Ekona Posted April 28, 2017 Share Posted April 28, 2017 Ooh crap, I forgot to mention the traction systems! Bit late now, but you cannot turn them off fully on the later ones: The very early ones were hot-wireable (see the Formula Women programme), then there was a year ('04 I think) where off meant off, then after that it became nearly impossible. Lexx would prob know more on this subject than me, but my friend who has a track one specifically sought out an '04 for this very reason. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marzman Posted April 28, 2017 Author Share Posted April 28, 2017 b0ll0cks. Its got a TCS button and the owner said it can be turned off, but i'll have to do some reading to find out more. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Humpy Posted April 28, 2017 Share Posted April 28, 2017 Souns like a good buy and a even better buying experience. Enjoy dude 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jjt Posted April 28, 2017 Share Posted April 28, 2017 Been fancying one of these as a track toy for a while now, congratulations. I will be watching this with interest. Think a guy did something similar a few years ago on PH as he lived near the 'ring? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Diggerman Posted April 28, 2017 Share Posted April 28, 2017 tcs can be turned off unlike the z, if you do a single press you turn stability off and if you hold for more than 10secs both stability and traction will light on the dash and be completely off 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
davey_83 Posted April 28, 2017 Share Posted April 28, 2017 Congrats on the purchase, don't they drive simply amazing 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marzman Posted April 28, 2017 Author Share Posted April 28, 2017 Congrats on the purchase, don't they drive simply amazing Yeah it was great fun. It's been a while since i've driven something entertaining. The gearbox is lovely. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ekona Posted April 28, 2017 Share Posted April 28, 2017 tcs can be turned off unlike the z, if you do a single press you turn stability off and if you hold for more than 10secs both stability and traction will light on the dash and be completely off Pretty sure it's different depending on year. I know Lauren who competed in FW, and they had major issues when filming that as the only way to kill the TCS was to briefly flick the ignition on and off whilst doing proper speeds on track. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
un1eash Posted April 28, 2017 Share Posted April 28, 2017 Friend had a 53 plate and im sure he mentioned that even with everything off the systems still kicked in. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
davey_83 Posted April 28, 2017 Share Posted April 28, 2017 Check out the quads Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Exec Posted April 30, 2017 Share Posted April 30, 2017 Wow that looks great fun, I don't know how I've missed this thread. If I were to get a track car id also consider the exact same cars you were focusing on. I hope you enjoy your purchase! Iv never driven one myself but I'd love a go. My mother's boyfriend has one and loves it, I was hoping I could blag a go but only a few weeks ago it went kaput and he isn't willing to rebuild. What I want to experience is revving a rotary to unbelievable levels and have it scream. Apparently you need to do this regularly to keep them healthy? I heard you have to be careful when turning them off as well as not to flood the engine. I'm glad youve got sorted, I would have also considered a z3, those are reasonable money nowadays. Any plans for mods? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leonk Posted April 30, 2017 Share Posted April 30, 2017 I was wondering how you had gone on. Looks great Chris, you'll have to call round with it. Ref the traction control, and not doubting Dan's mention of the conplexity, if it's electrical there must be a way of over riding it, even if it's by generating the right signal for the wheel sensors. Presumably these are hall effect ones? There may be a gearbox sensor as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jetpilot Posted April 30, 2017 Share Posted April 30, 2017 Apparently you need to do this regularly to keep them healthy? I heard you have to be careful when turning them off as well as not to flood the engine. Part 1 is true, helps keep down carbon deposits on the tips etc, part 2 is sort of true, they dont like being started and stopped or short start stop journeys, this was imho part of the problem when they were sold, the salesmen didnt really advise people of the rotary nuances. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marzman Posted April 30, 2017 Author Share Posted April 30, 2017 Wow that looks great fun, I don't know how I've missed this thread. If I were to get a track car id also consider the exact same cars you were focusing on. I hope you enjoy your purchase! Iv never driven one myself but I'd love a go. My mother's boyfriend has one and loves it, I was hoping I could blag a go but only a few weeks ago it went kaput and he isn't willing to rebuild. What I want to experience is revving a rotary to unbelievable levels and have it scream. Apparently you need to do this regularly to keep them healthy? I heard you have to be careful when turning them off as well as not to flood the engine. I'm glad youve got sorted, I would have also considered a z3, those are reasonable money nowadays. Any plans for mods? Hey... Yep the Z3 had been on the list as well for some time too. Plans for mods are to start with the brakes - uprated discs/pads/lines, and then look into bucket seats and a cage - although cage might be a long term thing as I following a brief search i didnt seem to find any 'off the shelf' RXX8 cages available. Also high on my list will be some form of head restraint/hans device. I was wondering how you had gone on. Looks great Chris, you'll have to call round with it. Ref the traction control, and not doubting Dan's mention of the conplexity, if it's electrical there must be a way of over riding it, even if it's by generating the right signal for the wheel sensors. Presumably these are hall effect ones? There may be a gearbox sensor as well. Cheers Leon. Not sure whether it'll be road going yet. On the hunt for a trailer already. