Griffith SE reliability?

[nsparey]

Hi

Just curious to know if any other owners have had more than the usual problems with their Griffith SE?
I had one for about six months and had no end of problems with it, engine/electrics/clutch/tyres ect. In the end we returned the car to the dealer as it had spent more time there than in our garage. It was replaced with a new Tuscan S. My wife however misses the Griff (it was the rather loud but IMHO cool Mint green example)

www.inteligent.net/maddy.htm

so we are considering buying another SE to keep the Tuscan company, well really so my 8 year old can come to the club meetings, at the momemt we take the Tiv and our Stag. So I would like to here if anyone else has had problems or was I just very unlucky? Next thing is finding one for sale!

>>> Edited by nsparey on Thursday 23 September 11:10

>>> Edited by nsparey on Sunday 26th September 22:31

>>> Edited by nsparey on Friday 8th October 11:23

[REESO]

Nsparey,

I have No13 of the SE's and love it. I only had 2 niggles with it when bought new from the dealer March01. The driver window did not fit properly and the wipers kept failing. Both fixed by dealer very promtly and I was and still am one happy bunny!

Kerridges used to have No98 a few months back for sale.....may still have it!!

[nsparey]

Sadly not, seems to have gone, what colour was it?

[REESO]

Tahiti Blue...this one!www.kerridges.co.uk/used.asp?rss=2&type=1&oB=Price%20DESC&selIndex=0

Although it might not be an SE, however it is the same age as mine which should be an SE

[nsparey]

nope a late non SE, orange indicators and door mirrors give it away. Nice colour though.

>> Edited by nsparey on Thursday 23 September 16:30

[REESO]

I did spot the signs, but I did not think they were producing both SE and non SE griffs at the same time. My reasoning for this would be the fact that mine is a 2001 Y No13 and I could only have an SE. For that to be a 2001 Y it would have to have been built at the same time as mine or later. Therefore I was thinking it may be the wrong picture! Worth a phonecall maybe?

[nsparey]

Los Angeles said:

nsparey said: Just curious to know if any other owners have had more than the usual problems with their Griffith SE? Yes, but the only way to have them fixed permanently, in my experience, is to take the car back to the factory.

yes did that with the Tuscan, did a fantastic job, looked like it should have when it was delivered. They are really nice people to deal with.

[johno]

I can not remember the order of all of these ....

- New Engine completely rebuilt @ V8D (very nice)
- New Power steering rack
- New power steering hose's
- New Heater matrix control unit
- New 5th gear
- Needs new glove box latch
- New seat belt
- Some trim has come unstuck

I would only qualify all of the above by commenting that the car has done 25,000 in the last 18 months.

However, many people (nearly me) would find all this completely unacceptable.

[nsparey]

johno said:

I can not remember the order of all of these .... - New Engine completely rebuilt @ V8D (very nice) - New Power steering rack - New power steering hose's - New Heater matrix control unit - New 5th gear - Needs new glove box latch - New seat belt - Some trim has come unstuck I would only qualify all of the above by commenting that the car has done 25,000 in the last 18 months. However, many people (nearly me) would find all this completely unacceptable.

why did the engine need a rebuild?

[TeGriffic]

REESO said:

I only had 2 niggles with it...

Well, three if you include dust particles.

[nsparey]

REESO said:

I did spot the signs, but I did not think they were producing both SE and non SE griffs at the same time. My reasoning for this would be the fact that mine is a 2001 Y No13 and I could only have an SE. For that to be a 2001 Y it would have to have been built at the same time as mine or later. Therefore I was thinking it may be the wrong picture! Worth a phonecall maybe?

It may be, I will give them a call. When I bought mine I nearly went for a Crystal Topaz non SE at Newtown motors, that was a 2001. I think somtimes when dealer new car stock hangs arround a bit you get older models registered later than new ones.

>> Edited by nsparey on Thursday 23 September 23:22

[jamer]

nsparey said:

Hi Just curious to know if any other owners have had more than the usual problems with their Griffith SE? I had one for about six months and had no end of problems with it, engine/electrics/clutch/tyres ect. In the end we returned the car to the dealer as it had spent more time there than in our garage. It was replaced with a new Tuscan S. My wife however misses the Griff (it was the rather loud but IMHO cool Mint green example) http://community.webshots.com/s/image8/1/41/26/115414126DGZybW_fs.jpg so we are considering buying another SE to keep the Tuscan company, well really so my 8 year old can come to the club meetings, at the momemt we take the Tiv and our Stag. So I would like to here if anyone else has had problems or was I just very unlucky? Next thing is finding one for sale! >>> Edited by nsparey on Thursday 23 September 11:10

All the Limited Edition Griffith's that I have dealt with seemed fine, early ones suffered with seat backs ripping on the hood section and a few of the early ones seemed to have water ingress that we have sold, butb in the main they seem a decent productionised version of the Griffith.

