Discussion
Does the V8 justify the cost increase over a V6 wedge?
Edit: Suppose this would also be a good place to ask about wedge handling! I'm told they're a bit more involved than the S's which I'm also looking at. Is this grinning 40ft powerslide entertaining or "shit, my life flashed before my eyes there!" entertaining?
Any other pros/cons on wedges (particularly the 350i also welcome!)
Edit: Suppose this would also be a good place to ask about wedge handling! I'm told they're a bit more involved than the S's which I'm also looking at. Is this grinning 40ft powerslide entertaining or "shit, my life flashed before my eyes there!" entertaining?
Any other pros/cons on wedges (particularly the 350i also welcome!)
Edited by Chris71 on Thursday 26th October 13:48
andymadmak said:
Chris71 said:
Is this grinning 40ft powerslide entertaining or "shit, my life flashed before my eyes there!" entertaining?
Depends on how clean your side window glass is..... It pays to be able to see where you're going......
Hmm, I'm taking that comment as a good sign
Oh yes!
For your budget I'm sure you could get a Brilliant 350, possibly even a 390 or 400 if someone really wanted to sell. These cars are in a different league to the S imho. Don't get me wrong, I love the S, but the wedge is definately the more involving car. In fact I went back to a wedge from a 4.3 Chim that I had from new. There is something about flames from the exhaust, a V8 soundtrack that gets me going. Also, the wedge is really quite rare now. Driving it is not really a problem - even in the wet. I can make satisfactory progress
in most weathers. I've even driven mine in snow!!!! It's even reasonaly practical, with a decent boot and capable of long distance touring if needs be -- just see how many go to Le Mans each year. Performance is definately better than an S. On one Le Mans trip mine was clocked on GPS at 155mph, roof down by the fellow in the BMW behind me. 
The wedge was the top of the TVR tree when it was in production. Its the one to go for now
Andy
For your budget I'm sure you could get a Brilliant 350, possibly even a 390 or 400 if someone really wanted to sell. These cars are in a different league to the S imho. Don't get me wrong, I love the S, but the wedge is definately the more involving car. In fact I went back to a wedge from a 4.3 Chim that I had from new. There is something about flames from the exhaust, a V8 soundtrack that gets me going. Also, the wedge is really quite rare now. Driving it is not really a problem - even in the wet. I can make satisfactory progress
in most weathers. I've even driven mine in snow!!!! It's even reasonaly practical, with a decent boot and capable of long distance touring if needs be -- just see how many go to Le Mans each year. Performance is definately better than an S. On one Le Mans trip mine was clocked on GPS at 155mph, roof down by the fellow in the BMW behind me. The wedge was the top of the TVR tree when it was in production. Its the one to go for now
Andy
Edited by andymadmak on Thursday 26th October 16:06
Hi Chris,
I posted on your 'Wedge or S' post the other day in the TVR gossip section...
WEDGE WEDGE WEDGE WEDGE.....and so i can continue...
V8 V8 V8 V8 V8 V8 V8 V8 V8 V8 V8 V8 V8 V8 V8 V8 V8 V8 V8 V8 V8 V8 V8 V8 V8 V8 V8 V8 V8 ....... and so on....
I just took mine out for a blast (first time in 3 weeks) and the alternator failed! NO! Rac man happened to be right by me, helped me out (good old RAC membership!) and followed me home to make sure! Pulled over to say good bye and he said 'im so glad i followed you, i had the windows down and the stereo off listening to your car-SHE SOUNDS GORGEOUS!'
That she does....even on the unlikely event something goes wrong, i still love her millions and billions! I cant believe i thought about selling up!
Happy hunting!
I posted on your 'Wedge or S' post the other day in the TVR gossip section...
WEDGE WEDGE WEDGE WEDGE.....and so i can continue...
V8 V8 V8 V8 V8 V8 V8 V8 V8 V8 V8 V8 V8 V8 V8 V8 V8 V8 V8 V8 V8 V8 V8 V8 V8 V8 V8 V8 V8 ....... and so on....
I just took mine out for a blast (first time in 3 weeks) and the alternator failed! NO! Rac man happened to be right by me, helped me out (good old RAC membership!) and followed me home to make sure! Pulled over to say good bye and he said 'im so glad i followed you, i had the windows down and the stereo off listening to your car-SHE SOUNDS GORGEOUS!'
