T350 common falts
Discussion
Nothing unusual really, they are pretty solid cars.
- General quality of trim and finish, esp. paintwork around lights and sealing around lights
- Electrics - customer dashpod and door ECUs can play up
- Odd sensor in the engine bay goes AWOL, probably due to extra heat since GRP doesn't conduct heat and thus aid cooling in hot weather (put your hand on a hot TVR's bonnet and its mildly warm - try that with a steel bodied car). Check oil pressure sensor and speedo sensor - both easy replacements
- Some people say theirs leak a bit - easy to check by looking under carpets in footwells and behind seats (feel floor).
- Engine should tick over nicely and rev freely. Might be a bit tappy, esp. from cold on earlier cars (my 2004 car was a bag of nails when cold, lovely when warm - 2006 rebuild due to blown headgasket on trackday means its quiet when cold or hot now). The noise is a characteristic, not a fault.
Biggest thing to look for is how the current/last owner treated the car. Esp how they treated the mechanics.
- General quality of trim and finish, esp. paintwork around lights and sealing around lights
- Electrics - customer dashpod and door ECUs can play up
- Odd sensor in the engine bay goes AWOL, probably due to extra heat since GRP doesn't conduct heat and thus aid cooling in hot weather (put your hand on a hot TVR's bonnet and its mildly warm - try that with a steel bodied car). Check oil pressure sensor and speedo sensor - both easy replacements
- Some people say theirs leak a bit - easy to check by looking under carpets in footwells and behind seats (feel floor).
- Engine should tick over nicely and rev freely. Might be a bit tappy, esp. from cold on earlier cars (my 2004 car was a bag of nails when cold, lovely when warm - 2006 rebuild due to blown headgasket on trackday means its quiet when cold or hot now). The noise is a characteristic, not a fault.
Biggest thing to look for is how the current/last owner treated the car. Esp how they treated the mechanics.
Things to look out for / expect (I'll try not to duplicate the above)...
Don't leave it for weeks without running as you will come back to a flat battery. This is easily fixed with a trickle charger that can attach to either the cigarette lighter or the battery connector near front o/s wheel. If the battery is completely dead you have no choice but to use the battery connector, you will have to buy a cable with the correct plug on it to charge...
Small leaks in radiators will cause overheating. Air in the system can cause pressure to build up in the cooling system which ends up as lots of steam coming out of the expansion tank cap. This can be quite annoying.
Brackets and rubber mounts on the back part of the exhaust can perish / break. If the exhaust is resting on the bodywork it can burn / discolour the paintwork. You can usually hear this, you'll hear it cluncking against the bodywork when you go over little bumps etc.
I'm sure there's more, still loving the car though!!!!
Timing chain.
It will be worth around 19-20k IMO. Depends on the mileage and how you keep it.
Don't go thinking this car won't cost you anything. I estimate £3k a year to run one incl servicing. Make sure you get a decent warranty and follow the warm up instructions carefully (probably in the FAQ).
Finally, I'll say it again - buy on condition and previous owner treatment. If the car has been on a forecourt for a few months it will possibly need a bit of TLC in terms of a few sensors and a light tune up before its tiptop.
It will be worth around 19-20k IMO. Depends on the mileage and how you keep it.
Don't go thinking this car won't cost you anything. I estimate £3k a year to run one incl servicing. Make sure you get a decent warranty and follow the warm up instructions carefully (probably in the FAQ).
Finally, I'll say it again - buy on condition and previous owner treatment. If the car has been on a forecourt for a few months it will possibly need a bit of TLC in terms of a few sensors and a light tune up before its tiptop.
It can't be stressed enough about warming the engine before you put your foot down.
Ownership is actually a little bit different to what I expected, to be honest its much better. I listened to all of the warnings and advice before I bought mine half expecting it to go pop on the drive home! It's not like that at all, be prepared however to do weekly checks, warm the car etc. These cars like to be run frequently, good to remember that.
What will it be worth in a year? Why on earth would you want to sell it after a year???
After 16 months and nearly 9000 miles my main gripe is that the boot badge is crap. And that's the lot. I do treat the engine very carefully until the oil is hot, and no-one else apart from Mrs. Nailer gets to drive it when cold.
Mine is a 2005 model, and the build quality is excellent.
Just remember that it's a low volume, high performance motor that is something special and you'll be fine. Hope this helps.
Mine is a 2005 model, and the build quality is excellent.
Just remember that it's a low volume, high performance motor that is something special and you'll be fine. Hope this helps.
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