To buy or not to buy?!
Discussion
By the way, take the guidelines on models as a guide only - for example, I have a 94 with pre-serpentine engine and Borg box! According to some sources the Borg box was supposed to come in in 95 / 96. So, if you are unsure you should take it to a real specialist to have it checked out - not that many sellers will lie, but you cant be too sure sometimes.
As for your budget, you should get exactly what you want. Probably even have a choice of colours too. Now is going to be a little harder due to being into Summer now, but in general there should be a ready supply available.
Pre-serpentine / serpentine - that is the question? To be honest there isnt a massive amount of difference. I understand that the number of belts is simpler and the water system isnt as "all over the place", but in general this doesnt equate to much. However, owners report the serpentine to be a touch smoother, but little in it otherwise.
As for the other comments made - yes, you will probably get stranded at some point in the TVR. If you want something that will start everyday and that you can use everyday then think again. However, if you have a little flexibility in this then you cannot match the sense of occassion or thrill every time you drive one. Oh, and expect it to get hot in the cabin. They run hot in traffic and the wholy inadequate cooling system (including with AirCon) means that you will slowly boil if you are in it long enough. So in suits while driving into Central London means that you need a credit line with your favourite anti-persperant supplier....
Oh, and fuel isnt that bad either. You would be supprised as to the distance you can travel on a single tank and you should be expecting fuel economy from 15 - 25 from an average one, even getting to 27 for a 55MPH run....
Cheers,
Paul
As for your budget, you should get exactly what you want. Probably even have a choice of colours too. Now is going to be a little harder due to being into Summer now, but in general there should be a ready supply available.
Pre-serpentine / serpentine - that is the question? To be honest there isnt a massive amount of difference. I understand that the number of belts is simpler and the water system isnt as "all over the place", but in general this doesnt equate to much. However, owners report the serpentine to be a touch smoother, but little in it otherwise.
As for the other comments made - yes, you will probably get stranded at some point in the TVR. If you want something that will start everyday and that you can use everyday then think again. However, if you have a little flexibility in this then you cannot match the sense of occassion or thrill every time you drive one. Oh, and expect it to get hot in the cabin. They run hot in traffic and the wholy inadequate cooling system (including with AirCon) means that you will slowly boil if you are in it long enough. So in suits while driving into Central London means that you need a credit line with your favourite anti-persperant supplier....
Oh, and fuel isnt that bad either. You would be supprised as to the distance you can travel on a single tank and you should be expecting fuel economy from 15 - 25 from an average one, even getting to 27 for a 55MPH run....
Cheers,
Paul
Blimey! It's hard to keep your feet on the ground in this game! Test drove a 4.0 today from a dealer - very very nice -the more I see of them the more I want, no, need to have one NOW 
I hear you say, and of course you are all right! There does seem to be quite a selection about if you're happy to travel a bit so I guess that's what I'll have to do...........Thanks again for all your input it's very interesting to hear all the different stories. It seems that they are not quite the horror story that so many seem to say they are. Also, I have not found them difficult to drive, it seems that if you keep the RPM above approx 2000 the beast is quite content.
Bangers - well you've got the Bible, and you've already started to look at some Chimaeras (I won't call then Chimps 'cos mine's a Griff so I'm tresapssing!). Suggest you look at some more, eg go along to your nearest TVRCC meeting and talk to the owners. We love talking about our cars and if really pushed will even open the bonnet, start the engine etc! :-)
The more cars you see and the more owners (not salesmen) you talk to, the better the judge of the beasts you will be, and so you'll be more likely to get a good one, spot any likely problems etc.
Good luck!
The more cars you see and the more owners (not salesmen) you talk to, the better the judge of the beasts you will be, and so you'll be more likely to get a good one, spot any likely problems etc.
Good luck!
Hello again
Getting a bit confused with the engine/gearbox business and the bible hasn't arrived yet!
Can anyone tell me when the serpentine was introduced and when the borg box was introduced and a simple way of telling which I am looking at. The two cars I have looked at both had reverse gear directly underneath 5th - is this significant? Most of the sellers I have contacted don't seem to know what they have. 
Once again thanks!
