T350 Ownership

[stumpy67]

Hi

Could someone knowledgable give me the low-down on the T350C, in particular reliability and maintenance?

How often do engine's need a re-build and what's the costs involved?

Ta muchly...

Looking at possible alternatives to my RS4...

[grumbledoak]

Reliability generally good, mines been faultless and I'm not alone. Engine rebuild is very variable, depends on the year of manufacture as far as we can tell. New clutch every 20k miles is pretty common. Running costs on paper are alternate £500 and £1000 services, but I'd budget £3k p.a. as running costs, and squander any change in the good years.

Search will help, this has been covered quite a few times, particularly the changes over the years.

[fredd1e]

you need read the speed six forum 1st.

[Targarama]

Remember that as long as you maintain it well a good T350 probably won't depreciate much now, whereas you may lose your shirt on an RS4 (depending on age etc.). This needs to be factored into ownership costs.

IMO budget £2k to run it, + insurance (which may surprise you, I bet its cheaper than the Audi).

[stumpy67]

Cheers.

RS4 (2001 2.7 TT) costs me c£500ish pa to insure. But is reasonably expensive to maintain if anything goes wrong. Turbos require an engine out job.

Clutch replacement for the T350 is...£ ?

It'll be a weekend car, so mileage wont be massive, maybe 7-10k pa.

Just hear horror stories about TVRs generally, but I figured the 350C being a late manufacture, should have cured most reliability issues out.

[grumbledoak]

stumpy67 said:

Just hear horror stories about TVRs generally, but I figured the 350C being a late manufacture, should have cured most reliability issues out.

Nope. The Speed Six is TVR's own engine, and it had enough issues to help the company into the grave. Later seems to be better, or a rebuild to later spec. But the RV8 cars are generally much cheaper to run, though they are getting a bit long in the tooth, now, and the T-cars are a marked improvement in every other sense.

[slimtater]

Don't think it matter what iconic car you buy, there is always a potential "expensive" failure - be at an M3, Cosworth, RS Audis, Speed Six! Most appear to have some sort of weak point. I think the Speed Six TVRs just appear to be more expensive when they go bang?






Just get one!

Edited by slimtater on Thursday 24th June 20:52

[grumbledoak]

slimtater said:

I think the Speed Six TVRs just appear to be more expensive when they go bang?

Quite the opposite, a whole new Speed Six engine is a fraction of the cost of new engines, or even major engine work in a 911 or 328. It's just a bit more likely that you'll need it, due to the relative lack of development.

ETA- costs are here: http://www.tvrpower.co.uk/servicing/ I think a rebuild is in the £5k area, and anything 'engine out' on a 328 will beat that. And the TVR is far faster.

Edited by grumbledoak on Thursday 24th June 21:01

[slimtater]

I wasn't just talking about comparing engine failures themselves. One some cars they are renowned for turbo problems, some (i.e. early Nobles) it may be the ECU. With the SS, it appears to be the engine itself (or at least the top end).
I think the great advantage with the TVR is that there are quite a few reputable repairers and they also offer the chance to upgrade, whereas perhaps you are a bit limited with an RS4 if the engine goes bang?

[fredd1e]

On earlier Speed six's any rotating part could be an issue! Crank/cams/bearings probably mostly due to variable build/quality of bits... less miles on an early (pre 2005) car isnt necesarilly a good thing as the issues may not have surfaced yet. That said there are some later cars post 2004/2005 with rebuilt engines too (Sagaris included) .
Clutch swap prices are usually quoted on TVR specialist dealer website.. figure for between £700 and £ik for a ballpark. I dont think its a hard job just parts arent that cheap for a clutch pack and it is mad not to change the slave cylinder if its getting on too.
I'd rather have to face the risk of a Speed six rebuild than take a chance on porsche 996 engines (big ouch if funding yourself)

[sidewayz]

I have had two speed sixes and I never had a problem with them. I upgraded my t350's speed six with the TVR Power 4.3 upgrade because I got used to the 3.6 delivery and wanted more and it's really delivered for me.
There are at least three other companies offering a reliable speed six rebuild or upgrade service so there really is no need to worry.
I run my car everyday and yes there are niggles from time to time but as others have said above they are no greater than other low volume high performance makes and, if you buy the wrong model, at least one supposedly rock solid reliable volume brand.
Give it a go.If you don't like it you can probably sell it within the year and get your money back.

[stumpy67]

Cheers - interested to hear about the 4.3 upgrade ????

Pedrformance gains and costs? And where this service/upgrade can be done?

[Targarama]

stumpy67 said:

Cheers - interested to hear about the 4.3 upgrade ????

Pedrformance gains and costs? And where this service/upgrade can be done?

Try reading all about it in the Speed Six section of this forum. Alternatively, surf on over to TVR Power's website.