Buying advice for a newbie
Discussion
Hi all,
I have been reading all the topics as I have always wanted an M12 for the performance and handling. Now I have a stretched chance of buying I want to get the right one.
I always thought I wanted a mint 3R as original as I could get but as I read through the posts it seems there may be no such thing and i can't work out whether Nobles are poorly designed from the factory or if you are all just tinkerers?! Perhaps an original one is worse than one that has had some works done and parts replaced for aftermarket?
Is the 3R much better than the GTO? To me it seems more of the niggles were sorted in the 3R and there would be less work to do.
Do any experienced Noble owners have any advice on what to buy. Any works that are a must to have completed prior to purchase, or any common things to look for.
Perhaps there is a topic on this from days gone by that someone would be kind enough to link me too?
Grateful for any help and advice,
Jed
I have been reading all the topics as I have always wanted an M12 for the performance and handling. Now I have a stretched chance of buying I want to get the right one.
I always thought I wanted a mint 3R as original as I could get but as I read through the posts it seems there may be no such thing and i can't work out whether Nobles are poorly designed from the factory or if you are all just tinkerers?! Perhaps an original one is worse than one that has had some works done and parts replaced for aftermarket?
Is the 3R much better than the GTO? To me it seems more of the niggles were sorted in the 3R and there would be less work to do.
Do any experienced Noble owners have any advice on what to buy. Any works that are a must to have completed prior to purchase, or any common things to look for.
Perhaps there is a topic on this from days gone by that someone would be kind enough to link me too?
Grateful for any help and advice,
Jed
They were fine from the factory. Mine was standard (3R) but they lend themselves to modification.
For me it was moving the air filters to the bulkhead just for the sound, fitting a pro alloy radiator as mine had a leak, and fitting a M400 style gear shift to improve positive shift feel.
Oh, and the tunnel cooling mod, as I had the front apart to replace the rad.
and a carbon fibre splitter cos it looks nice.
and I'm making a new dash insert to hold a satnav/media player and extra gauge.
and some uprated actuators and a remap for a bit more power
Didn't need any of these (well, apart from rad) but I have access to equipment and am handy with the tools so I choose to do them.
I didn't intend to do anything but things just pop up!
Yes the 3R will probably be the most developed from the factory.
My choices were; 6 speed box as this is reportedly stronger and has LSD, 3R for the headlights and leather interior.
Aircon is useful as they can get hot inside.
The tunnel cooling mod did nothing for me but then it wasn't that hot inside.
Re-sealed floor is often mentioned, but mine has never leaked and I've no evidence it's been sealed.
Look for something that's got reasonable evidence of being looked after- regular oil changes, replacement of parts as they wear or fail.
For me it was moving the air filters to the bulkhead just for the sound, fitting a pro alloy radiator as mine had a leak, and fitting a M400 style gear shift to improve positive shift feel.
Oh, and the tunnel cooling mod, as I had the front apart to replace the rad.
and a carbon fibre splitter cos it looks nice.
and I'm making a new dash insert to hold a satnav/media player and extra gauge.
and some uprated actuators and a remap for a bit more power
Didn't need any of these (well, apart from rad) but I have access to equipment and am handy with the tools so I choose to do them.
I didn't intend to do anything but things just pop up!
Yes the 3R will probably be the most developed from the factory.
My choices were; 6 speed box as this is reportedly stronger and has LSD, 3R for the headlights and leather interior.
Aircon is useful as they can get hot inside.
The tunnel cooling mod did nothing for me but then it wasn't that hot inside.
Re-sealed floor is often mentioned, but mine has never leaked and I've no evidence it's been sealed.
Look for something that's got reasonable evidence of being looked after- regular oil changes, replacement of parts as they wear or fail.
Where in Surrey are u?
If u can get one then a 3R is best.
Only things I would do to a std 3R is exhaust, fuel pump, tunnel mod and re seal floor when needed.
Most 3Rs will have 6spd and LSD but some early ones didn't so make sure u check.
Personally I don't like the leather and prefer the alcantara.
If u can get one then a 3R is best.
Only things I would do to a std 3R is exhaust, fuel pump, tunnel mod and re seal floor when needed.
Most 3Rs will have 6spd and LSD but some early ones didn't so make sure u check.
Personally I don't like the leather and prefer the alcantara.
Thanks guys for the posts. It seems like you are all a bunch of tinkerers then!
So the 3R seems the safest bet but a good GTO with some of the above works would also do and it seems like finding an original condition isn't as important as it would be on a standard everyday car to a certain point.
I'm just outside Redhill in Surrey. I prefer the alcantara too for a number of reasons. TBH I'd consider swapping the seats in any case. Some of the colour schemes aren't to my taste and I may never find my perfect car so a little compromise may have to be taken within reason.