That she does....even on the unlikely event something goes wrong, i still love her millions and billions! I cant believe i thought about selling up!
Happy hunting!
Chris71 said:
Does the V8 justify the cost increase over a V6 wedge?
Edit: Suppose this would also be a good place to ask about wedge handling! I'm told they're a bit more involved than the S's which I'm also looking at. Is this grinning 40ft powerslide entertaining or "shit, my life flashed before my eyes there!" entertaining?
Any other pros/cons on wedges (particularly the 350i also welcome!)
Edit: Suppose this would also be a good place to ask about wedge handling! I'm told they're a bit more involved than the S's which I'm also looking at. Is this grinning 40ft powerslide entertaining or "shit, my life flashed before my eyes there!" entertaining?
Any other pros/cons on wedges (particularly the 350i also welcome!)
Early 350i's are so cheap it's rude nt to grab a V8. The engines have nore spares and experts available than the V6's, and they sound better. Do it!
A bit of background to how I got hooked on wedges: the sound. Why? Back in the '80s heard the best sound ever before I saw the car. What came around the corner a 350i! For me the best sound in the world, yes it is about taste and you can't argue about that and I agree that some other good sounds are around (spitfire anyone). Still amazed that a standard 350i can hold itself against serious stuff noise wise, but as well on performance (outdragged a '80 911 last year for example). If you can handle it, you can out handle quite a lot (NOT in bad weather by the way...).
When I heard a wedge for the first time, and then seen it: I was frustrated! Because as a petrolhead I knew all cars, and didn't know what it was, and it became my dream sound and car.
And once on this forum it is difficult at least to not give a 350i a try. Good luck hunting as you are in the right country for it, and some good cars are available. It took me two years to find one in Holland, let alone buy it! Oh, and if you find a good one here (280 or 350), the price is at least in UK SEAC territory.
Rob
When I heard a wedge for the first time, and then seen it: I was frustrated! Because as a petrolhead I knew all cars, and didn't know what it was, and it became my dream sound and car.
And once on this forum it is difficult at least to not give a 350i a try. Good luck hunting as you are in the right country for it, and some good cars are available. It took me two years to find one in Holland, let alone buy it! Oh, and if you find a good one here (280 or 350), the price is at least in UK SEAC territory.
Rob
Hehe Thats gotta be the first time I've seen a flame spitting V8 championed as the practical choice of the range.
I think it would have to be a V8 if it was a wedge and probably a wedge if it was a TVR - there again I said that about the S yesterday!! The only thing I don't like about them is the interior, I have a strong personal dislike for walnut dashes!!
The price range I suggested on the other forum was an absolute maximum, I'd prefer to be spending sub £5k, but I reckon that should still get a reasonably decent example. My only worry is its going to be approaching spring before I can raise that sort of cash and the prices might jump up another thousand pounds! If anyone wants to help me out by buying a Quantum 2+2 for a very reasonable price let me know
Thats gotta be the first time I've seen a flame spitting V8 championed as the practical choice of the range. I think it would have to be a V8 if it was a wedge and probably a wedge if it was a TVR - there again I said that about the S yesterday!! The only thing I don't like about them is the interior, I have a strong personal dislike for walnut dashes!!
The price range I suggested on the other forum was an absolute maximum, I'd prefer to be spending sub £5k, but I reckon that should still get a reasonably decent example. My only worry is its going to be approaching spring before I can raise that sort of cash and the prices might jump up another thousand pounds! If anyone wants to help me out by buying a Quantum 2+2 for a very reasonable price let me know
Edited by Chris71 on Friday 27th October 09:56
Chris71 said:
Hehe Thats gotta be the first time I've seen a flame spitting V8 championed as the practical choice of the range.
I chose my Wedge based on the practicality of maintenance, parts availability and cost! I kid you not! Thats gotta be the first time I've seen a flame spitting V8 championed as the practical choice of the range.Chris71 said:
The only thing I don't like about them is the interior, I have a strong personal dislike for walnut dashes!!
No worries there then. I can assure you that even if it comes with a wood veneer dash it will soon crack and peel off It's a thin veneer onto steel normally and differential rates of expansion due to temperature and humidity will ensure clean separation. I painted mine with an "alloy" wheel paint to tidy it up till I got round to re-veneering it. Five years later and I have grown to prefer the more modern metallic look.andymadmak said:
Chris71 said:
Does the V8 justify the cost increase over a V6 wedge?