Because they are hand built some are obviously more trouble than others, but generally a good buy and a long term great TVR to keep.

[johno]

nsparey said:

johno said: I can not remember the order of all of these .... - New Engine completely rebuilt @ V8D (very nice) - New Power steering rack - New power steering hose's - New Heater matrix control unit - New 5th gear - Needs new glove box latch - New seat belt - Some trim has come unstuck I would only qualify all of the above by commenting that the car has done 25,000 in the last 18 months. However, many people (nearly me) would find all this completely unacceptable. why did the engine need a rebuild?

Disclaimer ............ only opinions ....

Mobil 1 5/40 oil. Too thin causing sustained low oil pressure and some question marks over whther the first owner had run the car in properly ....

But now have a fully balance V8D lump that is sooo much better than the original.

Not 404 cam, the V8D copy (but improved) version of the original.

[jamer]

johno said:

nsparey said: johno said: I can not remember the order of all of these .... - New Engine completely rebuilt @ V8D (very nice) - New Power steering rack - New power steering hose's - New Heater matrix control unit - New 5th gear - Needs new glove box latch - New seat belt - Some trim has come unstuck I would only qualify all of the above by commenting that the car has done 25,000 in the last 18 months. However, many people (nearly me) would find all this completely unacceptable. why did the engine need a rebuild? Disclaimer ............ only opinions .... Mobil 1 5/40 oil. Too thin causing sustained low oil pressure and some question marks over whther the first owner had run the car in properly .... But now have a fully balance V8D lump that is sooo much better than the original. Not 404 cam, the V8D copy (but improved) version of the original.

Although everywhere you look in the Griffith/Chimaera they state Mobil 1 and prior to this mineral till 1000 and then and semi synthentic till 6000, this engine was designed to run on mineral in the first place for the record and unless you are going to thrash the pants off it the engine guys at Power recommend to put Mineral in as its a thicker oil and better suited for this engine ....

however if your going to tune it up or track it then a better oil type is neccessary

>> Edited by jamer on Friday 24th September 09:01

[catretriever]

jamer said:

unless you are going to thrash the pants off it

Err.......hello

[REESO]

Nsparey,

I've found you one!!!! I have mailed the details to you via your profile!
It's a good one.

[jamer]

catretriever said:

jamer said: unless you are going to thrash the pants off it Err.......hello

I see your point..




>> Edited by jamer on Friday 24th September 10:35

[johno]

Jamer,

I have to agree with the comments although it is frustrating to have to find out the hard way ...

I've done the first 500 miles running in ..... and as expected the oil level has dropped.

V8D have said it does need mineral oil to run in, and therefore it has had a Valvoline semi in it.

On Saturday it will get it's first oil change and it is getting Mobil 1 15/50 Motorsport.

I'll run it for another 500 miles with the Mobil and then change again, then I'll make a choise between the Mobil and the Castrol for the next 3000 miles...

[bjwoods]

jamer said:

johno said: nsparey said: johno said: I can not remember the order of all of these .... - New Engine completely rebuilt @ V8D (very nice) - New Power steering rack - New power steering hose's - New Heater matrix control unit - New 5th gear - Needs new glove box latch - New seat belt - Some trim has come unstuck I would only qualify all of the above by commenting that the car has done 25,000 in the last 18 months. However, many people (nearly me) would find all this completely unacceptable. why did the engine need a rebuild? Disclaimer ............ only opinions .... Mobil 1 5/40 oil. Too thin causing sustained low oil pressure and some question marks over whther the first owner had run the car in properly .... But now have a fully balance V8D lump that is sooo much better than the original. Not 404 cam, the V8D copy (but improved) version of the original. Although everywhere you look in the Griffith/Chimaera they state Mobil 1 and prior to this mineral till 1000 and then and semi synthentic till 6000, this engine was designed to run on mineral in the first place for the record and unless you are going to thrash the pants off it the engine guys at Power recommend to put Mineral in as its a thicker oil and better suited for this engine .... however if your going to tune it up or track it then a better oil type is neccessary >> Edited by jamer on Friday 24th September 09:01

But when I bought my first griff - the Mobil 1 formula was 10W 50......

Basically its got thinner, the mobil 1 motorsport is generally thought to be better for this v8

B

[moto]

I've run my SE for 18 mths. Apart from the cam which needed changing, I have to say it's been perfect - sorry, a horn fuse did blow once.