Any other hot tips?
So the 3R seems the safest bet but a good GTO with some of the above works would also do and it seems like finding an original condition isn't as important as it would be on a standard everyday car to a certain point.
I'm just outside Redhill in Surrey. I prefer the alcantara too for a number of reasons. TBH I'd consider swapping the seats in any case. Some of the colour schemes aren't to my taste and I may never find my perfect car so a little compromise may have to be taken within reason.
Any other hot tips?
Not mentioned previously on this thread, but if you are considering taking the car on track, then you do need the Track Day Sump (TDS) option.
At a guess, more than half of cars were spec'd with this optional extra from new.
They can of course be retro fitted, but it can be a pricey/awkward upgrade and a hunt for someone who's got a TDS unit for sale.
These cars are made to be enjoyed on track, and no mechanical reasons not to do so, so long as you have the TDS to prevent oil starvation.
Had my 3R for 6 months now - you won't regret it.
At a guess, more than half of cars were spec'd with this optional extra from new.
They can of course be retro fitted, but it can be a pricey/awkward upgrade and a hunt for someone who's got a TDS unit for sale.
These cars are made to be enjoyed on track, and no mechanical reasons not to do so, so long as you have the TDS to prevent oil starvation.
Had my 3R for 6 months now - you won't regret it.
I've had my 3R for 5-6 years now.
Upgraded some parts just to make it even more reliable. But to be honest nothing has ever gone wrong.
What to check?
Check the chassis for rust
Buy one that has been used regularly
6 speed
LSD
track day sump
Just buy one that has been used and looked after well. Get it check by a mechanic as well.
What have I changed?
Oil breather - to a pro alloy
Manifolds - as the originals finally cracked
Front radiator - as the original got a leak
Silicone pipes all round - as the originals started perishing
Dampers - originals were quite rusty - change to nitrons
Resealed the undertray
What have I done that didn't needed doing?
upgraded the headlights to HID
changed the water tank to a pro alloy
changed the intercooler to pro alloy
What I need to do in the near future?
Change the turbos - beginning to smoke a little
Each year at its service I spend a couple of thousand replacing parts and making sure it is in the best possible condition.
Love it to bits. By far the best purchase I have ever made. Struggling to think what I could ever replace it with.
Upgraded some parts just to make it even more reliable. But to be honest nothing has ever gone wrong.
What to check?
Check the chassis for rust
Buy one that has been used regularly
6 speed
LSD
track day sump
Just buy one that has been used and looked after well. Get it check by a mechanic as well.
What have I changed?
Oil breather - to a pro alloy
Manifolds - as the originals finally cracked
Front radiator - as the original got a leak
Silicone pipes all round - as the originals started perishing
Dampers - originals were quite rusty - change to nitrons
Resealed the undertray
What have I done that didn't needed doing?
upgraded the headlights to HID
changed the water tank to a pro alloy
changed the intercooler to pro alloy
What I need to do in the near future?
Change the turbos - beginning to smoke a little
Each year at its service I spend a couple of thousand replacing parts and making sure it is in the best possible condition.
Love it to bits. By far the best purchase I have ever made. Struggling to think what I could ever replace it with.
/\/\
As said above, great car, gets loads of positive comments and is quite easy to live with.
That list could've been mine with the inclusion of larger turbos, updated valve springs and engine remap.
If you can, buy from someone on here, it gives you the chance to see what they have done/asked and should give you a better insight into the car. As mentioned before, mine would be for sale if I could find something to replace it with!!!!!!!
As said above, great car, gets loads of positive comments and is quite easy to live with.
That list could've been mine with the inclusion of larger turbos, updated valve springs and engine remap.
If you can, buy from someone on here, it gives you the chance to see what they have done/asked and should give you a better insight into the car. As mentioned before, mine would be for sale if I could find something to replace it with!!!!!!!
I looked around 5 or 6 before I bought mine. I would highly recommend buying on condition rather than mileage. When I went to view the car I have now I just knew it was the right one - in terms of condition it was just head and shoulders above the others I had seen. Every car seems to be different and it's important (IMO) that you buy from an enthusiast rather than someone who bought it because it looks (a bit) like a LeMans car. Obviously you will know the performance figures but on a day to day basis it's very driveable. If you really pushed me to find something wrong, I'm 5/10 and the standard mirrors are right where I want to look for on coming traffic at junctions - but that's the only thing I can really fault. They do require fetaling but you expect that when you buy a vehicle of this nature as long as you look after it, fix problems when the first show up and buy the right mods to stop them happening again, you should have many miles of trouble free motoring. I'm in West London so depending on where in surrey you are I may be quite close - feel free to come check her out. I will also be at at Autosport next Sunday at the PH sunday service.
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