Chimaera Servicing Costs.
Discussion
I do not own a TVR yet and am a relative newcomer to this superb "Gassing Station", my first posting was about Chimaera DIY maintenance and the replies were most constructive and confirmed my belief that Chimaeras & Griffiths are relatively straight forward machines on which to undertake routine servicing/repairs. I have also been viewing the Cerbera and Tuscan discussion boards ( the tales of woe of which have confirmed my choice of Chimaera/Griffith as the best choice of TVR from a reliability point of view !!! ), however on one posting a Cerbera owner had just spent £ 3200 on a 24000 mile "service" which included other repairs.As this to me seems excessive,I am trying to find out what sort of servicing/repair costs Chimaera/Griffith owners are typically experiencing. Various magazines (such as EVO) do articles on buying used and they give typical fixed price "menu" servicing costs for various services, but as we all know ( particularly with bespoke machinery ) reality is totally different. I would like to hear from owners what costs they have experienced for servicing/repairs.
TVR Owner Eventually!
TVR Owner Eventually!
the thing to watch is exactly what the garage will do for the service. I have had quotes ranging from £250 to £600+ for a 12 month service. I selected the pricier one for convinience initially but later realised that some garages must be skimping on the work as if you take the garage hourly rate and multiply it by the TVR service schedule and add the bits then the price is in excess of £600.
Not slagging off anyone whatsoever - just be sure what the garage is going to be doing for your money.
Not slagging off anyone whatsoever - just be sure what the garage is going to be doing for your money.
I would budget 750 pnds a service. Some will be less and some will be more. While spares are a lot cheaper than a Cerbera generally, they are still expensive compared to a Eurobox and the jobs can take longer because of the limited access. Tyres and brakes become consumables if the car is driven in a spirited way or you do a lot of track days.
It also depends on what age car you get and the condition. You might end up with a new clutch (budget 600 pnds) at the first service and so on. Exhaust systems are around 350 pnds and manifolds are about 400. A new PAS rack could be 750-1000 pnds if the old one cannot be reconditioned.
TVRs are not budget cars to run when compared to Euroboxes but they are infinitely cheaper to run compeared to Porkers and Dancing donkeys. But don't underestimate the fact that you might get a bigger bill than you think. This why I suggest 750 a shot. First service might be around 450-500 so put the money to the next one which could be bigger.
Steve
www.tvrbooks.co.uk
It also depends on what age car you get and the condition. You might end up with a new clutch (budget 600 pnds) at the first service and so on. Exhaust systems are around 350 pnds and manifolds are about 400. A new PAS rack could be 750-1000 pnds if the old one cannot be reconditioned.
TVRs are not budget cars to run when compared to Euroboxes but they are infinitely cheaper to run compeared to Porkers and Dancing donkeys. But don't underestimate the fact that you might get a bigger bill than you think. This why I suggest 750 a shot. First service might be around 450-500 so put the money to the next one which could be bigger.
Steve
www.tvrbooks.co.uk
What I can't work out is why the servicing is so expensive.That is the one thing that is putting me off buying a TVR.
My Supra has got things like ABS, a turbo, auto gearbox,PAS and all the bits and pieces that need checking and I've never had a service come to more than £400.The only time it got near that was when I needed front brake pads fitted.
How £750 can be justified on a car like a TVR, that is mechanically not very complex, is well beyond me.
Lee.
TVR owner one day,(when I can afford the servicing, and insurance)!!!
My Supra has got things like ABS, a turbo, auto gearbox,PAS and all the bits and pieces that need checking and I've never had a service come to more than £400.The only time it got near that was when I needed front brake pads fitted.
How £750 can be justified on a car like a TVR, that is mechanically not very complex, is well beyond me.
Lee.
TVR owner one day,(when I can afford the servicing, and insurance)!!!
Thanks for your replies, most helpful. The examples you have given have been around what I have been expecting ( and still a lot cheaper than a Cerbie ! ). When I get one it will be a second car and will not be clocking up massive mileages ( although I am sure it will be difficult to resist taking the TVR keys !! ). Living in Lancashire my local dealers are Christopher Neil at Northwich and Harrogate Horseless Carriages in Harrogate ( obviously! ) , has anyone had experience of any of these ? ( without wishing to provoke the touchy subject of slagging off etc etc ).
Cheers Andy.
TVR owner eventually.
Cheers Andy.
TVR owner eventually.
quote:
Living in Lancashire my local dealers are Christopher Neil at Northwich and Harrogate Horseless Carriages in Harrogate ( obviously! ) , has anyone had experience of any of these ? ( without wishing to provoke the touchy subject of slagging off etc etc ).
