A bit different from the e92 M3 it replaced....
Due to the volatility of Brexit and the car market in general, I intended to sit on the funds….but that didn’t last long. I was quickly looking at everything from Ginetta’s, to GT3’s and lots in-between. I suppose that is how I ended up with what’s in my garage now.
Pics first, as who doesn’t love a decent pic? I am fortunate enough to have a good car photographer as a friend so these were taken only a few days after getting her home.
It now runs a bargain basement plate direct from the DVLA which I think improves the looks no end.
…a quick shot of the interior which shows it’s actually quite a nice place to be.
...and finally, at home with the true love.
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It’s a Noble GTO 3, 28k miles with only one owner from new before me. It is a twin turbo 3.0 engine pushing 350bhp from factory and it weighs about 1 ton dead. This one has minor upgrades like an LSD, better coilovers and a few choice mods that were done over time, as the places for improvement were exposed.
How does it compare to the BMW?
Surprises – on a 180 mile trip it was comfortable, quiet and rather refined. It isn’t a modern BMW by any means, but it’s actually a nice experience to use on the motorway. The 240z was similar surprise, eating up the miles in so much more comfort than I expected. The air-con works, there is no wind noise (other than addictive turbo flutter) and it soaks up the bumps of British B-roads well. Fuel economy is better which is probably down to the fact it weighs about 600kg less. Also, it’s easier to get in and out of my garage than the BMW was.
Speed – compared with a 625bhp M3 I didn’t expect it to be quicker, but logged with vbox (very accurate) one attempt at a 0-60 and it proved itself to be MUCH easier to get the power down. 4.0sec dead with one go in the damp. 60-100 is where the BMW comes into its own. Again, only a few sensible goes and it put in 5 seconds dead which is smack in the middle between an F10 M5 and an m240i . Not bad at all… On a dry track, it will destroy my BMW times I am sure, but I will prove that next spring all being well.
That something extra – it just feels so damn special! My mate had a go, and when it overtook me on the motorway I swear my jaw dropped. People appear to have a deep seeded love for them, and from your everyday chav to an OAP, they all look and smile. I’ve not managed to fill up without having a chat with someone, and I have people slowing down just so I overtake them, it’s crazy. It’s also great to be controlling old school boost. The BMW was so good at what it did that it felt effortless, the power delivery in this is much more exciting. I am using it every day at the moment, and love it. It goes wherever you point it with such enthusiasm and is such an event to drive.
Plans – it’s a one owner car, with a great history file, but it’s still not as clean as I would like. Jan and Feb we are refreshing the underside, powder coating arms, replacing bushes, cleaning up the chassis etc. Then in March it will be in for some paint. Come April I hope to be back out on the road, up to my M3's standards and hitting a few track days.
In summary, a special car, and a big thumbs up.
I change cars like no ones business, but the 240z will go no where
Due to the volatility of Brexit and the car market in general, I intended to sit on the funds….but that didn’t last long. I was quickly looking at everything from Ginetta’s, to GT3’s and lots in-between. I suppose that is how I ended up with what’s in my garage now.
Pics first, as who doesn’t love a decent pic? I am fortunate enough to have a good car photographer as a friend so these were taken only a few days after getting her home.
It now runs a bargain basement plate direct from the DVLA which I think improves the looks no end.
…a quick shot of the interior which shows it’s actually quite a nice place to be.
...and finally, at home with the true love.
It’s a Noble GTO 3, 28k miles with only one owner from new before me. It is a twin turbo 3.0 engine pushing 350bhp from factory and it weighs about 1 ton dead. This one has minor upgrades like an LSD, better coilovers and a few choice mods that were done over time, as the places for improvement were exposed.
How does it compare to the BMW?
Surprises – on a 180 mile trip it was comfortable, quiet and rather refined. It isn’t a modern BMW by any means, but it’s actually a nice experience to use on the motorway. The 240z was similar surprise, eating up the miles in so much more comfort than I expected. The air-con works, there is no wind noise (other than addictive turbo flutter) and it soaks up the bumps of British B-roads well. Fuel economy is better which is probably down to the fact it weighs about 600kg less. Also, it’s easier to get in and out of my garage than the BMW was.
Speed – compared with a 625bhp M3 I didn’t expect it to be quicker, but logged with vbox (very accurate) one attempt at a 0-60 and it proved itself to be MUCH easier to get the power down. 4.0sec dead with one go in the damp. 60-100 is where the BMW comes into its own. Again, only a few sensible goes and it put in 5 seconds dead which is smack in the middle between an F10 M5 and an m240i . Not bad at all… On a dry track, it will destroy my BMW times I am sure, but I will prove that next spring all being well.
That something extra – it just feels so damn special! My mate had a go, and when it overtook me on the motorway I swear my jaw dropped. People appear to have a deep seeded love for them, and from your everyday chav to an OAP, they all look and smile. I’ve not managed to fill up without having a chat with someone, and I have people slowing down just so I overtake them, it’s crazy. It’s also great to be controlling old school boost. The BMW was so good at what it did that it felt effortless, the power delivery in this is much more exciting. I am using it every day at the moment, and love it. It goes wherever you point it with such enthusiasm and is such an event to drive.
Plans – it’s a one owner car, with a great history file, but it’s still not as clean as I would like. Jan and Feb we are refreshing the underside, powder coating arms, replacing bushes, cleaning up the chassis etc. Then in March it will be in for some paint. Come April I hope to be back out on the road, up to my M3's standards and hitting a few track days.
In summary, a special car, and a big thumbs up.
I change cars like no ones business, but the 240z will go no where