Do bears defacate rurally?
i feel i have to come to the defence of the lowly 280i here
i don't know what your budget is but if its a choice between a 280i in good condition and an early 350i in fair condition then personally i would go with the v6.
the noise is not as dramatic sure enough but the v6 has a lovely rasp and will produce crackle and pop on the overrun. in terms of performance imho the 5 speed boxed 280's drive like sierra's
but the early 4 speed's are good fun, 44mph in 1st, 72 in 2nd and 96 in 3rd. yes there is a flat spot in the low rev range but with over taking (acceleration from 50mph-70mph) achievable in 4.2 seconds in 2nd gear (comparable with the 350) they are still fun. FHCNICK said:
andymadmak said:
Chris71 said:
Does the V8 justify the cost increase over a V6 wedge?
Do bears defacate rurally?
i feel i have to come to the defence of the lowly 280i here
i don't know what your budget is but if its a choice between a 280i in good condition and an early 350i in fair condition then personally i would go with the v6.
the noise is not as dramatic sure enough but the v6 has a lovely rasp and will produce crackle and pop on the overrun. in terms of performance imho the 5 speed boxed 280's drive like sierra's
but the early 4 speed's are good fun, 44mph in 1st, 72 in 2nd and 96 in 3rd. yes there is a flat spot in the low rev range but with over taking (acceleration from 50mph-70mph) achievable in 4.2 seconds in 2nd gear (comparable with the 350) they are still fun. Nick - you own 3 wedges?
[quote=Chris71
Nick - you own 3 wedges?[/quote]
yep all fhc though, s1 tasmin 280i which i've owned for about 13 years and is still my favourite a 350 and a 390. the v8's are quicker than the v6 but the v6 is a rewarding car to drive and cheap as chips to buy.
i wouldn't worry too much about wedge prices going up in the spring, this used to be the case a few years ago (for dhc) but the wedge market has taken a serious pounding and i think bottomed out so i don't expect to see seasonal adjustments anymore.
have you driven one yet?
Nick - you own 3 wedges?
[/quote] yep
all fhc though, s1 tasmin 280i which i've owned for about 13 years and is still my favourite a 350 and a 390. the v8's are quicker than the v6 but the v6 is a rewarding car to drive and cheap as chips to buy. i wouldn't worry too much about wedge prices going up in the spring, this used to be the case a few years ago (for dhc) but the wedge market has taken a serious pounding and i think bottomed out so i don't expect to see seasonal adjustments anymore.
have you driven one yet?
Nope. Think its true to say the only TVR I've even been in is a 1600M. Did have a good look around a stationary wedge a few years back, but that's as close as I've got....
The only V8 I've driven is a range rover!! And a diesel
Mostly owned sports cars though despite my age thanks to the wonders of kit and classic insurance. Nothing quite like a V8 TVR though....
The only V8 I've driven is a range rover!! And a diesel
Mostly owned sports cars though despite my age thanks to the wonders of kit and classic insurance. Nothing quite like a V8 TVR though....
a good friend of mine was always impressed with my 280i but when i first showed him my 350i he only needed to hear it start up before he went out and bought one, so yes there is nothing quite like a v8 (especially flapper afm) tvr.
noticed you have a 924s in which case the performance of the 280i is so similar you would probably regret buying one.
get a v8
but don't do what so many have done in the past and buy the first one you try (because you will fall in love with the first one you drive even if it's a dog) there are plenty out there and they are all getting on in years so be picky its a buyers market.
noticed you have a 924s in which case the performance of the 280i is so similar you would probably regret buying one.
get a v8
but don't do what so many have done in the past and buy the first one you try (because you will fall in love with the first one you drive even if it's a dog) there are plenty out there and they are all getting on in years so be picky its a buyers market.Yup, I took the advice on this forum, and checked the chassis before starting the engine.
Once you hear a flapper V8 burst into life you'll be tempted to overlook any faults it may have, and just hand over your hard earned 'wedge' !
Look at several before buying, get the Steve Heath Bible, then get your ass to BBWF07
Once you hear a flapper V8 burst into life you'll be tempted to overlook any faults it may have, and just hand over your hard earned 'wedge' !
Look at several before buying, get the Steve Heath Bible, then get your ass to BBWF07
Gassing Station | Wedges | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff