First drive (ride?) in a M3W today, thanks to Paul at Williams. The car was a 2012, unmodified other than the front dampers and is due to go into the factory for a full upgrade, although the chassis hasn’t actually cracked.
Impressions:
Ride: remarkably refined, it is comfortable enough and it went over the cattle grids easily and smoothly.
Steering: Yes, a bit crashy and it seemed to have a bit of a mind of its own, but I’ve driven worse cars. The lock isn't really acceptable either.
Noise, Vibration and Harshness: The engine and exhaust sound exactly what they should be, the “V twin shake” is subdued well. Anyone with Harley Davidson experience would say “stop whining”. Talking of whining the bevel box was occasionally noisy, especially on a trailing throttle, but it didn’t make any more noise than the differential in my 1960 ish Ford Prefect when I had it in 1971. But not acceptable today!
Power: more than enough, quite like the Roadster, but the engine needs to be revved, seems to come alive at 4000 rpm.
Fit and Finish: Seats are comfortable. The steering column needs lowering, especially as the removable wheel makes entry so easy. Not to provide a properly adjustable pedal box is unacceptable. The carpets are pointless: they sit between steel tubes and are easily pushed out of place. Waterproof rubber mats held firmly in place would make more sense. There were a number of areas where little details were just cheap, kit car like and not acceptable. For example there is a bolt in the cockpit, low down on the side and seems to hold the scuttle frame to the steel tube body. It is in full sight and can get wet. It is next to some welds in the steel frame. The bolt head, penny washer and welds were rusting. That, on a £30K vehicle is simply unacceptable. The bolts and washers should be stainless and the frame should be powder coated. What they do to finish details in the cabin is beyond cheap, it is insulting.
Conclusion: given this was a well used “Series 1” model I do wonder if some owners have had a rather unreasonable expectation of what the thing is. Eliminate the known S1 flaws and pay attention to fit and finish and then it would be a cracking little thing.
But as driven some of the MMC attention to detail…..to say that they have a long way to go is to put it kindly.
Would I buy one? Yes. But not until 2015 when I suspect it will be the car it always should have been.
