T350C engine dead
Discussion
As I have mentioned in other threads last week was meant to be a driving holiday of a lifetime for me in my newly acquired T350c (had it for a couple of months).
The trip was really my own little mini-hoon. Spending Friday and Saturday at the Nurburgring then setting off to north east Italy via the Stelivo Pass and then back again for 4 days at the 'ring.
The T350c made it all the way to... Calais on the first day of the holiday, well 20km from Calais to be precise before something went horribly wrong and the engine died on me
Not sure what it was that caused it and wont speculate until I hear back from TVR.
Luckily my SEAT Leon Cupra R had not sold yet so I managed to come all the way back to Cambridge to pick up the Leon and continue on my holiday as planned, just in a different car, a day late and very little sleep.
Whilst in Italy I had a quick phone call from Dream Machines where the car is and I have been told it needs an engine rebuild. Not sure of the extent of the re-build yet though. An average price of £5k they have told me though
I think the engine is off to TVR to be dismantled and quoted on. Also been told that it will take 6 weeks or so
Oh well you buy a car like this and I suppose you have to expect the unexpected! Hopefully my 3rd party warranty will cover some of the rebuild but the maximum claim is only £2k so if it was to cost £5k I would still have to find a large sum of money from somewhere.... Should have gone on a mountain biking holiday eh!
As people constantly recommended, if buying one of these cars it really is a good idea to put an engine re-build into your budget. I'll put my hands up and admit I didn't. As the car came with a warranty I thought that would cover most of the costs, looks like I was wrong there than!
I would appreciate it if anyone could let me know of their experiences of Speed Six engine rebuilds, or if any one knows if TVR are likely to stump up for any of the rebuild costs (14k miles the engine had done and it is a 2003 car which used to be a Racing Green TVR demo). I'm relying on Dream Machines to sort the car for me and I'm sure they will do I just would like to know what others have paid and if there is anything to try to avoid etc.
I hope once the car is sorted I will have the confidence I need in it to be able to take it to tracks and the like in the future. I really hope this is not the end of my dream
And if I hear "I told you so" from one more person then I think I will have to hit them!
>> Edited by NickT on Tuesday 9th August 18:01
The trip was really my own little mini-hoon. Spending Friday and Saturday at the Nurburgring then setting off to north east Italy via the Stelivo Pass and then back again for 4 days at the 'ring.
The T350c made it all the way to... Calais on the first day of the holiday, well 20km from Calais to be precise before something went horribly wrong and the engine died on me
Not sure what it was that caused it and wont speculate until I hear back from TVR. Luckily my SEAT Leon Cupra R had not sold yet so I managed to come all the way back to Cambridge to pick up the Leon and continue on my holiday as planned, just in a different car, a day late and very little sleep.
Whilst in Italy I had a quick phone call from Dream Machines where the car is and I have been told it needs an engine rebuild. Not sure of the extent of the re-build yet though. An average price of £5k they have told me though
I think the engine is off to TVR to be dismantled and quoted on. Also been told that it will take 6 weeks or so Oh well you buy a car like this and I suppose you have to expect the unexpected! Hopefully my 3rd party warranty will cover some of the rebuild but the maximum claim is only £2k so if it was to cost £5k I would still have to find a large sum of money from somewhere.... Should have gone on a mountain biking holiday eh!
As people constantly recommended, if buying one of these cars it really is a good idea to put an engine re-build into your budget. I'll put my hands up and admit I didn't. As the car came with a warranty I thought that would cover most of the costs, looks like I was wrong there than! I would appreciate it if anyone could let me know of their experiences of Speed Six engine rebuilds, or if any one knows if TVR are likely to stump up for any of the rebuild costs (14k miles the engine had done and it is a 2003 car which used to be a Racing Green TVR demo). I'm relying on Dream Machines to sort the car for me and I'm sure they will do I just would like to know what others have paid and if there is anything to try to avoid etc.
I hope once the car is sorted I will have the confidence I need in it to be able to take it to tracks and the like in the future. I really hope this is not the end of my dream
And if I hear "I told you so" from one more person then I think I will have to hit them!
>> Edited by NickT on Tuesday 9th August 18:01
Sorry to hear that Nick. I was planning a very similar trip for the first week of September. I hope I get further than you! I'm certainly expecting to.
