thought it was some kind of hand pump to prime the fuel into the engine, but noticed then that theres one on the passenger seat also, so im assuming its some kind of seat gizmo, but thought best to ask before using!!
I'm probably going to have lots of questions over time!
Pedestrians go gaga over its looks! pops and bangs like its had a dodgy curry :P - love it! think I must have the "rattle cams", a lot of rattling up front! don't mind so long as its normal, but im not sure i can tell by the noise when tappets need doing, id like to know the difference between "normal clatter cam" noise and "tappets need doing" noise!!
starter moter chugs a couple of times but hasnt let me down in the 4 times ive driven so far... :P however ive heard these engines eat starter motors and would rather be safe than sorry - is there some kind of "upgrade" starter motor that will give reliable starting once and for all? Im interested in finding out the most common problems encountered and what proactive things I could do to make sure they don't happen to me!
initial observations - pretty hard to get into gear, you have to be quite firm! guess thats normal.
Car doesnt seem that fast to me, I think good dry conditions and experience with the car are definitely required for any form of fast driving. Without these things, youd be better off with an average boring fast hatch or something. But I welcome the challenge ahead
The rear end seems too easily unsettled when going over bumps or manhole covers in the road or things which most normal cars wouldnt even notice - again my thoughts may change once ive had the rear suspension all checked/set up and im sure im using the best tyres for the job - reccommendations anyone? I'm on standard rims
I'll take it to a good specialist who can make sure its all set up and at its best, since I reckon it might be a bit down on power at the moment.
Once I've had this done I'll give my thoughts again - by then I should have tested it with a bit more experience and dry weather - today im only accellerating when in well and safely in gear, between about 3 and 6 thousand revs.
I'm sure its a good thing, because the more time I have with the car, im sure the more enjoyable and rewarding ill find the driving experience, I think this car will vastly improve my skill as a driver, I've found the modern bmws/mercs ive owned till now simply easy/boring to drive fast, too removed from the experience. this is much more fun!
Contemplating signing up for the uk tvr car club, anyone here a member? wondering if its worth it? I just want to have access to owners forums really. Cheers everyone, see you round here!
Proud to say I've taken the plunge and within an hour of selling my S Class Merc, the 1997 cerbera 4.2 with 50,000 miles was on the drive
http://album.alval.net/My%20Vehicles/1997%20TVR%20...
Theres little squeeze balls attached to the seats, at first i thought it was some kind of hand pump to prime the fuel into the engine, but noticed then that theres one on the passenger seat also, so im assuming its some kind of seat gizmo, but thought best to ask before using!!
I'm probably going to have lots of questions over time!
Pedestrians go gaga over its looks! pops and bangs like its had a dodgy curry :P - love it! think I must have the "rattle cams", a lot of rattling up front! don't mind so long as its normal, but im not sure i can tell by the noise when tappets need doing, id like to know the difference between "normal clatter cam" noise and "tappets need doing" noise!!
starter moter chugs a couple of times but hasnt let me down in the 4 times ive driven so far... :P however ive heard these engines eat starter motors and would rather be safe than sorry - is there some kind of "upgrade" starter motor that will give reliable starting once and for all? Im interested in finding out the most common problems encountered and what proactive things I could do to make sure they don't happen to me!
initial observations - pretty hard to get into gear, you have to be quite firm! guess thats normal.
Car doesnt seem that fast to me, I think good dry conditions and experience with the car are definitely required for any form of fast driving. Without these things, youd be better off with an average boring fast hatch or something. But I welcome the challenge ahead
The rear end seems too easily unsettled when going over bumps or manhole covers in the road or things which most normal cars wouldnt even notice - again my thoughts may change once ive had the rear suspension all checked/set up and im sure im using the best tyres for the job - reccommendations anyone? I'm on standard rims
I'll take it to a good specialist who can make sure its all set up and at its best, since I reckon it might be a bit down on power at the moment.
Once I've had this done I'll give my thoughts again - by then I should have tested it with a bit more experience and dry weather - today im only accellerating when in well and safely in gear, between about 3 and 6 thousand revs.
I'm sure its a good thing, because the more time I have with the car, im sure the more enjoyable and rewarding ill find the driving experience, I think this car will vastly improve my skill as a driver, I've found the modern bmws/mercs ive owned till now simply easy/boring to drive fast, too removed from the experience. this is much more fun!
Contemplating signing up for the uk tvr car club, anyone here a member? wondering if its worth it? I just want to have access to owners forums really. Cheers everyone, see you round here!
Welcome to the land of Cerb ownership.
It sounds like you'll have a lot of fun / grief getting everything the way you want it on that car ..... I have mine since last September and I'm still not 100% happy with it.
As for the actual "technical" questions, I'm sure they'll all be answered for you pretty quickly on here.
