Thursday 7th November 2013

Noble M12 GTO: Spotted

An early M12 for £22k would make a fine buy for the track day individualist

---

Remember the excitement around the Noble M12? Its forerunner the M10 from 1999 looked like a mis-shapen Toyota MR2, offered little over a Lotus Elise and consequently didn't make much of an impact.

Bodywork looks fine from here!

But then the M12 GTO arrived back in 2000 and, in one car, Lee Noble announced himself to the world. It still wasn't the most beautiful thing to look at but, as something to drive, it was sensational. Low mass, excellent mid-engined dynamics and a thumping turbocharged 2.5-litre V6 made it the darling of road test desks nationwide. 'Like a big Elise' ironically became the go-to phrase for every drive feature, and praise probably comes no higher.

That engine may have been sourced from a Mondeo, but more than did the job. Its 314hp and 320lb ft of torque shoved along the 980kg really very rapidly indeed, with 62mph arriving in four seconds. The turbo whoosh and V6 scream didn't subside until 165mph. The M12 evolved through the GTO-3, GTO-3R and M400 in 2004, the latter taking the Noble beyond 400hp.

The 'big Elise' is on sale at a Lotus dealer

Given the GTO-3 arrived in 2003, it's actually quite rare to find an original GTO. This 2002 version with 49,000 miles is being sold at a Lotus specialist for £21,995 and is 'a standard unmolested factory car'. 'N10BLX' is probably best changed for its original plate before people get the wrong idea.

Anyone who wants a Noble will know it's far from a conventional purchase. Checks need to be thorough and detailed, even when buying from a specialist. Early M12s were known for sketchy ECUs, so check the later MBE system had been retrofitted. The engine itself is fundamentally strong, but there are known issues with the fuel pump and the five-speed gearbox. Cars headed for the track should have the upgraded Noble track day sump as well.

Good colour, good spec, and £22K

But on the track, you know it will be superb. The standard AP Racing brakes are more than up to the task (expensive to replace, mind), and the forgiving balance and instant responses will keep you lapping endlessly . If 'N10BLX' has been tracked, make your chassis checks even more detailed, just in case.

Dealers proclaiming a car is 'only going up in value' are often guilty of some hyperbole, but could it be an accurate view for once? Could M12s like this ever really go much under £20K?The potential track fun would surely offset the costs...

---

NOBLE M12 GTO
Engine: 2,544cc, twin-turbocharged V6
Transmission: Five-speed manual, rear-wheel drive
Power (hp): 314@6,000rpm
Torque (lb ft): 320@3,500rpm
MPG: N/A
CO2: N/A
First registered: 2002
Recorded mileage: 47,000
Price new: £44,950
Yours for: £21,995

See the original advert here

[X5TUU]

I looked at a few M12's back in 2008, at the time I was toying with the idea of that or a Tuscan as a 'spirited' daily driver ... I drove both extensively, and came very close to a purchase of an M12 from HHC but the one thing I couldnt get over was build quality, the Tuscan's had a shady level of build and rattles were expected but the Noble took it to a whole other level and as it was for everyday use I knew they would drive me up the wall.

They werent much more expensive at that time either, I was looking at around £28k for a 02/03 model

I would still like one, and often drift into M400 territory to 'scratch that itch' but with my 1k miles a week at the moment, def not a one for a daily for me lol

[mgbond]

There are people using them as a daily drive but it's much better as a weekend/track toy.

I love mine (early 2.5) and have had it now for 8yrs. I have done lots to it in that time including some of the issues mentioned in the article.

I will say that there wasn't so much an issue with the 5spd, more the fact that the std open diff was a weak point and best to have an LSD (which most will have now).

Bondy

[405dogvan]

Is this the one with the potentially lethal throttle issue which Noble pretty much ignored - or are my wires crossed here?

[marshall100]

I had a supercar experience thing a few years ago, and of the six cars I drove this was by far and away the best. Fond memories indeed, even if the interior is a bit low rent.

[Cable]

I was working there during this period. The original Magneti Marelli system was woeful; the MBE Systems ECU really did improve things and make a more reliable package.

The open diff may not have had the pace of one fitted with an LSD, but it did make it very easy and forgiving to drive.

Not sure about the K&N induction kit comment. As far as I remember, all of them were fitted with open cone filters, the early ones with them mounted on the bulkhead behind the rear quarter glass, so you could hear them 'chuffing' away. And later they moved next to the intercooler.

I was always slightly disappointed that the Spyder never made it to fruition.

So many fond (and not so fond) memories

[mgbond]

Cable said:

I was working there during this period. The original Magneti Marelli system was woeful; the MBE Systems ECU really did improve things and make a more reliable package.

The open diff may not have had the pace of one fitted with an LSD, but it did make it very easy and forgiving to drive.

Not sure about the K&N induction kit comment. As far as I remember, all of them were fitted with open cone filters, the early ones with them mounted on the bulkhead behind the rear quarter glass, so you could hear them 'chuffing' away. And later they moved next to the intercooler.

I was always slightly disappointed that the Spyder never made it to fruition.

