Discussion
Morning Ladies,
First post on here after being around for a while. So thought id start a wee topic on my next potential move. And get your opinions.
i currently have an E46 M3 for driving around places, and a e36 m3 as a track weapon.
However ive always wanted a tvr, and im thinking now would be a nice time to switch, the t350 being the weapon of choice.
I have a few concerns i hope you can clarfify:
Reliability. How much should i budget per year for maintainance.
What milage does an engine get before it implodes?
Is the Red Rose worth waiting for?
What is the rate of depreciation?
What options should i hold out for?
I really want to spend no more than £20k on one. ive found what looks like a minter with a red rose engine on PH in purple so may go for a drive.
With the track 36 chewing up significant wedges of time and money, in not sure i want another money / time pit that much worse than the 46 m3.
All your opinions and experiances are welcome.
First post on here after being around for a while. So thought id start a wee topic on my next potential move. And get your opinions.
i currently have an E46 M3 for driving around places, and a e36 m3 as a track weapon.
However ive always wanted a tvr, and im thinking now would be a nice time to switch, the t350 being the weapon of choice.
I have a few concerns i hope you can clarfify:
Reliability. How much should i budget per year for maintainance.
What milage does an engine get before it implodes?
Is the Red Rose worth waiting for?
What is the rate of depreciation?
What options should i hold out for?
I really want to spend no more than £20k on one. ive found what looks like a minter with a red rose engine on PH in purple so may go for a drive.
With the track 36 chewing up significant wedges of time and money, in not sure i want another money / time pit that much worse than the 46 m3.
All your opinions and experiances are welcome.
Really. How do they both compare? Im a fairly decent driver but i have to confess the lack of electronic aids on a road car concerns me. The 46 is what i would drive to anywhere i need to go. Should i really only buy one as a second car?
The 36 is road legal so could be used but is very uncomfortable and not practicle for a long trip should one be required.
Does anyone use these cars in the wet?
Should i only go for one which has already had the engine rebuilt?
How does the 46 and t350 compare in driving experiance?
Thanks guys!
The 36 is road legal so could be used but is very uncomfortable and not practicle for a long trip should one be required.
Does anyone use these cars in the wet?
Should i only go for one which has already had the engine rebuilt?
How does the 46 and t350 compare in driving experiance?
Thanks guys!
e46m3c said:
Really. How do they both compare? Im a fairly decent driver but i have to confess the lack of electronic aids on a road car concerns me. The 46 is what i would drive to anywhere i need to go. Should i really only buy one as a second car?
The 36 is road legal so could be used but is very uncomfortable and not practicle for a long trip should one be required.
Does anyone use these cars in the wet?
Should i only go for one which has already had the engine rebuilt?
How does the 46 and t350 compare in driving experiance?
Thanks guys!
I own a T350C Red Rose (4.0S) and have driven my brothers E46 M3 and there is a huge difference. The M3 is a pussycat and is really hard to get sideways in the dry, even with the Traction contol turned off ..thanks to those large rear tyres and a much smaler engine (3.2)The 36 is road legal so could be used but is very uncomfortable and not practicle for a long trip should one be required.
Does anyone use these cars in the wet?
Should i only go for one which has already had the engine rebuilt?
How does the 46 and t350 compare in driving experiance?
Thanks guys!
The TVR is a very different proposition..I used to rally Mk2 Escorts, and the TVR frequently tests my reactions for catching the rear end, when provoked.
I can break traction in third gear under hard acceleration. This is mainly due to the fact the TVR has a lot of torque and is very light.
You will not be disappointed. The regular T350C is quick, but the standard engine is 3.6 and TVR detuned the engine to reduce torque, in an effort to make them more user friendly. The 4.OS has all the taps open and feels substantially quicker.
Reliability. How much should i budget per year for maintainance. Done to death on here, the search function will love you!
What milage does an engine get before it implodes? Same as 1 really...
Is the Red Rose worth waiting for? Well, it's nice to have...
What is the rate of depreciation? None, only every going to increase in value, IMHO.
What options should i hold out for? 3.9/3.7 diff and C/R gearbox really change the car. A rebuild is always nice to have, unless you are buying an absolute minter. Armourfend shielding will help the paint. And buy from a knowledgeable owner.
Seriously though, have a really good read through the forums - it will help you see cars that have been sitting around for a long time, hidden histories, and you'll get to understand about these brilliant cars. And good luck!
What milage does an engine get before it implodes? Same as 1 really...
Is the Red Rose worth waiting for? Well, it's nice to have...
What is the rate of depreciation? None, only every going to increase in value, IMHO.
What options should i hold out for? 3.9/3.7 diff and C/R gearbox really change the car. A rebuild is always nice to have, unless you are buying an absolute minter. Armourfend shielding will help the paint. And buy from a knowledgeable owner.
Seriously though, have a really good read through the forums - it will help you see cars that have been sitting around for a long time, hidden histories, and you'll get to understand about these brilliant cars. And good luck!
Don1 said:
£20k will get you a nice Tamora, and maybe a middle of the road T350, but a nice Tuscan 1.
I agree with Don, 20k is towards the bottom end of 350 prices, most are 22-23 or thereabouts. A red rose I'd have thought would command even more of a premium. Depreciation is minimal, I paid 21.5 2 1/2 years ago and could sell for at least that now. Rebuilds, more of a perception IMHO, treat them right and warm them up properly and theres no reason why they won't go on for many miles. Lots on here are coming up to 50k with no rebuilds.
Air-con is a must, the heat soak is tremedous, especially in the summer.
Full leather is nice to have and fairly rare.
These cars chip easily on the front end so don't be put off by minor cosmetics, more important is mechanical condition. Check how the current owner warms the car up and how they talk about the car - they should be enthusiasts.
Speak with the chaps who service the car and see what they have to say about it.
Look for other items done at service time - have recommendations been ignored? It's rare for these cars to have a straight service without any other bits done, engine mounts for example are very common. Look at the tyres - are they a decent brand? If they've scrimped here where else have they saved money?
As for the Power exhaust, don't hang out for one - £350 or so will buy one aftermarket, though you'll never get on track if you do.
SeiW500 said:
+1 - That looks exellent value to me! Targarama said:
Seems to have been up for a few weeks. I guess people are scared of the odometer reading? foolish.
That's my take on it as well so I've tried to price it accordingly. Silly really, with all the work that's been done over the years and with the rebuild it's practically a new car underneath. 
Not to mention it's reeeeeediculously quick
Yee haa! said:
That's my take on it as well so I've tried to price it accordingly. Silly really, with all the work that's been done over the years and with the rebuild it's practically a new car underneath.
Not to mention it's reeeeeediculously quick
If I were in the market for a T350 I'd certainly be viewing it!Not to mention it's reeeeeediculously quick
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