It sounds like you'll have a lot of fun / grief getting everything the way you want it on that car ..... I have mine since last September and I'm still not 100% happy with it.
As for the actual "technical" questions, I'm sure they'll all be answered for you pretty quickly on here.
welcome.
Up to 6,000 revs and you don't think it's fast - was it in gear?
From what I've heard -
Tyres = Toyos
Suspension = Nitrons
Starter = perhaps by-pass with a direct 12v feed (new button on dash)
Looks like you need new alloys then (to go with suspension/tyre upgrade) = most have spiders
Your windscreen looks like its had it and sometimes they're difficult to find
There should be services every 6,000 miles in the book, make sure you keep them up to date without fail - the tappets should be done every other service (12k).
Take it easy in the rain or even damp until you know how it peforms, then take it even easier when you do
I didn't check to see where you are but most TVRcc's meet monthly and in my experience all are welcomed - the surrey one is tomorrow.
Cheeks still hurting? both pairs?
Up to 6,000 revs and you don't think it's fast - was it in gear?
From what I've heard -
Tyres = Toyos
Suspension = Nitrons
Starter = perhaps by-pass with a direct 12v feed (new button on dash)
Looks like you need new alloys then (to go with suspension/tyre upgrade) = most have spiders
Your windscreen looks like its had it and sometimes they're difficult to find
There should be services every 6,000 miles in the book, make sure you keep them up to date without fail - the tappets should be done every other service (12k).
Take it easy in the rain or even damp until you know how it peforms, then take it even easier when you do
I didn't check to see where you are but most TVRcc's meet monthly and in my experience all are welcomed - the surrey one is tomorrow.
Cheeks still hurting? both pairs?
Welcome to the mad house It's a car you'll either love or hate, and everyone on here loves them - don't they??.
squeeze balls they are for pumping up the seats Lumbar support (Priming the fuel pump! - Who have you been talking to?
The Cars feels Slow?? It's a car you have to drive, it doesn't drive you, you have to be in control all the time. Most cars have about 4" of pedal travel (or things like Evo's seem to have about an inch) On the Cerb it has about 12 foot of travel and you have to use it, plant your foot to the floor and see what happens - but not on a bend or a wet road!.
Rear end a bit skitty? - Compared to an S class Merc it will feel that way at first, but get the car checked over first, if it has original shocks on, an upgrade to Gaz Gold is well worth it.
Tappety? All Cerbs sound tappety, especially on start up, they can sound like an old diesel, but improve when the engine is warm. If it's an early Cerb it may well have the Clatter Cams, these have a real metallic tappety sound all the time, even when warm, but they are quick.
TVR Owners club? Cheaper insurance, and great for the social side of things - meeting people, regular Pub Meets, Camping weekends, Runs in the country etc etc. But for help and technical advice this is the best place, you'll never be alonne when you need help.
Hope you enjoy the Car.
It's a car you'll either love or hate, and everyone on here loves them - don't they??.squeeze balls they are for pumping up the seats Lumbar support (Priming the fuel pump! - Who have you been talking to?
The Cars feels Slow?? It's a car you have to drive, it doesn't drive you, you have to be in control all the time. Most cars have about 4" of pedal travel (or things like Evo's seem to have about an inch) On the Cerb it has about 12 foot of travel and you have to use it, plant your foot to the floor and see what happens - but not on a bend or a wet road!.
Rear end a bit skitty? - Compared to an S class Merc it will feel that way at first, but get the car checked over first, if it has original shocks on, an upgrade to Gaz Gold is well worth it.
Tappety? All Cerbs sound tappety, especially on start up, they can sound like an old diesel, but improve when the engine is warm. If it's an early Cerb it may well have the Clatter Cams, these have a real metallic tappety sound all the time, even when warm, but they are quick.
TVR Owners club? Cheaper insurance, and great for the social side of things - meeting people, regular Pub Meets, Camping weekends, Runs in the country etc etc. But for help and technical advice this is the best place, you'll never be alonne when you need help.
Hope you enjoy the Car.
Edited by JensenA on Wednesday 27th June 22:22
Edited by JensenA on Wednesday 27th June 22:24
JensenA said:
Welcome to the mad house It's a car you'll either love or hate, and everyone on here loves them - don't they??.
squeeze balls they are for pumping up the seats Lumbar support (Priming the fuel pump! - Who have you been talking to?
Haha noone - they're just exactly like the fuel prime hand pump rubber ball in an old peugeot 306 dturbo I had years ago! nevermind.. :P It's a car you'll either love or hate, and everyone on here loves them - don't they??.squeeze balls they are for pumping up the seats Lumbar support (Priming the fuel pump! - Who have you been talking to?
