What's the best "attainable" V8?
Discussion
I've always dreamt of owning a V8 but so far it has eluded me. However, I finally have a shorter commute and running a V8 certainly hasn't got any cheaper, so maybe now is as good a time as any? Needs to be semi-practical ie probably rear seats and a decentish boot and let's say sub 20k.
My feeling is that the actual car it's in is somewhat secondary and the engine itself is possibly the key factor ie character, toughness, reliability etc. I don't have a lot of experience of driving cars with V8 engines, mostly Ford/GM/Hemi V8s in American pickup trucks and to my ear, the latest TT "hot V" V8s from Audi/BMW/Mercedes don't really do it for me, at least from an aural perspective.
Mercedes-Benz surely have to be Kings of the V8?
You have NA V8s of 4.3, 5.0 and 5.5 litres in recent history and then who could forget the 5.5 supercharged, 5.5 TT, 6.2 NA and more recently the 4.0 V8 TT AMG V8s.
Audi have the magnificent 4.2 NA V8, which you can have in anything from the B6/B7 S4 to the B7/B8 RS4 to the original Audi R8 (not sure what they did to that engine to get more power in the RS4 over the S4)?
The 5.0 Supercharged Jaguar V8 in anything from the XF to the XJ and XK/F-Type and assorted Land Rover/Range Rover models is also a pretty special thing.
BMW's V8s not so much (when I think BMW, I tend to think straight 6) but the 5.0 V8 in the E39 M5/Z8 and the 4.0 V8 (S65?) in the E90/E92 M3 are probably the most noteworthy but I guess the 4.6 NA V8 was a bit of a BMW mainstay for a number of years.
I suppose that the Lexus V8 available in certain models is also a fairly solid choice?
One probably shouldn't ignore the 3.6/4.4 TDV8 that was available in certain Range Rovers and the Audi/Porsche V8 diesel that was available in certain Audi/Porsche models too, that was quite a torque monster.
Outside this, the Ferrari/Maserati/Aston Martin V8s are a bit more niche and the cars that they are available in a bit less affordable.
So, have you yet been able to scratch that V8 "itch" and looking at the more attainable (sub 20k) end of the V8 market, which are the best options taking running costs/reliability/character/noise into account?
My feeling is that the actual car it's in is somewhat secondary and the engine itself is possibly the key factor ie character, toughness, reliability etc. I don't have a lot of experience of driving cars with V8 engines, mostly Ford/GM/Hemi V8s in American pickup trucks and to my ear, the latest TT "hot V" V8s from Audi/BMW/Mercedes don't really do it for me, at least from an aural perspective.
Mercedes-Benz surely have to be Kings of the V8?
You have NA V8s of 4.3, 5.0 and 5.5 litres in recent history and then who could forget the 5.5 supercharged, 5.5 TT, 6.2 NA and more recently the 4.0 V8 TT AMG V8s.
Audi have the magnificent 4.2 NA V8, which you can have in anything from the B6/B7 S4 to the B7/B8 RS4 to the original Audi R8 (not sure what they did to that engine to get more power in the RS4 over the S4)?
The 5.0 Supercharged Jaguar V8 in anything from the XF to the XJ and XK/F-Type and assorted Land Rover/Range Rover models is also a pretty special thing.
BMW's V8s not so much (when I think BMW, I tend to think straight 6) but the 5.0 V8 in the E39 M5/Z8 and the 4.0 V8 (S65?) in the E90/E92 M3 are probably the most noteworthy but I guess the 4.6 NA V8 was a bit of a BMW mainstay for a number of years.
I suppose that the Lexus V8 available in certain models is also a fairly solid choice?
One probably shouldn't ignore the 3.6/4.4 TDV8 that was available in certain Range Rovers and the Audi/Porsche V8 diesel that was available in certain Audi/Porsche models too, that was quite a torque monster.
Outside this, the Ferrari/Maserati/Aston Martin V8s are a bit more niche and the cars that they are available in a bit less affordable.
So, have you yet been able to scratch that V8 "itch" and looking at the more attainable (sub 20k) end of the V8 market, which are the best options taking running costs/reliability/character/noise into account?
I loved the Ferrari F136 family of na V8s super characterful and available in a variety of proper 4 and 5 seater Maseratis in budget . Much better noise than my current TT V8 in the Flying Spur.
The JLR 5l V8 I would like to experience but the only car that appeals is the XK and the rear seats are minuscule.
The JLR 5l V8 I would like to experience but the only car that appeals is the XK and the rear seats are minuscule.
Had a 928 S4 for a few years, prices for good ones are now outside your budget.