Anyone know when the next TVRCC meet is, I am in the Herts area.
Cheers
James.
Getting a bit confused with the engine/gearbox business and the bible hasn't arrived yet!
Can anyone tell me when the serpentine was introduced and when the borg box was introduced and a simple way of telling which I am looking at. The two cars I have looked at both had reverse gear directly underneath 5th - is this significant? Most of the sellers I have contacted don't seem to know what they have. Once again thanks!
Anyone know when the next TVRCC meet is, I am in the Herts area.
Cheers
James.
If reverse is under fifth its a T5 Borg-Warner box.
Around the same time as the Serpentine engine was used which as a single inch wide fanbelt identifying it. Introduced around 1993/94 ish. Maybe. Near as dammit. Sort off. Usually. You can tell here that TVR things are frequently never black and white...
Steve
www.tvrbooks.co.uk
Around the same time as the Serpentine engine was used which as a single inch wide fanbelt identifying it. Introduced around 1993/94 ish. Maybe. Near as dammit. Sort off. Usually. You can tell here that TVR things are frequently never black and white...
Steve
www.tvrbooks.co.uk
quote:
I thought pre-serpentine only had one belt, but that serpentine was called so because of the convoluted path that the belt followed?
Depends if it had extras like air con, PAs and so on and also which set of pulleys and mounting brackets were fitted. Makes getting a spares a real interesting pastime.
I'd like a fan belt for a Rover engine please?
Which one sir?
The one at the front.Sir is being a prat today isn't sir. Is it the water pump belt? The air con belt? The alternator belt? Or the PAS belt? Is this for the big or small crankshaft pulley? The fuel injection cars or the twin or single SU carburettor model?
PS the fanbelts are effectively TVR specials especially the serpentine one which you can only get from TVR. You can get LandRover ones but they don't fit and cost a lot more which makes them an essential buy...
Steve
Sorry to butt in like this!
I bought a 4.0 Chimaera last October for 15K from a TVR specialist. It had 55K on the clock (quite high, I know), and is a 95M. Excellent nick, bar some chips in the bonnet. So far, nothing has gone wrong - I check the oil etc every 3/4 weeks, and tend to drive it on longish journeys only. I have just been to Cornwall for 2 weeks and took the car with me - it was perhaps the most enjoyable experience of my life! It is due its 60,000 mile service anytime now, and I'm a bit nervous...depending on how much it hits me in the wallet, I may well be looking for a younger Chamaera or a 5.0 one. It has been an absolute pleasure so far, and I can't get enough of the V8 rumble. Oh yeah, I almost forgot. Girls love it.
Go on Bangers, you know it makes sense!
I bought a 4.0 Chimaera last October for 15K from a TVR specialist. It had 55K on the clock (quite high, I know), and is a 95M. Excellent nick, bar some chips in the bonnet. So far, nothing has gone wrong - I check the oil etc every 3/4 weeks, and tend to drive it on longish journeys only. I have just been to Cornwall for 2 weeks and took the car with me - it was perhaps the most enjoyable experience of my life! It is due its 60,000 mile service anytime now, and I'm a bit nervous...depending on how much it hits me in the wallet, I may well be looking for a younger Chamaera or a 5.0 one. It has been an absolute pleasure so far, and I can't get enough of the V8 rumble. Oh yeah, I almost forgot. Girls love it.
Go on Bangers, you know it makes sense!
TAking of fan belts i have a 96 serp engine with Power steering and this has one belt,with Landrover stamped on it and a number.
Well before i went to le mans i thought i would go to a LR dealer and get a spare.'sorry sir dont do them anymore you'll have to take it off and bring it in to measure it with our newer ones
.this belt is about an inch wide aswell.
Is this normal or is it possible that someone had it made up.
Confused simon
Well before i went to le mans i thought i would go to a LR dealer and get a spare.'sorry sir dont do them anymore you'll have to take it off and bring it in to measure it with our newer ones
.this belt is about an inch wide aswell. Is this normal or is it possible that someone had it made up.
Confused simon
TAking of fan belts i have a 96 serp engine with Power steering and this has one belt,with Landrover stamped on it and a number.