JensenA said:
The Cars feels Slow?? It's a car you have to drive, it doesn't drive you, you have to be in control all the time. Most cars have about 4" of pedal travel (or things like Evo's seem to have about an inch) On the Cerb it has about 12 foot of travel and you have to use it, plant your foot to the floor and see what happens - but not on a bend or a wet road!.
yep, I did read about that before getting the car, and bore it in mind when driving, but youre probably right in that itll take me time to adapt to it, wonder if anyone's modified it to reduce the travel? my jag s type 4.0 v8 is very short travel and jerky on the pedal, i like it, makes it feel fast!JensenA said:
Rear end a bit skitty? - Compared to an S class Merc it will feel that way at first, but get the car checked over first, if it has original shocks on, an upgrade to Gaz Gold is well worth it.
I'll definitely look into it - i hear nitrons mentioned a lot alongside tvrJensenA said:
Tappety? All Cerbs sound tappety, especially on start up, they can sound like an old diesel, but improve when the engine is warm. If it's an early Cerb it may well have the Clatter Cams, these have a real metallic tappety sound all the time, even when warm, but they are quick.
sure, but do you think you could tell the difference between the "normal" tappety sound and the "my tappets need doing" sound?JensenA said:
TVR Owners club? Cheaper insurance, and great for the social side of things - meeting people, regular Pub Meets, Camping weekends, Runs in the country etc etc. But for help and technical advice this is the best place, you'll never be alonne when you need help.
I think I'll bite the bullet and join then! my policy's due in a month, my existing company quote 800 renewal (6 points, 30yrs, garaged, 5000 miles/year, no accidents), but hopefully some shopping around will reduce that more.JensenA said:
Hope you enjoy the Car.
Thanks for the advice and opinions!Edited by JensenA on Wednesday 27th June 22:22
Edited by JensenA on Wednesday 27th June 22:24
Slow - what's the betting he's not using all throttle.
Skitty - yup lots of water about and green roads. Don't use full throttle yet Check your tyre pressures. I use 24psi all around but some people have different ideas but it's a good starting point
Having said all of that - it's the best handling car I've ever driven. Really predictable and gives you lots of confidence.
Welcome to the fold.
Perhaps sir would care to peruse some useful stuff...
Edited as the kids have wiped my bookmarks: http://homepage.ntlworld.com/dave.hinns/
Skitty - yup lots of water about and green roads. Don't use full throttle yet
Check your tyre pressures. I use 24psi all around but some people have different ideas but it's a good starting pointHaving said all of that - it's the best handling car I've ever driven. Really predictable and gives you lots of confidence.
Welcome to the fold.
Perhaps sir would care to peruse some useful stuff...
Edited as the kids have wiped my bookmarks: http://homepage.ntlworld.com/dave.hinns/
Edited by Byker28i on Wednesday 27th June 23:46
Welcome mate!
where you based? Im new also to the cerb thing and got to say i do LOVE IT
to get the best from it you do have to use the revs untill a light on the rev-counter comes on then change! i used to have all the turbo jap stuff that anyone can drive fast! the cerb is much more challenging and fun!
Lee
where you based? Im new also to the cerb thing and got to say i do LOVE IT to get the best from it you do have to use the revs untill a light on the rev-counter comes on then change! i used to have all the turbo jap stuff that anyone can drive fast! the cerb is much more challenging and fun!Lee
Hmmm.... Cerbs are noisy. Mine sounds like world war three kicking off behind me when I lift off. Not fast.....? Mine went "not fast" when it threw a lambda sensor and throttle pot, but this was easy to diagnose as it bounced horrible (almost like a rev limiter) if you tried to hold it steady at about 2,600RPM.
As for what I've found:
Tyres: Michelin all the way. I used Toyo but found them getting horribly slippery towards the mid-end of their life. The Michelin Piloté Sport are far more grippy in both wet and dry conditions.
Shocks / Dampers: I'm perfectly happy with AVO. I had Bilstein on it before and the AVO seem to be more stable. I'm told that GAZ Gold are brilliant mind you.
As for what I've found:
Tyres: Michelin all the way. I used Toyo but found them getting horribly slippery towards the mid-end of their life. The Michelin Piloté Sport are far more grippy in both wet and dry conditions.
Shocks / Dampers: I'm perfectly happy with AVO. I had Bilstein on it before and the AVO seem to be more stable. I'm told that GAZ Gold are brilliant mind you.
Ive not had mine long either.
If you think it doesn’t feel that fast then it must be broken. I though I knew what powerful cars where like until I tried to floor my Cerbera in 2nd in the dry! Honestly you should be scarred shitless of it at first!
Ive got bridgestone SO1's at the moment but plan on Goodyear Eagle F1's.
