Hello

[E500TreVoR]

Just saying hello having picked up my facelift W211 E500 estate on Friday morning.

I part exchanged a Subaru Legacy as I wanted something more comfortable and it seemed rude not to add a second V8 to my garage!

 

[martyz]

Hi, and Welcome

 

[WOODYTHEWISE]

Hello and welcome to you.

 

[Deleted member 37751]

Welcome to the forum.

 

[Mr.CAP]

Welcome

 

[TDE1]

Hi and welcome. Two great cars you have there

 

[A210AMG]

Hello


Welcome, like the user name

 

[d w124]

Hi and welcome to the forum

 

[Deleted member 65149]

Two V8s but so very different to drive. Presumably the E500 is to lie down in and recover after taking the TVR for a run!

 

[E500TreVoR]

Thanks guys. A couple of cheeky pics: -

It is in great condition and has a full MB service history as was an ex-lease car. I am very happy with it.

The other V8 which is my weekend toy. This one is a little less subtle than the Benz!

 

[E500TreVoR]

Two V8s but so very different to drive. Presumably the E500 is to lie down in and recover after taking the TVR for a run!

The TVR is indeed a bit of a beast but fantastic fun and not as evil as they are made out to be - respect is still demanded in spades though, especially in the wet.

The E is fabulous. I have done over 12 hours of driving in the last two days and don't feel any the worse for wear. If I did that in the Subaru I would be knackered!

 

[TDE1]

Very, very nice - both of 'em. Always had a hankering for a TVR, never been brave enough.

 

[E500TreVoR]

Very, very nice - both of 'em. Always had a hankering for a TVR, never been brave enough.

Find a good one and they aren't bad. I have only had this one since January but have racked up 1500 trouble free miles. Most of the horror stories are from chassis rust and factory build issues which will have been sorted on a car of that age - especially the RV8 cars. TVR engined cars are another matter though.....I don't think I could be brave enough for the regular engine rebuilds they require.

 

[developer]

Lovely cars, both.

There are few cars more complete than an S211.

Welcome to you.

 

[Deleted member 65149]

Have you worked out what where all the essential bits are on the TVR yet? I've driven a few different models and had great fun trying to work out which knob is for things like lights and wipers (none marked!) and even how to open the doors from the inside. If I'd been able to find and open a glove box there may have been an owners manual in there, but I doubt that I would have read it!

 

[E500TreVoR]

Heh heh! The only essential bits are the oil and temperature gauges and the emergency access method. I managed to lock myself out of it when I blew the fuse fitting a new stereo which also happens to operate the door solenoids......cue major panic! They are pretty simple machines really and the noise and way it goes more than makes up for any shortcomings.

I find it really amusing when a passenger can't work out how to get out.

 

[TDE1]

I read about the chassis out rigging etc. Has yours had a decat?

...And I bet you thought you came on here to discuss MBs!

 

[E500TreVoR]

My car has just had the outriggers refurbished so should be good for a while. I am not sure what mods have been done to the exhaust on mine. I have a feeling it may have had the pre-cats taken out or the exhaust partially sleeved as it pops on the overrun but isn't stupidly noisy. The main cat is still there.

I could talk about the TVR all day long....I love it to bits.

 

[TDE1]

I had a Spitfire with straight-through Cherry Bombs. The popping on overrun was music, and that was only from a 4-pot.

A TVR is definitely on my bucket list, and now that Mrs TDE1 has grown to accept the AMG, it's looking ever more promising!

 

[E500TreVoR]

If you are going to do it, now is the time. I have only just come into the position of being able to realistically afford to lay out the cash to get one - I have loved them since I sat in a Chimaera at the NEC in the early 90s and values of decent ones are quite high and getting higher despite the doom and gloom. Properly decent cars are also getting rare as people are hanging onto them.

Other than chassis rust the only other thing to look for is electrical issues and general condition. Most mechanical issues can be easily sorted (other than steering as the racks are no longer available) but tatty cars cost the earth to retrim and repaint. Conversely, a top end engine rebuild is a couple of £k which seems good value to me. The rest of the parts are Ford and Vauxhall on the older cars so are easy to come by and most electrical bits can be found at Maplin.

Mine cost me just over £13k but is insured on an agreed value classic policy for £350 and servicing should be less than £1,000 per annum at my local specialist subject to nothing breaking.