Must have upgrades for 3R ?

[DJWuk]

Currently on the outlook for a new weekend toy and on the list of potential cars is the 3R. From a ride in Jasons's new aquisition, very impressed with the car

From lots of reading on this forum it appears the following upgrades being worthwhile , with associated expected costs if not done

- Exhaust manifolds £1k
- replacement exhaust £2.5k
- floor resealed £1k
- fuel pump and wiring £400

Would it be right to assume if the above has not been done on the car, you can expect this kind of outlay in the next few years ?

How important is full service history for "every" year vs one that is done more on mileage (eg. Some years missing)

I was hoping a budget of £27k would get me in to a decent clean 3R , with above mods done, from a private seller ?

Sorry for all the questions, but I try to find all the info I can before any potential purchases, to save problems down the line.

Thanks in advance

Dave.

Edited by DJWuk on Sunday 19th May 12:03

[mgbond]

Also make sure the 3R has TDS and 6 Spd as early ones didn't.

you can pay less for the exhaust and not everyone has changed manifolds.

Mine were re welded up a couple of years ago and are still fine.

If it has had exhaust then make sure it has had a remap. (More than likely, but worth checking)

Bondy

[JBliss]

There is loads of information on this subject and at least 1 thread a week on it!!

[DJWuk]

mgbond said:

Also make sure the 3R has TDS and 6 Spd as early ones didn't.

you can pay less for the exhaust and not everyone has changed manifolds.

Mine were re welded up a couple of years ago and are still fine.

If it has had exhaust then make sure it has had a remap. (More than likely, but worth checking)

Bondy

Thanks. What is the lowest priced decent exhaust owners would recommend please ?

[DJWuk]

JBliss said:

There is loads of information on this subject and at least 1 thread a week on it!!

Very true and appreciated.

Updated original post to reflect what I've read, hopefully leaving less questions that may not have been raised before.

[Blu3R]

£27k used to get you into a nice 3R but with M400 prices gaining pace the difference between the two (very similar) models is beginning to look a bit odd. I'd expect a good 3R to be priced with a 3 at the front by summer '14 if they don't get there this year. The same differential then applies to the earlier models in turn.
IMHO of course.

[DJWuk]

Always nice for prices to go up, however have some of these higher priced cars not been up for sale for a while now ?

Always worried the bubble will burst just as I buy in at the top

Edited by DJWuk on Sunday 19th May 12:33

[mgbond]

Bit of a guess, but I think I paid £1500 for my Haward and Scott exhaust and then had to pay for it to be fitted.

jet streams rear box offer (so keeping down pipes) might be a good idea. The main reason people changed them was 1st getting rid of the restrictive Y section and secondly the chocolate exhaust bracket that need to be welded every week.

Bondy

[DJWuk]

Thanks

[Jarcy]

I too am in exactly the same situation. The £27k price point for a sorted 3R feels right to me.
I have been told that these are appreciating assets, but strangely it's people who have them for sale who tell me that.
And when dealers have cars sitting around for almost a year, one must question the pricing.
Admittedly prices have not dropped for some time, so I suppose it's simple supply and demand.
I'm just biting my nails waiting for the right colour combo, spec and condition of car to come along.
I really want a 3R over a 3, but might settle for a sorted 3. And for only £2k difference in the new price I would expect many more 3Rs to be available.
Getting impatient though!

[TuxMan]

This one looks nice with a few choice upgrades .

http://mobile.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-car...

Tux

[Jarcy]

I've already seen it and indeed it is in great condition.
If it were a 3R it would be on my drive right now.
(Doesn't have a TDS though, which is a problem for me)

Edited by Jarcy on Sunday 19th May 19:03

[AMG Merc]

Here's one with a rare US Sonata rear light upgrade...

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/used-cars/noble/m12/us...

[TuxMan]

Jarcy said:

I've already seen it and indeed it is in great condition.
If it were a 3R it would be on my drive right now.
(Doesn't have a TDS though, which is a problem for me)

Edited by Jarcy on Sunday 19th May 19:03

Really no TDS ?? That's a shame !!!

[Jarcy]

TuxMan said:

Really no TDS ?? That's a shame !!!

Yes, fancy doing the great upgrade mods, but not want to track it.
However I've had a candid chat with the previous owner, and the car stacks up.
You'd have to factor in £1.5k (guess) for the TDS, unless MV would fit one prior to purchase.

[DJWuk]

Jarcy said:

Yes, fancy doing the great upgrade mods, but not want to track it.
However I've had a candid chat with the previous owner, and the car stacks up.
You'd have to factor in £1.5k (guess) for the TDS, unless MV would fit one prior to purchase.

If that's the only point that is stopping you buying a car, I'm sure you can negotiate on it with MV .

[mgbond]

When I brought mine, the factory were still offerreting the discount price for a TDS of about £900. Maybe use this is the negotiation.