M5 to Noble
Author
Discussion

skeeterm5

Original Poster:

4,583 posts

217 months

Tuesday 3rd November 2009
quotequote all
Hi all, I currently run an e60 M5 and fancy a change. Have tried the new M3 and also Z4Mc both neither did it for me.

Have turned my attention to the Noble and have a couple of basic questions which I wouldnt mind your views on:

1) Almost all of the cars in the classifieds have stupidly low mileage (not a bad thing as a buyer!) but I want to use it every day. My conclusion is that people generally dont run them daily. Do any of you?

2) My M5 has been faultless and I always have the insurance of a comprehensive dealer back-up in case a problem turned up. Now Noble isnt in the same league in this respect, so are they reliable and where do you get the serviced?

thanks

S

Gadgeroonie

5,362 posts

265 months

Tuesday 3rd November 2009
quotequote all
its not a BMW when it comes to reliability

expect a few things to go wrong as with any low production car (about 600 made)

if you want a daily driver and a mileage eater - maybe a porsche 996 may be your best bet

not as fast, but german and reliable

skeeterm5

Original Poster:

4,583 posts

217 months

Tuesday 3rd November 2009
quotequote all
Thanks for that, and I think you really sum up my thoughts. I am after a daily driver that is exciting etc.

The 911 doesnt really do it for me either and I think my heart goes with Noble for its looks but my head is already telling me not to!

S

AMG Merc

11,955 posts

282 months

Tuesday 3rd November 2009
quotequote all
There are a few happy daily driver Nobs here, they'll be along soon.

There's almost no comparison with the M5 though. Do you need 4 seats, a boot, satnav/TV, heated seats, etc., etc.?

Adrian W

15,491 posts

257 months

Tuesday 3rd November 2009
quotequote all
Thats like comparing a car to a motorbike, not a extreme as a Caterham but compared to an M5 its not that far away.

skeeterm5

Original Poster:

4,583 posts

217 months

Tuesday 3rd November 2009
quotequote all
No I dont need that stuff, I am normally the only person in the car. Have also just sold my bike (Gixxer 1000) and therefore after something to keep a smile on myself.

Have arrange a test drive at the weekend so shall see.

S

mr.man

511 posts

245 months

Tuesday 3rd November 2009
quotequote all
skeeterm5 said:
No I dont need that stuff, I am normally the only person in the car. Have also just sold my bike (Gixxer 1000) and therefore after something to keep a smile on myself.

Have arrange a test drive at the weekend so shall see.

S
I can't recall anyone having a test drive and saying "I didn't like it. I don't want one"

AMG Merc

11,955 posts

282 months

Tuesday 3rd November 2009
quotequote all
mr.man said:
skeeterm5 said:
No I dont need that stuff, I am normally the only person in the car. Have also just sold my bike (Gixxer 1000) and therefore after something to keep a smile on myself.

Have arrange a test drive at the weekend so shall see.

S
I can't recall anyone having a test drive and saying "I didn't like it. I don't want one"
Right, a Noble test drive is rather like Marmite with the "OR hate it" bit removed biggrin

skeeterm5

Original Poster:

4,583 posts

217 months

Tuesday 3rd November 2009
quotequote all
AMG Merc said:
mr.man said:
skeeterm5 said:
No I dont need that stuff, I am normally the only person in the car. Have also just sold my bike (Gixxer 1000) and therefore after something to keep a smile on myself.

Have arrange a test drive at the weekend so shall see.

S
I can't recall anyone having a test drive and saying "I didn't like it. I don't want one"
Right, a Noble test drive is rather like Marmite with the "OR hate it" bit removed biggrin
LOL - Mrs Skeeter says dont you believe it. She thinks it looks like a car somebody having mid life issues would have. I have tried to point out the performance etc but it is like talking to a luddite! cue a clip round the ear me thinks!

Anyway, will see what the weekend brings

S

andygtt

8,345 posts

293 months

Tuesday 3rd November 2009
quotequote all
I use my Noble everyday and I do quite a few miles, i had an E36 M3 before that and they have been comparable on running costs (my M3s a track toy now and its done 160k).

My Noble has also been very reliable, I did once have a minor ecu issue and the battery is in the process of dieing (still starts first time every time just went flat when I was away for a few weeks)... I get mine serviced by a Noble dealer called Kerridges who are on essex suffolk boarder.

Generally Nobles do have low miles on the clock, mine had 11k and 1.5years later its approaching 40k miles now... I also didnt spend much on the car so its not like I got the absolutre best out there, just the best I could afford.

If you do decide to run one everyday then you will need to be prepared to keep it clean under the clips carefully clean clip fasteners... other than that i do almost nothing that isnt an upgrade (fit stereo, exhaust etc) and just send it in to service every 6k!

Dont get me wrong there are some that have had hell with their cars but in my experience so far over 25k miles has been fantastic and i wont be changing anytime soon.

Stella Artois

556 posts

229 months

Tuesday 3rd November 2009
quotequote all
Mines a daily usage, having done 9K in four months. Had a couple of issues of late, but none that I would put down to excessive usage, just a bit of bad luck. It's no dearer to run than a Scooby, probably cheaper in the long run and is a damn site cheaper to run than an Evo. Very easily driven quick or plodding around town - if the latter is your cup of tea. I tend to go with the first option. Additionally, I track mine and not only does it cope well on the track but its a reliable 100 mile a day commuter too, providing space is not a premium.

