New member from West Midlands, UK

J

Jonno27

Member
 Nuneaton
Hi.
I have just purchased my very first Z car.
She is a 2008 E86 in I believe it to be Black Sapphire Metallic, with Dove grey interior.
I have a few jobs that need doing, the first is to get the horns working properly, as only one of the two tones are working.
The bonnet badge had faded so bought an OEM part and fitted that.
The leather on the steering wheel has cracked badly and will need recovering as it's beyond repair.
The paintwork needs a good MOP and a few stone chips need addressing
Thankfully all the alloys are in great condition, and in gunmetal grey, so guessing they've been refurbished. I just need to replace the canter caps, which are on order.
There is an oil Leake that has been pointed out on the MOT since 2020 and about 20k miles ago which I will get sorted.
I will be ordering a pair of cup holders as they haven't been fitted to the car. The glasses holder in the headlining doesn't open, but after reading about them I think I'll just leave that, for now anyway.
I have her booked in with my local independent BMW specialist so he can give her a good look over to see if there are any issues that need sorting.
 

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Welcome to the Forum. Looks like a nice car. The coupe is very elegant looking. No doubt the jobs will keep you busy and cost you a few pounds. But worth it for the pleasure owning a car like this.👍
 
IRD said:
Welcome to the Forum. Looks like a nice car. The coupe is very elegant looking. No doubt the jobs will keep you busy and cost you a few pounds. But worth it for the pleasure owning a car like this.👍
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She is a little slower than I'm used to, but more responsive.
I sold my TVR Chimaera the weekend before collecting her so gone from a 4.0 V8 down to the 3.0 straight 6, but the Z is something I can use all year round.
And I think the jobs aren't going to cost as much as the TVR's jobs I had done :unsure::D
 
Welcome to the forum from a serial Coupe owner. :thumbsup:

Oil leaks are usually from the cam-cover gasket and/or the gasket on the oil filter housing, but N52 is a great engine and seems to be pretty bulletproof.
 
Mr Tidy said:
Welcome to the forum from a serial Coupe owner. :thumbsup:

Oil leaks are usually from the cam-cover gasket and/or the gasket on the oil filter housing, but N52 is a great engine and seems to be pretty bulletproof.
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Yeah been reading up on the oil leaks. Could be a number of things, but the fact it's been left for so long makes me think it could be the rear main seal. The car is booked in with my mechanic who is a BMW specialist so I'm sure he will find the cause
 
I had another Z owner have a Quick Look at my Coupe and he pick up the lollypop bushes need replacing and the N/S front strut top mount is in a bad way.
I got my local mechanic to have a look and he advised me not to drive it until the top mounts have been done. I have been in touch with the garage I bought it from and they are going to get the work done and will be collecting the car on a low loader this Wednesday. Just frustrating at the moment as can't drive it, and just had a weekend away with the TVRCC I'm still a member of, so couldn't show the car off.
Can't wait to get the car back all fixed up.
Will still keep the appointment with my BMW specialist to give the car a full inspection, just to see if there are any other jobs that need sorting.
Can't wait to start driving it properly
 
It's a shame you can't use your car, but at least the garage that sold you it are doing the right thing.

Maybe waiting will make it feel more special when you get it back!
 
Hi and welcome.
I would be interested in any advice on buying a V8 TVR (either Griffith, Chimaera or Cerbera). I really fancy one to stick in the garage as a 'toy' if I can find a decent one.
 
Pondrew said:
Hi and welcome.
I would be interested in any advice on buying a V8 TVR (either Griffith, Chimaera or Cerbera). I really fancy one to stick in the garage as a 'toy' if I can find a decent one.
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Hi
A TVR for a toy if you have a garage is a great choice. The main thing to look out for with them is chassis and outriggers. Other things are service history, play in the steering, whining from the rear diff, any musty smells inside the cabin as this would indicate a leak from somewhere that's probably been there a while.
I had the 4.0 Chimaera which is the smallest engine in the Chim, which I found quite adequate to be honest, though the 4.5 is meant to be the better one to go for, though in my experience either or. The 5.0 is know to be less smooth.
The Chimaera will have more choice as there are more of those on the road, and the Griff is more expensive as there were less made. The Cerbera is going to be more expensive again as it is a totally different beast. This has TVR's own engine that they developed and built, unlike the other 2 which have the Rover V8. The Cerbera engine is a full race engine and needs warming up properly before any enthusiastic driving. I have a few friends with the Cerbera who've had to have expensive engine rebuilds, but if you look after these cars they are awesome machines.
If you are serious about getting a TVR I would highly recommend joining the TVRCC as there is a wealth of knowledge in there forums, and go along to your local groups monthly meet. I have found the club to be the friendliest I've ever been a member of,and everyone I've metas been so helpful.
What area are you in?
 
Pondrew said:
South Lincs. Near Peterborough.
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I'm not sure which is the best group for you to go along to, but I saw this region had a website, they seem a bit organised lol

Meetings — TVR Car Club Norfolk & Suffolk Region

The TVR Car Club regional meeting group in your local Norfolk & Suffolk area, come along and say hello, you do not need to own a TVR!
tvrcc-norfolk-suffolk.co.uk tvrcc-norfolk-suffolk.co.uk
Or if you fancy a drive out there is always the Warwickshire and West Midlands group which I'm a member of, approx an hour and a half from Peterborough.
But like I say if you're seriously look to buy one join the club. If you pay via direct debit then it's £58 for the year. With the discounts and savings you get, and all the support and advice, and the events it worth the money.
They have just done an anniversary event at Millbrook Proving Ground, where James Bond (Daniel Craig) crashed his Aston Martin
 
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