Top Gear
  • HelentimeHelentime October 2008
    Senior Member Posts: 1,402
    My daughter sent me this !!!!
    Interesting !

    -------Original Message-------

    From: Mar**************ost
    Date: 17/10/2008 20:28:02
    To: max****@**********.co.uk

    http://transmission.blogs.topgear.com/2008/10/16/more-show-secrets/

    could it be the avantime?


    --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Get the best wallpapers on the Web - FREE. Click here!
  • Avantime4mikeAvantime4mike October 2008
    Administrator Posts: 4,748
    The secret could be out.

    "Ok, more clues: it’s blue, and the cd changer may have given up by now, but there’ll be trama for afficionados when it’s broadcast. They’ll need their vitameans! HY02 y’all."

    Not quite sure why we'll need our "vitameans!"
  • matraman243matraman243 October 2008
    Senior Member Posts: 632
    Anagram. Don't know why we should need them either. No I didn't post it.

    Someone is in danger of spoiling the secret.
  • %5BDeleted+User%5D[Deleted User] October 2008
    Posts: 2
    HI guys,

    Did you see or remember the episode where our Avantime was placed on the COOL WALL?

    it was on season1 ep. 6.

    It used to be on you tube but as been removed.
    If anyone can find a copy you can post the address for the community.
    I have a copy and if anyone wants it send me a mail.

    Enjoy it,
    PEdro
  • GregGreg October 2008
    Member Posts: 21
    That is definitely an Avantime under the silver cover... the line of the windscreen pillar and bonnet lines are pretty clear, and the sharp edge to the rear of the roof is unmistakeable to those of us lucky to be familiar with the Avantime.

    New series starts this coming Sunday... I wonder if this "project" will be part of the first show?
  • %5BDeleted+User%5D[Deleted User] November 2008
    Posts: 0
    I see that the Avi will be appearing in some (possibly demeaning) item during the new series of Top Gear. Don't know which program, but will record them to make sure.

    John
  • Avantime4mikeAvantime4mike November 2008
    Administrator Posts: 4,748
    They've fitted an ironing board on top of the rear hatch and a 3/4 plywood front spoiler. Looks hideous.
  • matraman243matraman243 November 2008
    Senior Member Posts: 632
    They had a few shots in the series teaser at the front of the first show. One shot going VERY sideways which looked awesome. It had a crazy rear wing setup which did look ridiculous, but being ridiculous is their forte. If you saw it last night, you can only wonder how long before one of those overgrown schoolboys gets seriously hurt...oh wait...it already happened to RH...
  • %5BDeleted+User%5D[Deleted User] November 2008
    Posts: 0
    It's this Sunday, I think...
    http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00fq31w

    "Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond and James May take on the challenge of making an ordinary second hand car lap the test track as fast as a brand new, purpose built sports saloon."

    Though that's the first time *ever* that an Avantime's been called "ordinary"
  • %5BDeleted+User%5D[Deleted User] November 2008
    Posts: 0
    It's definately on Sunday, I work with the studio director on other projects and he rang to say he felt we were all going to enjoy it and suggested that I shouldn't sell ours before it goes out!
  • %5BDeleted+User%5D[Deleted User] November 2008
    Posts: 0
    Hi Everyone,

    Just to confirm that I was on the show Wednesday, and my car was on - so will be shown tomorrow (16th). I hope you enjoy it. I spoke for a while with Jeremy when he asked the audience who had seen or owned one, and I explained it was mine. The whole team were really complementary and he said the Avantime was fantastic and that they all genuinely loved the cars. I won;t spoil it, but all I will say at this point is that I've never seen the car handle so well - and it should be a good show!
    The actual TG experience was great and they are all really funny - connstantly taking the preverbial out of each other, and and involved the audience. Prepare to see the most bizarre kitchen experiment ever....

    Stuart
  • Avantime4mikeAvantime4mike November 2008
    Administrator Posts: 4,748
    Can anyone record it in HD to a Blue Ray disc?

    I will record it to standard DVD from BBC2 analogue
  • Avantime4mikeAvantime4mike November 2008
    Administrator Posts: 4,748
    Brilliant, thoroughly enjoyed that. Don't think I'll bother with any performance "enhancements" though. :-)
  • jamestjamest November 2008
    Member Posts: 62
    The mods were a lot cheaper than Renault OE.
  • avantiniesavantinies November 2008
    Senior Member Posts: 120
    we can hold our heads high brilliant
  • %5BDeleted+User%5D[Deleted User] November 2008
    Posts: 0
    As I said, they were really complementary about Avantimes - the Editor of the show now owns the car. One guy next to me in the studio was busy running the car down and Jeremy leapt to the car's defence saying that it was brilliant and one of the few cars that they could agree on; it did what it was supposed to do and was distinctive, comfortable and well engineered. I got a lot of stick from Jezzer on the fact that the car had an oil leak, but this was down to the arse who collected my car on a transporter, damaged it whilst trying to get it on and then proceeded to deliver it to the wrong people! We got a call from TG asking where it was 2 days later and then a call from the guy who collected it from us asking when it would be convenient to deliver it to us??? My wife had to explain that he'd picked it up from us 2 days earlier and it had to go somewhere else-lol. TG also lost the documentation, so turned it into a saga - but worth it in the end. My only dissapointment was that they weren't a little more radical; the researcher said they were going to supercharge it. One word of the caution - I had just forked out on a major service using Renault and am not convinced that this had been done properly (at all?) based on their conclusions - worrying.
  • %5BDeleted+User%5D[Deleted User] November 2008
    Posts: 86
    It might just be due to the long service intervals or maybe the dealer did do nothing, makes you wonder about having a rolling road test after a service.

