Noble M12 GT0-3R vs CSL

[DIB17]

Anyone driven a GTO-3R and how do they compare to the CSL? Always fancied a Noble and be interested to the hear the views of you wise bunch!

[_Nathan_]

Owned a GTO-3 for 22 months from new. Wouldn't swap a CSL for one, in fact I wouldn't swap a CSL for two.

[DIB17]

Why not? What didn't you like about it? I would only be interested in the 3R - I know all the differences between the 3 and the 3R but is there much difference in terms of driving pleasure?

[shimmy]

I think the issue isn't so much the driving pleasure as the 'waiting by the side of the road for the breakdown truck' pleasure!

[DIB17]

I didn't think they were too bad! Certainly not as unreliable as say TVR. I have always fancied a Sagaris as well! :banghead:

[_Nathan_]

The believe the only differences are the headlights, LSD \ 6 speed box (though there was potentially some overlap) and 20kg of gay sound proofing which the 3 didn't have.

I didn't like the reliability or the running costs.

When was the last time you were overtaken by one at a trackday too?

[DIB17]

They are 3L rather than 2.5L and have more power - pretty sure it's an extra 50 ponies.

Every trackday I have done there has never been one there - could be that reliability! :hahaha: Only seem them on trips down to Le Mans or on the normal road.

[_Nathan_]

The GTO-3 had the same engine as the 3R.

[DIB17]

I must be getting confused with just the GTO then! :banghead:

[shimmy]

I have never been overtaken by one. I have no doubt they might be quicker but by the time they have warmed up and fixed any gremlins and got their brave pants on , the RAC have been called.

Up until last year id never seen one finish a day in working order.

I do like their look and the simplicity of them but couldnt cope with the issues

[_Nathan_]

Put it this way there are posts on the web from people with nearly 500 bhp/ton celebrating lap times miles slower than your CSL times Shim...

[Funkster]

I thought I better get in on this one as I'm a new owner to the Csl but still have a 3R tucked in the garage.

I've done less than 700 miles in the csl so far and that includes a 400 mile trip home from picking it up so a bit early to compare too much but here goes.

The Noble can be a tender beast in standard form although once you get your hands dirty and do the neccessary upgrades they can be extremley reliable. In 3 1/2 Years of ownership the only issue Iv'e had is a broken fifth gear which in itself is not a major bank raider if your prepared to get handy with the spanners but that was when I decided to go down the strenghthening/upgrade route which did raid the bank.

She currently sits at 510 brake and just over 480lb torquies which on the road feels nother short of amazing. I'm still to come up against anything that can get near it in a straight line and it's amazing the amount of grip it creates and how well it will put down the power when the 888's have some heat into them but when there cold or theres a little unoticed damp around it can be nothing short of bloody scary.
The sense of occasion when driving is great and the notice other people take of it is amazing (although not my thing, would rather keep under the radar really)
On track I really struggle to get comfortable and that makes my lap times suffer, Im quite a tall chap in the body and when Iv'e got the helmet on I just about have to lay down in the seat with the arms at full stretch to stop my head being squashed against the roof and this shows.

Me and a friend started doing trackdays in an old E36 328i coupe which we bought for £1500 just over 3 years ago and over that period have done the neccesary upgrades as things have appeared on Ebay to the stage that we have started racing this year in the Trackday Trophy. Apart from the usual Manifold conversion and an induction kit the engine is in standard form and kicks out a whopping 204 brake but my fastest lap at snetterton in the first race of the season was only 6 seconds slower than my fastest in the Noble.
Dont get me wrong the Track car is setup rock solid and plenty of camber added to suit and would be almost undrivable on a B road but this just shows how fast a decent set-up track slag can be and having the lower power just makes it so easy to drive.
The Noble can really bite you in the ass If your not careful and with my comfort and ability I'm probably not taking it anywhere near its possible limits unlike the beemer.
The unreliablilty thing is deffo there with a standard car but I have friends who have done a good few thousand miles on track without any issues.
The thing that nags in the back of my mind is that if the Noble does go wrong there is no Comprehensive warranty and I know it will be me laying under it fixing it which was a major factor when deciding to get a Csl with a warranty.
The original plan was to sell the Noble and move on to a GT3 but the worry of depreciation and Not wanting to part with the Noble after putting so much time and effort into making it what it is was the deciding factor on getting a Csl also.

All in all I reckon a fairly well sorted 3R with a driver that really knows what he's doing should murder a Csl on track but the forgiving nature of the beemers should make the average joe very close indeed.

I'm not trying to say either is better than the other because I obviously have a love for each of them but they both have somthing very special.

All in my opinion of course.

Cheers Matty.

[shimmy]

.
. Apart from the usual Manifold conversion and an induction kit the engine is in standard form and kicks out a whopping 204 brake but my fastest lap at snetterton in the first race of the season was only 6 seconds slower than my fastest in the Noble.
Cheers Matty.

Matty, great to hear another opinion and one thats relevant

Out of interest what were the two lap times of the two cars, and how easy is it to get the best out of the a noble on track?

[Funkster]

Hi shim
I managed a 2.21 dead in the 328 which ended up being the fastest lap in our class........ If only we would of put enough bloody fuel in the thing we may of got on the podium.
The Noble was a 2.15 but as already said, I'm sure there's a lot more in the car with someone than can pedal it a tad better.

Both times on the new track of course !

Not sure what ya on about with the EBay thing ?

[shimmy]

Hi shim

Not sure what ya on about with the EBay thing ?

EFA :smokin:



I'd be really interested to see how you get on with the CSL at Snett 300. I've always had a hankering after a Noble, but always thought it would be a real handful:supz:

510bhp, but what's the weight?