What's a 390SE with the wrong engine worth?
Discussion
It's not in your profile; is it actually a 390SE but with a replacement engine? Or is it a dressed-up 350i? If the latter, several people have put 3.9 Rangey engines into 350i's and they find buyers so no problems on that score (whether the engine swap ever gets declared to DVLA is another matter)... but I wouldn't expect the 3.9L engine to significantly increase the value over a standard 3.5L: as you know, overall condition is important.
If it's a genuine 390SE that has lost its original engine then it'll be down to how desperately somone wants the SE 'look', because that's about the only difference (LSD aside) between it and an up-engined 350. I'd guess that most people would be happy with a 350 plus 3.9 engine for £3K rather than a wrong-engined 390SE for £4K, but that's just a guess.
On the other hand, even if it is a 9.35:1 Rangey engine, if it had top-end work similar to that of an NCK/ JE engine then it'd be worth 'a bit' more as it would at least be approaching original spec.
My 390SE has its original engine but it is now 3948cc/ 9.35:1(ish), the same as a 400SE, due to piston ring breakage by previous owner(s). I wouldn't think many potential buyers would be that fussy that they'd want the extra capacity removing
They say that anything is only 'worth' what any buyer is prepared to pay, so you may just have to advertise it with a price you think is reasonable and see if anyone agrees
If it's a genuine 390SE that has lost its original engine then it'll be down to how desperately somone wants the SE 'look', because that's about the only difference (LSD aside) between it and an up-engined 350. I'd guess that most people would be happy with a 350 plus 3.9 engine for £3K rather than a wrong-engined 390SE for £4K, but that's just a guess.
On the other hand, even if it is a 9.35:1 Rangey engine, if it had top-end work similar to that of an NCK/ JE engine then it'd be worth 'a bit' more as it would at least be approaching original spec.
My 390SE has its original engine but it is now 3948cc/ 9.35:1(ish), the same as a 400SE, due to piston ring breakage by previous owner(s). I wouldn't think many potential buyers would be that fussy that they'd want the extra capacity removing
They say that anything is only 'worth' what any buyer is prepared to pay, so you may just have to advertise it with a price you think is reasonable and see if anyone agrees
Thanks for the quick reply...I really don't want to sell it, as, ever since I owned a 290S, I always wanted a 'REAL' tvr!!
It is a genuine 390SE, Blue with a Blue roof and grey leather...OZ wheels...I was going to totally restore, and fit HC pistons, BVH etc., but I have to move, and won't have the workshop...
I paid £2000 for it, without the engine; I even bought a vitesse timing cover, for original looks!!
I supose any offer would be welcome
Paul
It is a genuine 390SE, Blue with a Blue roof and grey leather...OZ wheels...I was going to totally restore, and fit HC pistons, BVH etc., but I have to move, and won't have the workshop...
I paid £2000 for it, without the engine; I even bought a vitesse timing cover, for original looks!!
I supose any offer would be welcome
Paul
Wedg1e said:
the only difference (LSD aside) between it and an up-engined 350.
One of my 350i cars had a LSD from new so that's no difference then.On the other hand I thought that 390 SEs has vented brakes at the front and shorter stiffer springs with matching shocks.
Given the very limited info for this car I'll guess at £1,750 for a fancy 350i and £2,250 for a 390 SE.
TA14 said:
One of my 350i cars had a LSD from new so that's no difference then.
On the other hand I thought that 390 SEs has vented brakes at the front and shorter stiffer springs with matching shocks.
Given the very limited info for this car I'll guess at £1,750 for a fancy 350i and £2,250 for a 390 SE.
...It has AP 4-pots AND power steering...On the other hand I thought that 390 SEs has vented brakes at the front and shorter stiffer springs with matching shocks.
Given the very limited info for this car I'll guess at £1,750 for a fancy 350i and £2,250 for a 390 SE.
hillclimbmanic said:
a 'REAL' tvr!!
Mind you if we are going to be PC Oliver winterbottom stood there at BBWF2011 next to me and my 280 and said "This is a real TVR".."Not those V8 thingies"..And they were his exact words!!.. Bless him..Mind you he had drunk quite a few G&T's...
My humblest opinion is that they are ALL "Real TVR's"..I for one hate segregation and division..Unless its to do with rabbits or food..
I loved my 290S...I wanted a V8 that's all - I would STILL love a V8S!!mrzigazaga said:
Mind you if we are going to be PC Oliver winterbottom stood there at BBWF2011 next to me and my 280 and said "This is a real TVR
MarkYour car must have been a time machine as well, as Oilver was not at BBWF 2011! Or you have had to much falling down water over Christmas!
I hope you had a good one mate!
Andy
Edited by Mr Tank on Friday 28th December 19:22
TA14 said:
One of my 350i cars had a LSD from new so that's no difference then.
On the other hand I thought that 390 SEs has vented brakes at the front and shorter stiffer springs with matching shocks.
The LSD was an option on 350i's, I think it's fair to say that most didn't have one.On the other hand I thought that 390 SEs has vented brakes at the front and shorter stiffer springs with matching shocks.
Forgot the vented brakes but they're an easy retrofit to a 350i anyway.
Springs and shocks are the same as a 350i, in fact the shocks are exactly the same Konis (type 80-2603 IIRC) as used on most of the Wedges after TVR stopped fitting Armstrongs. It is feasible that some cars had different RATE springs but there's no difference in ride height between most cars.
In any case most Wedges need a suspension rebuild now so it's immaterial what was originally fitted.
In essence you could buy a 350i and dress it up as a 390SE but your biggest struggle would be finding the necessary 'bodykit'. If you absolutely had to have the 'look', it'd be easier (and probably a lot cheaper) to buy an existing 390SE than convert - and we've all seen the arguments on here when people do things like that
I reckon if the OP paid £2000 for the car and then threw another £1000 (and some time) at a Rangey 3.9L engine he could have something that was to all intents a 'true' 390SE for £3000, which is about what I'd value my car at.
hillclimbmanic said:
needs a restoration...
TA14 said:
Given the very limited info for this car
hillclimbmanic said:
...a mate has offered me £1400... 
Sounds a touch low but he may have been able to make a far better assessment of it's condition so it may be a fair offer. Sounds like you've had enough so if he's going to get it running properly.hillclimbmanic said:
...a mate has offered me £1400...
HiHe calls himself a mate and only offers you £1400! Unless your car is a basket case, non-running then its still cheap at £1400.
A 350i with no mot and a list of problems as long as your arm sold as a project/spares vehicle for £2K in Dec so if your car has all the 390SE goodies then it must be worth £2500 to £3K noproblem.
Andy
Some of you may recall that a scruffy 390SE (with correct engine) was advertised for £1800 a year or so back, up near me in Teesside. It had had new sill tubes fitted and a few other bits (new windscreen I think?) and hasn't been seen since that I know of, but it definitely doesn't live at the same address 'cos I pass it on the way to the pub
I bet it didn't sell for the asking price, either
I bet it didn't sell for the asking price, either
nps123 said:
Was it a blue one.
Was that aimed at me? I recall it as more grey than blue, but then I am old It would have been an address on the outskirts of Stockton, road beginning with E and ending in N
Thinking about it, it may have been blue but with a grey tarpaulin or car cover...
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