Which Cerbera to Buy? 4.5 or Speed 6
Discussion
I have it on good authority from the people who made the engines that the 4.5 AJP is by far the better engine (reliability, performance etc.) Not that that should be a shock to anyone. I drove a S6 and it didn't seem that quick.
I was also told that the 4.2 is actually faster than the 4.5 engine. The engine was developed as a 4.2 so everything in the engine was designed primarily for that set up. It was then PW who wanted it bigger. Sounds a bit contrary to logic but apparently so. . .
I was also told that the 4.2 is actually faster than the 4.5 engine. The engine was developed as a 4.2 so everything in the engine was designed primarily for that set up. It was then PW who wanted it bigger. Sounds a bit contrary to logic but apparently so. . .
i would choose the s6, reliability is getting better all the time and i think they are a much easier car to live with especially if your going to use it a lot.
4.2 seems a good choice, 4.5 seems to be a bit of a money pit to get it up to anywhere factory quoted power figures. once there though jesus their fast.
maybe a 4.5 for me next time then
4.2 seems a good choice, 4.5 seems to be a bit of a money pit to get it up to anywhere factory quoted power figures. once there though jesus their fast.
maybe a 4.5 for me next time then
warpig said:
i would choose the s6, reliability is getting better all the time and i think they are a much easier car to live with especially if your going to use it a lot.
4.2 seems a good choice, 4.5 seems to be a bit of a money pit to get it up to anywhere factory quoted power figures. once there though jesus their fast.
maybe a 4.5 for me next time then
4.2 seems a good choice, 4.5 seems to be a bit of a money pit to get it up to anywhere factory quoted power figures. once there though jesus their fast.
maybe a 4.5 for me next time then
Are you sure Fella !totaly! you lot worry too much about the s6, sure they have lubrication/build quality issues but with the likes or tvr power amongst others righting these problems the engine just gets better.
mine went bang at 20000(before i owned it)rebuilt by power, done just under 40000 now and thrashed to the limit most days. still sounds/goes good and recently took the lid off to do tappets and looks like brand new.
mine went bang at 20000(before i owned it)rebuilt by power, done just under 40000 now and thrashed to the limit most days. still sounds/goes good and recently took the lid off to do tappets and looks like brand new.
warpig said:
totaly! you lot worry too much about the s6, sure they have lubrication/build quality issues but with the likes or tvr power amongst others righting these problems the engine just gets better.
mine went bang at 20000(before i owned it)rebuilt by power, done just under 40000 now and thrashed to the limit most days. still sounds/goes good and recently took the lid off to do tappets and looks like brand new.
So you have had yours re built yes ? perhaps the car that the op was looking at had not had that luxury may be mine went bang at 20000(before i owned it)rebuilt by power, done just under 40000 now and thrashed to the limit most days. still sounds/goes good and recently took the lid off to do tappets and looks like brand new.
How many miles were on the clock when you had it re built 20k Blimey that speaks volumes ?
I wonder how much you will get before it goes Pop again ! Good Luck fella rather your money than mine that's all i can say and only time will tell
I have not known AJP 8 motors needing the amount of re builds as S6 do after a Horrendously Low mileage
simple as that hence my comments. The facts speak for them selves i am sorry to say AJP8 will out live AJP6 out of the Factory by a Country Mile
All IMHO
The prices seems a little high for both cars to be honest.
There is little in performance between both cars. The AJP has a big issue on the horizon and that is the availability of parts.
However the Speed 6is a risk. With 6K on it it could go from the next 1000 miles to around 34k before needing a rebuild. Most likely would be around 25K.
The SP6 needs to reflect the engine rebuild cost which could be £5K. Having said that if it is rebuilt it's unlikely to need another so the latest power rebuilds have become so reliable. Rummour has it that they might come with a 3 year warranty this year.
The cost in running the cars are very similar. In the first year or two it is likely to be between £3k to £5K excluding insurance and fuel.
On either car I'd change the clutch and clutch seals immediately and budget around £1K from the off.
There is little in performance between both cars. The AJP has a big issue on the horizon and that is the availability of parts.
However the Speed 6is a risk. With 6K on it it could go from the next 1000 miles to around 34k before needing a rebuild. Most likely would be around 25K.
The SP6 needs to reflect the engine rebuild cost which could be £5K. Having said that if it is rebuilt it's unlikely to need another so the latest power rebuilds have become so reliable. Rummour has it that they might come with a 3 year warranty this year.
The cost in running the cars are very similar. In the first year or two it is likely to be between £3k to £5K excluding insurance and fuel.
On either car I'd change the clutch and clutch seals immediately and budget around £1K from the off.
Edited by johnbear on Tuesday 25th March 09:16
The ideal cerbera to buy is a late 1999 4.2 cerbera onwards. It has a 4.5 engine with the later cams and 4.2 inlets that make it more drivable, but out of your 2 options i would go for the 4.5 all day long. The sp6 is a smoother drive but more problematic than the ajp8 and a lot less reliable.
johnbear said:
The cost in running the cars are very similar. In the first year or two it is likely to be between £3k to £5K excluding insurance and fuel.
Are you thinking that maybe the first year or two maybe more expensive because of wear and tear from last owner or putting faults right? Its just £3k is the accepted figure as a slush fund - you shouldnt expect to use this year on year IMHO - especially if you can use a pair of spanners and some cable ties
...£5k seems a little steep - unless your accounting for what 'may' be a future problem - ajp8 spares?
With the speed six - i suppose the danger is you will need a rebuild ON TOP of normal running - which could easily see with you with a bill of £7k in one year of running. The AJP8 rarely needs a rebuild...very tough engines.
Edited by Robertjp on Tuesday 25th March 20:35
Edited by Robertjp on Tuesday 25th March 20:36
I always get the feeling that the 4.5 4.2 AJP engined Cerberas are really what the whole cerb thing is really , the speed six engined cars just dont do it for me . That isnt to say that the speed six engined cars are inferior far from it each engine has its merits and downsides i suppose . Its hard to explain but i just think that the Ajp engined cars seem a little more special . Just my honest opinion i like all Tvrs but if i was in the market for a cerb it would be a 4.2 0r 4.5 . But a black on black Sagaris would be my fave for the newer cars . Best lookings a Griffith tho imho . 
Robertjp said:
johnbear said:
The cost in running the cars are very similar. In the first year or two it is likely to be between £3k to £5K excluding insurance and fuel.
Its just £3k is the accepted figure as a slush fund - you shouldnt expect to use this year on year IMHO - especially if you can use a pair of spanners and some cable ties johnbear said:
The AJP has a big issue on the horizon and that is the availability of parts.
hi johnbearEdited by johnbear on Tuesday 25th March 09:16
as a 4.2 ajp owner i'm very interested in this comment. what parts in particular are you refering to? is this an educated statement or the repetition of what been said by by those who think they know but dont really?
ps my annual bill has been nothing like the £3k pa... aside from servicing and the usual consumables my expenses have been around £200 pa
Get the 4.5 V8 - it sounds great, get it remapped and whirlwind inductioned and that's 400 horses +
Running costs - well I put away 3K per year and that gives me money to spend on it. Last year cost me £450 in servicing, £2k on upgrades/ improvements & little bits that would have needed doing at sometime.
This year I've spent £1k on a 12k service, a new cat plus decat pipes, plus odds and sods.
Running costs - well I put away 3K per year and that gives me money to spend on it. Last year cost me £450 in servicing, £2k on upgrades/ improvements & little bits that would have needed doing at sometime.
This year I've spent £1k on a 12k service, a new cat plus decat pipes, plus odds and sods.
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