What to do (what would you do)

[scotty1]

I bought my 04 T350 (private) in May 06 and in all I have had the car in my possession for 2 months of the six - problems as follows

1) Running like a dog (New Throttle Pots) - 1 week gone
2) New clutch 11500 miles (fair doo's they wear out quick) - 6 weeks gone no clutches etc
3) Never start when wet outside...new leads and coil pack - no time lost as done myself as it was a simple job.
4) Engine went pop week of factory shut down - complete engine rebuild
5) Engine was put back in the car and then the dealer found the ECU was dead - still waiting for car back.

Desperatley hoping to get it back the end of this week or early next, now the big question ??

When I get it back do I run it in and sell it or keep it... honestly everything that needs to be done I have had done (by the dealer) and then some - the qs is do I let someone else benefit from my pain...I know I am adult and its my decision but what would others do..?

[2 sMoKiN bArReLs]

Cut my losses & run.

some cars, irrespective of marque are just trouble

[sa_20v]

Been there myself, you spend a fortune on a car only to sell it on...the next buyer either inherits your bad luck, or gets a mint car for a reasonable price.

I would keep it, see what happens. Is there anything left to replace?

[cosmos 350]

give it a chance to seduce you when all sorted, bet you wont think about getting rid then. Anyway what would you swap it for? I've heard the gallardo has almost the same performance!

[scotty1]

sa_20v said:

Been there myself, you spend a fortune on a car only to sell it on...the next buyer either inherits your bad luck, or gets a mint car for a reasonable price.

I would keep it, see what happens. Is there anything left to replace?

No there isn't really anything else to replace plus the engine is 2006 spec components so if rumours are to be believed it should be pretty sorted I guess...tricky decision..

when you sold yours did you regret it ??

[scotty1]

cosmos 350 said:

give it a chance to seduce you when all sorted, bet you wont think about getting rid then. Anyway what would you swap it for? I've heard the gallardo has almost the same performance!

There in lies the ulimate qs what else is there, I have looked and looked and I can honsetly say the only thing that floats my boat is the Gallardo (but unfortunatley out of my price range) I'm with you cosmos but everyone says I am mad...

[sidewayz]

Not sure if you are spending money getting it sorted properly but it sounds like it ( one bottle to many-sorry!)but if you are spend a little bit more getting a TVR warranty and then let Nick take the strain.

[DJC]

Scotty was it you who was asking after an ECU? If so bad news Im afraid, fairly reliably told not a hope in hell
The good news is that a clutch is no problem, got a cpl of those.

Edited by DJC on Monday 30th October 22:41

[bobd]

Keep it enjoy it and bugger em all. Seriously done this before with many a car only to miss them when gone. Always trying to get better than the motor you have, only to be dissapointed with what you've bought.
Your not going to get better performance this side of £45K and you will miss it when gone. 4500miles till I need a new clutch then!
Just bought back an Impreza that I had from new from its second owner - and pleased I did.
Some cars cannot be replaced that for an every day car was one of them.
Good luck on your decision.

[sidewayz]

DJC said:

Scotty was it you who was asking after an ECU? If so bad news Im afraid, fairly reliably told not a hope in hell
The good news is that a clutch is no problem, got a cpl of those.

Edited by DJC on Monday 30th October 22:41

me that sounds like bad news!
So if mine goes tits up is my only option a soldering iron and a circuit diagram plus a copy of the ECU code which you admire so much....if I had a copy?

Edited by sidewayz on Monday 30th October 23:15

[hollowpockets]

id keep it, i bought a 53 plate one thinking i'd have the sort of problems you are experiencing, but im at 17,100 miles with the original engine, gearbox, clutch, diff etc etc, (touch wood) but have had to replace ;

steering rack
brake pads
brake fluid
oil pressure sender
water temp ecu
water temp fan switch
one cooling fan
extra coolant expansion tank kit
radiator
thermostat
power steering failed at alford, just main fuse went,drove home.
alternator fuse went at crail, recovered to dreadnought as i thought it was something far worse at the time.
speedo sensor
re-seal all light covers
one cracked wheel
4 tyres
passenger window seal
front passenger side top ball joint
had leaky shockers so upgraded to nitrons!
various bulbs
aswell as other various fitment problems/squeeks and rattles

now iv been told it feels like it is a good engine which is odd, thought this list would be other way round.

also upgrading to the magnecor kv85 leads and denso iridium spark plugs next week, purely as a keep the engine gremlins happy exercise, but i must say most of my problems were fixable myself and although frustrating i think iv seen off the worst of the problems and still very much enjoy driving the car the 6 months and the 6500miles iv had it! wonderful machine to drive every day.

