can I join the party?

[800]

I'm considering a C5 as a next vehcle, so would appreciate so assistance from you 'specialists'. So, usual questions I guess, things to look out for, common problems, good dealers, specs (esp, suspension, transmision), specialists in Hertfordshire/ North London?

Thanks in anticipation

[anonymous-user]

You can read all about it on here and in the links to the US forums. The broad picture in UK is that the car's fine though dealers/specialists lucky dip. Believe West End (Staples Corner) may still do routine service. I use Crownhill at Milton Keynes when necessary. Not much routine service needed on C5 but don't skip the oil changes.

[gsmcoverage]

Yes Crownhill MK is one I would use - if i don't have to keep sending my car back to Bauer Millet in Manchester - the only "offical" warranty work dealer. Most C5's need a recall (lots of threads on this elsewhere).

When I was looking i spent most of the time in autotrader and on the web, but went to 2 dealers in london - American Carriage and American Car Inports, but they are quite expensive I think. Another guy is called Chris Graham who is really helpful.

Have a read of these threads too...
www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=121240&f=100&h=0&hw=chester

www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=64625&f=100&h=0&hw=chester

[c5ragtop]

Good decision to consider a C5 - you shouldn't be disapointed. If you are going for an earlier one try and get Heads up Display. If you're going for a newer one try and get one with the three year GM warranty. The Corvette Black book gives a lot of info on options etc.

Try Chris Graham if you are buying from a dealer. His cars are generally top notch and he is a great guy to deal with.

[kenski]

Well, if you're interested in a 2002 Z06 in silver with black leather then I'm *considering* whether or not to sell mine at the moment. Depends how much you're looking to spend :-) She's in near perfect condition with about 25k on the clock (which, let's face it, is just about run in for a 5.7l V8). I bought her new when I lived in the US and brought her across when I moved back here. She was professionally SVA converted to a very high quality (all work with lifetime guarantee).

Only just started to consider my options as the insurance/road tax are coming round again and I'm not using her as much as I'd like to due to work etc.

Needless to say she's got a full history etc etc (so far only serviced at Chevrolet dealers in the US.

-kenski

[800]

Thanks for all the assistance, Guys - very much appreciated. Have read the links, very useful - now I'm getting confused about the Euro spec stuff.......part of the appeal is the sound! Borrowed a works truck over Christmas, a 6L Vortec Silverado crewcab - loved it too bits!!! I have a lot of info to get my head around.

[c5ragtop]

800 said:

now I'm getting confused about the Euro spec stuff.......

Paul
The following options are relevant to European spec cars which I hope help:

OPTION CODES
AX4 - EUROPEAN SEAT BELTS
BAG - EXPORT PARTS PACKAGING
B4H - EXPORT MOD NOISE CONTROL
CT1 - COUNTRY - BELGIUM
EXP - EXPORT PROCESSING OPTION
MAE - MARKETING AREA EUROPE PROCESSING OPTION
NP7 - EEC APPROVED STEERING COLUMN
NT3 - EMISSION SYSTEM EEC
T2F - EUROPEAN BRAKE PROVISIONS
T62 - DELETE DAYTIME RUNNING LAMP
T84 - RH RULE E MARK HEADLAMPS
T89 - EXPORT TAIL & STOP LAMP
T90 - EXPORT SIGNALING & MARKER LAMP
UL2 - EUROPEAN RADIO FREQUENCY
U19 - KILO SPEEDOMETER & ODOMETER
VC5 - EXPORT SHIPPING LABEL
VD1 - EUROPEAN OPTIONS PROVISION
VL4 - FR LICENSE PLATE MOUNTING EEC
V17 - OCEAN FREIGHT CHARGES
V19 - MARINE INSURANCE
V76 - TOW HOOK

The main differences are in the original lights. For example, US cars have permanent orange front running lights which are deleted on Euro cars. Side repeaters are installed on Euro cars. At the back, the reversing lights which on US cars are within the number plate aperture, are moved into the round rear lights to allow for our wider number plates. The red indicators on US cars are replaced with orange. The worst part about a Euro spec car is the oblong rear lights under the round ones which house reflectors and rear fog lights which the US don't have.



>> Edited by c5ragtop on Monday 17th January 22:12

[ZR1cliff]

c5ragtop said:

800 said: now I'm getting confused about the Euro spec stuff....... Paul The following options are relevant to European spec cars which I hope help: OPTION CODES AX4 - EUROPEAN SEAT BELTS BAG - EXPORT PARTS PACKAGING B4H - EXPORT MOD NOISE CONTROL CT1 - COUNTRY - BELGIUM EXP - EXPORT PROCESSING OPTION MAE - MARKETING AREA EUROPE PROCESSING OPTION NP7 - EEC APPROVED STEERING COLUMN NT3 - EMISSION SYSTEM EEC T2F - EUROPEAN BRAKE PROVISIONS T62 - DELETE DAYTIME RUNNING LAMP T84 - RH RULE E MARK HEADLAMPS T89 - EXPORT TAIL & STOP LAMP T90 - EXPORT SIGNALING & MARKER LAMP UL2 - EUROPEAN RADIO FREQUENCY U19 - KILO SPEEDOMETER & ODOMETER VC5 - EXPORT SHIPPING LABEL VD1 - EUROPEAN OPTIONS PROVISION VL4 - FR LICENSE PLATE MOUNTING EEC V17 - OCEAN FREIGHT CHARGES V19 - MARINE INSURANCE V76 - TOW HOOK The main differences are in the original lights. For example, US cars have permanent orange front running lights which are deleted on Euro cars. Side repeaters are installed on Euro cars. At the back, the reversing lights which on US cars are within the number plate aperture, are moved into the round rear lights to allow for our wider number plates. The red indicators on US cars are replaced with orange. The worst part about a Euro spec car is the oblong rear lights under the round ones which house reflectors and rear fog lights which the US don't have. >> Edited by c5ragtop on Monday 17th January 22:12

