19inch Alloys Cerbera

[Jamie Mackay]

Hi, does anyone know if 19inch alloys will fit in the Cerbera arches. I've just been looking on the following web site:

www.tvr-cerbera.fsnet.co.uk/duxford.htm

The alloys fitted to this Cerbera(6th down from left) really set the car off, although they do look pretty big.
Wonder if the arches need modified???

Help appreciated.

Thanks

Jamie

PS Just thinking about purchasing my first TVR. Got an M3 at the moment but fancy a change. Not many TVR's around in Scotland though!!!

[gazzab]

I would guess that the arches would need some grinding and that you might need slightly less wide tyres at the rear? If you search this site you will other mentions of this subject some time ago.
What sort of M3 you got?

[raceboy]

This ones on 19's

And there are few others out there, and one Chimaera owner thats got his sights on some 19's, not seen any on Dubs yet though

[olly]

18's fit normally with no mods (migh need slight mods on older cars)
19's fit, but arches have to be ground out
There are 2 cars with 20" wheels, but these were modfied heavily ! (the Charisma Cerbera (Gold one at Duxford) had 20" wheels)....

[j_s_g]

Jamie Mackay said:

Hi, does anyone know if 19inch alloys will fit in the Cerbera arches.

You can definitely get 19s to fit, but something'll have to give - narrower/*very* low profile tyres, custom wheels/narrow rims, or work doing on the arches. Not sure it'd make for a great ride, either (especially if you're running 30mm tyres.

As the other posts say, there are cars out there with 19" wheels on. Christopher Neil had a 2000/2001 Speed 6 in a week ago (I assume it's still there) with 19s on it. When chatting to one of the guys there, he said they'd been custom made for it. I was also down at Team Proactive at the weekend, where they're currently working on a Cerbera that's sat on 19s. I got a good side-on photo of that one if anyone wants it.

If the photo you're referencing is the one of that white Cerbera, then those are the TVR Tuscan 18" wheels, not 19s, and just need a couple of spacers to make sure they fit. They're quite cheap normally too at about £150 each. You can save a lot getting them secondhand, as well - I just nabbed myself a full set for £240.

[Jamie Mackay]

Thanks for the reply. I've got a 95 Avis Blue M3 with silver leather. It's absolutely minted and original. Had a 330Ci Sport before that but was just to slow.
I quite fancy the Cerbera but have been reading up alot about them today (all TVR's infact) and am a bit put off by the relaibility issues they all still seem to have. Suppose if you get a good warranty from a dealer then that should cover it. Only problem is there aren't many TVR dealers in Scotland, and for that matter ones that have any decent Cerberas in the 25K price range.

Any idea on what year TVR sorted the majority of their reliability issues out on the Cerbera? I've read no end of stories with electrical problems, batteries, leaks and steering racks! Since I know basically naff all about cars mechanically what do you reckon the best approach would be to ensure I don't buy a pile of S@#te!

Cheers,

JM

[yg649]

I've got 18" spyders and have bottomed out plenty of times on B-roads and even have managed it on the M6 !

Strong advice would be to get the spacers - if I suffer any more tyre wall wear, I'll be considering this ...

... or nitrons to stiffen things up down there ...

(best sort out the clutch payment before daydreaming gets out of hand .... )

[WilliamBall]

Jamie Mackay said:

Not many TVR's around in Scotland though!!!

Maybe more than you'd think. TVRCC meetings in Kirkcaldy and Glasgow well attended; owners from way North of Inverness right down to the Borders. Not too many used in the daily commute though, so maybe you just aren't seeing them. Lots at the GTs at KH, lots at the last Celtic Gathering etc.

Jamie Mackay said:

Only problem is there aren't many TVR dealers in Scotland, and for that matter ones that have any decent Cerberas in the 25K price range.

There's Glenvarigill in Kirkcaldy and Dreadnought in Callender in the 'official' TVR dealer channel, plus Hexham Horseless Carriages just over the border are also 'official' dealers. Alan MacDonald [Brandon] in Whitecraigs still deals used TVRs also I think, and Noel Flannery [V8 sports and classics] at Drem does independent servicing and may also know of some cars up for sale by owners. Not too badly served given a population less than greater London.

Mine was in Glenvarigill for a while in your price range, but if you really are interested in buying from a dealer and if there's none for sale locally why not just taking a trip South? Take a few days courtesy of EasyJet and you'll get a pretty good selection.

Best bet maybe is to spread the word you are looking through the local dealers, service places and TVRCC. A few months ago I knew of 3 Cerberas being sold in Edinburgh/Fife area; all local TVRCC guys with well maintained, well sorted and well known cars.

Maybe go to one of the monthly TVRCC meets, or one of the track sessions at Knockhill. Check out www.tvrcc-scotland.co.uk

WB

Edited to add - I note your initial comments about 19" wheels and 'fancying a change'. I'd have to say a Cerbera is maybe not the car to choose if you just 'fancy a change'. You either want one 100%, or you may soon fall out with it. It isn't like a BMW with a bit more grunt, it's a totally different animal; much harder of character and much more demanding. If you want to have a car to look nice with big wheels then there's plenty of other stuff out there that you might get along better with. If you want to drive the beast in anger, then you'd be better off looking at the suspension and brakes long before fancy wheels.

Sorry to add this negative note, but before you start thinking about the cosmetics, take a long long test drive and make sure it's really what you want.

>> Edited by WilliamBall on Tuesday 5th August 21:59