Stella Artois

556 posts

229 months

Tuesday 3rd November 2009
quotequote all
skeeterm5 said:
She thinks it looks like a car somebody having mid life issues would have. I have tried to point out the performance etc but it is like talking to a luddite! cue a clip round the ear me thinks!

Anyway, will see what the weekend brings

S
Roll with it, its a mid lifer, as its cheap to insure, affordable, fast and a head turner. I'm all for mid life crisis' as its just an excuse for another toy!

wessexrfc

4,326 posts

215 months

Wednesday 4th November 2009
quotequote all
Once driven forever smitten yes

Alpinestars

13,954 posts

273 months

Wednesday 4th November 2009
quotequote all
skeeterm5 said:
Hi all, I currently run an e60 M5 and fancy a change. Have tried the new M3 and also Z4Mc both neither did it for me.

Have turned my attention to the Noble and have a couple of basic questions which I wouldnt mind your views on:

1) Almost all of the cars in the classifieds have stupidly low mileage (not a bad thing as a buyer!) but I want to use it every day. My conclusion is that people generally dont run them daily. Do any of you?

2) My M5 has been faultless and I always have the insurance of a comprehensive dealer back-up in case a problem turned up. Now Noble isnt in the same league in this respect, so are they reliable and where do you get the serviced?

thanks

S
Where are you based? I am looking to buy an M5 and so it might suit both of us to compare cars (not looking to sell the noble though).

NickyTwoHats

2,093 posts

270 months

Thursday 5th November 2009
quotequote all
Had both.
Sell M5
Buy Noble. Drive most days
When you have 400+ miles to drive in a day AND it's raining, freezing or dark...

Buy a 10 year old 740 for a few grand and take that

N2H

Urbalizer

481 posts

203 months

Thursday 5th November 2009
quotequote all
I use mine as a daily driver also, they need maintenance but no more than other supercars and they are a lot cheaper to buy and maintain.

To put it into perspective if you get a full engine rebuild at 50k miles it will only cost £3500.
A reconditioned transmission with new clutch every 25k miles will only cost about 2k including labour.
But dont be shocked by this, an F430 the engine is on its last legs at 35k miles and clutch's/transmission go all the time at less than 20k miles, so you are going to get with with any supercar, but the Noble is just faster and cheaper.

Expect to spend money on the car on maintenace and upgrades,i.e. exhaust manifolds crack etc. lots of cheap parts were used that really need upgrading, but in general they are very reliable cars, i have driven mine to Cyprus and back 3 times without a worry about reliability, but its not like an M5 where you rarely have to lift the bonnet, Nobles need maintenance, with some TLC it will be a good ownership experience, and if you get into the upgrades, nothing can touch them short of missile or a bolt of lightning, but even then you could dodge them wink

If i were you i would read up on upgrades and fixes, if you get 3R and spend 6k on upgrades you will not be disapointed, as the upgrades tend to sort the fixes, at the same time.
I say it many times,
But factory exhaust, manifolds, intercooler, coolant hoses are not up to the job.
Add to that fuel pump upgrade, cam timing, turbo upgrade,remap and you have got your self a true 480-500bhp Noble torque monster.That would have nearly twice the power to weight ratio of your M5.
Nobles have lots of low end torque, so you have accelerating power through the entire rev range, this linked to the superior chassis and unmatched handling is what made Jeremy Clarkson declare it best drivers car of the year 3 years running.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tfJvqfXTzNc

Watch this vid, Noble still holds the record for fastest car through the slalom, GT3 and R35 GTR are 5mph slower, likes of Ariel aton are 10mph slower, nothing has come close and this is a Noble running at 425bhp without upgrades.

andygtt

8,345 posts

293 months

Friday 6th November 2009
quotequote all
I think your going a little far there Urbaliser... I love my noble but there is no way it out handles a Arial Atom and its definatelly not quicker than a Ferrari 430 (well unless the nobles modified of cause).

My recomendation for those considering a Noble is to go drive them, I used to have a 500+bhp Ultima that was hugelly faster than a Noble and had owned a Boxster, VX220 etc... but one drive in the Noble and I was smitten as it simply ticks all the boxs and is a simply superb drive.

Urbalizer

481 posts

203 months

Friday 6th November 2009
quotequote all
It does out handle an atom through the slalom by 10mph,here is the test track results for the Atom, compare them to the Noble, the atom laps faster due to acceleration, not handling.
I.e. atom does 1/4 mile in 10.6, Noble at 425bhp is 11.4, that is why the Atom is quicker, on the slalom, Noble 79.3mph, Atom 70mph, there is your handling.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I2a6ypw4Z_U

When you see the Noble going through the slalom, you have to admit that is impressive, no other car has come close, even the mighty R35 GTR only managed 75mph.

Edited by Urbalizer on Friday 6th November 09:03


Edited by Urbalizer on Friday 6th November 09:13

andygtt

8,345 posts

293 months

Friday 6th November 2009
quotequote all
Interesting vids, the atom is half the weight of the Noble and is a proper set up car (like the noble) so should run rings round us in the right hands.... loved the video of the noble doing the slalom.

Jenx

11,579 posts

271 months

Friday 6th November 2009
quotequote all
I think the Atom is fast because of it's light wieght..it accelerates and decellerates like a bd, but when I went in one there is no way it produced lateral G like my Noble...and the guy was a rally driver.

M