Wedge help needed please
Discussion
I have never owned a TVR before, but have always loved the wedge, and have been looking for one to buy. After much digging around I think I want either a late 350i, a 350SE, or a 390SE. Which of these is the best to go for, and why ? Also, what is the difference between the 350SE and the 390SE ? They both appear to have the 3.9 litre rover engine, presumably very similar to what is in my Landrover Discovery ?
Finally, has anyone ever converted a wedge to run on LPG, or is that just mad ?
Any help appreciated. Thanks
Finally, has anyone ever converted a wedge to run on LPG, or is that just mad ?
Any help appreciated. Thanks
Only 25 350SE made so hard to find. Not that many 390SE made so again hard to find. 350i more plentiful.
350SE was a special edition to use up all the bits and at that time the standard engine was the 3.9 litre.
Little to choose between a 390SE and a 350SE in reality. Just find a good'un.
Steve
www.tvrbooks.co.uk
350SE was a special edition to use up all the bits and at that time the standard engine was the 3.9 litre.
Little to choose between a 390SE and a 350SE in reality. Just find a good'un.
Steve
www.tvrbooks.co.uk
tomsugden said:
I think I want either a late 350i, a 350SE, or a 390SE. Which of these is the best to go for, and why?
Depends what you want it for. I'd say the 350i for everyday use, the 390SE for performance and the 350SE is inbetween.
tomsugden said:
Also, what is the difference between the 350SE and the 390SE? They both appear to have the 3.9 litre rover engine,
The state of tune. The 350SE has the Griff 240bhp version whereas the 390SE has the more bespoke 275bhp version.
tomsugden said:LD 190bhp
presumably very similar to what is in my Landrover Discovery?
tomsugden said:
Finally, has anyone ever converted a wedge to run on LPG, or is that just mad ?
Tallbloke and maybe. Turbocharged as well.
19560 said:
The state of tune. The 350SE has the Griff 240bhp version whereas the 390SE has the more bespoke 275bhp version.
Not sure if these are correct the early 390SE had the andy rouse engine which was claimed to have 275bhp but even this was doubted by the motoring press who test drove the car at the time. Either way the 390 is quicker than the 350.
tomsugden said:
presumably very similar to what is in my Landrover Discovery?
LD 190bhp
As is the 350i circa 190bhp.
If you are seriously looking for an everyday tvr i can recommend either the 280 or 350, mrsfhc ran a 350i as her daily runner for 5 years and only had to phone into work with "car trouble" twice
May i suggest a 350i FHC (i know i'm biased but they look better
) 1. alot cheaper to buy
2. even rarer than their drophead counterparts
3. they leak less
4. insurance is always easier when your car has a roof
5. pretty good load space
Why have you discounted the 280i?
tomsugden said:
I may get myself in trouble here, but I have always thought that a proper TVR should have no roof, and a V8. That's just my opinion. I love the S3, but discounted it because it is missing 2 cylinders ! (Yes I know about the V8S).
right mr you and me 
pistols at dawn each to their own but as an introduction to tvr's (spending less cash) and using it daily then i stand by my fhc argument, if mrsfhc can do the "weekly shop" in it then trust me it can carry alot of junk and just as rapidly and sounding just as nice as a drop top.
again the v6 option would reduce your spend considerably and will put a massive
on your face and if you love driving the tiv after 6 or 12 months then there's nothing stopping you going for a v8 or heaven forbid even a drop top if you must damn you tomsugden said:
I may get myself in trouble here, but I have always thought that a proper TVR should have no roof, and a V8. That's just my opinion. I love the S3, but discounted it because it is missing 2 cylinders ! (Yes I know about the V8S).
Sir, you are a gentleman and a scholar
Errr sorry FHCNICK
h2dca said:
I may get myself in trouble here, but I have always thought that a proper TVR should have no roof, and a V8. That's just my opinion. I love the S3, but discounted it because it is missing 2 cylinders ! (Yes I know about the V8S).
Sir, you are a gentleman and a scholar
Errr sorry FHCNICK
Good grief i'm surrounded by heathen's
have a look at the history of tvr's and you'll see that all of the early ones were fhc, till the very few 3000s were made, maybe i'm just old fashioned but i think all the early models are proper TVR's now where's my pipe and slippers gone
Tom,
I have a 350i and have been using it as everyday transport ( a FHC as well
) since November.