Heard good reports about the GAZ shocks.
If you think it doesn’t feel that fast then it must be broken. I though I knew what powerful cars where like until I tried to floor my Cerbera in 2nd in the dry! Honestly you should be scarred shitless of it at first!
Ive got bridgestone SO1's at the moment but plan on Goodyear Eagle F1's.
Heard good reports about the GAZ shocks.
Edited by Work-Shy-Wanabe on Thursday 28th June 11:34
Just put a new pair of Eagle F1's on the front. They've moved away from the arrow tyre pattern onto an Asymetric type pattern.
Details here.
http://eu.goodyear.com/uk_en/tires/repository/Eagl...
I'll let you know how I get on. They are supposed to be even better, with additional grip & comfort especially in the wet but are a few pounds more expensive.
We'll see...
http://eu.goodyear.com/uk_en/tires/repository/Eagl...
http://eu.goodyear.com/uk_en/tires/repository/Eagl...
Details here.
http://eu.goodyear.com/uk_en/tires/repository/Eagl...
I'll let you know how I get on. They are supposed to be even better, with additional grip & comfort especially in the wet but are a few pounds more expensive.
We'll see...
http://eu.goodyear.com/uk_en/tires/repository/Eagl...
http://eu.goodyear.com/uk_en/tires/repository/Eagl...
Byker28i said:
Just put a new pair of Eagle F1's on the front. They've moved away from the arrow tyre pattern onto an Asymetric type pattern.
Details here.
http://eu.goodyear.com/uk_en/tires/repository/Eagl...
I'll let you know how I get on. They are supposed to be even better, with additional grip & comfort especially in the wet but are a few pounds more expensive.
We'll see...
http://eu.goodyear.com/uk_en/tires/repository/Eagl...
http://eu.goodyear.com/uk_en/tires/repository/Eagl...
But they dont look at cool! Details here.
http://eu.goodyear.com/uk_en/tires/repository/Eagl...
I'll let you know how I get on. They are supposed to be even better, with additional grip & comfort especially in the wet but are a few pounds more expensive.
We'll see...
http://eu.goodyear.com/uk_en/tires/repository/Eagl...
http://eu.goodyear.com/uk_en/tires/repository/Eagl...
From my short experience.. let the car get up to temperature first before you start driving too enthusiastically. Also the peak power is at something like 6.5k (not sure exactly) so you have to use those revs if you want fast... and I'm sure you'll get fast.. I haven't really done it myself but it's all there if you know how to use it. You'll get the best out of it on a track rather than a public road.
Edited by Mr M on Thursday 28th June 23:43
Should be loads of fun for £10 - 11K
Stiff gears might mean a clutch problem. Double check where your dipstick is to ensure you have later clutch.
You will really need a suspension upgrade to get it to handle.
If it feels slow then it is likely that it is out of tune. They can lose a good 25% of their power if you have a couple of hard to trace probs eg leads too old, a temp sensor not reading right, lamda sensors shot etc......
Make sure you learn the warm up procedure and be prepared to befriend both a TVR garage/indie and your bank manager.
Stiff gears might mean a clutch problem. Double check where your dipstick is to ensure you have later clutch.
You will really need a suspension upgrade to get it to handle.
If it feels slow then it is likely that it is out of tune. They can lose a good 25% of their power if you have a couple of hard to trace probs eg leads too old, a temp sensor not reading right, lamda sensors shot etc......
Make sure you learn the warm up procedure and be prepared to befriend both a TVR garage/indie and your bank manager.
Byker28i said:
Slow - what's the betting he's not using all throttle.
Skitty - yup lots of water about and green roads. Don't use full throttle yet Check your tyre pressures. I use 24psi all around but some people have different ideas but it's a good starting point
Having said all of that - it's the best handling car I've ever driven. Really predictable and gives you lots of confidence.
Welcome to the fold.
Perhaps sir would care to peruse some useful stuff...
Edited as the kids have wiped my bookmarks: http://homepage.ntlworld.com/dave.hinns/
Yes sounds like a case of not using the throttle but be careful. Had mine a month and have been building up the hours getting used to the machine, but I did trying using more of that throttle tonight after reading these helpful topics, and yes the car becomes a missile. Slow it ain't. It takes time to get used to knowing how to drive it..Skitty - yup lots of water about and green roads. Don't use full throttle yet
Check your tyre pressures. I use 24psi all around but some people have different ideas but it's a good starting pointHaving said all of that - it's the best handling car I've ever driven. Really predictable and gives you lots of confidence.
Welcome to the fold.
Perhaps sir would care to peruse some useful stuff...
Edited as the kids have wiped my bookmarks: http://homepage.ntlworld.com/dave.hinns/
Edited by Byker28i on Wednesday 27th June 23:46
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