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GMballistic Posted April 30, 2017 Share Posted April 30, 2017 Looks great but they always do. Fingers crossed all goes well. One thing.... Lastly - i'm on the lookout for a trailer now to take it to/from the track. Being a 2006 it's on the higher tax band at > £500, so with that and insurance a trailer will have paid for itself in the first year. Do you really want to go down the trailer route? What are you planning on using to tow the trailer with the car on? It needs to be pretty big (heavy) so that it's not dangerous to tow with. I used to work for Indespension Trailers you see for a short while. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leonk Posted April 30, 2017 Share Posted April 30, 2017 (edited) He's still got his Prestbury/Alderley Edge tractor so will probably be ok. You seen this one for hire nearby Chris? £50 for a day. Might do to be going on with. Tilt bed. Alt URL: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/17-Ifor-Williams-CT177-Tilt-Bed-Car-Transporter-Trailer-Hire-Cheshire-2700kg-/122452772739 Edited April 30, 2017 by leonk 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marzman Posted April 30, 2017 Author Share Posted April 30, 2017 Looks great but they always do. Fingers crossed all goes well. One thing.... Lastly - i'm on the lookout for a trailer now to take it to/from the track. Being a 2006 it's on the higher tax band at > £500, so with that and insurance a trailer will have paid for itself in the first year. Do you really want to go down the trailer route? What are you planning on using to tow the trailer with the car on? It needs to be pretty big (heavy) so that it's not dangerous to tow with. I used to work for Indespension Trailers you see for a short while. As Leon says, ive got a V8 diesel Range Rover Sport so im fairly sure i wont even feel the trailer behind me to be honest At > £500 tax and probably similar for insurance, a trailer will pay for itself within the first year, so makes sense to me. Leon - great minds - this same seller is has a smaller one for £45 too which i found yesterday, so planning to use this for the first track day at least and see how i get on. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
docwra Posted May 2, 2017 Share Posted May 2, 2017 tcs can be turned off unlike the z, if you do a single press you turn stability off and if you hold for more than 10secs both stability and traction will light on the dash and be completely off Pretty sure it's different depending on year. I know Lauren who competed in FW, and they had major issues when filming that as the only way to kill the TCS was to briefly flick the ignition on and off whilst doing proper speeds on track. Surely if you just unplug the ABS module then it cant work even if it wants to? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marzman Posted May 2, 2017 Author Share Posted May 2, 2017 (edited) Help! Speaking to a friend today they made me aware of the following law: If you passed your car driving test on or after 1 January 1997 you can: Drive a car or van up to 3,500kg maximum authorised mass (MAM) towing a trailer of up to 750kg MAM Tow a trailer over 750kg MAM as long as the combined MAM of the trailer and towing vehicle is no more than 3,500kg My RRS weighs 2400kg. A trailer weighs approx 500kg and the RX8 will be 1300kg - total - 4200kg. Does this mean i cant tow the car on a trailer with my current license?? Unless i downgrade my car to something smaller (and less safe i'd say) so that the combined weight is under 3500kg? Edited May 2, 2017 by marzman Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Strudul Posted May 2, 2017 Share Posted May 2, 2017 (edited) What's the maximum weight I can carry in my trailer? Trailer has no brakes (Unbraked Trailer) - Maximum 750kg gross trailer weight or half the towing vehicle's kerb weight - whichever is less. Trailer has brakes (Braked Trailer) - Maximum 3500kg gross trailer weight. Edited May 2, 2017 by Strudul Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G1en Posted May 2, 2017 Share Posted May 2, 2017 That law seems backwards? So you can drive a 3.5t van towing a 500kg trailer no problem but if the trailer (and load) is 1.5t your towing vehicle can only be 2t which is far less safe? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Strudul Posted May 2, 2017 Share Posted May 2, 2017 Yeh, it seems silly, but I guess it's just about needing the license to drive heavier stuff. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Strudul Posted May 2, 2017 Share Posted May 2, 2017 (edited) If the weight figures for the trailer and RX8 are correct, then I think the best option would be to upgrade your license. If you wanted to get below the 3500, with an 1800 (500+1300) trailer, your tow car would have to weigh 1700, which is less than the trailer weight... Edited May 2, 2017 by Strudul Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marzman Posted May 2, 2017 Author Share Posted May 2, 2017 That law seems backwards? So you can drive a 3.5t van towing a 500kg trailer no problem but if the trailer (and load) is 1.5t your towing vehicle can only be 2t which is far less safe? Seems ridiculous doesn't it? I feel like i cant be reading it right because it doesnt make sense. I'd love to get a cops point of view with regards to how frequently they pull someone over for towing a car? And what the penalty is for braking this law. If insurance is invalidated its a no brainer, i wont do it... but there might be less sever repercussions. Strudel - i've not checked but my mate said the license upgrade is around £800. Sod that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Strudul Posted May 2, 2017 Share Posted May 2, 2017 (edited) Strudel - i've not checked but my mate said the license upgrade is around £800. Sod that. £800 and an addition to your license that could come in useful in the future OR Have to sell your car, buy another car, then tow a weight that exceeds that of the car (which sounds scary and is usually strongly discouraged, even if it is legal). Edited May 2, 2017 by Strudul 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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