I do about 30 miles a day mixed driving and quite a few traffic jams. It's seems to cope ok.
Overheating can be an issue but luckily mine had a bigger radiator fitted by the previous owner so it's fine in traffic.
Like other people have said you need to keep an eye out for any potential problems but apart from that ( touches wood ) it should be ok.
Cheers
Al
I have a 350i and have been using it as everyday transport ( a FHC as well
) since November. I do about 30 miles a day mixed driving and quite a few traffic jams. It's seems to cope ok.
Overheating can be an issue but luckily mine had a bigger radiator fitted by the previous owner so it's fine in traffic.
Like other people have said you need to keep an eye out for any potential problems but apart from that ( touches wood
) it should be ok. Cheers
Al
19560 said:
presumably very similar to what is in my Landrover Discovery?
LD 190bhp
FHCNICK said:
As is the 350i circa 190bhp.
Although the 190bhp LD is from 4litres whereas the 350 is 3528cc cast iron manifold, tubular is 197.
FHCNICK said:
May i suggest a 350i FHC (i know i'm biased but they look better
1. alot cheaper to buy
2. even rarer than their drophead counterparts
3. they leak less
4. insurance is always easier when your car has a roof
5. pretty good load space
I drove both a 350iFHC and then a 350iDrophead as everyday cars. FHC rear window was difficult to defrost in the winter but a lot quieter (engine and wind noise.)
tomsugden said:
Is my belief that TVR's that are used on a daily basis are more reliable, completely unfounded ?
No fhc tvr's that are used on a daily basis are generally more reliable, drop heads used on a daily basis have a larger amount of fungus growing in them
sorry folks thats my last dig at you topless lot.
tvr's are just cars and i dont know of any car that doesn't benefit from regular use, you just have to protect the chassis from the dreaded salt they chuck on the roads with abandon in autumn/winter/spring.
tomsugden said:
Also, what is the difference between the 350SE and the 390SE ?
Aside from what has already been said the 390SE has, to varying degrees, the SE bodyshell with flared arches, different sills, front and rear spoiler. The 350SE has the standard 350 shell.
I think once you drove any V8 wedge you wouldn't compare the engine to the Disco version - or the V6 versions with their Ford counterparts - much the same as you wouldn't compare a Dodge Viper engine with the truck it originally came from.
Much depends upon budget but whatever don't buy the first one you see and get it checked out by someone who knows what they are looking at before buying.
You won't though - many a sane, rational, judicious man has rashly parted with loads of cash after their first blast - which is good because it means you're actually normal and in touch with your inner self rather than being moulded into the worldbox driving robot the major manufacturers want you to be.
As far as a daily driver then I would agree the car becomes more reliable as firstly you have to fix things to get to work and secondly you will iron out the niggles and get advanced warnings of any faults rather than jump in once a month and find 5 new problems but can leave them. Also most mechanical parts prefer regular use rather than seizing up.
However, and this is purely personal as there are more robust characters out there than me, the constant attraction wedges get can be fun at the weekend but a pain in a traffic jam every morning. I would worry about where it was parked etc and found when I ran one for a few weeks as an only car that the very things I liked in a fun, performance car worked against it as a daily driver and I ended up dreading having to drive it, rather than the opposite.
Now I am lucky in that it comes out to play maybe 2 or 3 times a week when I choose and it is awesome fun every time.
In view of that would suggest a V6 to start with and possibly even a FHC. However, if you must have a convertible V8 then start with a 350i and see if you can live with it. If not it shouldn't cost you much to get out of it but more than likely you will be hooked and will want something bigger and badder.
Keep us all posted on how you go - you may find any car you become interested in has a history that's known by someone who frequents this forum.
grahamw48 said:
Well I'm going to buy a V8 topless for the dry, and keep my poor humble little FHC V6 for when it rains.
I believe TVRs are naturally gregarious.
dont let the masses brow beat you, there is nothing poor or humble about a 280ifhc it was my dream car when i was a kid and having owned one for 12 years i still love it Gassing Station | Wedges | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff