Just back from France (new T350)
Discussion
I took part in a London-Monte Carlo trip called the super car run (www.supercarrun.com) last week. Great fun, but...
I had the larger radiator fitted before I went but temp still got pretty high (113 in the coolant) and the water sensor "failed" a few times. Turning the airon off and running the heater seemed to work, but bit of a pest.
Most importantly - the clutch failed on day four of five. I've only had the car for three weeks and it's 10 months old and done 8k miles. Apparently the clutch isnt covered under warranty :( I wonder what the chances of getting the costs reimbursed from the dealer who sold it to me are? I realise there is a no 'name and shame' policy on this board so I wont mention who they are. It wasnt a TVR dealer by the way.
There is one TVR dealership in France (called 'The English Mechanics') and I can't recommend them highly enough. Very nice people, very competent and phone me every day with progress. They have confirmed that the problem was the bearing seizing and apparently the plates are not worn so it's unlikely that the previous owner (or I) was riding the clutch causing it to fail. They're sending it back to the factory to examine.
Other than these issues the run was tremendous fun and the T350 was holding its own against the assembled competition which included two Carrera GTs, two Enzos, an F50, an F40 and a Koenigsegg CCR. It absolutely ate 360s in the twisties. The two Lambos were left for dust. The understeer characteristics surprised me a bit (I used to drive a Chimera) but once used to it I could get it sideways perfectly balanced out of every hairpin (every hairpin with a clear view that is).
The other thing that takes getting used to is the powerband. It only really wakes up at 5k which means using first gear to power out of tight corners, something I'm not used to. Cant help thinking that the gear ratios were selected for good 0-60 times rather than twisty roads. I dont think I got into 5th gear the whole trip other than on the motorway.
I was following some of the best handling road cars in the world and had no trouble matching them through tight bends, though the steering felt a bit troubled on high-speed bends especially if the surface was bumpy. I imagine the sagaris has resolved some of that with it's improved aerodynamics. The T350 was the best sounding car of the lot IMO.
steve
I had the larger radiator fitted before I went but temp still got pretty high (113 in the coolant) and the water sensor "failed" a few times. Turning the airon off and running the heater seemed to work, but bit of a pest.
Most importantly - the clutch failed on day four of five. I've only had the car for three weeks and it's 10 months old and done 8k miles. Apparently the clutch isnt covered under warranty :( I wonder what the chances of getting the costs reimbursed from the dealer who sold it to me are? I realise there is a no 'name and shame' policy on this board so I wont mention who they are. It wasnt a TVR dealer by the way.
There is one TVR dealership in France (called 'The English Mechanics') and I can't recommend them highly enough. Very nice people, very competent and phone me every day with progress. They have confirmed that the problem was the bearing seizing and apparently the plates are not worn so it's unlikely that the previous owner (or I) was riding the clutch causing it to fail. They're sending it back to the factory to examine.
Other than these issues the run was tremendous fun and the T350 was holding its own against the assembled competition which included two Carrera GTs, two Enzos, an F50, an F40 and a Koenigsegg CCR. It absolutely ate 360s in the twisties. The two Lambos were left for dust. The understeer characteristics surprised me a bit (I used to drive a Chimera) but once used to it I could get it sideways perfectly balanced out of every hairpin (every hairpin with a clear view that is).
The other thing that takes getting used to is the powerband. It only really wakes up at 5k which means using first gear to power out of tight corners, something I'm not used to. Cant help thinking that the gear ratios were selected for good 0-60 times rather than twisty roads. I dont think I got into 5th gear the whole trip other than on the motorway.
I was following some of the best handling road cars in the world and had no trouble matching them through tight bends, though the steering felt a bit troubled on high-speed bends especially if the surface was bumpy. I imagine the sagaris has resolved some of that with it's improved aerodynamics. The T350 was the best sounding car of the lot IMO.
steve
Wicked! Nothing like a nice thrash across Europe to make you realise how good the T350 is (are you listening Watton?!).
Sorry to hear about the clutch - does sound like a one-off problem from what you're describing. Is this TVR garage in Nice? I think I saw them listed somewhere.
After reading about the running costs of some of these supercars in last weeks (and this weeks I believe) AutoCAR I think modern TVRs and Nobles are complete bargains.
Sorry to hear about the clutch - does sound like a one-off problem from what you're describing. Is this TVR garage in Nice? I think I saw them listed somewhere.
After reading about the running costs of some of these supercars in last weeks (and this weeks I believe) AutoCAR I think modern TVRs and Nobles are complete bargains.
M. Rawlinson,
I m the importer of TVR in France and our company (TVR France) is based in The English Car Mechanics garage!
It s nice to see that you are happy about how the guys sort your problem out!
I m sure you know that you re car is ready and actually in our showroom! (proud to have it here near our Tuscan S)! We look forward to see you at the garage and to have a drink with you!