Your thread reminded me that TVR are very lucky to have such a loyal and understanding customer (or should that be fan) base. I only hope they recognise that and treat you with similar understanding. Better luck next engine!
Your thread reminded me that TVR are very lucky to have such a loyal and understanding customer (or should that be fan) base. I only hope they recognise that and treat you with similar understanding. Better luck next engine!
Really sorry to hear that mate!
Got to say i haven't really put any money away either and after reading all the stories, am starting to shit myself slightly!! Mine's done about 7k miles.
It's a shame that you have the constant worry of something like this possibly (inevitably?) happening!
Hope yours get's sorted at not too much expense!
Got to say i haven't really put any money away either and after reading all the stories, am starting to shit myself slightly!! Mine's done about 7k miles.
It's a shame that you have the constant worry of something like this possibly (inevitably?) happening!
Hope yours get's sorted at not too much expense!
Nick, im absolutly gutted for you!
To be honest, if it were me i would be asking DM to pay for the whole lot from the warranty they supplied. Afterall, the car is literally only a few weeks old for you and has been back already to have a host of things fixed to help prevent things like this happening!
>> Edited by kmpowell on Tuesday 9th August 13:21
To be honest, if it were me i would be asking DM to pay for the whole lot from the warranty they supplied. Afterall, the car is literally only a few weeks old for you and has been back already to have a host of things fixed to help prevent things like this happening!
>> Edited by kmpowell on Tuesday 9th August 13:21
I'm not sure what to do to be honest. It isn't an un-common thing for Speed Six engines to go after all.
I don't know if I can afford to keep the car after an expensive engine rebuild bill as the TVR was a bit of a strain on the funds as it was! I would be more than gutted to have to sell the car as I still love everything about TVR and their cars. These cars are never going to be as reliable as an Audi or similar after all. It would be fantastic if the engine rebuild was all paid for by TVR, DM or warranty but I don't think this will happen as I've said the maximum claim on the warranty is £2k.
As has been said I have had the car a matter of weeks, first problems were on my first "proper" drive in the car where it had problems in Le Mans which reduced the enjoyment of the whole the trip and then the second time I take it for a decent drive the engine dies on me Couldn't happen at a worse time really day 1 of a 11 day driving holiday in Europe.
I've read about a company in Sprint magazine called "Speed Six Specialists" or something like that. Who do their own engine rebuilds. Is it worth looking into this? I suspect it is too late now though as it has been about a week since telling DM to go ahead with sending the engine off to TVR.
Has anyone managed to get some of the cost of their Speed Six engine rebuild paid for out of TVR warranty?
>> Edited by NickT on Wednesday 10th August 09:39
I don't know if I can afford to keep the car after an expensive engine rebuild bill as the TVR was a bit of a strain on the funds as it was! I would be more than gutted to have to sell the car as I still love everything about TVR and their cars. These cars are never going to be as reliable as an Audi or similar after all. It would be fantastic if the engine rebuild was all paid for by TVR, DM or warranty but I don't think this will happen as I've said the maximum claim on the warranty is £2k.
As has been said I have had the car a matter of weeks, first problems were on my first "proper" drive in the car where it had problems in Le Mans which reduced the enjoyment of the whole the trip and then the second time I take it for a decent drive the engine dies on me
Couldn't happen at a worse time really day 1 of a 11 day driving holiday in Europe. I've read about a company in Sprint magazine called "Speed Six Specialists" or something like that. Who do their own engine rebuilds. Is it worth looking into this? I suspect it is too late now though as it has been about a week since telling DM to go ahead with sending the engine off to TVR.
Has anyone managed to get some of the cost of their Speed Six engine rebuild paid for out of TVR warranty?
>> Edited by NickT on Wednesday 10th August 09:39
If it is a direct TVR warranty, I would 'expect' all of it, ie bought from a MAIN authorised dealer...
Otherwise what's the point buying from a dealer at all. if thgey won't pay the rebuild in warranty.
ie SAVE yourself the purchase cost premium,, 3,4,5 grand, buy privately and you have you're rebuild fund to hand.
B
Otherwise what's the point buying from a dealer at all. if thgey won't pay the rebuild in warranty.
ie SAVE yourself the purchase cost premium,, 3,4,5 grand, buy privately and you have you're rebuild fund to hand.