Cheers Andy.
TVR owner eventually.
My service bills average £400-500. No big components yet, though.
Tops marks for the HHC service department. Helpful, friendly and never miss a deadline. they look after mine well.
Less marks for the sales department. It's not the place for this, so email me for an opinion.
Good luck
Richard
quote:
How £750 can be justified on a car like a TVR, that is mechanically not very complex, is well beyond me.
It is a myth that they are not very complex. They may not have the level of electronics that something like a SUpra has but they do require a lot of TLC to pick up problems early enough before they become costly. That means paying someone to crawl over the car to make sure that there is nothing untoward going on. That is where the bulk of the servicing costs come in. I've seen cars that have been serviced by non-specialists (I've even seen a couple with a Halfords oil change masquerading as a service stamp) and the cars quickly degrade. If you owned a Ferrari or a Porsche, then your servicing costs are even worse and you are not getting any better performance. Indeed you could argue it is a lot less.
The facts are if the cars are not serviced by someone who knows the cars inside out they will quickly degrade and cost more in the long term.
Steve
www.tvrbooks.co.uk
quote:
What I can't work out is why the servicing is so expensive.That is the one thing that is putting me off buying a TVR.
My Supra has got things like ABS, a turbo, auto gearbox,PAS and all the bits and pieces that need checking and I've never had a service come to more than £400.The only time it got near that was when I needed front brake pads fitted.
How £750 can be justified on a car like a TVR, that is mechanically not very complex, is well beyond me.
Lee.
TVR owner one day,(when I can afford the servicing, and insurance)!!!
Have you ever asked what Toyota do for the Service Costs ?? I seem to recall a Top of the Range Service meant they changed the oil AND cleaned the Air filter.. Great...
The bottom line is you are getting a seriously quick machine that needs looking after.
Edited by Jason F on Saturday 29th December 17:05
quote:
have you ever asked what Toyota do for the Service Costs ?? I seem to recall a Top of the Range Service meant they changed the oil AND cleaned the Air filter.. Great...
Edited by anonymous-user on Saturday 29th December 17:05
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I don't rate Toyota's servicing at all, I have a list of things they are supposed to do, but whether they do or not is debatable.
From what I've heard TVR servicing isn't that great.
At least it costs me less to get a stamp in the book though.
Well, let's not miss the point: TVR are sports cars, and as such needs to be taken care off. The components of the car can come under great strain if you drive in a 'spirited' way (Steve let me know how much I owe for re-using this one 
). For example I have found that my 4.5 litre V8 (Chimaera) runs with 5 litres of good oil. This is has much as my brother's 1.9 turbo diesel 205 !!! This means that oil needs to be checked regularly - weekly according to the TVR owner handbook. Not a big deal but it must be taken care off. For this matter, I would rather compare TVRs to superbikes. The people who are ready to pay this extra attention get a truly unique driving experience in exchange. Whether this is worth it is for each person to decide. For me this is a no brainer!!
Roms
Antigua Blue Chimaera 450
MCC Smart Passion Grey with Bungee Red interior ;o)
). For example I have found that my 4.5 litre V8 (Chimaera) runs with 5 litres of good oil. This is has much as my brother's 1.9 turbo diesel 205 !!! This means that oil needs to be checked regularly - weekly according to the TVR owner handbook. Not a big deal but it must be taken care off. For this matter, I would rather compare TVRs to superbikes. The people who are ready to pay this extra attention get a truly unique driving experience in exchange. Whether this is worth it is for each person to decide. For me this is a no brainer!! Roms
Antigua Blue Chimaera 450
MCC Smart Passion Grey with Bungee Red interior ;o)
quote:
supraman your supra may have pas abs air con and all the bells and whistles but sorry mate it aint got much cred very little go and absolutely no style
You dont know much about Supra's do you.
Take a look at this if you want to find out more...
www.ian.chisholm.clara.net/pwcars.html
TVR's are simple motors, but have many quirks. Hence you should use a specialist. The problem is TVR dealers charge £75 or more per hour for labour. I use an independant guy who charges less than half that. Join your local TVR Car Club and you'll find someone who can cut you service prices and do a better job.
quote:
TVR's are simple motors, but have many quirks. Hence you should use a specialist. The problem is TVR dealers charge £75 or more per hour for labour. I use an independant guy who charges less than half that. Join your local TVR Car Club and you'll find someone who can cut you service prices and do a better job.
Marlboro
Your profile doesn't state where you are in the UK so which independent do you use in place of which dealer?
TVR owner in 2002!!
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