3.6 litre engine or 4.0 litre engine - both in 2003 cars ?

[s5tvr]

Given the choice of an 03 car with a 3.6 engine or a 4.0 litre (not "S" spec) engine, what would people opt for ?. Does anyone have experience of driving both and was there much of a difference between them ?. Also, am I right in thinking that a 2003 3.6 engine is likely to be a bit more reliable than the equivalent 4.0 litre engine from the same year ?.

[R TOY]

Check with the factory which engine a car has, just because it states 4.0li on the V5 and manual doesnt mean a lot. I think most 3.6li cars came with 4.0li paperwork! TVR's eh

[G20RG B]

When I was looking for a Tuscan last year I tried both engines 3.6 and 4.0l. To be honest I didn't really notice the diffrence perhaps the 4.0l had just a little bit more torque but I found both engines to be very responsive when warmed up and once you approach 3500/4000 rpm they really sound and pull wonderfully. I wouldn't worry to much wether you get a 3.6 or a 4.0l just make sure you get a good one. Get the right colour scheme and one with history and if it has had the expensive bits done Clutch/service 12K perhaps a rebuild but not all of them have required this,and a warranty and you will have a great time they really are fantastic cars. REMEMBER they are not euro boxes so you might have little niggles if your unluck you might have a Large NIGGLE but don't look back and think ....I wish I had got one.
I originally wanted a Cerbera V8 but once I drove the speed six T350/Tusc I just prefered the Tuscan for Styling /roof off/ drive-abillity and while people go on about the speed six reliability speak to someone who has had issues with a V8 Cerbera the costs are HOOOrrendous.

George

Oh I ended up witha 4.0l Tuscan (superb)

>> Edited by G20RG B on Monday 13th February 18:37

[Big Al.]

R TOY said:

Check with the factory which engine a car has, just because it states 4.0li on the V5 and manual doesnt mean a lot. I think most 3.6li cars came with 4.0li paperwork! TVR's eh

Mine did! I checked with the factory and it is a 3.6 the V5 clearly states 4.0!

Have driven both and wouldn’t like to live on the difference.

[TSS]

Big Al. said:

R TOY said: Check with the factory which engine a car has, just because it states 4.0li on the V5 and manual doesnt mean a lot. I think most 3.6li cars came with 4.0li paperwork! TVR's eh Mine did! I checked with the factory and it is a 3.6 the V5 clearly states 4.0!

Sounds normal I had to write to the DVLA to get my V5 corrected as my 3.6 was registered as a 4.0. The dealership hadn't noticed/hadn't bothered to check before selling the car.

[ChelseaTractor]

You coming over to the dark side then Si?

I tried both and couldn't really tell the difference. My 3.6 is fast enough (as you know )

[gruff500]

I opted for a 3.6 03' Tuscan as I heard that the tolerances on the engine were lower than that on a 4L - not sure how true that is though! Also the 3.6 was produced after the 4.0L so theoretically is a later revised engine which ultimately must be good news.

Those are minor points though and ultimately I imagine it doesn't matter as long as you find one in the righ condition with full dealer SH and warranty etc.

[basil brush]

It seems that there is more variation between individual engines of the same type anyway than the on paper diffs between the 3.6 and 4.0, so with both being post 2002 builds I'd go for the one that sounds and feels the strongest.

[s5tvr]

ChelseaTractor said:

You coming over to the dark side then Si? I tried both and couldn't really tell the difference. My 3.6 is fast enough (as you know )

Good to hear from you John and hope to see you at the next meet. As far as moving over to the dark side is concerned - It's a possibility, though I'm not sure of exactly when that might be.