    First time I've seen an Avantime on track and I reckon it was brilliant even without the mods. All it needed was a service everything else added seconds to the lap time.

    What a great review!!
  • GregGreg November 2008
    Member Posts: 21
    I rather suspect driving an Iliade Blue Avantime around in the UK over the next few weeks might prove an even more amusing pastime!

    I was astonished at their announcement that the Avantime was one of only three cars they all liked - that's a startling accolade for the car in itself, you could say.

    I thought it was a brilliant bit of entertainment, and contrary to some perhaps legitimate worries, I also thought it was in no way "disrespectful" to the car. My absolute favourite bit was the Stig's last lap when he threw the car into the second to last corner, and actually got the tail out AND the inside rear wheel quite a long way off the ground - it's doable in a Golf GTI Mk1 (they were quite famous for it), but to do it in an Avantime for Pete's sake!?!?

    I may, however, be visiting a rolling road very soon, and depending on results will seek out James May, who's overnight servicing efforts liberated an extra 45bhp! Top chap!
  • jamestjamest November 2008
    Member Posts: 62
    Thumbs up from Top Gear,falling fuel prices,rumoured hold on road tax increases for older cars,all very positive for us.
  • GavCGavC November 2008
    Moderator Posts: 626
    Generally good comments about the Avantime, I reckon it came in second place after the V8 blender.

    http://transmission.blogs.topgear.com/2008/11/16/how-was-it-for-you/
  • Patrick+RobertsPatrick Roberts November 2008
    Member Posts: 522
    Very good effort from TG.

    Patrick
  • MartinRMartinR November 2008
    Senior Member Posts: 415
    So we've all been right all along - it really is a star!!
    First, off the 'Cool-Board' and into 'The Fridge' and then to get a few places up on the performance car lap table!
    The Matra engineers didn't do too badly with what they had - did they?!

    I was wondering if the ESP was switched-on for those laps - and the anti-skid must have been blowing its fuses with those big discs and calipers that they fitted only to the fronts!
  • matraman243matraman243 November 2008
    Senior Member Posts: 632
    Nice engine/exhaust sound from the V6! I thought the Avantime gave a pretty good account of itself, and good to hear the TG team all liked it. It looked like the ESP was off after the first couple of runs. I can see the 'opposite lock with inside rear wheel airborne' shot making it to wallpaper on my PC very soon! Well done Top Gear.
  • renaultman November 2008
    Member Posts: 74
    Do you think the Top Gear guys really managed to pull the car to bits and upgrade everything in such a short time without the help of a Renault technician??
  • avantimehughavantimehugh November 2008
    Senior Member Posts: 357
    Not having a Renault technician probably helped!!
  • Patrick+RobertsPatrick Roberts November 2008
    Member Posts: 522
    Them all stating that they liked it, meant that they couldn't exactly go ahead and reck it as they normally do to most cars.
  • MartinRMartinR November 2008
    Senior Member Posts: 415
    What did they do to it during the 'over-night' service, apart from a new exhaust and probably an induction kit??
  • Avantime4mikeAvantime4mike November 2008
    Administrator Posts: 4,748
    Looks like the show might have had a positive effect on prices:-

    http://tinyurl.com/5d8rjj
  • GavCGavC November 2008
    Moderator Posts: 626
    I sent the new owner the details of the website, as I don't trust the seller regarding the description. They've had 3 different ebay accounts in the past few months, and close one down as soon as the negative feedback gets too much. They do seem to get hold of Avantimes on a regular basis, this is the 3rd since June.

    It would be nice if prices were to rise, and hopefully the delay in the road tax rises will also help if that's going to happen.
  • Ian+AdamsonIan Adamson November 2008
    Member Posts: 31
    was it my imagination or have I just seen ANOTHER Avantime on TG? If anyone managed to record it take a close look at the vehicle in front of Clarksons Jag as he drives on to the Eurostar.Then again it just might be me!
  • Patrick+RobertsPatrick Roberts November 2008
    Member Posts: 522
    Looks more like a Modus.

