wanting to buy... 3R or M400?
Discussion
I'm looking to buy a noble at the moment, but after reading a lot of reviews on the net and seeing the prices that they are available for.
can someone give me some advice on which is the one to go for?
I'm aware that the M400 is the faster car, but does that also mean that the running costs are a lot higher and the reliability is maybe lower than the 3R?
I was running an RS6 last year and the running costs were a killer for me keeping the car, I don't mind paying for tyres and brakes when needed etc, but the RS6, it was £1000+ for front discs, every 10k miles, £400 front pads = 5000 miles etc... not to mention the fuel at 8-10mpg.. £2k servicing bills i'm sure it could have been better, but with 530bhp, you want to use it don't you?
any advice from people that run them would be appreciated.
cheers.
can someone give me some advice on which is the one to go for?
I'm aware that the M400 is the faster car, but does that also mean that the running costs are a lot higher and the reliability is maybe lower than the 3R?
I was running an RS6 last year and the running costs were a killer for me keeping the car, I don't mind paying for tyres and brakes when needed etc, but the RS6, it was £1000+ for front discs, every 10k miles, £400 front pads = 5000 miles etc... not to mention the fuel at 8-10mpg.. £2k servicing bills i'm sure it could have been better, but with 530bhp, you want to use it don't you?
any advice from people that run them would be appreciated.
cheers.
There's loads of stuf on here.
The M400 is quicker on track but for road use there's not much in it, especially if the M12 has had the sort of mods that most have had.
I'd suggest you drive everything at around your price point adn see how you like them. The key is that it's had the right upgrades and that it's been looked after. Mileage isn't much of an issue BUT fuel pump witring upgrade and an LSD aer essential.
Enjoy and feel free to pm / call if you want to.
N2H
The M400 is quicker on track but for road use there's not much in it, especially if the M12 has had the sort of mods that most have had.
I'd suggest you drive everything at around your price point adn see how you like them. The key is that it's had the right upgrades and that it's been looked after. Mileage isn't much of an issue BUT fuel pump witring upgrade and an LSD aer essential.
Enjoy and feel free to pm / call if you want to.
N2H
So the suspension on the M400 is different as well then? or is that just down to more power?
i've been in a friends 3R and was impressed with it, but looking at the cost of the 2 different cars, do I just pay the extra £5-8K and get the M400?
to be fair, i'd be happy with the 3R, but obviously i'm looking into both options at the moment.
one thing i've found with all forum is that the majority of posts from people, regardless of what car or bike they have, is that they will post the problems more often than the running costs and how they are to get on with.
i've been in a friends 3R and was impressed with it, but looking at the cost of the 2 different cars, do I just pay the extra £5-8K and get the M400?
to be fair, i'd be happy with the 3R, but obviously i'm looking into both options at the moment.
one thing i've found with all forum is that the majority of posts from people, regardless of what car or bike they have, is that they will post the problems more often than the running costs and how they are to get on with.
OK, some costs..upgraded AP front discs - £400 a pair. Pads £120.
These also last a LOT longer as the car is so light.
Service (depending who you use) £300 - £1000. every year or 6K miles.
Ball joints are know to wear, around £100 to replace ( cheaper if you dont mind a bit of spanner work)
As N2H said, go for LSD.
I would buy on condition rather than milage or age.
Seen some rough cars that are low milage but just not looked after.
Nice things to have are :
Upgraded exhaust/intercooler/ fuel pump/ fuel pump wiring.
M400 does have different suspension, which includes a ARB.
Also has different seats(which most prefer, but not all)
Better turning circle
very slightly better pedal position.
Car is easy to work on yourself as well.
Sensible mods on a 3R will happily see you at 400bhp.
Same mods on a M400 will get you around 440bhp.
HTH
These also last a LOT longer as the car is so light.
Service (depending who you use) £300 - £1000. every year or 6K miles.
Ball joints are know to wear, around £100 to replace ( cheaper if you dont mind a bit of spanner work)
As N2H said, go for LSD.
I would buy on condition rather than milage or age.
Seen some rough cars that are low milage but just not looked after.
Nice things to have are :
Upgraded exhaust/intercooler/ fuel pump/ fuel pump wiring.
M400 does have different suspension, which includes a ARB.
Also has different seats(which most prefer, but not all)
Better turning circle
very slightly better pedal position.
