What to look for on a 1994 4l

[russ35]

Got the chance of a 1994 Chimaera 4l, 55,000miles. Price matches those in the classifieds on PH.

What sort of things should I look out for, anything that should have been changed etc.

Was actually looking at getting an S3, so been reading up and looking at a few of these, hence not knowing much about the Chimaera

Thanks

Russ

[Big Al.]

Have a look through the Chim forum FAQ's lots of info there.

[m12_nathan]

Don't bother, you'll be left for dead by hot hatches (especially with corners involved) and will end up wishing you'd bought a fast one instead.

[2 Smokin Barrels]

I guess the most important thing is the condition of the chassis.

[v8nrg]

Condition , condition, Condition.

Mines rither nice, by the way.

>> Edited by v8nrg on Sunday 7th August 22:43

[Cider Andy]

Big Al, 2SB and v8nrg (nice looking car, that!) are all spot on. You'll find the full debate on here including which engine and whether or not to buy one with power steering, both posted in the last week or so.

[Ballistic Banana]

and get "the Bible" a must "the Bible"

BB

[oggs]

m12_nathan said:

Don't bother, you'll be left for dead by hot hatches (especially with corners involved) and will end up wishing you'd bought a fast one instead.

Unless you know how to drive

[m12_nathan]

IMO a well driven Focus RS, Civic Type R, VW R32 etc will be quicker accross country than a standard 4L chimaera, more so if the conditions are not great.

You're obviously very confident in your abilities which is good for you, but the reality is that whilst they sound great and look great they don't even make 200bhp in the main and the grip they generate is laughable.

All I was trying to say is that it is cheaper to buy a 4.5 or 5.0 first off rather than get a 4 then trade up so at least drive all 3.

Lets not get too embroiled in this arguement as it has been covered many times and is not going to help him find a car....

[trinitycall]

m12_nathan said:

Don't bother, you'll be left for dead by hot hatches (especially with corners involved) and will end up wishing you'd bought a fast one instead.

what a load of fg bollox.

Note-to-self:- ignore threads and posts by this pHer.

[parrot of doom]

I had an Audi TT 225, which is roughly the same as the R32 Golf you mention.

It was the most uninspiring, boring car I've ever owned. I got rid after 4 months, and got my 4.0 Chim instead.

I'd rather be a bit slower but feeling proud and happy than be a bit quicker and having the car's computer drive for me.

[m12_nathan]

Trinity:

LOL, very reasoned arguement, are you a lawyer?

If a standard 4l Chim is so good why did you feel the need to uprate the brakes?

I can back my comments up, having owned a 4l chim and the wife having an R32, the R32 has massively better brakes (100-0 same ballpark as a 996 GT2 on ceramics according to a review), 260 bhp (latest VW engine map) and while it is heavier it would leave my old 4l chim for dead, same driver, if the surface was bad or wet then even more so. If you have experience otherwise then please do share it with us, simply calling it rubbish doesn't convince me that I had a bad TVR and that in reality they are better and make anywhere near the claimed power.....

Parrot: not my point and your point is completely valid, driving experiance wise you can pick and choose, it is completely subjective, speed accross county is not. I can understand why you'd be happy with your choice.

I drive the other halfs R32 with the electronics turned off all the time as I find they cut the power too early and for too long. The R32 has 35 more bhp (now) and better brakessuspension than a TT225, evo described it as the most fun car in the group when they tested it against imprezzas et al. Still prefer mine though

My point is that I bought my 4l chim thinking it was a fast car and it isn't, TVR make up power and weight claims, fact. I think the original poster should test drive all engines and pick the one that suits his needs best, nothing more, nothing less, if the 4L suits his need best then great but at least it would be an informed choice. I figured that a 4L engine would be plenty and was left disapointed....

[Hughesie2]

oggs said:

m12_nathan said: Don't bother, you'll be left for dead by hot hatches (especially with corners involved) and will end up wishing you'd bought a fast one instead. Unless you know how to drive

Is that why your always in my mirror then ??

[trinitycall]

m12_nathan said:

Trinity: LOL, very reasoned arguement, are you a lawyer? If a standard 4l Chim is so good why did you feel the need to uprate the brakes?

I guess my post was perhaps lacking in the eloqence department m'lud.

uprated the brakes because the brembos are big, red and shiny.

[HarryW]

In the same vein then, an old V6 S will be as quick point to point as a 4ltr, so save the money and buy a sorted one of them for £7K, job done.


H

[jsr]

m12_nathan said:

You're obviously very confident in your abilities which is good for you, but the reality is that whilst they sound great and look great they don't even make 200bhp in the main and the grip they generate is laughable.

True they dont make 200bhp at the wheels, but neither would an R32 or other hot hatch. They do have plenty of instant torque though.

Maybe you had a poor example, or i've got a good one, but my 4l is plenty quick enough - it sees off M3's easily and has matched a 911 C4S.

As for grip, they do generate loads of grip with correct wheel allignment, but i do admit they don't feel anywhere near as 'chuckable' as the hot hatches. The grip is there, but you have to be smooth and set the car up for the corner - you can't just throw the car into a corner and expect it to hang on like a hot hatch.

Buy a 4l Chimaera - a hot hatch may put up a good fight on poor surfaces or in the wet, but they don't have the fantastic V8 burble, gorgeous looks, nor a soft top. Invest in some uprated shocks and a chip and tune and the hot hatch won't see where you went.

Best of all, everyone will stop and stare (and listen) in admiration of the car as you drive by. as good as they may be, who pays any attention to Civics/Clios/Golfs etc???

>> Edited by jsr on Monday 8th August 13:20

[jsr]

Back to your original question though....

Make sure the chassis is in good condition, especially the outriggers.

Check the condition of the engine - cams wear and need replacing around 50k (though sometimes sooner).

I have a 94 4L and unfortunately for me had to replace the cams last year. I've also replaced plenty of other parts such as alternator, water pump, oil pump. These parts all wear out eventually - it was just bad timing for me that they all seemed to fail at around the same time.

Take a look at my website for further information www.jsread.com/tvr

[parrot of doom]

I thought the RV8 had only the one cam?

[m12_nathan]

jsr said:

m12_nathan said: You're obviously very confident in your abilities which is good for you, but the reality is that whilst they sound great and look great they don't even make 200bhp in the main and the grip they generate is laughable. True they dont make 200bhp at the wheels, but neither would an R32 or other hot hatch. They do have plenty of instant torque though. Maybe you had a poor example, or i've got a good one, but my 4l is plenty quick enough - it sees off M3's easily and has matched a 911 C4S. As for grip, they do generate loads of grip with correct wheel allignment, but i do admit they don't feel anywhere near as 'chuckable' as the hot hatches. The grip is there, but you have to be smooth and set the car up for the corner - you can't just throw the car into a corner and expect it to hang on like a hot hatch. Buy a 4l Chimaera - a hot hatch may put up a good fight on poor surfaces or in the wet, but they don't have the fantastic V8 burble, gorgeous looks, nor a soft top. Invest in some uprated shocks and a chip and tune and the hot hatch won't see where you went. Best of all, everyone will stop and stare (and listen) in admiration of the car as you drive by. as good as they may be, who pays any attention to Civics/Clios/Golfs etc??? >> Edited by jsr on Monday 8th August 13:20

They often don't make 200 at the fly...

I had Nitrons, made it better but still rubbish.

E30 M3 per chance?

996 C4s is 11.3 seconds to 100, no way will a 200bhp 4L chim match one to 100. E46 M3 is 11.6....

[m12_nathan]

parrot of doom said:

I thought the RV8 had only the one cam?

They do, at the bottom of the block.