Hi all. Happy to have joined your ranks after purchasing Jimbo1958's 3.0 SMG roadster last night. The car is really in fantastic condition which is a testament to Jim and the previous forum owner. Thoroughly enjoyed the drive home playing with the SMG transmission, having to take a huge detour due to the M40 northbound being closed didn't bother me in the slightest.
Two points to make...
1) MPG is awesome for a 3.0. A lot of the route home (130 ish miles) was 50mph variable speed limit so was between 50-70 :? most the way home and averaged near 40mpg!
2) Whoever is dead against the SMG gearbox can't have ever tried one. When in sport mode and giving it some gas, changing up is rapid, far quicker than with a stick. It will take some getting used to in everyday driving, but although it's not massively refined it's so handy having the option of fully automatic. Can honestly say whatever car I have next I will be looking for an SMG transmission.
This will be mainly my wife's car. We have a family 4x4 and needed a second car, however I still want to get an MC that I can garage and cherish as a future classic. I think my search will be put on hold until next year now while I enjoy my new toy.
Thanks for your hospitality last night Jim, the forum members were spot on, top bloke! I aim to be an active member of the forum as I have with previous cars, the wealth of knowledge is invaluable and Jim sold the annual Lake meet to me which I definitely hope to attend next year, so much so that I've already dropped a hint with the boss this morning!
I'll get some pics up when I've given it a wash and polish, it's a little mucky after the drive home so needs a scrub (don't want to let Jim down) although I'm sure you're probably sick to the death of this car on the forum!!
That's enough from me for now, stand by for silly questions!
Ray
Two points to make...
1) MPG is awesome for a 3.0. A lot of the route home (130 ish miles) was 50mph variable speed limit so was between 50-70 :? most the way home and averaged near 40mpg!
2) Whoever is dead against the SMG gearbox can't have ever tried one. When in sport mode and giving it some gas, changing up is rapid, far quicker than with a stick. It will take some getting used to in everyday driving, but although it's not massively refined it's so handy having the option of fully automatic. Can honestly say whatever car I have next I will be looking for an SMG transmission.
This will be mainly my wife's car. We have a family 4x4 and needed a second car, however I still want to get an MC that I can garage and cherish as a future classic. I think my search will be put on hold until next year now while I enjoy my new toy.
Thanks for your hospitality last night Jim, the forum members were spot on, top bloke! I aim to be an active member of the forum as I have with previous cars, the wealth of knowledge is invaluable and Jim sold the annual Lake meet to me which I definitely hope to attend next year, so much so that I've already dropped a hint with the boss this morning!
I'll get some pics up when I've given it a wash and polish, it's a little mucky after the drive home so needs a scrub (don't want to let Jim down) although I'm sure you're probably sick to the death of this car on the forum!!
That's enough from me for now, stand by for silly questions!
Ray
