Observations from a new owner

[JVAR7]

So I just got my new 20MY (not the new facelift!) F-Type P340 last Friday and after lurking on this forum for 6 months I thought I would provide some observations after 500 miles... (Note: I will introduce myself and upload pictures eventually but I want to wait until it's ceramic coated next week so it looks all shiny for you guys and girls!)

1) The Sound - The main reason why I got the car! It sounds great... but not as great as I had hoped/remember it sounding. I drove a 2015 V6S and it sounded biblical, mine doesn't seem to sound so great - I'm guessing something to do with WLTP. I took out the fuse for active exhausts (Fuse 15 in the engine bay on newer cars) and it definitely sounds better at low revs and I get a lot more pops and bangs. (if you want more details on this, let me know - there's a lot of misinformation on the interwebs about this)

2) The Ride - It's pretty firm! You cant get a feel for that on short test drives but on a long drive around the bumpy part of the M25, it's definitely noticeable! It's not the biggest deal, but its a real sports car, definitely not a GT posing as one! Handling is almost telepathic and driving on B-roads is a treat except for...

3) The Size! - She is, as I believe it is now called, THICC. I don't know if it's my imagination, but the back feels wider than the front and every time I'm passing a car on a tight country lane I break a sweat. When I pass a truck... let's say white seats may not have been the best choice! I'm coming from an Audi A5 though which seemed easier to drive down tight roads (or maybe I just didn't care about it as much!). Anyways hopefully I will get used to it.

Also on the topic of size, it's about a foot longer than my brain tells me it is so when I park sometimes I have a mini heart attack when I see how close I am to a wall for example! I wish the front sensors would default on instead of having to press the button on the touch screen which I often forget to do.

4) The Attention - I have no issue with drawing attention, but unfortunately so far all the attention has been coming from people in hot hatches driving dangerously around me to get a better look or wanting to race. I did pick my nephew up from football though and I am now his new hero so that's kinda cool!

5) The Audio System - I have the standard meridian system (the whole car is stock with the exception of heated seats) and its very bass-heavy, which I don't mind, but it seems to have no mid-range - all highs and lows. Also, I'm very conscious of the highs coming from the tweeter in front of me, so I've biassed the fade/balance slightly rearward and towards the passenger side which helps a little.


There's probably more that I wanted to share with you, but I'm drawing a blank right now. All in all, these are just observations and not criticisms, I love her for all the good parts and all her flaws equally - honestly never felt this way about a car before! Glad to be part of the club! If you want to know anything more, let me know!

 

[Blueone]

Great thoughts. Really good to hear someone else echo my thoughts having not spoken. I picked up my MY20 P340 in May and I have to be honest and say in general it has been underwhelming.

As much as I don’t want to believe it, I think I have to accept that the car doesn’t sound as nice as previous models. That alone makes me want to give it back but it’s also just a bit on the slow side in my opinion. Please someone cut me down if you think that’s untrue. I want to believe it’s fast but I reckon most hot hatches would trash it.

Speaking of hot hatches, that’s another disappointment - I think now it’s an older car, it doesn’t get the looks I thought it would get. I’m constantly being hassled by boy racers and hot hatches to race (not that I ever would, too old and sensible for that) and it just irritates me. I also don’t believe the car could take them anyway.

The back is wider than the front so you are right. The ride is firm but I quite like it and feels solid in the corners. I think you’ll get used to the size! My other car is a Volvo XC90 and they’re about the same length and width so no change for me! I also had mine ceramic coated recently and I have to say it makes a huge difference and a joy to clean. Good thinking!

 

[scm]

... it’s also just a bit on the slow side in my opinion.

I presume you haven't tried to test its full performance while you're running it in? :?

 

[Blueone]

... it’s also just a bit on the slow side in my opinion.

I presume you haven't tried to test its full performance while you're running it in? :?

As I intended to keep the car I ran it in very strictly. Kept well below the recommended 4.5k rpm and didn’t exceed that for over 2,000 miles. But as people pointed out to me at the time, there’s a lot of power up to that point so even I finally was able to floor it, I wasn’t blown away. Don’t get me wrong, it’s not a slow car. I just don’t think it’s particularly fast by today’s standards. I had an E46 M3 about 10 years ago and that felt quicker... Seeing these Mercedes AMG 2.0 litre hot hatches pull up with more horsepower is a little depressing these days though! I am interested how that translates in the real world. I think in a straight line they would easily pull away from a 340...?

