Thinking about a T350/ Tamora
Discussion
Hi,
I've been popping in and out of this forum for the last six months or so as I want to replace my E46 M3 Cab... if I'm honest with myself, the only car that currently gets me excited enough to want to replace it is a TVR (though my head is saying buy a Z4MC).
I've been trying vaguely to read up and keep tabs by reading the threads on here about the cars and talk to people who know about cars such as my mechanic and ex TVR (though not T350/Tamora) owners about them... So far I'm getting very mixed messages. One ex owner (Cerbera) even told me to steer well clear and actually so did my mechanic...
So realising this is a TVR forum I'm looking for perhaps some bias (or ideally answers without any bias!) in the other direction.
What will a T350 be like to live with? I don't do many miles and the car can often be sat without use for a month or two... My usage is generally well anticipated in advance but is also long trips, generally to the continent. So whilst I don't need the car to be a daily driver I do really need to be reliable as breaking down on holiday would really kind of ruin it for me. Also my schedules tend to be tight so breaking down would really not be appreciated.
I've also never actually sat in one (though there was one in the work car park the other day which set me off drooling again).. and I was wondering if there are any friendly PHers in either NW London or the City area who wouldn't mind letting me have a sit and take me out for a ride maybe? (don't worry I'm not expecting to drive it!) I'd just like to get more of a feel for one.
Also is it worth only buying from a garage such as Racing Green in order to get a warranty? Or is it possible to purchase a warranty afterwards, if so how much would it cost (per year)?
What are running costs generally like? The M3 has been largely reliable but there were a few eye watering bills that were mostly picked up by the warranty.
Do I need to make sure I buy one that's already been rebuilt by a specialist... as in is a engine rebuild really a near certainty that i'd be better off making sure has already been done?
Lots of questions I know but I'd appreciate any feedback at all.
Thanks
Hamza
I've been popping in and out of this forum for the last six months or so as I want to replace my E46 M3 Cab... if I'm honest with myself, the only car that currently gets me excited enough to want to replace it is a TVR (though my head is saying buy a Z4MC).
I've been trying vaguely to read up and keep tabs by reading the threads on here about the cars and talk to people who know about cars such as my mechanic and ex TVR (though not T350/Tamora) owners about them... So far I'm getting very mixed messages. One ex owner (Cerbera) even told me to steer well clear and actually so did my mechanic...
So realising this is a TVR forum I'm looking for perhaps some bias (or ideally answers without any bias!) in the other direction.
What will a T350 be like to live with? I don't do many miles and the car can often be sat without use for a month or two... My usage is generally well anticipated in advance but is also long trips, generally to the continent. So whilst I don't need the car to be a daily driver I do really need to be reliable as breaking down on holiday would really kind of ruin it for me. Also my schedules tend to be tight so breaking down would really not be appreciated.
I've also never actually sat in one (though there was one in the work car park the other day which set me off drooling again).. and I was wondering if there are any friendly PHers in either NW London or the City area who wouldn't mind letting me have a sit and take me out for a ride maybe? (don't worry I'm not expecting to drive it!) I'd just like to get more of a feel for one.
Also is it worth only buying from a garage such as Racing Green in order to get a warranty? Or is it possible to purchase a warranty afterwards, if so how much would it cost (per year)?
What are running costs generally like? The M3 has been largely reliable but there were a few eye watering bills that were mostly picked up by the warranty.
Do I need to make sure I buy one that's already been rebuilt by a specialist... as in is a engine rebuild really a near certainty that i'd be better off making sure has already been done?
Lots of questions I know but I'd appreciate any feedback at all.
Thanks
Hamza
Thanks for the offer Zippee. I work just off Fleet St actually so not too far but the chances of me getting away from my desk for long enough to actually make meeting anyone for lunch worthwhile are slim to say the least.
If I don't get much of a response on here though I'll try and sneak off and take you up on your offer.
If I don't get much of a response on here though I'll try and sneak off and take you up on your offer.
There's a lot of myth, on here and elsewhere, about these cars. My guess would be the risk factor of TVR over BMW will be greater, but I'd also guess cost of ownership over a reasonable period will be about the same. I budget £2000 per annum/6k miles to keep it on the road/service/repair. Lots of niggly faults, most of which won't 'stop' the car on hols, for example.
Personally I'd look for a car on max 2nd owner from new, who you should talk to, and serviced by hopefully same, reputable indy, who you should also tap up for information. I'm not sure earlier/later model is useful advice, rebuild/attention to top end definitely is. The other 'tweaks' don't matter - none were really significant. You don't need a flat rad, for example, sun visors, or air conditioning come to think of it. Just choose one in a colour combo you like and has the best provenance you can find.
Never had/wanted a BMW so can't compare between the two.
Personally I'd look for a car on max 2nd owner from new, who you should talk to, and serviced by hopefully same, reputable indy, who you should also tap up for information. I'm not sure earlier/later model is useful advice, rebuild/attention to top end definitely is. The other 'tweaks' don't matter - none were really significant. You don't need a flat rad, for example, sun visors, or air conditioning come to think of it. Just choose one in a colour combo you like and has the best provenance you can find.
Never had/wanted a BMW so can't compare between the two.
thanks for that, its useful advice.
£2,000/ year/6k miles seems manageable... trying to do the math in my head to compare it to my M3 ... I think its a bit more but the difference probably isn't staggering.
Would that figure include possibly having to rebuild the head/engine if I kept the car for say 4 years (about average ownership of my last 2 long term cars).
Niggly problems I can live with, I have two italian motorbikes in the garage What sort of things are we talking about here though?
£2,000/ year/6k miles seems manageable... trying to do the math in my head to compare it to my M3 ... I think its a bit more but the difference probably isn't staggering.
Would that figure include possibly having to rebuild the head/engine if I kept the car for say 4 years (about average ownership of my last 2 long term cars).
Niggly problems I can live with, I have two italian motorbikes in the garage
What sort of things are we talking about here though?There is no reason why your TVR purchase will not need major engine work in your 4 year timeframe. Yes these engines do need more work than a German carmaker's engine, but you're buying into something very different here.
If you keep the car on a trickle charger while not using it for longer periods there is no reason why it won't start first time every time when you need it.
Niggly problems tend to revolve around minor electrical glitches. Some cars have none, some have lots. As has been said, but carefully and speak to the last owner if a dealer.
Now go and drive one, then you will really know if you must have one.
If you keep the car on a trickle charger while not using it for longer periods there is no reason why it won't start first time every time when you need it.
Niggly problems tend to revolve around minor electrical glitches. Some cars have none, some have lots. As has been said, but carefully and speak to the last owner if a dealer.
Now go and drive one, then you will really know if you must have one.
would love to drive one... not sure how i'm going to manage that though unfortunately.
Are there any dealers near London? They all appear to far far away hence my request to have a sit/ closer look at someones first if possible.
Once the M3 is gone I'll start going to look at ones for sale thinking about arranging a test drive etc I think... Actually thats just because I'm assuming i need to sell my M3 privately first... maybe a dealer would take it PX and give me a good deal (who am I kidding.. better sell the M3 first).
Are there any dealers near London? They all appear to far far away hence my request to have a sit/ closer look at someones first if possible.
Once the M3 is gone I'll start going to look at ones for sale thinking about arranging a test drive etc I think... Actually thats just because I'm assuming i need to sell my M3 privately first... maybe a dealer would take it PX and give me a good deal (who am I kidding.. better sell the M3 first).
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