to SV or not to SV

[MARTIN993]

Hi there,

New to the forum, new to the brand...but besotted after a few track days and a test drive today.

I'm almost sold on the car below and wanted to ask if anyone knows the car or if those more familiar with the values could offer thoughts on the asking price.

http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/c...

Spec wise, it's perfect for me and feels like a great hybrid for b-road blats / track days.

My only question mark on the spec is SV. I'm short and small framed and wonder if the snugger fit of the standard car might suit more - although suspect on longer journeys the extra room might be pay off. Also like the planted feel of the SV.

Any thoughts on the above car or the to SV or not to SV very much appreciated.

Thanks

[framerateuk]

Assuming you get the widetrack suspension, an SV shouldn't feel any more planted (unless by planted, you mean heavier!).

Have you sat in an S3 and SV yet? At 5'8" I can't drive an SV comfortably at all. The seat wont go forward enough, while the S3 fits like a glove (though still with the seat far forward!).

You should want the car to fit like a glove, and for me, I'd rattle around in an SV.

[coppice]

I am 5-11 and well built; i drive an S3. It is very comfy and indeed fits like a glove. I have sat in an SV or two and they felt gratuitously large. But one thing- nearly all my Seven mileage is solo; if it were two up most of the time or on tours it would be an SV without doubt as passengers do make an S3 feel even smaller.

[mickrick]

You shouldn´t rattle around in an SV with Tillets. I find them very comfy.
I have an SV. I didn´t switch from an S3 because of leg room though, plenty of leg room in an S3. Shoulder room two up is the issue.
If you´re going to use the car for touring, or spend time with your better half, the SV is much more practical. More luggage space, and a bigger fuel tank.

[Keep it stiff]

mickrick said:

You shouldn´t rattle around in an SV with Tillets. I find them very comfy.
I have an SV. I didn´t switch from an S3 because of leg room though, plenty of leg room in an S3. Shoulder room two up is the issue.
If you´re going to use the car for touring, or spend time with your better half, the SV is much more practical. More luggage space, and a bigger fuel tank.

I agree, it's not just an issue of driver size. Whilst appreciating that practicalities are not always top of the wish-list for 7 owners whenever I see an S3 two up I'm grateful I went with the SV!

[PAULJA]

MARTIN993 said:

Hi there,

New to the forum, new to the brand...but besotted after a few track days and a test drive today.

I'm almost sold on the car below and wanted to ask if anyone knows the car or if those more familiar with the values could offer thoughts on the asking price.

http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/c...

Spec wise, it's perfect for me and feels like a great hybrid for b-road blats / track days.

My only question mark on the spec is SV. I'm short and small framed and wonder if the snugger fit of the standard car might suit more - although suspect on longer journeys the extra room might be pay off. Also like the planted feel of the SV.

Any thoughts on the above car or the to SV or not to SV very much appreciated.

Thanks

I have driven the car in question and to be honest it felt 'too big' in the seat area (leather seats), I'm 5'10"

If you speak to Jon I'm sure a deal can be done to include tillets within an agreed price. Lowered floors might also be worth considering.

It would be worth you driving an SV and S3 back to back as I did. The S3 fitted like a glove - very snug at shoulder level though(as previously posted above)but you do feel part of the car.

Edited by PAULJA on Monday 7th October 13:23

Edited by PAULJA on Monday 7th October 13:24

[DickieH]

Im a fraction over 6ft and the S3 is a good fit for me. Less room around the feet but you get used to it. Unless like the others have said you ll be touring alot with 2 then I think you need an S3. Cheaper too. But again you need to try both back to back.
Good luck.

[framerateuk]

I and the other half did a week long tour of Scotland in an S3 and had no trouble at all. We managed to get everything in (using a boot bag). It was a tight squeeze for the passenger who had their legs resting on a ruck sack (we took turns driving), but that was part of the fun!

We didn't have any fuel range problems either(the tank isn't huge but it'll get you a reasonable distance). We did 1500 miles in total and we can't wait to drive there again!

[MARTIN993]

Thanks for the responses guys...are there many non SV R400 superlights around?

[Murph7355]

MARTIN993 said:

Thanks for the responses guys...are there many non SV R400 superlights around?

Enough that they come available regularly.

Try an S3 before committing to the fat boy version. They are much more intimate in a good way.

[subirg]

I have one of the mythical non SV R400s. Had it since new in 2007. My car is primarily a track car with rare road trips although I do take it on an annual trip to the 'Ring every year (and not on the back of a trailer)! It is phenomenal. The primary benefit of an S3 is that it is ultimately more suited to the track which is what I wanted. I have a friend with an SV which is primarily a road car- and he is very happy with it in that environment (it's a Supersport spec with throttle body upgrade). I am 5' 8" and have to have the S3 seats as far forward as possible, so I wouldn't call it short on fore aft space and it didn't feel much different to the SV in that dimension. However, width wise, the SV felt much more spacious and better suited to touring or carrying passengers and luggage on extended trips. They are both great cars, but you have to make sure you pick the car that is best suited to your mission (assuming you fit in both to begin with)!

