T350 annual spend?

[The Flying Ox]

Hi,
I'm considering a T350 as a bit of a Sunday Best car. I'm fine with the insurance and the mpg and the cost of new rubber, but not sure about servicing and other assorted costs. How are they on the wallet? I'm aware that it's not in the same league a your average family hatchback, but are they really prohibitive? I don't want to splash the cash only to find it needs a £1000 service every 3000 miles and the engines need a refresh every 18 months.

Cheers in advance.

[Zippee]

My running costs over the last 3 1/2 years are detailed on my profile.

[Mattt]

See many of our profiles for costs.

Major service is 750GBP every other year - plus whatever needs doing.

People say budget 3k/year and you won't have surprises - personally I've found it much less, and I have never skimped on any advisories etc.

[aaronc]

Spent £2500 on mine in 18 months.

Plus a £1000 front end respray

[Targarama]

If you are considering buying at the bottom of the market then you will find the maintenance bill will be higher in the first year or two. I've seen a lot of tatty cars for sale. A lot of owners seem to put things off, which as you know don't get better - whether it is a seal, rear discs, seat retrim or similar, they all cost money.

In other words, saving £2k on a puchase price might not be the bargain it seems. Buy a car that has been cherished and clearly had far too much money lavished on it! Not one that is sitting at a dealer with a flat battery and a musty smell inside.

[Just want a v8]

So out of interest what are the "MUST DO" upgrades?

[Lensey]

Have a look at my blog, had the car nearly six years.

[natben]

Suspension to Gaz Gold Pro/Nitrons or Protech. Check the chassis condition but the T-cars seem to be a lot better than thr Griff or Chims. How old is the Clutch, they cost a £1k fitted. Make sure it has been sericed well at least every year. Engine re-build would be nice if it is a pre 2004-5 model. Maybe a sports exhaust or de-catted also. But depends very much on your budget if you will get all the above.

[RedSpike66]

Some very nice examples about - Get in touch with Craig/Richard/Ian at TrackVRoad - no bullst, just honest information and will find you a very nice car at a fair price. There's another Scottish chap on here (egoold I think) who made the trip to TrackVRoad and is a very happy bunny from what I can remember.

Regards

[mycroft]

Just want a v8 said:

So out of interest what are the "MUST DO" upgrades?

Simple , there are none .

[The Flying Ox]

That's all pretty heartening news chaps. Not the money pit that everyone keeps telling me. Yes, the same people who would never touch a rotary and expound the virtues of the Mitsubishi VR4 models

Ta for the info.

[Pursyluv]

The Tam has been circa £2k in the first 12 months of ownership, this included a new clutch and slave, washer jet upgrade, HID light upgrade and a 6k service, this year it will be new shocks and a 12k service, another £2k, and so it goes on.........

Edited by Pursyluv on Monday 23 January 21:35

[NailedOn]

I am pushing £7k over the last 2 years. I've not had any exotic upgrades or a rebuild, just a long list of worn parts: Diff; suspension; throttles; clutch; rad; flywheel; brakes. That includes a 6k and 12k service plus a few random bits & bobs.
It adds up.


But it's worth it!

[Pursyluv]

I'll second that, it's definitely worth it

[blueg33]

£3k a year excluding insurance is too much IMO, especially if you are doing a low mileage.

6k service = £600
12k service = £800

plus some garages do low mileage services at a lower rate. Allow a bit for sorting out issues and you should be fine. Brakes last well unless you track the car or especially heavy footed.

Get one with a rebuild and a warranty.

I had a lot done to my Tuscan last year and it was still under £2k

This year I will do a big service (not due though) and steering rack rebuild and in total this will be under £1500.

I am doing circa 5-6k miles pa

[jrb43]

I'm in line with everyone else. To "maintain" it shouldn't cost that much - perhaps average 1K p.a BUT many are being improved and some paintwork, uprated suspension, engine rebuild or retrimmed panels will, on average relieve you of 3K p.a.

[Laser Sag]

The Flying Ox said:

Hi,
I'm considering a T350 as a bit of a Sunday Best car. I'm fine with the insurance and the mpg and the cost of new rubber, but not sure about servicing and other assorted costs. How are they on the wallet? I'm aware that it's not in the same league a your average family hatchback, but are they really prohibitive? I don't want to splash the cash only to find it needs a £1000 service every 3000 miles and the engines need a refresh every 18 months.

Cheers in advance.

As with any purchase of something a little different, do your homework in advance, use one of the specialists to get a prospective car checked over.
Depending on your budget if you are looking at the higher mileage cars then things will inevitably need more attention/ replacement. They arent silly money so long as you buy well and make sure its looked after and as posted earlier heed the advisorys from the servicing specialist, a little money saved early on can cost a lot down the road.
And echoing everybody else on here they really are worth it.

[TVR_owner]

Service, tyres, clutch, brakes, engine mounts, sendors, MOT, suspension, rads, bent wheels. All service type items.

2k. Less accounted for will result in disappointment, any savings will allow you to replace tatty trim and repair tatty paint.

[SAGRIFF]

T cars cost a lot more than Griffs/Chims to keep in top condition, I'd say double the price.

[SAGRIFF]

natben said:

Suspension to Gaz Gold Pro/Nitrons or Protech.

Not sure about that, I'd stick to Nitrons or Ohlins.