 

[Anonymous]

... it’s also just a bit on the slow side in my opinion.

I presume you haven't tried to test its full performance while you're running it in? :?

As I intended to keep the car I ran it in very strictly. Kept well below the recommended 4.5k rpm and didn’t exceed that for over 2,000 miles. But as people pointed out to me at the time, there’s a lot of power up to that point so even I finally was able to floor it, I wasn’t blown away. Don’t get me wrong, it’s not a slow car. I just don’t think it’s particularly fast by today’s standards. I had an E46 M3 about 10 years ago and that felt quicker... Seeing these Mercedes AMG 2.0 litre hot hatches pull up with more horsepower is a little depressing these days though! I am interested how that translates in the real world. I think in a straight line they would easily pull away from a 340...?

If it’s a keeper, get a pulley, 200 Cell Cats & an ECU remap. You’ll then surprise those boring German farting things Imagine the stress those engines will be under, impressive as the figures sound

 

[MM1963]

Most electric cars would wipe the floor with the F Type, let alone other compromise cars (4 door mum and dad saloons) but at the end of the day, I buy a car for its looks..and nothing beats the F-Type in my opinion, but obviously looks are subjective..

I think if I bought another one, I would go for the V8.

 

[Lunar]

Welcome to the forum.

Rear wider than the front looks great but does have its drawbacks - just try using your passenger mirror to line up the body along a parking bay line - then get out and see how badly you've parked :lol:

 

[NCC]

Welcome to the forum from another nutter who’s bought new [emoji849]

I agree re the sound. I was/am a bit disappointed too. Mine is at 1500 miles now and it’s improved somewhat but nowhere near the older cars I test drove. I suspect I’ll eventually go for sports cats but in a way it’s good to hear the engine noise, instead of exhaust. I’m lucky enough to have a TVR for real fireworks and until a couple of weeks ago, a RRS SVR as my daily, so being a little more subdued is fine for now. Plus I love a supercharger whine, which I can actually hear at the moment.

The ride and handling are what makes the car for me. It’s the wrong time of year to push things too much but in general it feels perfect for Yorkshire twisties. Even on P-Zeros [emoji23]

The rear being wider than the front gets me all the time. I’m not sure I’ve ever parked straight in this car!

Attention wise, I’m comfortable with it (see above [emoji6]). Thankfully it’s mostly been positive and I’m far too old to engage in the traffic light sprint vs. the hot hatch brigade.

As for the audio system... what’s that [emoji101][emoji16]

Seriously, they’re great cars. I’ve had some extremely rapid cars. Ones that make the V6 F-type seem pedestrian. There’s more to it than just straight line speed though. I could have had a V8 but I purposely chose the V6 P380, as it’s perfect for my driving style. I intend to keep mine a long time. I hope you bond with yours too [emoji106]


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[LockNumber25]

I wish the front sensors would default on instead of having to press the button on the touch screen which I often forget to do.

You can configure the sensors to activated automatically below 6MPH in D. It's under PARKING AID SETTINGS, Automatic PDC ON.

 

[Northnoble]

Interesting first observations!

My thoughts....

Nowadays 300+bhp is not unusual....let’s be honest, a Golf R easily has that as standard and with very little tuning has 400bhp and its 4wd. If you want to keep hot hatch boy racers in check you need 500bhp these days! (Buy a V8 )

Noise....older is better, due to regulations! However, a modified exhaust is still an option.

Looks....you can hardly beat an F Type, but some colour \ wheel options are better than others.

Feel....do you feel special driving it?..... if not, buy something else. These cars should make you smile every time you sit in them!

 

[Philskill]

Now i'm worried, haven't noticed it being wider rear to front :shock: and I've been getting it in and out of the garage.

Admittedly not really parked in a defined space with lines very often, and am usually too worried about hitting the front.

I guess it comes from the Evoque being slightly wider, it doesn't bother me, although I do notice the lack of vision to where any part of the car is more disconcerting.

Didn't buy it for outright speed or Noise (hence buying the P300) but the Handling, ride and feel of control is fabulous.

Oh, I have the premium sound and its not that great either!

But you will get to love it, ignore the idiots at lights, I even had them when I first got the Evoque!?

 

[JVAR7]

Welcome to the forum.

Rear wider than the front looks great but does have its drawbacks - just try using your passenger mirror to line up the body along a parking bay line - then get out and see how badly you've parked :lol:

Haha, it really messes with my OCD when I have one side of the car parallel to the lines and then the other is at an angle!