So many fond (and not so fond) memories

Yep, all with K&N filters as std, a lot of people have moved them back to the bulkhead as the noise is awesome.

No aware of anyone having a stuck open throttle issue.

[Blu3R]

mgbond said:

No aware of anyone having a stuck open throttle issue.

Yes they can get stuck - simple re-routing of the cable (which was sorted on later cars) overcomes the tendancy for the front tyre when on lock to rip the cable from the mountings and allow WOT when reversing out of a driveway... for eg...

[Agent Orange]

There have been a number of cars that have slipped through my hands due to dithering and this was one of them. They look and seem a fabulous car to me - even more so when you consider the price.

A decent pot of money for a play thing started getting eroded when things like new en-suite, redoing the garden etc. came along.

I fear the Nobles will be yet another car that will be out of my reach when I replenish the pot.

[BoyRacerChaser]

Want want want, one of the cars on my hitlist for sure. They seem so cheap for the performance available?

Never had the pleasure of driving one yet but ive heard such good things about these - id love one!

[sjc]

Having had a 3R and now a M400 over an unbroken 8 year/circa 40,000 mile ownership period, I can't begin to say how utterly brilliant these things are. And yes, with the right preventative maintenance, they've both been reliable too, certainly much much more so than any of the previous 4 TVR's I had over the previous 8 years.. Ballistic performance, fantastic damping and go-kart handling, and they're far better on the road than they have any right to be. People are genuinely shocked when I've taken them out as passengers, not just in straight line speed but in grip, stopping ability (oh the joy of a light car!) and all the other excitement areas. Wonderful things, and deserve comparision with stuff several times the price.

[Matt Bird]

mgbond said:

Cable said:

I was working there during this period. The original Magneti Marelli system was woeful; the MBE Systems ECU really did improve things and make a more reliable package.

The open diff may not have had the pace of one fitted with an LSD, but it did make it very easy and forgiving to drive.

Not sure about the K&N induction kit comment. As far as I remember, all of them were fitted with open cone filters, the early ones with them mounted on the bulkhead behind the rear quarter glass, so you could hear them 'chuffing' away. And later they moved next to the intercooler.

I was always slightly disappointed that the Spyder never made it to fruition.

So many fond (and not so fond) memories

Yep, all with K&N filters as std, a lot of people have moved them back to the bulkhead as the noise is awesome.

No aware of anyone having a stuck open throttle issue.

Ah, apologies on the K&N comment, the wording of the ad made it sound like an exceptional option. The PH treasure trove of knowledge proves its worth again! I'll take it out of the article now.

Cheers,


Matt

[Blu3R]

sjc said:

Having had a 3R and now a M400 over an unbroken 8 year/circa 40,000 mile ownership period, I can't begin to say how utterly brilliant these things are. And yes, with the right preventative maintenance, they've both been reliable too, certainly much much more so than any of the previous 4 TVR's I had over the previous 8 years.. Ballistic performance, fantastic damping and go-kart handling, and they're far better on the road than they have any right to be. People are genuinely shocked when I've taken them out as passengers, not just in straight line speed but in grip, stopping ability (oh the joy of a light car!) and all the other excitement areas. Wonderful things, and deserve comparision with stuff several times the price.

Well don't bloody sell it then!!

[playalistic]

Seeing this brought a tear to my eye! I miss mine

[shibby!]

Oooh nice topic!

After deciding against a nee m3 on pcp I ja've decided that I will buy a non depreciating car.

I'm so torn between a GTO 3r, a CSL or some rrandom thing I come up with at a random time, like esprit 350.
I have to say I'm leaning more to a csl due to already having an m3 and potential appreciation, but damn do I want a 3R!!!

[shibby!]

Oooh nice topic!

After deciding against a nee m3 on pcp I ja've decided that I will buy a non depreciating car.

I'm so torn between a GTO 3r, a CSL or some rrandom thing I come up with at a random time, like esprit 350.
I have to say I'm leaning more to a csl due to already having an m3 and potential appreciation, but damn do I want a 3R!!!

[Daniel1]

Don't these suffer from a whole load of jiggly issues like stick throttles and more serious stuff too?

[suffolk009]

"Lee Noble announced himself to the world in 2000."

Really?

Think he'd done a few noteworthy things before then.

[D_G]

Daniel1 said:

Don't these suffer from a whole load of jiggly issues like stick throttles and more serious stuff too?

Mine hasn't, not even after nearly eight years ownership. Preventative maintenance is key on these cars, they aren't production models and need different care but keep on top of it and there is no reason they won't be reliable.

[2.5bluenob]

Ive been a noble owner for over five years. By far the best thing i have ever purchased !

[wessexrfc]

Brought a M3 as a track day project 2003 model. We did one day at Oulton park in it and fried the discs. The Noble is in a different league to the BMW as far as a drivers car it would blow the M3 out of the water.
Have driven many different cars and owned a few, but the Noble is by far the best. Trouble is they take some parting with which is why you'll find alot of owners who have had theirs for quite some time. Longest car I've owned so far @ 5 years!!!!!
P.s don't buy an Esprit!! Hth