Not spotted yet - so HELLO!!
Not spotted yet - so HELLO!!
Author
Discussion

primary colours

Original Poster:

64 posts

208 months

Thursday 24th December 2009
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Hi everyone,

I've been watching this forum ever since I first saw a Nobel in the flesh and decided that, if necessary, I would sell Mrs PC into slavery to get one. In June I picked up an 04 Titanium 3R and have been smiling like a loon ever since. Used every day come rain or shine I can't think of a better way to get from A to B (preferably via G, M and Y). Whilst I've no problem with spending whatever's necessary to keep it on the road I am concerned that this isn't the type of car you can drop off at the corner garage and that the more specialised garages will see a Caribbean cruise in the offing everytime I pull up. The local dealer charged a total of £150 to change the battery, most of which was the labour charge and was, at the time, OK but last week I decided I needed to get the floor pan resealed and took it to a bodyshop recommended by a friend. Picked it up yesterday and am chuffed with both the standard of work and the time / care that they seem to have taken. The total cost (parts, labour and VAT) came out at £630 - from experience, is this a reasonable price (if so I'll continue using them as opposed to the local dealer) or is this standard or expensive?

Although I've no intention of tracking the car (lack of talent) I'm hoping to meet some of you over the next year but if anyone's travelling along the M6 or M5 on Xmas morning keep an eye out on the Southbound lane for a grinning driver and a passenger wearing a For Sale sign.

Merry Christmas.

TuxMan

9,011 posts

267 months

Thursday 24th December 2009
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hi primary colours , welcome to the grinning club !!!!

i have no idea if the price for floor refitt is any good but it is quite a big job !!! the biggest cost for running a Noble is labour so try and find a garage that has sensible rates another good idea is to buy your own parts for a garage to fit, most std parts are available from other sources much cheaper than Noble ....e.g i have just bought a set of NGK plugs for £10.06 !!!!! have fun Simon

leeshell

278 posts

229 months

Thursday 24th December 2009
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Hi PC and welcome.

Definately recommend finding a suitable local mechanic and sticking with them. The parts are generally inexpensive for servicing etc. I've heard some garages charge £54 per plug, mine charges £6. I also get £25 p/hr labour. I'm not one to tinker under the bonnet though having a good relationship with your mechanic helps.

For ref: I had my floor pan resealed for £300 (all labour and screws) and just had a winter service (oil (Lotus), plugs (MGK) & coolant (-25C) replaced and toppings up of other fluids (power steering etc) and a wash) for £195.

Expect to pay around £600 for 4 tyres (I had Eagle F1's)

Two years on and I'm still grinning too. :-)

primary colours

Original Poster:

64 posts

208 months

Thursday 24th December 2009
quotequote all
Tuxman / Leeshell - thanks for the replies, I'm not mechanically minded in the slightest so this all helps. Leeshell, no chance you're based in the North West I suppose - those sound like excellent rates?

John W 3R

11 posts

205 months

Thursday 24th December 2009
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Hi Primary Colours, where about in the north west are you? im in the process of searching for a noble 3r and would be interested to know of other owners in the vacinity.

Cheers
John

The devil

2,152 posts

212 months

Thursday 24th December 2009
quotequote all
I have just removed the floor of my car for resealing. I decided the best thing to do was replace it, I bought the aluminium on line at a very reasonable cost (about 70 quid), the stainless screws and sealer about £50 quid.
It took all of about an hour to take the floor off by drilling the rivets. My plan, weather permitting is to put it back on over Xmas and should be about 4 hours. I have bought neoprene strip to seal the floor to the chassis but am also putting a bead of sikaflex on.

hoyin

1,233 posts

266 months

Thursday 24th December 2009
quotequote all
I need to get my floor pan sealed as well. I checked my pan and it has been removed before so the rivets have been removed and I have screws.

I assume resealing is easy to do and I don't have to take it to a specialist who has dealt with Nobles before?

I take my Noble to a specialist for its service, but for simple tasks like this I don't see the point of paying so much per hour.

Could someone let me know what items I need to buy to get it done? What sealer do you guys use?

Thanks

Ho-Yin

hoyin

1,233 posts

266 months

Thursday 24th December 2009
quotequote all
The devil said:
I have just removed the floor of my car for resealing. I decided the best thing to do was replace it, I bought the aluminium on line at a very reasonable cost (about 70 quid), the stainless screws and sealer about £50 quid.
It took all of about an hour to take the floor off by drilling the rivets. My plan, weather permitting is to put it back on over Xmas and should be about 4 hours. I have bought neoprene strip to seal the floor to the chassis but am also putting a bead of sikaflex on.
Why would you need both a neoprene strip as well as sikaflex?

Surely if you put a continuous bead of sikaflex in you won't need a neoprene strip?

leeshell

278 posts

229 months

Thursday 24th December 2009
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Hi PC, I'm from oop North, Bolton, but based in South West now - Somerset.

The devil

2,152 posts

212 months

Thursday 24th December 2009
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leeshell said:
Hi PC, I'm from oop North, Bolton, but based in South West now - Somerset.
Do you mean zummerzet, cos that where I duz come from....40 yrs ago

wessexrfc

4,326 posts

215 months

Thursday 24th December 2009
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We will need a gathering soon!!!! proper-job!!!!biggrin

primary colours

Original Poster:

64 posts

208 months

Saturday 26th December 2009
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Hi John W - I'm in Cheshire, between Crewe and Northwich, don't know if this is anywhere handy for you? Leeshell, it sounds as if we've swapped poles, I'm originally from Wiltshire. I had a strange noise develop on the drive back, so I guess the search for a friendly mechanic is a little more urgent now!