Tips For Inspecting a Speed Six

Tips For Inspecting a Speed Six

Author
Discussion

waddler

Original Poster:

77 posts

261 months

Friday 12th July 2002
quotequote all
I'm off to see a 1999 Speed 6 with 22,500 miles and a FTVRSH. It has also had it's factory recall for the engine. It's a one owner car and sounds in VGC.

Any inspection tips to spot the major (expensive) items? It's 24k service is due soon, so I don't want to be stung for a zillion pound bill in 3 months time.

jody

689 posts

281 months

Friday 12th July 2002
quotequote all
quote:

Any inspection tips to spot the major (expensive) items?




The engine !!

R6CKT

89 posts

263 months

Friday 12th July 2002
quotequote all
Only one rebuild mine had 3 and 2 new garboxes and 2 diffs and and and ............... and it was brand new.

Be very very very carefull, just one question why a sp6 not a 4.5 must be about the same price ish by now and so much less of a headache !!!!

jeremyc

23,470 posts

284 months

Friday 12th July 2002
quotequote all
Take along someone who is familiar with them, ideally an independent expert (Joolz may be able to help: www.joospeed.net).

Look at a number of examples to get a feeling for the differences.

In this particular case I would have thought you could negotiate the completion of the 24K service into the deal.

Oh, and as suggested before, consider a 4.2 or a 4.5 model .

waddler

Original Poster:

77 posts

261 months

Friday 12th July 2002
quotequote all
Thanks for the warnings.

I'm am also checking out 4.5's and 4.2's. I'll let you know how I get on.

Is a warranty with a 1000 pound claim limit worth buying. I can get one for 2 years at 800 quid. I assume this ties you into dealer servicing whichis v expensive???

Any comments??

R6CKT

89 posts

263 months

Friday 12th July 2002
quotequote all
Well the warranty in my opinion, is well worth the money I have had it on all of mine, you don't nececarrly have to have it done at a dealer it just has to be an approved garage i.e. David Batty in compton (south)its all in the small print its just usually people dont read it.
As for 4.2/4.5 must be the way to go I have NEVER heard a good word about a sp6 cerbera had a 99 one brand new and TVR spent about £24,000 putting it right in the first year and eventually gave in. I had a 4.5 and no hassles for a year after so heaven.
Anyone had any good experiences with a sp6 cerbie?

waddler

Original Poster:

77 posts

261 months

Friday 12th July 2002
quotequote all
How about inspection by a main dealer?

Said they charge 70 quid which seems ok but not if they just give it a quick once over and don't really try to look for faunlts.

R6CKT

89 posts

263 months

Friday 12th July 2002
quotequote all
Personaly I would get a specialist to do it I even had my last Chimaera inspected by a specialist when I bought from a Main Dealer / Tvr. Just a personal thing. I am sure if you go to one of the TVRCC regional meetings in your area they will be able to point you in the direction of a local specialist.

gazzab

21,093 posts

282 months

Friday 12th July 2002
quotequote all
I have just had a complete engine rebuild and the warranty paid for £0.00 of the bill !! They argue it is wear and tear regardless of what the problem is. They paid for a new starte though. So in my experience these warranties arent worth it BUT others think they are. So you make your choices...

kris wood

94 posts

283 months

Friday 12th July 2002
quotequote all
I would recommend that you find a S6 at a main dealer for peice of mind (see Henley Heritage for excellent example) and then call me (shameless plug) and see how I can save you £4,000 off the dealer forecourt price immediatley for the exact same car (see PH's advert for details)

gazzab

21,093 posts

282 months

Friday 12th July 2002
quotequote all
Do HH really approve of you using them to market your car and then you grab the punters directly? When my old Chimp was at Fernies I didnt advertise it until the deal with them completed.

venom500

2,984 posts

283 months

Sunday 14th July 2002
quotequote all
We had a Speed 6,it was our worst nightmare, 2 engine re-builds and it still wasn`t right,we got shot of the car and lost alot of dosh.If a Cerbie is for you go for a 4.5/4.2.
Good luck!

kris wood

94 posts

283 months

Monday 15th July 2002
quotequote all
I have the right to advertise my car for sale in whatever medium I so choose. If HH find a buyer first then great, they make their margin. However if I find a buyer first then hey, tough!

phockit

93 posts

265 months

Monday 15th July 2002
quotequote all
I've had a Speed 6 Cerb since March without major woes (check profile for boringly comprehensive experience to date).

For the record: 15,000 miles with nothing other than standard servicing and standard TVR niggle fettling (rushes off to find big chunk of wood to touch).

If it's got +20,000 miles on the clock and it's been a while since the rebuild then I would expect it to be a reasonable option (i.e. it had finger follower probs which were sorted first time around).

Try not to listen to the engine until it's warmed up - the bag of saucepans impersonation from a cold start doesn't inspire confidence. Should sound fine once warmed up although expect some tappet noise at certain rpm.

Just make sure you keep it serviced, oil full and really warm it up before nailing it and shouldn't be a problem.

Beast

368 posts

284 months

Tuesday 16th July 2002
quotequote all
Echo Phockit's comments, particularly the warmth, bedding etc.

I had one of the original Dealer demo's - and besides the fact it went back to the factory as part of the overall recall's to have balancer damper etc fitted, it didn't go bang on me.

2nd one (May 2000) had nothing go wrong - bar an air sensor in 8k miles, including being wrung out by Ian Flux and Martin Short at a Bedford MRA day. 6k service included resetting valve banks, but no problem with followers. Car is currently for sale at Barnet (I think) having traded for a Griff.

However....because of all the bad engine news stories, in both Cerb and Tuscans, you always have that niggle that it will let go (even though there are no signs). On the positive side, the engine does what it says on the can, unlike seemingly the 8's from the rollingroads.

waddler

Original Poster:

77 posts

261 months

Tuesday 16th July 2002
quotequote all
Thanks guys. I went to see/test drive the car and it looks spot on to me. Rob Ingleby is going to give it the once over next week. I have also talked to a TVR dealer who will sell me a top of the range (car value claim limit) warranty. They are mailing out the terms/conditions but given the potential reliability issues I assume this is a wise move? Any experience with these warranties. So far i've had mixed opinions.

kris wood

94 posts

283 months

Tuesday 16th July 2002
quotequote all
Beast is spot on.

Cerb S6's are very good cars and as said, it does what it says on the tin. Very useable as well. Just get a warranty and enjoy.

Good luck with it

cammy

105 posts

277 months

Wednesday 17th July 2002
quotequote all
Had a brand new S6 since Sept01, covered 3,700 miles and had absolutely no engine niggles. S6 easier for the town work I experience at times. Had some minor niggles, but, hey, it's a TVR and we expect these. I am contemplating having the tappets checked at the 6,000 mile service instead of the 12,000. Any thoughts on this i.e. a waste of money or peace of mind?

dannylt

1,906 posts

284 months

Wednesday 17th July 2002
quotequote all
Piece of mind, I would definitely have the cam covers off at 6000 miles to have a look. You wouldn't really expect any problems at 3700 yet.

joospeed

4,473 posts

278 months

Wednesday 17th July 2002
quotequote all
Piece of mind ???? that's your Iron Maiden roots coming through Danny!!