    Patrick
  • GavCGavC November 2008
    Moderator Posts: 626
    Having a look on I-player I reckon it's a Mars Red Avantime, too big for a Modus (about 29 minutes 10 secs in).
  • stephendellstephendell November 2008
    Member Posts: 2
    Does anyone have the contact details for the member of the Top Gear production team that now owns the Avantime featured recenty on the show.

    Assuming it is still modified we'd like to display it on the Renault stand at the London International Performance & Modified Car Show on Saturday 29th & Sunday 30th November.

    If anyone has any info please get in touch.

    Thanks
    Stephen Dell
    www.renaultalpine.co.uk
    02073946801
    07956495773
  • HelentimeHelentime November 2008
    Senior Member Posts: 1,402
    Just to let all the members know, that if you didn't record Top Gear, The new series is being shown on DAVE from this Monday !!!.... so no excuses now not to have the Avantime burned to disc !!
  • Avantime4mikeAvantime4mike November 2008
    Administrator Posts: 4,748
    I would like to know if Series One Episode Six will be shown again because I never saw the bit when the Avantime made the Cool Wall "Sub Zero" section.
  • %5BDeleted+User%5D[Deleted User] November 2008
    Posts: 86
    Youtube have pulled any showing of TopGear Avantime due to BBC claiming copyright. If everyone can copy it when it's on tv why cant it be shown on youtube?

    I do worry that we're going to see the return of the Avantime in a later show!

    Anyway here's a nice ad
    http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=byO4fVl42yg
  • clari December 2008
    Member Posts: 44
    Am I right in thinking the Avi was a 3.0 manual – I didn't know you could get one in the UK? Also it had two separate exhaust pipes? Was this something TG added? Mine has on twin.
  • Avantime4mikeAvantime4mike December 2008
    Administrator Posts: 4,748
    The 3ltr was available as a manual before the auto was introduced.
    The 2ltr was only available as a manual in the UK
    The exhaust on the Top Gear car was an after market stainless system with twin tailpipes, they replaced the exhaust again before the final run (if you look the tail pipes have disappeared)
  • %5BDeleted+User%5D[Deleted User] December 2008
    Posts: 1
    Does anyone know what size/make of wheels they put on it?
  • Avantime4mikeAvantime4mike January 2009
    Administrator Posts: 4,748
    For those who missed it:-

    http://videos.streetfire.net/video/Top-Gear-Renault-Avantime_199780.htm
  • GavantimeGavantime February 2009
    Senior Member Posts: 376
    Gentleman based in East Kilbride claims to have done the exhaust for the Top Gear avantime: http://www.simonscustomexhausts.co.uk/ Long way from Sussex! Anyone fitted one of these? Ciao, Gavin
  • RKB1T February 2009
    Member Posts: 169
    Here's another good utuber almost sub zero. speaking of that we seem to be keeping it down there http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k1JR4LoY-vo
  • GavantimeGavantime February 2009
    Senior Member Posts: 376
    Was that Holger driving at the end?
  • MartinRMartinR April 2009
    Senior Member Posts: 415
    Looks like its back on BBC2 tonight 8pm Sunday 26th April.
  • Patrick+RobertsPatrick Roberts April 2009
    Member Posts: 522
    Yes, TG trying to tune the Avantime was on again tonight.

    Patrick
  • Gary+RobertsGary Roberts April 2009
    Member Posts: 128
    Anyone know what suspension kit was used by any chance?
  • Avantime4mikeAvantime4mike May 2009
    Administrator Posts: 4,748
    The suspension kit was manufactured by Nitron:-

    http://www.nitron.co.uk/
  • Patrick+RobertsPatrick Roberts July 2009
    Member Posts: 522
    Does anyone know the green Avantime in the radio drivetime episode?

    Patrick
  • HelentimeHelentime November 2010
    Senior Member Posts: 1,402
    On BBC3 tonight at 7pm......
    But I'm sure most of us already have it safely recorded, and saved to DVD !!
  • jondkeejondkee February 24
    Member Posts: 591
    Quick pan round of the TG 'project' yard and a rear view of the Avi a couple of minutes into tonights episode...
  • matraman243matraman243 February 24
    Senior Member Posts: 632
    ....before they proceeded to mullar a perfectly good Multipla. 8-|
  • Hedge February 25
    Member Posts: 242
    That pained me a lot. I ran a Multipla for 3 years, the longest I've ever owned a car. Heroically good vehicle.

    Cheers, Hedge
  • jondkeejondkee February 25
    Member Posts: 591
    thinking maybe they should 'retire' the current format, though I believe they've signed multi series contracts...
  • scouserscouser February 25
    Member Posts: 115
    I think the best thing Clarkson has done in the last ten years was Mr Blobbys chauffeur. Go on YouTube it :)
  • GavantimeGavantime February 26
    Senior Member Posts: 376
    They've mashed both my cars now - an Avantime and a Multipla!
  • DynamooDynamoo February 28
    Member Posts: 347
    Although they reviewed an Astra VXR and C'eed in the same episode, which were a bit more mainstream than the usual supercar things.
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