Sagaris inspection bonnet.
Sagaris inspection bonnet.
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sidecar pilot

Original Poster:

107 posts

242 months

Sunday 14th May 2006
quotequote all
Hi, just wondering how much confidence to have in the inspection bonnet. When "pressing on" it seems to lift quite a bit. I seem to remember that there was some kind of revision to the fastening arrangement on some of the earlier cars and presume that mine is of the revised kind. I ordered mine mid Sept 05 and took delivery end Dec05. If it's a case of TADTS, has anyone done any research of their own?
Many thanks in advance.

l1off

3,636 posts

278 months

Sunday 14th May 2006
quotequote all
sidecar pilot said:
Hi, just wondering how much confidence to have in the inspection bonnet. When "pressing on" it seems to lift quite a bit. I seem to remember that there was some kind of revision to the fastening arrangement on some of the earlier cars and presume that mine is of the revised kind. I ordered mine mid Sept 05 and took delivery end Dec05. If it's a case of TADTS, has anyone done any research of their own?
Many thanks in advance.


1.6 units and no problems

sidecar pilot

Original Poster:

107 posts

242 months

Sunday 14th May 2006
quotequote all
Similar for me, but eased up because of the amount of bonnet movement. Had a pod leave the roof of my T350 and have worries of similar things in the Sag.

the pits

4,290 posts

262 months

Monday 15th May 2006
quotequote all
It's the achilles heel of an otherwise insanely brilliant car for me, but having repeatedly exceeded 140mph abroad I can confirm that the bonnet wobble doesn't get any worse than at 100+. I know it doesn't inspire much confidence but they do seem to hold and it's something you get gradually used to. From another car you can't really see it move but from inside it looks worse than it is. I still hope TVR come up with a rock solid replacement as it would add to the enjoyment of the car.

Just came back from a drive round the Champagne houses, great trip, recommend it to anyone. Car continues to behave flawlessly.

sidecar pilot

Original Poster:

107 posts

242 months

Monday 15th May 2006
quotequote all
Thanks Pits, we're off to France in a couple of weeks also and can't wait. Have always gone on two wheels before and hoping for the same warm welcome in the Sag as I have had every time on bikes.

the pits

4,290 posts

262 months

Monday 15th May 2006
quotequote all
You'll get more than that! The reaction of the French is to be either totally dumbstruck or fanatically thumbs up. They don't have the first clue what it is so the first thing is a good look at the badges front and rear. I think I'd be the same too if I were a Frenchman. Out here it looks like it's something that's escaped from Area 51, like some sort of military experiement (mine is a stealthy titanium with anthracite wheels).

I actually live in France at the moment and have had the car out here for a few weeks, having driven it to the Nurburgring, Spa-Francorchamps, back to Paris and then to the Champagne region and back - already! Last year I drove it to Monza in Italy for the Italian GP. It's been faultless, massively impressive and immense fun to date. Ground clearance is a bit of an issue as the french roads are a bit rough in the towns and underground car parks need great care not to scratch the nose. No such problems on the smooth French motorways, but the belgian motorways are awful!

Driving in France is fantastic I have to say. Don't believe the scaremongering about French speeding cops, I have yet to see one. There are just too many miles of roads and too few cars to police properly. And the government hasn't twigged yet that motorists are stealth tax cows ripe for milking!

noddy2

195 posts

259 months

Monday 15th May 2006
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My service bonnet has the rubber seals,if you remove the old ones and fit new about 5mm lower down it removes nearly all the play,disregard my blurb if no rubbers
I think they work much better with seals on,but do need maintaining.


sidecar pilot

Original Poster:

107 posts

242 months

Monday 15th May 2006
quotequote all
Thanks Noddy, mine came without rubbers (ooer missus!!) do you feel that they have a sealing effect or just shock absorbing/ vibration damping.

bogie

16,871 posts

294 months

Monday 15th May 2006
quotequote all
I must admit I find it very disconcerting watching the bonnet vibrate/lift at motorway speeds - if anyone comes up with a good solution then please post it up...ours is a Jan 2006 build and it still does it !

TSS

1,136 posts

290 months

Tuesday 16th May 2006
quotequote all
bogie said:
I must admit I find it very disconcerting watching the bonnet vibrate/lift at motorway speeds - if anyone comes up with a good solution then please post it up...ours is a Jan 2006 build and it still does it !


You can reduce the lift a little by altering the angle of the rear flap so it slopes more (about 15 degrees). You will need to remove the bolt holding it in place, alter the angle, drill a new hole and put the bolt back in.

I had this done on mine by the factory, but it would not be too difficult to do yourself. It did make a difference and noticeable reduced the lift below about 130.

noddy2

195 posts

259 months

Tuesday 16th May 2006
quotequote all
The rubber seals do the job of filling the gap but the problem was that they were badly affected by engine heat.Suprisingly since I fitted my own seals last August they have stayed put,maybe the factory have not got the time to fit them as carefully.
Personaly I prefer the fit with seals and the effect on the ammout of movement was dramatic,unfortunately every car is individual and this may not be for every body.
I have spoken to some owners who were going to try and sleve the fitting pins front and back to make them a tighter fit,this should give a similar result.
Has anybody on here done this?