NOTICABLE DIFFERENCE WITH AN S

[Jonny TVR]

I'm looking for a MK2 but can't decide whether an S will make that much difference. What do you guys think?

[rens914]

i would go for an MK2 everytime but really dont like the ducktail and the light's on the back
that's why i bought myself an MK1
rens

[Jonny TVR]

I've decided on a mk2 so its down to an S or a standard one. Is it worth trying to find an S over the 3.6 or is the difference minimal?

[TOV!E]

There must be some difference as the S was £10,000 more to buy in the first place

[GT TVR]

I'd go for an S: has better suspension, brakes and a CR box (check that). Looks better with the front winglets. Plus the extra oemphh.

[Lucozade]

I've owned 2 Mk1 standard cars and now have a Mk'3' S.

If you can stretch the budget it's worth getting the S for the reasons said below, better suspension, bigger brakes. You should also get full leather interior, aircon, front winglets, rear spoiler (various sizes - like mine you can get a small one) and obviously the uprated engine.

I believe the close ratio gearbox is still an optional extra as mine didn't come with it.

[Jonny TVR]

an S it is then! Thanks very much.

P.S. Like the picture Lucozade

[GT TVR]

All S's should have a CR box but there were some cars with a less expensive S pack that didn't have it. The CR box really suits the engine, especially with the (non-standard) 3.91 diff. Ballistic!

[glow worm]

The larger/smaller boot spoiler was a non-chargeable option when ordering a MK2, although it would appear many 'S's were ordered with them... PDTvr is one with the smaller for example.
The "S" pack option cost £10k (but was offer for £3.5k Dec'05/Jan'06) and besides an 'S' engine (CR box,different injectors and engine tweaks same engine as a Sag) also included Air Con,18" wheels,larger brakes,gas discharge mainbeam lights,front splitters and a slightly different front grill. Full Leather was not included and £1000 extra.... all prices not inclusive of VAT.

Edited by glow worm on Monday 24th August 15:12

[glow worm]

GT TVR said:

All S's should have a CR box but there were some cars with a less expensive S pack that didn't have it.

That is totally untrue... although with any 'S' whether you got an CR box depended if one was available, if not you would get a std., unless it was nicked from a customer car (so the story goes)... If parts weren't available and it delayed the sale of a car , then it got what was available....that's how I finished up with Griff sidelights.Personally I think the long prop shaft and 4 bolt diff flange is a better improvement from the 3 bolt (with a 3:73 ratio).

Just check your speed/revs/gear table... somewhere on here.

Edited by glow worm on Monday 24th August 20:13

[TVR_owner]

glow worm said:

GT TVR said:

All S's should have a CR box but there were some cars with a less expensive S pack that didn't have it.

That is totally untrue... although with any 'S' whether you got an CR box depended if one was available, if not you would get a std., unless it was nicked from a customer car (so the story goes)... If parts weren't available and it delayed the sale of a car , then it got what was available....that's how I finished up with Griff sidelights.Personally I think the long prop shaft and 4 bolt diff flange is a better improvement from the 3 bolt (with a 3:73 ratio).

Just check your speed/revs/gear table... somewhere on here.

Edited by glow worm on Monday 24th August 20:13

I dont think its far from true at all Kieth. I would say that the majority of the cars with the cheap S pack had the standardbox, but also quite a few of the full price cars too. All S cars should have had it as standard and many actually went back to have it fitted if the dealer could be bothered to service the customers needs.

[glow worm]

TVR_owner said:

glow worm said:

GT TVR said:

All S's should have a CR box but there were some cars with a less expensive S pack that didn't have it.

That is totally untrue... although with any 'S' whether you got an CR box depended if one was available, if not you would get a std., unless it was nicked from a customer car (so the story goes)... If parts weren't available and it delayed the sale of a car , then it got what was available....that's how I finished up with Griff sidelights.Personally I think the long prop shaft and 4 bolt diff flange is a better improvement from the 3 bolt (with a 3:73 ratio).

Just check your speed/revs/gear table... somewhere on here.

Edited by glow worm on Monday 24th August 20:13

I dont think its far from true at all Kieth. I would say that the majority of the cars with the cheap S pack had the standardbox, but also quite a few of the full price cars too. All S cars should have had it as standard and many actually went back to have it fitted if the dealer could be bothered to service the customers needs.

John, I saw all the Speed Engines on the floor on the line and there seemed no difference between those going into Sags or Tuscans (and I'm sure no one checked if ordered via the 'S' pack option that only appeared on the TVR order form), the majority of cars on the line were dealer spec'd cars and fewer customer spec'd .. I'll have a talk to Paul Giddings when I see him.

Edited by glow worm on Tuesday 25th August 09:48

[TVR_owner]

glow worm said:

TVR_owner said:

glow worm said:

GT TVR said:

All S's should have a CR box but there were some cars with a less expensive S pack that didn't have it.