Car is easy to work on yourself as well.
Sensible mods on a 3R will happily see you at 400bhp.
Same mods on a M400 will get you around 440bhp.
HTH
that sounds like a reasonable cost for pads and discs, also for servicing.
I'd tend to use a local specialist for all repair and servicing work, i've used them before for Kit cars and other high performance motors i've had.
not sure if i'd want to increase power from them as i reckon that it'll have plenty from the off. i've got motorbikes as well and use them on the track, I find it more fun than in the cars. (not when i'm falling off though..)
will the resale price of a 3R and M400 be comparative? or am I likely to lose more money on one over another say if i decide to sell the car in a couple of years?
I'd tend to use a local specialist for all repair and servicing work, i've used them before for Kit cars and other high performance motors i've had.
not sure if i'd want to increase power from them as i reckon that it'll have plenty from the off. i've got motorbikes as well and use them on the track, I find it more fun than in the cars. (not when i'm falling off though..)
will the resale price of a 3R and M400 be comparative? or am I likely to lose more money on one over another say if i decide to sell the car in a couple of years?
I've replaced only the front pads (~£200) in 30 months of ownership.
My front tyres (~£300) were the originals when I changed them in January - been on the car nearly five years.
I get through rears (~£350) every 9-10 months.
I've had mine serviced by a local(ish) specialist for about £300, although not much work was required.
My front tyres (~£300) were the originals when I changed them in January - been on the car nearly five years.
I get through rears (~£350) every 9-10 months.
I've had mine serviced by a local(ish) specialist for about £300, although not much work was required.
well, after having a look at what's available out there, i reckon that i'll be better suited to a 3R...
I enquired about an M400 that was advertised not a millon miles away, and when i called, i directly asked if the car had been involved in any accidents etc.
the answer was, I think it's had a bit of paint on the front end.
well, upon checking back on the service history, i've discovered that the last owner of the car was supplied with a whole new front and rear end for a noble M400... I wonder what they were for???.....
needless to say, i don't think i'll be following this one through.
If anyone has one that they want sensible money for that's not been smashed to bits them let me know.
I enquired about an M400 that was advertised not a millon miles away, and when i called, i directly asked if the car had been involved in any accidents etc.
the answer was, I think it's had a bit of paint on the front end.
well, upon checking back on the service history, i've discovered that the last owner of the car was supplied with a whole new front and rear end for a noble M400... I wonder what they were for???.....
needless to say, i don't think i'll be following this one through.
If anyone has one that they want sensible money for that's not been smashed to bits them let me know.
chubbsr1 said:
yeah, i know, i should have put, the 3R is more acceptable to pocket at the moment... I don't think i fancy being £35-40k deep into a car that i won't be able to sell...
especially if it's been involved in an accident previously.
Sorry but if an insurance co was ivolved they would have just changed the clams rather than repair them whatever the damage was, if the car is straight I really wouldnt worry about it, its not like your Audi, it has a chassis, and removable front and rear clips to hold the clams on. I would not see new clams as a bad thing.especially if it's been involved in an accident previously.
ok, well from what you are saying it doesn't sound like a problem, but i reckon that if i'm buying a car then i want to be sure in my own mind that it a straight car.. if someone has told me that there has been a bit of paint on the car, but in reality it's had a new front and rear clam, then is that the only thing that's wrong with the car?
i'm not in a massive rush to get my hands on one, so i'll just see what's available in the coming months, then at least i can have a car that i've got peace of mind with as well.
whenever i've sold a car to someone, i've always been straight with them as i find this is always the best policy.
i'm not in a massive rush to get my hands on one, so i'll just see what's available in the coming months, then at least i can have a car that i've got peace of mind with as well.
whenever i've sold a car to someone, i've always been straight with them as i find this is always the best policy.
chubbsr1 said:
If anyone has one that they want sensible money for that's not been smashed to bits them let me know.
I must admit I would probably be wondering what else might have been damaged. It could be that it was spun and lightly brushed a barrier at both ends or maybe he went into the back of someone and another driver did the same to him, in which case probably nothing serious to worry about. Or it could have been a lot more significant.
Unfortunately the paperwork won't record the level of damage and it won't list damage that might have been missed and could manifest itself later.
It's your money in the end so you have to be happy before spending it.
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