As much as I don’t want to believe it, I think I have to accept that the car doesn’t sound as nice as previous models. That alone makes me want to give it back but it’s also just a bit on the slow side in my opinion. Please someone cut me down if you think that’s untrue. I want to believe it’s fast but I reckon most hot hatches would trash it.

Yea it really isn't the fastest car, but fast enough for public roads IMO and more importantly so much fun when things get twisty! Definately not winning a drag race with an RS3 though!

The ride and handling are what makes the car for me. It’s the wrong time of year to push things too much but in general it feels perfect for Yorkshire twisties. Even on P-Zeros [emoji23]

The rear being wider than the front gets me all the time. I’m not sure I’ve ever parked straight in this car!

Attention wise, I’m comfortable with it (see above [emoji6]). Thankfully it’s mostly been positive and I’m far too old to engage in the traffic light sprint vs. the hot hatch brigade.

As for the audio system... what’s that [emoji101][emoji16]

100% agree. I've already ordered some Eagle F1 AS3's for it lol! I know its not the most popular choice, but I'm a big fan and they are way better than the P-Zero's!

I have been listening to more music because when I'm not, I'm constantly lifting off at 4000RPM to hear those pops and my wallet is getting angry at me haha!

onfigure the sensors to activated automatically below 6MPH in D. It's under PARKING AID SETTINGS, Automatic PDC ON.

You, sir, are a superstar! Thank you!!

Feel....do you feel special driving it?..... if not, buy something else. These cars should make you smile every time you sit in them!

...so special, so much so that my cheeks hurt from smiling too much!!


Edit: English

 

[JVAR7]

Now i'm worried, haven't noticed it being wider rear to front :shock: and I've been getting it in and out of the garage.

Admittedly not really parked in a defined space with lines very often, and am usually too worried about hitting the front.

I guess it comes from the Evoque being slightly wider, it doesn't bother me, although I do notice the lack of vision to where any part of the car is more disconcerting.

Didn't buy it for outright speed or Noise (hence buying the P300) but the Handling, ride and feel of control is fabulous.

Oh, I have the premium sound and its not that great either!

But you will get to love it, ignore the idiots at lights, I even had them when I first got the Evoque!?

Couldn't agree more, the outright speed isn't my thing, the overall package and feel of driving it is what sets it apart for me!

Also, I can't lie, many many years ago when I got my Focus RS I was indeed one of those idiots at the lights! Fortunately, I grew out of that pretty quickly! It just goes to show that even idiots can develop taste and buy a Jag haha!

 

[Lunar]

Indeed, it’s all about the drive and the fun of the journey. I relish the experience and sounds - what’s the point in getting from A to B quickest? - you just miss out on a few more minutes of fun!

 

[falkenhayn]

I have a MY20 P340 and I agree about the sound, it's still great but I miss the insolently loud cold start and the louder rumble on lower revs. Pulling fuse 15 definitely helped a bit for me too but it's still not the same as before, only on full throttle you get the full sound. Fortunately the car is getting louder the more you drive it, there really is a difference after 5000km, it should even get a bit better when it reaches 10000km.
Does anybody know if there a is a sound comparison video of the old V6 and V6 with OPF/GPF? Would be really interesting to watch.

At least in Germany I mostly get positive feedback, people especially like the colour combo of Ultra Blue, black pack and white seats.

The ride is really firm, even when I compare it with the XE S that I had before, but when you drive it comfortably in normal mode it's pretty good, even longer drives on the Autobahn are indeed not bad.

 

[scm]

The ride is really firm, even when I compare it with the XE S that I had before ...

You seem surprised that a sports car has firmer suspension than a saloon? :shock:

 

[falkenhayn]

Haha not surprised, but I was able to drive a XE S again before some days and the difference is really much greater than I remember. The XE S is a "sports" saloon and you do notice it as the chassis is also lower than a lot of other saloons.

 

[Blueone]

Re pulling fuse 15 - Does this effectively just save you having to put the car into Dynamic mode and leave the exhaust open all the time? Or is there still a difference between dynamic mode being on and off even with fuse 15 pulled?

 

[scm]

I believe the fuse only affects the valves - there's a lot more to dymanic mode than that.

 

[falkenhayn]

There is a difference, even in Dynamic the valves are never fully open, only over about 3500 rpm.

Pulling the fuse increases the idle noise on cold starts and increases volume as well as pops on lower rpm. There is no difference over 3500rpm though.