[subirg]

I have one of the mythical non SV R400s. Had it since new in 2007. My car is primarily a track car with rare road trips although I do take it on an annual trip to the 'Ring every year (and not on the back of a trailer)! It is phenomenal. The primary benefit of an S3 is that it is ultimately more suited to the track which is what I wanted. I have a friend with an SV which is primarily a road car- and he is very happy with it in that environment (it's a Supersport spec with throttle body upgrade). I am 5' 8" and have to have the S3 seats as far forward as possible, so I wouldn't call it short on fore aft space and it didn't feel much different to the SV in that dimension. However, width wise, the SV felt much more spacious and better suited to touring or carrying passengers and luggage on extended trips. They are both great cars, but you have to make sure you pick the car that is best suited to your mission (assuming you fit in both to begin with)!

[subirg]

I have one of the mythical non SV R400s. Had it since new in 2007. My car is primarily a track car with rare road trips although I do take it on an annual trip to the 'Ring every year (and not on the back of a trailer)! It is phenomenal. The primary benefit of an S3 is that it is ultimately more suited to the track which is what I wanted. I have a friend with an SV which is primarily a road car- and he is very happy with it in that environment (it's a Supersport spec with throttle body upgrade). I am 5' 8" and have to have the S3 seats as far forward as possible, so I wouldn't call it short on fore aft space and it didn't feel much different to the SV in that dimension. However, width wise, the SV felt much more spacious and better suited to touring or carrying passengers and luggage on extended trips. They are both great cars, but you have to make sure you pick the car that is best suited to your mission (assuming you fit in both to begin with)!

[Johno]

I'm the odd ball . . . SV solely as a track car. I look ridiculous in a S3. Elbows out of the car, no shoulder space if I have a passenger though leg space is OK.

I'm 6'4 and 110kgs, broad across the shoulders and wanted a track car that was very capable, but not like sitting in a coffin. I'm not racing, so a SV works well for me. I could have done it in an S3 but why bother as ultimate times aren't the pursuit and I don't find equal S3 machinery any noticeable difference quicker at the trackdays I do.

[MARTIN993]

Thanks guys...the hunt for an S3 continues!

[Murph7355]

Johno said:

I'm the odd ball . . . SV solely as a track car. I look ridiculous in a S3. Elbows out of the car, no shoulder space if I have a passenger though leg space is OK.

I'm 6'4 and 110kgs, broad across the shoulders and wanted a track car that was very capable, but not like sitting in a coffin. I'm not racing, so a SV works well for me. I could have done it in an S3 but why bother as ultimate times aren't the pursuit and I don't find equal S3 machinery any noticeable difference quicker at the trackdays I do.

6' 4" and, at the time, nigh on 115kg in an S3....



When it had weather gear and no roll cage I slept in it at Spa (with a lady passenger), and did an awful lot of miles touring Europe (Le Sept trips amongst others), Ireland etc etc.

An SV, to me, feels too big. But I can understand people coming from normal cars feeling more "familiar" with them at first

[Johno]

Goes to show the différences in form . . I just struggle to get my shoulders and therefore arms comfortable in an S3, perhaps after some time in the SV it'll be easier . I've no problem in race cars, but I don't like my elbow sticking out of the car and in the SV with side doors I'm comfortable, in an S3 with the same I feel cramped, but as said I am broad across the shoulders.

Height comes in different forms as well, because I simply can't get that low in mine, my head is level with the roll bar (FIA) and I''d like to get lower, the tillet is as low as it can go and the pedals are already at the fullest extenstion. I could only lie further back or go with a foam seat, I've already added lowered floors.



This is me in the passenger seat of an S3 a few years (read smaller) ago with a mate who's broad'ish too. Whilst entertaining and I'm sure I could find a position suitable, it's not racing and there's not enough advantage in me running an S3 versus an SV, so after trying them both I plumbed SV. I think I can take the fatboy abuse . . .

Whilst in the SV I don't feel like I'm in my own coffin

[Murph7355]

The proper seats are likely to be a big part of the problem. I have a foam seat on a lowered floor. They make a massive difference.

You must have legs like Douglas Bader if you're only 110kg in that photo though

[Johno]

Was on the scales for the annual med check last month .... 110kgs. In my pants only of course and before anything to eat

May have to consider a foam seat ....

[Pdelamare]

I'll be getting an SV also. Only half of me fits in the driver's space of an S3. I'm 125kg and 6'1" with comedy superhero sized legs and arms, just not enough space. Passengers have to lean left pretty hard else I can't change gear.