Well before i went to le mans i thought i would go to a LR dealer and get a spare.'sorry sir dont do them anymore you'll have to take it off and bring it in to measure it with our newer ones.this belt is about an inch wide aswell.
Is this normal or is it possible that someone had it made up.
Confused simon
Well before i went to le mans i thought i would go to a LR dealer and get a spare.'sorry sir dont do them anymore you'll have to take it off and bring it in to measure it with our newer ones
.this belt is about an inch wide aswell. Is this normal or is it possible that someone had it made up.
Confused simon
Bangers,
Just a note and I don't know if its been mentioned before but try Rob Ingleby on 01280 706332. He basically sources cars for you, you tell him what you want he finds it. He's an expert at this and is well thought of within the TVRCC + PH. He charges £500 but its well worth the money if he finds you a pucker car privatley, plus he knows all the weeknesses and uses them to secure an good price. He looking for a 500 Chimaera for me at the moment.
regards
Phil
Just a note and I don't know if its been mentioned before but try Rob Ingleby on 01280 706332. He basically sources cars for you, you tell him what you want he finds it. He's an expert at this and is well thought of within the TVRCC + PH. He charges £500 but its well worth the money if he finds you a pucker car privatley, plus he knows all the weeknesses and uses them to secure an good price. He looking for a 500 Chimaera for me at the moment.
regards
Phil
quote:Did you not see my PS a few posts below...
TAking of fan belts i have a 96 serp engine with Power steering and this has one belt,with Landrover stamped on it and a number.
Well before i went to le mans i thought i would go to a LR dealer and get a spare.'sorry sir dont do them anymore you'll have to take it off and bring it in to measure it with our newer ones
Is this normal or is it possible that someone had it made up.
Confused simon
"PS the fanbelts are effectively TVR specials especially the serpentine one which you can only get from TVR. You can get LandRover ones but they don't fit and cost a lot more which makes them an essential buy..."
There was a bit of ironic humour in there at some point which may have caused the confusion. I apologise if that is the case
Just to clarify...
Yes they are marked Land Rover. The part number is not part of the LR numbering scheme. No, Land Rover cannot supply them and if they did they are around 2-3 times the price that TVR charge. £12 last time I got one from TMS.
Steve
quote:
Bangers,
Just a note and I don't know if its been mentioned before but try Rob Ingleby on 01280 706332..... regards
Phil
I too used Rob's services to get my 4 litre 1996 Chimaera - very good he is too, but tell him your intended spending limit and your absolute final limit, unless pockets are botomless.
Well, I've done it! 
And I'd like to say a big thank you for all your help and advice. Steve's book answered all the questions I had and taught me an awfull lot about the car - I did as you all advised, read it from cover to cover then went and looked at a range of cars both private and from dealers.
The end result was a beautiful '96 Chimera 4.0 for 15.5k with 36000 on the clock, full history, 2 owners and the 12k service just completed. It has PAS which is a big help manouvering into the garage especially for the wife and I just love it! Racing green with a full hide interior in magnolia and green - v. tasty! with a new black hood. All in excellent condition and runs like a dream - temp staying at 75 - 92 ish even sat in a trafic jam on the M25! At least it was a good test
Anyway - in danger of going on an bit! so I must go and smile at my Chim! some more
Cheers all, no doubt I'll be asking some questions soon.
Thanks.
And I'd like to say a big thank you for all your help and advice. Steve's book answered all the questions I had and taught me an awfull lot about the car - I did as you all advised, read it from cover to cover then went and looked at a range of cars both private and from dealers. The end result was a beautiful '96 Chimera 4.0 for 15.5k with 36000 on the clock, full history, 2 owners and the 12k service just completed. It has PAS which is a big help manouvering into the garage especially for the wife
and I just love it! Racing green with a full hide interior in magnolia and green - v. tasty! with a new black hood. All in excellent condition and runs like a dream - temp staying at 75 - 92 ish even sat in a trafic jam on the M25! At least it was a good test Anyway - in danger of going on an bit! so I must go and smile at my Chim! some more
Cheers all, no doubt I'll be asking some questions soon.
Thanks.
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