Sorry about the "not very lucky" supercar run end!
Best regards
Romain Rousseaux
TVR France
>> Edited by TVRspirit on Tuesday 28th June 19:04
I m the importer of TVR in France and our company (TVR France) is based in The English Car Mechanics garage!
It s nice to see that you are happy about how the guys sort your problem out!
I m sure you know that you re car is ready and actually in our showroom! (proud to have it here near our Tuscan S)! We look forward to see you at the garage and to have a drink with you!
Sorry about the "not very lucky" supercar run end!
Best regards
Romain Rousseaux
TVR France
>> Edited by TVRspirit on Tuesday 28th June 19:04
TVRspirit said:
I m the importer of TVR in France and our company (TVR France) is based in The English Car Mechanics garage!
It s nice to see that you are happy about how the guys sort your problem out!
I can't comment on the actual work they've carried out yet because you've still got my car but they're extremely professional and very good at letting me know what's going on.
I gather TVR France has only just opened up and didnt have any spare clutches. So they phoned the TVR factory and - surprise - they didnt have any clutches either. Now that was no surprise to me at all, I've been a TVR owner for a few years, but they seemed genuinely shocked. They phoned around and got a spare fedexed out as fast as they could. Just the fact that they called me twice a day with updates puts them well ahead of many UK dealerships.
I'm pleased to hear my car is gracing your showroom for the next couple of weeks before I can get down to pick it up, I hope it makes you a few sales
steve
).Trip01
Although I am a warranty manager for an aerospace company, and not in the automotive industry I can’t believe that this would not be covered under warranty. It would seem to me that the release bearing has seized, which is a material failure, causing the clutch fingers to wear at an excessive rate. Did you get any squeaking from the clutch before it failed?
After all what is the point of having a warranty if it does not cover one off events like this, and one so obviously a material failure.
Although I am a warranty manager for an aerospace company, and not in the automotive industry I can’t believe that this would not be covered under warranty. It would seem to me that the release bearing has seized, which is a material failure, causing the clutch fingers to wear at an excessive rate. Did you get any squeaking from the clutch before it failed?
After all what is the point of having a warranty if it does not cover one off events like this, and one so obviously a material failure.
I was pretty surprised about that too, but apparently it's normal for TVR. It was definitely the bearing seizing and the finger problem you describe - the chaps at the English Mechanics confirmed this. Apparently they've sent the exhaust back to the factory for a look.
I'll write to them and the dealer who sold me the car and see if they will reimburse the parts costs. Not holding my breath though.
steve
I'll write to them and the dealer who sold me the car and see if they will reimburse the parts costs. Not holding my breath though.
steve
Thanks for that.
By the way, do you actually fly an Extra 300? I might have the opportunity to fly one of the modified Spitfire Mk9s with the extra seat where the fuel tank used to be and the owner recommends I get a few hours of aerobatics in beforehand. There's a Pitts up at Panshanger flown by a mad Irish Ryanair driver I quite fancy a crack at
steve
By the way, do you actually fly an Extra 300? I might have the opportunity to fly one of the modified Spitfire Mk9s with the extra seat where the fuel tank used to be and the owner recommends I get a few hours of aerobatics in beforehand. There's a Pitts up at Panshanger flown by a mad Irish Ryanair driver I quite fancy a crack at
steve
I did fly an Extra 300L until we had to part company
I flew out of White Waltham a few times but the aeroplane was not getting the use she deserved, so she has now gone to a new owner in the North of England.
The Spitfire is not a truly aerobatic machine, although very manoeuvrable. Having said this I think you have had some wise advice about getting some experience first. You really want to get used to the different sensations of going upside down and + and – G, but I am not sure if the Pitts is the best thing. The Pitts is like the Porsche of the Aerobatic word, with the Extra being the Ferrari, in other words it’s very hardcore and you may find you are put off as you will but a lot more ‘G’ in the Pitts than the Spit.
If I were you I would go up in something lower down the scale, something that will behave like the Spit but not the cost, I don’t know what maybe a Slingsby Firefly nice and gentle but not OTT.
I flew out of White Waltham a few times but the aeroplane was not getting the use she deserved, so she has now gone to a new owner in the North of England.
The Spitfire is not a truly aerobatic machine, although very manoeuvrable. Having said this I think you have had some wise advice about getting some experience first. You really want to get used to the different sensations of going upside down and + and – G, but I am not sure if the Pitts is the best thing. The Pitts is like the Porsche of the Aerobatic word, with the Extra being the Ferrari, in other words it’s very hardcore and you may find you are put off as you will but a lot more ‘G’ in the Pitts than the Spit.
If I were you I would go up in something lower down the scale, something that will behave like the Spit but not the cost, I don’t know what maybe a Slingsby Firefly nice and gentle but not OTT.
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