B
Well Dream Machines have looked after me exceptionally so far to be perfectly honest. The first problems I had with the car were all fixed and even things like the air-con being re-gassed and the wheel alignment and geometry all adjusted to latest TVR spec which wouldn't have been warranty work was all done at no cost, they even gave me a loan car for the week they had the TVR which was a life saver!
Dream Machines are a franchised TVR and Lotus dealer as far as I know, but the warranty provided by them on their used cars is a third party warranty from Auto Protect or something like that. As I have mentioned the car is out of TVR warranty being a January 2003 52 plate car.
I need to speak to them to get some more details before speculating on here really. Got back from my holiday last night and am back at work today so not had a chance to phone them.
Dream Machines are a franchised TVR and Lotus dealer as far as I know, but the warranty provided by them on their used cars is a third party warranty from Auto Protect or something like that. As I have mentioned the car is out of TVR warranty being a January 2003 52 plate car.
I need to speak to them to get some more details before speculating on here really. Got back from my holiday last night and am back at work today so not had a chance to phone them.
Apart from the external warranty (Car Plan?) that DM take out on their cars (only up to £2k per claim) they should have also personally warranted for major work having to be carried out within the first 1-3 months of purchase. Check the all your paperwork you received when you purchased the car.
Dm took care of my rebuild and did a great job liaising with the factory and getting it sorted quickly etc.
Dm took care of my rebuild and did a great job liaising with the factory and getting it sorted quickly etc.
Sounds hopefull!
I just hope I will have the confidence in the car to take it to the Nurburgring next year! Nothing worse than thinking something is going to blow every time you rev past 3k rpm!
Since buying the car I have always warmed it up to 60 degrees before going past 3k rpm and checked oil and water levels every day of driving. I have a feeling this would have happened sooner or later no matter how I drove the car.
I just hope I will have the confidence in the car to take it to the Nurburgring next year! Nothing worse than thinking something is going to blow every time you rev past 3k rpm!
Since buying the car I have always warmed it up to 60 degrees before going past 3k rpm and checked oil and water levels every day of driving. I have a feeling this would have happened sooner or later no matter how I drove the car.
Sorry to hear this Nick.
If you actually bought the car from a dealer there may be some recourse to them.
Whilst legal wrangles are mostly to be avoided (only the lawyers win!) a dealer does have certain responsibilities for the product it supplies.
Due to the high incidence of failure, however, they've probably got the rebuff off to a fine art.
The pain shared warranty/dealer/customer is not an unfair suggestion.
(ignore all the above if not dealer supplied).
If you actually bought the car from a dealer there may be some recourse to them.
Whilst legal wrangles are mostly to be avoided (only the lawyers win!) a dealer does have certain responsibilities for the product it supplies.
Due to the high incidence of failure, however, they've probably got the rebuff off to a fine art.
The pain shared warranty/dealer/customer is not an unfair suggestion.
(ignore all the above if not dealer supplied).
So there may be an upside out of all this?
A rebuilt engine from TVR comes with a warranty and all new 2005 more reliable parts?
If the rebuilt engine is covered against future failure (will it be a 3 year warranty?) then I will have no problem trusting the car as if it goes wrong it will just be a case of an inconvenience rather than a HUGE bill at the end of it all!
A rebuilt engine from TVR comes with a warranty and all new 2005 more reliable parts?
If the rebuilt engine is covered against future failure (will it be a 3 year warranty?) then I will have no problem trusting the car as if it goes wrong it will just be a case of an inconvenience rather than a HUGE bill at the end of it all!
NickT said:
So there may be an upside out of all this?
A rebuilt engine from TVR comes with a warranty and all new 2005 more reliable parts?
If the rebuilt engine is covered against future failure (will it be a 3 year warranty?) then I will have no problem trusting the car as if it goes wrong it will just be a case of an inconvenience rather than a HUGE bill at the end of it all!
Really sorry to hear this Nick - my engine went at about 13k, and DM did their best to sort things out with engine rebuild warranty limit - but you should definitely try and see if TVR now gives more than a 12 month warranty on engine rebuilds, which is what I got.
And as you say, a rebuilt engine should theoretically be to a higher standard.
Just phoned up DM, It would seem like TVR take quite some time rebuilding engines! I've been told it could be 8 - 12 weeks! The engine gets sent out to them sometime next week (TVR don't have a spot before this).
