Buyers guide T350

[UncappedTag]

What are the reliability of the straight 6 these days. I notice that one on the classifieds has had a rebuild at 8k miles. I assume this is a one off/rare occurance?

Are their common faults to be aware of. Where would you get one serviced/intervals etc

Thank you

[Targarama]

All your questions can be answered by persuing this forum and the speed six engine forum on PH.

Nearly every ex-official TVR dealership is still around offering an excellent independent service. On top of this there are numerous specialists out there. I think that in 95% of cases you get access to more parts, more information and better service with a recent model TVR today than you did in the last 2 years of TVR being in production (remember, TVR didn't go bust and it still exists as a car company, the owner just mothballed it). Engine rebuild choices are good (some with excellent warranties such as TVR Power). Upgrade specialists abound too (suspension, engine, tuning). Body parts are readily available if the worst happens too.

So I'd say there is nothing to be concerned about. On top of this the Speed Sic is a great engine which is being improved all the time by the likes of Racing Green, St8 Six and TVR Power

I feel like a drive in mine today now...

[cammy71]

I too would be appreciate some T350 owners knowledge. For awareness only not for any negatively.

My problem is trying to convince the wife to allow me to return to the TVR fold having had a bad experience with a 450 Chim and the engine on my new Cerb S6 going at 6k miles. It was a 2001 model, and I wouldn't go for earlier than an 05/06 model on the T350.

I notice that there is a lot of reference to clutch/slave cylinders being changed on cars which have relatively low mileage. Were these due to poor clutches in the first place or the car as a model eating them up?

Any other foibles on the T350 that I should look for, if I can convince the wife to allow me to go for it. Once you have had a TVR, you can never let go, I'm on Pistonheads every day looking.........

[Targarama]

T350 foibles are generally the same as Tamora/Sagaris/Tuscan 2 foibles. There are not many. Buy on history/provenance. Buy a car that has been loved and looked after and don't think saving a few grand now on a car needing a few bits done will be the best option. If a car needs things doing which are visible then why TF has the owner not done them? and what else hasn't been done that you can't see.

Just make sure everything works and maybe get your prospective purchase checked over by a TVR knowledgeable garage. Then enjoy!

[PipeNslippers]

cammy71 said:

I too would be appreciate some T350 owners knowledge. For awareness only not for any negatively.

My problem is trying to convince the wife to allow me to return to the TVR fold having had a bad experience with a 450 Chim and the engine on my new Cerb S6 going at 6k miles. It was a 2001 model, and I wouldn't go for earlier than an 05/06 model on the T350.

I notice that there is a lot of reference to clutch/slave cylinders being changed on cars which have relatively low mileage. Were these due to poor clutches in the first place or the car as a model eating them up?

Any other foibles on the T350 that I should look for, if I can convince the wife to allow me to go for it. Once you have had a TVR, you can never let go, I'm on Pistonheads every day looking.........

Try this link, there's a lot of info:

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a... T350

Be wary about going on registration date alone...check the VIN and Engine number for an indication of when the car was built. Some of the cars out there spent a lot of time unregistered in dealerships.

A number of mods took place in 2004 indicated by a radiator that lies flat, sun visors, recess for the rear window. New / improved engine blocks we also released around the middle of 2004..the link above has all the details...

For my money I ignored the miles if there was a recent engine rebuild by a reputable bulder..with existing warranty still in place...anthing else is just down to luck

[gilbo]

The mods above came out in 2003 not 2004 along with a few other differences but that doesn't necassarily make the earlier cars any worse. I'd go on condition and you can judge alot about a car by it's owner/seller too. If your not confident in your own ability to inspect the car pay for an independant inspection it'll save you alot of aggro and money in the long run.

[cammy71]

First of all thanks for the replies.

The wife has now given me the Ok to self-fund the purchase, so once funds secured from bank will be seriously looking for a T350C/T with the right colour/spec/history. And when I do find the right car, I will get an inspection done. Read elsewhere on here that X works are recommended for an inspection. Since it is Saturday, anybody know how much an inspection would cost?

I'm buzzing already, but need to remind myself to be patient!

I've compiled a list of what to look fors etc. but in general at what mileage does the clutch need replaced as a lot of cars have had this done. Again, any prices for the clutch/slave cylinder replacement?

[Zippee]

cammy71 said:

I've compiled a list of what to look fors etc. but in general at what mileage does the clutch need replaced as a lot of cars have had this done. Again, any prices for the clutch/slave cylinder replacement?

Not an exact science as some will get more/less but I had my clutch and slave replaced at 14k. TVR power clutch with raceproved slave and it was about £1100 fitted.

[cammy71]

Thanks for response and price.

If buying at c15-20k miles, and the clutch is still the original, should I budget to have it changed/upgraded as soon as I buy the car, instead of waiting for it to crash? I was interested to know whether the replacement was a fix for an inferior product or the car by type requires it every 'x' miles?

[Zippee]

cammy71 said:

Thanks for response and price.

If buying at c15-20k miles, and the clutch is still the original, should I budget to have it changed/upgraded as soon as I buy the car, instead of waiting for it to crash? I was interested to know whether the replacement was a fix for an inferior product or the car by type requires it every 'x' miles?

As mentioned it's not an exact science - I'd assume the worst and keep the money aside just in case or use it as a negotiating tool. However, you may well get several thousand more miles out of it. IIRC it's not so much the clutch wearing but the clutch fingers that break. The newer clutches are supposed to be more robust in this area (I hope so anyway).

[cammy71]

Cheers Zippee

[earlyriser]

Zippee said:

I'd assume the worst and keep the money aside just in case or use it as a negotiating tool. However, you may well get several thousand more miles out of it. IIRC it's not so much the clutch wearing but the clutch fingers that break.

I managed 42k from the original clutch - broken fingers. Cost me £170 as the after market warranty took care of the rest.

[Dr John]

cammy71 said:

...at what mileage does the clutch need replaced as a lot of cars have had this done. Again, any prices for the clutch/slave cylinder replacement?

My original clutch lasted till 32,000 miles when the fingers went, the plates were prety well worn out by then as well.

JF

[SpongeBobby]

Does anyone know the cost of an average engine rebuild on a t350?

[Targarama]

SpongeBobby said:

Does anyone know the cost of an average engine rebuild on a t350?

For a turnkey package see the info at www.tvrpower.co.uk

or call one of the other engine builders - Racing Green TVR, Str8Six (ex factory), Austec, probably some others I've forgotten.

[Voodoo13]

Look here: http://www.tvrpower.co.uk/upgrades/43-litre-engine...

At the end of the day it's how you drive it in the rain;

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=75TUF_s8mKI