Jeez Richard!!, are you bored or what?

p.s. ime thinking of having a C5 meeting/get together round my place,i guess boringstoke is kind of central.
Ile supply the hot drinks and it gives you guys a free house to chew the fat,solve problems while i get familiar with your cars,what do you guys think?

[kenski]

Geez, the most important difference between the Euro spec (no offence to those with Euro cars) and US Spec is that the 'car to have' Z06 is only available in the US :-)

-kenski

[c5ragtop]

Yes Cliffy, I'm bored. No friends, no work, cold weather, nothing on TV, no money, teenage daughters - the list goes on and on........

A get together at yours would brighten up all our lives. There is a Pistonhead meeting at Virginia Water in February - we could come round to you on the same day (we go to VW and you stay in to cook the roast beef).


>> Edited by c5ragtop on Tuesday 18th January 15:43

[800]

What is the advantage of a Z06 over standard, apart from 405bhp! and am I right in thinking they are hardtop?

[vetteheadracer]

Hey Richard think yourself lucky!

I have a house with 1/2 the roof missing, no heating or hot water, no kitchen, no bathroom, no plaster and lots of dust.......oh and I arrived in Scotland this morning 45 minutes late thanks to the unbeatable combination of BMI Baby and 2" of snow!

So far 3 flights with BMIBaby and 40 minutes delay, 40 minutes delay and now 45 minutes! What a record cannot recommend them highly enough. Now re-read the previous sentence with the final 2 words missing.

[kenski]

Z06's are hardtop only. Try driving one against a coupe/convertible and you'll see the difference :-) They're different animals under the skin... different engine, suspension, everything...

It's the sports version :-)

-kenski

[te51cle]

c5ragtop said:

There is a Pistonhead meeting at Virginia Water in February - we could come round to you on the same day (we go to VW and you stay in to cook the roast beef).

Sounds like a good idea to me.

[TEKWIZ]

te51cle said:

c5ragtop said: There is a Pistonhead meeting at Virginia Water in February - we could come round to you on the same day (we go to VW and you stay in to cook the roast beef). Sounds like a good idea to me.

Count me in: VW then cruise in company to Cliff's.

(Cliff, when you say get familiar with our cars are you talking nice gentlemanly banta over lime cordial and cheese and pickle sandwiches or 1/2 pint lager and curry and full blown ps taking?) Either way i'm still in.

[c5ragtop]

TEKWIZ said:

Count me in: VW then cruise in company to Cliff's. (Cliff, when you say get familiar with our cars are you talking nice gentlemanly banta over lime cordial and cheese and pickle sandwiches or 1/2 pint lager and curry and full blown ps taking?) Either way i'm still in.

We might get a look at "that DVD" - oops, shouldn't have said that.

[c4koh]

800 said:

What is the advantage of a Z06 over standard, apart from 405bhp! and am I right in thinking they are hardtop?

The "regular" C5 will be very quick, I mean 0-60 in sub 5 seconds or thereabouts, and does handle pretty well.

The Z06 on the other hand isn't just another 65hp: it's lighter, more rigid, and setup to kill. Really.

A higher compression engine, the LS6, with better breathing, different cam profile for a start.

Different gearing too for even better acceleration.

Wider wheels too, as well as a Z06-specific suspension setup.

It has a better power-to-weight ratio (and probably loads more naturally-aspirated torque all the time) than a Ferrari Modena and Porsche 911 Turbo!

Oh, and is by far less thirsty than both of those too, which considering it's a 5.7L engine ain't bad.

All in all, this amounts to one mean corvette. If you can afford it over the regular C5, go for it.

[c5ragtop]

te51cle said:

c5ragtop said: There is a Pistonhead meeting at Virginia Water in February - we could come round to you on the same day (we go to VW and you stay in to cook the roast beef). Sounds like a good idea to me.

I've now posted the Virginia Water bit as a separate topic.

[Gixer]

ZR1cliff said:

ime thinking of having a C5 meeting/get together round my place,i guess boringstoke is kind of central. Ile supply the hot drinks and it gives you guys a free house to chew the fat,solve problems while i get familiar with your cars,what do you guys think?

I may be up for that Cliffy as its on the same day as the other meet. I still have a ZR1 though (now with '95 wheels), not a C5 - is that alright???

[kenski]

c4koh said:

All in all, this amounts to one mean corvette. If you can afford it over the regular C5, go for it.

Like I said, I might consider selling mine if the price is right :-)

-kenski