And they also said again that the first £2k would be covered by the insurance / warranty and anything over this will be payable by me.
And they also said again that the first £2k would be covered by the insurance / warranty and anything over this will be payable by me.
holmsie said:
(TVR don't have a spot before this).
They must have loads of rebuilds to do!!
Sorry, i'm getting carried away.
Have a read of:-
www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=197311&f=152&h=0
I take it TVR Power do all the TVR engine rebuilds so the long waiting list mentioned in another thread here is what I would be added to.
Is it worth going elsewhere for the engine rebuild?
I really can't go without a daily driver for 8 - 12 weeks! (the T350c was my daily driver). The little money I was going to spend towards the end of summer on a cheap runabout will now need to be put towards engine rebuild.
Starting to think that maybe it was a bad decision after all getting a TVR
Is it worth going elsewhere for the engine rebuild?
I really can't go without a daily driver for 8 - 12 weeks! (the T350c was my daily driver). The little money I was going to spend towards the end of summer on a cheap runabout will now need to be put towards engine rebuild.
Starting to think that maybe it was a bad decision after all getting a TVR
Hi,
Firstly let me say how sorry I am to hear your experience.
A few points not brought up yet which may be worth considering are:
If the warranty you have is a third party warranty, it is true there is a limit. However, before you commit to anything I would gather some further information with regard to what the dealer should be paying for.
As far as I am aware, as other items under the sales of goods act it is the seller who is responsible for warranty'ing' a car. Whether they choose to claim the money back from a manufacturer (if it has a manufacturers warranty) or to use a third party warranty company to cover their risk, that is their own business, as is the fact if they choose a warranty supplier who does not pay out under some circumstances or for a lesser amount than the claim amount!
In support of this, when I was looking for a price for my non-rebuilt Tuscan from dealers and indys they had to build into their risk and thus margin £4-5k for a potential rebuild in their warranty period. I realise they might have just been 'telling me this' but it does sound coherent with my knowledge of the law.
This may amount to nothing, but its worth a try, after all technically you may have been in the same situation a week (or less) after picking up the car and you would be expected to foot the majority of the bill!!
The second point is that you may not be aware that there are at least one other company who will be able to complete the rebuild work and get it back on the road. They also say that the engine is modified to be more reliable in future. Another fact is that from a report from their use on here, the customers car was returned in days and weeks, not months. Perhaps it may be worthwhile talking to them? If you do a search for TVR Craft on this section there is tons of info about them and the relative pros and cons.
Hope this is of some use!
Edited to add, I think the other company is Speed Six Engine Tech
>> Edited by justinp1 on Tuesday 9th August 15:47
Firstly let me say how sorry I am to hear your experience.
A few points not brought up yet which may be worth considering are:
If the warranty you have is a third party warranty, it is true there is a limit. However, before you commit to anything I would gather some further information with regard to what the dealer should be paying for.
As far as I am aware, as other items under the sales of goods act it is the seller who is responsible for warranty'ing' a car. Whether they choose to claim the money back from a manufacturer (if it has a manufacturers warranty) or to use a third party warranty company to cover their risk, that is their own business, as is the fact if they choose a warranty supplier who does not pay out under some circumstances or for a lesser amount than the claim amount!
In support of this, when I was looking for a price for my non-rebuilt Tuscan from dealers and indys they had to build into their risk and thus margin £4-5k for a potential rebuild in their warranty period. I realise they might have just been 'telling me this' but it does sound coherent with my knowledge of the law.
This may amount to nothing, but its worth a try, after all technically you may have been in the same situation a week (or less) after picking up the car and you would be expected to foot the majority of the bill!!
The second point is that you may not be aware that there are at least one other company who will be able to complete the rebuild work and get it back on the road. They also say that the engine is modified to be more reliable in future. Another fact is that from a report from their use on here, the customers car was returned in days and weeks, not months. Perhaps it may be worthwhile talking to them? If you do a search for TVR Craft on this section there is tons of info about them and the relative pros and cons.
Hope this is of some use!
Edited to add, I think the other company is Speed Six Engine Tech
>> Edited by justinp1 on Tuesday 9th August 15:47
Gassing Station | Speed Six Engine | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff