Re: Buying a Noble M400

[Box050]

Dear All,

I am interested in Buying a Noble M400 ....
I am wanting this car mainly for a Sunday Drive ... with occasional track day (time attack).

I have seen some advertised ... and am really unsure about what to look out for. More over, I get from the threads I've read, that the cars are known by their previous owners.

I have some questions:

Which one would you go for?
What to look out for?
Any important modifications?
Any important history?

Any form of feedback is greatly appreciated.

Looking forward to joining the Noble Clan

Regards
and Thanks

Keith

[sjc]

Ok..
Fuel pump wiring upgrade essential ( cheap to do)
Resealed floor nice.
Manifolds done will save you a packet.
Upgrade intercooler,nice but not essential ( although would be for track work).
Tunnel mod,not essential,but does help with heat .
A box full of paperwork is always nice.
Will deffo need air-con.
Exhaust upgrade and remap handy but not essential as the last thing they really need is more power.The standard oneis quite restrictive however.
Hard pipe kit handy.
Hogh pressure fuel hoses are nice.
Buy on condition and history, not miles.
That's only a rough idea of what to look for,and others will come along with stuff I've forgotten.
They'll be some nice standard ones, and some nice modded ones, and equally some not so good ones of each.Take your time to get the feel of what constitutes a good-un and enjoy doing it.This is an incredibly knowledgeable and helpful forum ( no thanks to me I might add). I'm just our resident Rover 75 guru.

[Box050]

Thanks a million for the info ...
Any particular dealer to look for; specializing in Nobles

[sjc]

I've dealt with Kerridges for 22 years,buying 7 cars from them.( Speak to Steve Kerridge on 01449 720222).They apparently have a nice Azure blue M400 there at the moment,which to my eyes is by far the best colour( no,it's not mine!).
Bespoke are the other people with a good rep,and I believe they have one also.
Nothing wrong in buying private, as long as due diligence and common sense is in abundance!

[D_G]

All M12s suffer the same issues, the later the car the better. As M400s are late you can discount fans / ECUs but all the cars have common issues like the leaky floors, surface corrosion, heat protection coming off etc.

My best advice is get a specialist to look over a potential car (if you aren't an expert yourself) and choose one based on how it is. My car had full noble history when I bought it and there has been some stuff I've fixed which the dealers should have done. A lot of these cars are owned by enthusiasts so don't be scared if it's not got the book full of dealer stamps.

[Box050]

Thank you for your feedback.

Any more comments please?? :-)

[LazyRoss18]

No comments from me as I'm still a newbie to Noble ownership (3R) , just wanted to say that's a nice position to be in and good luck with your search!

[williams f1]

Hi the car that is at kerridges is mine if you need any more info on the car just ask only selling as it got to the point that i did not use it.
And as much as i did not want to sell it was sad just to see it sitting there and not being used happy for someone eles to have some fun with a graet car

[williams f1]

sorry great car

[williams f1]

some of the stuff that has been said you should have is more of a wish list and not always needed i had the car for seven years and it is standard and was looked after by kerridges and for a car like that it was very reliable and never let me down

[Box050]

williams f1 said:

sorry great car

Yes it really does look the part. Unfortunately (especially with current rate of exchange) it is a bit beyond budget. (also considering I have to transport to Malta and then there is the ridiculously high Maltese registration tax)

By the way ... anyone ... any info on the red M400 at Bespoke. The guy there really looks helpful.

[williams f1]

i know what you mean but these car are getting few and far between and its worth pushing to the top of your budget and beyond to get one of these i did when i bought this and i dont regret it at all good luck any way hope you find one

[CarbonV12V]

I may know where there is a similar M400 to that at Kerridges but unlike that "unmolested" version this one has had all the usual niggles completely sorted and with some other essential/nice to have upgrades such as exhaust, brakes, wheels, etc etc etc.

PM me and I will put you in touch.

[AMG Merc]

CarbonV12V said:

I may know where there is a similar M400 to that at Kerridges but unlike that "unmolested" version this one has had all the usual niggles completely sorted and with some other essential/nice to have upgrades such as exhaust, brakes, wheels, etc etc etc.

Carbon, with the greatest of respect (and a modicom of "tongue in cheek"), whenever there's mention of "niggles" and "upgrades" it sends a TVR-esque kind of message that Nobles came out of the factory fekked up or half built (a la Jensen Healey)! Apart from the exhaust bracket they were delivered solid as a rock - mine still does what it says on the tin and hasn't had any upgrades (apart from the chocco exhasut brtacket sorted my Master Warren of Mole).

[CarbonV12V]

AMG Merc said:

Carbon, with the greatest of respect (and a modicom of "tongue in cheek"), whenever there's mention of "niggles" and "upgrades" it sends a TVR-esque kind of message that Nobles came out of the factory fekked up or half built (a la Jensen Healey)! Apart from the exhaust bracket they were delivered solid as a rock - mine still does what it says on the tin and hasn't had any upgrades (apart from the chocco exhasut brtacket sorted my Master Warren of Mole).

And the leaking floor pan, cracked suspension blocks, the fuel pump wiring, the heat in the cabin from the tunnel, the chocolate towing eye, the fractured wheels.....I just see these as some of the niggles which can be upgraded .

[sjc]

CarbonV12V said:

And the leaking floor pan, cracked suspension blocks, the fuel pump wiring, the heat in the cabin from the tunnel, the chocolate towing eye, the fractured wheels.....I just see these as some of the niggles which can be upgraded .

For what it's worth,unmolested doesn't mean poorly maintained, in their eyes, it means it hasn't gone away from standard in the performance stakes.Kerridges turn more Nobles away than they take.Buy are car from them and any of the above stuff wil be done if needed.
They haven't sold cars for one hundred years by sending out crap.