Otherwise, Straya, mate! Import your own…
Www.carsales.com.au
Filter for Ford, FPV, Holden, and HSV, set to 8 cyl, and take your pick - about 5000 cars from AU$6k upwards. My 2016 Calais wagon with 6.2 LS3 was just about in your budget 5 years ago…
Otherwise, Straya, mate! Import your own…
Www.carsales.com.au
Filter for Ford, FPV, Holden, and HSV, set to 8 cyl, and take your pick - about 5000 cars from AU$6k upwards. My 2016 Calais wagon with 6.2 LS3 was just about in your budget 5 years ago…
Probably not to be recommended, but I went in at the very lowest end. Hilariously bad, but more to the hilarious than the bad side. It also came with a VHS player which was my favourite thing after the V8
Drove it down to LeMans a few years ago, full to the top with a few mates and all our camping gear, and it didn’t miss a beat. The torque at higher speeds was lovely as it thundered down the road
P.S. Not sure who parked that old Merc beside it in the pic!
Drove it down to LeMans a few years ago, full to the top with a few mates and all our camping gear, and it didn’t miss a beat. The torque at higher speeds was lovely as it thundered down the road
P.S. Not sure who parked that old Merc beside it in the pic!
RandomCarChat said:
After a recent trip to NZ I have a real want for a VXR8. Small block Chevy, manual box and a practical car? Sign me up!
Woefully unreliable cars.More thirsty than you would like.
Eats tyres and brakes.
Not all that practical with the rear seats being fixed so can’t fold the seats down.
The engine is glorious. Everything else is bad.
Gearboxes are woeful!
For £20k you can buy a lot of V8, but just be warned that modern V8s often come in exceptionally complicated cars, so even if the V8 itself is reliable, the rest of the car might not be!
I really enjoyed the Supercharged 5.0 Jaguar V8. It's a great engine with a glorious soundtrack, and you should be able to get one in an XFR in budget. The XKR might have crept over budget, but is a nice thing. Buy a good one of either and check for subframe corrosion though. These things have a lot of torque and it's very easy to go very quickly in them. Mid to high 20s mpg on a run.
My wife loves the (now her's) RS5 with it's 4.2, not the most power but it revs to over 8k and the gearbox is good, meaning you can get it moving quicker than it feels. Another great soundtrack, but different to the Jag. The engine is sound, but the gearbox can cost a bit if there drive position sensor is faulty. I've also spent a lot sorting erroneous differential sensors out. If the car is good, and has been cared for, it is a lovely thing, but no sports car. 30mpg is possible on a long and boring run.
The S65 in the BMW M3 is glorious but needs the right maintenance to make it reliable. I had the V10 brother and it was broadly the same issues, but you'll have heard about rod bearings, throttle actuators, injectors and the other common issues. Preventative maintenance and warming them up properly is key to longevity. They need revs to get them moving quickly, and so very few MPGs.
This is all based off my experience of them, however, if you can experience a V8 for a while then do it. Somehow I have now ended up with two of them.
I really enjoyed the Supercharged 5.0 Jaguar V8. It's a great engine with a glorious soundtrack, and you should be able to get one in an XFR in budget. The XKR might have crept over budget, but is a nice thing. Buy a good one of either and check for subframe corrosion though. These things have a lot of torque and it's very easy to go very quickly in them. Mid to high 20s mpg on a run.
My wife loves the (now her's) RS5 with it's 4.2, not the most power but it revs to over 8k and the gearbox is good, meaning you can get it moving quicker than it feels. Another great soundtrack, but different to the Jag. The engine is sound, but the gearbox can cost a bit if there drive position sensor is faulty. I've also spent a lot sorting erroneous differential sensors out. If the car is good, and has been cared for, it is a lovely thing, but no sports car. 30mpg is possible on a long and boring run.
The S65 in the BMW M3 is glorious but needs the right maintenance to make it reliable. I had the V10 brother and it was broadly the same issues, but you'll have heard about rod bearings, throttle actuators, injectors and the other common issues. Preventative maintenance and warming them up properly is key to longevity. They need revs to get them moving quickly, and so very few MPGs.
This is all based off my experience of them, however, if you can experience a V8 for a while then do it. Somehow I have now ended up with two of them.
I'd vote XKR as well. Easily within budget and won't come with any, or many, of the wallet busting risks of the other similar age marques.
I took had to scratch the V8 itch (having most engine configs under my belt now) and was ecstatic to jump straight to a supercharged version with my 4.2.
Beautiful noise, absolutely rapid. Best engine I have had so far.
I took had to scratch the V8 itch (having most engine configs under my belt now) and was ecstatic to jump straight to a supercharged version with my 4.2.