That is totally untrue... although with any 'S' whether you got an CR box depended if one was available, if not you would get a std., unless it was nicked from a customer car (so the story goes)... If parts weren't available and it delayed the sale of a car , then it got what was available....that's how I finished up with Griff sidelights.Personally I think the long prop shaft and 4 bolt diff flange is a better improvement from the 3 bolt (with a 3:73 ratio).

Just check your speed/revs/gear table... somewhere on here.

Edited by glow worm on Monday 24th August 20:13

I dont think its far from true at all Kieth. I would say that the majority of the cars with the cheap S pack had the standardbox, but also quite a few of the full price cars too. All S cars should have had it as standard and many actually went back to have it fitted if the dealer could be bothered to service the customers needs.

John, I saw all the Speed Engines on the floor on the line and there seemed no difference between those going into Sags or Tuscans (and I'm sure no one checked if ordered via the 'S' pack option that only appeared on the TVR order form), the majority of cars on the line were dealer spec'd cars and fewer customer spec'd .. I'll have a talk to Paul Giddings when I see him.

Edited by glow worm on Tuesday 25th August 09:48

Keith,
Not sure on the engine specs, and to be fair never questioned them. But the gearbox I am farly sure on. The fact that most of the cheap S packs were sold to dealer would just strengthen my belief that the cars were to a lesser spec than they should have been.

TVR
Look Mr Dealer, I know a proper S pec car is expensive, but we can sell you an S with a lesser spec for a lump less money and how many punters will know the difference.

Less than honest dealer.
OK then, it's for stock anyway, as long as all the stick on bits that folk can see are there..

[glow worm]

Not sure about that either... The reduced price 'S' pack advertised was a customer option for orders placed before 31st Dec 2005, I was not aware the dealers were offered the package... (Dealer cars were pulled from the line if customer cars came along).. See back page of Dec 2005 SPRINT.... Mainly because the factory had few customer orders for the convertible in the Winter (Sept'05 wasn't the best time to launch an open top car!!!). I spoke to Jason Oxley at the end of Jan and managed to still get the reduced price. There were only 10-15 vert 'S's made in 2005, and most of the 'S' pack options would be for delivery March/April 2006.... See the register.

Edited by glow worm on Tuesday 25th August 10:36

[GT TVR]

glow worm said:

TVR_owner said:

glow worm said:

GT TVR said:

All S's should have a CR box but there were some cars with a less expensive S pack that didn't have it.

That is totally untrue... although with any 'S' whether you got an CR box depended if one was available, if not you would get a std., unless it was nicked from a customer car (so the story goes)... If parts weren't available and it delayed the sale of a car , then it got what was available....that's how I finished up with Griff sidelights.Personally I think the long prop shaft and 4 bolt diff flange is a better improvement from the 3 bolt (with a 3:73 ratio).

Just check your speed/revs/gear table... somewhere on here.

Edited by glow worm on Monday 24th August 20:13

I dont think its far from true at all Kieth. I would say that the majority of the cars with the cheap S pack had the standardbox, but also quite a few of the full price cars too. All S cars should have had it as standard and many actually went back to have it fitted if the dealer could be bothered to service the customers needs.

John, I saw all the Speed Engines on the floor on the line and there seemed no difference between those going into Sags or Tuscans (and I'm sure no one checked if ordered via the 'S' pack option that only appeared on the TVR order form), the majority of cars on the line were dealer spec'd cars and fewer customer spec'd .. I'll have a talk to Paul Giddings when I see him.

Edited by glow worm on Tuesday 25th August 09:48

Can you tell from the outside which box it has? Engines should be the same for the Sag and S.

Edited by GT TVR on Tuesday 25th August 10:39

[glow worm]

Apparantly not... that would make life too easy.... I think the build number may be written on in felt tip pen.
Unlike other Speed Sixes mine doesn't appear to have the engine builders initials on the water pump casing which is a bit of a pity.... I don't know who to have a go at if it ever needs a rebuild

Edited by glow worm on Tuesday 25th August 10:46

[TVR_owner]

glow worm said:

Apparantly not... that would make life too easy.... I think the build number may be written on in felt tip pen.
Unlike other Speed Sixes mine doesn't appear to have the engine builders initials on the water pump casing which is a bit of a pity.... I don't know who to have a go at if it ever needs a rebuild

Edited by glow worm on Tuesday 25th August 10:46

The difference would have been standard T5 box, or modified new T5 box(in house or out-sourced). The latter having a cost impact, now way TVR would have mixed the two. They knew which cars had which boxes when they left Bristol Avenue..

[GT TVR]

Anyway, back to the original question:
yes, get an S if you can, preferrably with a CR box and the right diff (3.73). A 3.91 (never standard) is a bonus.

[glow worm]

Just spoke to Heath Briggs (TVR Service Manager) he reckons they stamped CR an the side of the box next to the gearbox serial number (passenger side he thought)... So I'll have to get my car on the ramp.... Standard diff is 3:46 with any box.

[GT TVR]

glow worm said:

Standard diff is 3:46 with any box.

Don't think that's correct. It's either 3.46 or 3.73.