KEEP your car and enjoy it, i am!





i am prepared for that nasty thing called a clutch to go, but i have a funny feeling iv reached the end of that bad spell and the car is feeling great and the milage going on fast now!

Edited by hollowpockets on Thursday 2nd November 09:46

[icraigmy]

Dispite all your hardship with the car, keep it and enjoy the experience of driving a fab car. You deserve to have that enjoyment.

[DJC]

sidewayz said:

DJC said:

Scotty was it you who was asking after an ECU? If so bad news Im afraid, fairly reliably told not a hope in hell
The good news is that a clutch is no problem, got a cpl of those.

Edited by DJC on Monday 30th October 22:41

me that sounds like bad news!
So if mine goes tits up is my only option a soldering iron and a circuit diagram plus a copy of the ECU code which you admire so much....if I had a copy?

Edited by sidewayz on Monday 30th October 23:15

Er....!
Not in the (relativelyish) near future there aint much hope no, but in the medium term (3months+) we should have something set up to cater for it.

[scotty1]

DJC said:

sidewayz said:

DJC said:

Scotty was it you who was asking after an ECU? If so bad news Im afraid, fairly reliably told not a hope in hell
The good news is that a clutch is no problem, got a cpl of those.

Edited by DJC on Monday 30th October 22:41

me that sounds like bad news!
So if mine goes tits up is my only option a soldering iron and a circuit diagram plus a copy of the ECU code which you admire so much....if I had a copy?

Edited by sidewayz on Monday 30th October 23:15

Er....!
Not in the (relativelyish) near future there aint much hope no, but in the medium term (3months+) we should have something set up to cater for it.

Thanks for all the comments guys.....

In TVRs defence they have done the engine work under warranty (excl removal and engine refit costs), although I had none, apparently on early cars the engine alone came with a 2 year warranty, although the car only had one, I was unaware of this. The ECU was replaced by the previous owner in April so this is a warranty job aswell.

Actual costs have been removal and refit of engine and clutch so in total about 3.5k to 4k not including the loss of insurance road tax etc where car has been off the road.

DJC it was me who needed the ECU, it looks like we are finally getting somewhere now as MBE systems are now looking at repairing it or replacing. They should recieve it today, touch wood they can sort it this week and get it back to the dealer.....

thanks again for all your comments

[scotty1]

Hollowpockets,

I now see the meaning in your name, I feeel for you I really do, I can deal with the niggly things in fact its quite entertaining and a bit of a challenge to sort them out, its the biggys I can't deal with and not having the car at least on the road for some enjoyment...

I was thinking about getting an after market warranty but what are peoples thoughts on their on going validity ?

I guess time will tell I may leave it 6 months as the new engine and clutch at least should be covered until then.

[DJC]

Scotty glad to hear you are OK with the ECU. Glad to hear MBE are sorting you out, also provides a name for future reference!

[mattybrown]

Scotty

Looking at your location are Castles doing the work? If so how have you found it buying the car private and then getting them to do the work?

[ibroker]

Scotty

Where did you buy that car from

[scotty1]

mattybrown said:

Scotty

Looking at your location are Castles doing the work? If so how have you found it buying the car private and then getting them to do the work?

Castle are doing all the work and to be honest they have been excellent I ring them almost daily and they haven't told me to F off yet . Cost are little high but thats just servicing costs generally on TVR not a dig at Castle at all. A friend of mine had his brand new Porsche cayenne serviced at Porsche for £280, double it for a TVR - I nearly fell off my chair when he told me.

I still think it was the right decision for me the only mistake I made was not getting an after market warranty...

ibroker said:

Scotty

Where did you buy that car from

I bought the car privately from a chap in Manchester I don't think anything shifty was going on because the issues I have had, he could never of known or foreseen IMHO

[ibroker]

I asked because I thought it might previously have been mine, but not fom manchester.

If I was you I would be gutted. You probably are already.

Fantastic car when its hitting all the right notes> I think if I was you having paid out all the cash I would hang in there, especially as you have bought the best colour.