Beautiful noise, absolutely rapid. Best engine I have had so far.
20k will get you a clean Maserati with a Ferrari V8. None of the chavvy Merc offerings are even playing the same sport, let alone in the same ballpark.
How anyone could look at the list below and buy a Mercedes is beyond me:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-search?advertisin...
You know what to do.
How anyone could look at the list below and buy a Mercedes is beyond me:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-search?advertisin...
You know what to do.
Edited by Baldchap on Thursday 11th December 07:38
Robertb said:
Depends on your definition of attainable .
Lexus LC500 coupe is my current favourite, but only rarely under £50k.
Bentley Continental GT V8S??
Perhaps it was in the words "sub 20k" in the OP that you didn't read, given it is stated at the start, and also at the end, and not cumulatively, that gave it away? Lexus LC500 coupe is my current favourite, but only rarely under £50k.
Bentley Continental GT V8S??
Have I scratched that itch? I’ve been itchy for years 
Had a Maserati, CLS55, old 500 SL, two Griffs, and currently an LC500.
All brilliant… but bearing in mind the budget and the boot etc get a Jag V8 - it’s an utterly utterly awesome engine and when you can get the supercharged 500bhp version in an XF for well under 20k it’d be rude not to. I’ve only tried it in an F Pace and it’s so much fun, so much character.
An ISF could be a sensible option - they’re near enough bulletproof.
Or at 20k as mentioned above you’re in Granturismo territory, or you’d just scrape into a V8 Vantage - stuff the boot
Had a Maserati, CLS55, old 500 SL, two Griffs, and currently an LC500.
All brilliant… but bearing in mind the budget and the boot etc get a Jag V8 - it’s an utterly utterly awesome engine and when you can get the supercharged 500bhp version in an XF for well under 20k it’d be rude not to. I’ve only tried it in an F Pace and it’s so much fun, so much character.
An ISF could be a sensible option - they’re near enough bulletproof.
Or at 20k as mentioned above you’re in Granturismo territory, or you’d just scrape into a V8 Vantage - stuff the boot
£20k will see you into many a V8, although if it's a daily car and yes it'll be thirsty, I assume you want other running costs to be fairly ok?
I own four V8s and one is my daily car. I picked up a 75k Merc CLS55 earlier this year, genuinely lovely condition for £12k. The CLS and E Class it's based on are pretty dependable cars. CLS/E55 or 63 would certainly make for a good daily car. I more recently bought a BMW 650 convertible for my daily which I'm really enjoying although I'm mindful of looking out for oil leaks on that particular engine.
One consideration I've had around high end models is the car it's based on. If you went an bought a Merc CL63, all the parts will be pricey, even non performance parts as the CL is expensive in any guise. If you bought a C63 and needed a new tail light, it's going to be easier to find. I'd imagine the same applies to fast BMWs and Audis too.
I own four V8s and one is my daily car. I picked up a 75k Merc CLS55 earlier this year, genuinely lovely condition for £12k. The CLS and E Class it's based on are pretty dependable cars. CLS/E55 or 63 would certainly make for a good daily car. I more recently bought a BMW 650 convertible for my daily which I'm really enjoying although I'm mindful of looking out for oil leaks on that particular engine.
One consideration I've had around high end models is the car it's based on. If you went an bought a Merc CL63, all the parts will be pricey, even non performance parts as the CL is expensive in any guise. If you bought a C63 and needed a new tail light, it's going to be easier to find. I'd imagine the same applies to fast BMWs and Audis too.
One question you need to ask yourself is whether you're happy with your V8 bolted to a torque-converter automatic, or if you wand more direct control over the engine.
There are lots of good affordable V8s with auto boxes. I had a C55 for a while, pretty nice car. I sold it due to typical 00s Merc build quality and fuel consumption, but glad to have enjoyed a classic cross-plane V8. Annoyingly the M113 engine is the most durable part of that car, the rest of it degrades into rusty banger status around the splendid engine (unless you keep fixing it).
An alloy-bodied five litre Jag might be a good shout as at least it shouldn't rust.
Baldchap said:
20k will get you a clean Maserati with a Ferrari V8. None of the chavvy Merc offerings are even playing the same sport, let alone in the same ballpark.
How anyone could look at the list below and buy a Mercedes is beyond me:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-search?advertisin...
You know what to do.
I'm with you. A 15 yr old Grancabrio doesnt look much difference to a brand new one, and they are very pretty. Virtually every other alternative just looks like an old car.How anyone could look at the list below and buy a Mercedes is beyond me:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-search?advertisin...
You know what to do.
Edited by Baldchap on Thursday 11th December 07:38
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