03 Rolex Blue 3.6 history (WM03BBX)

[Gnome]

Hi all!

Anyone recognise this Tuscan, and perhaps have some insight into its history?

Rolex Blue 2003 - reg WM03BBX

I'm slightly concerned about an 03 with only 16k miles and three owners. But TVR Barnet have a good reputation around here.

As an aside, the 3.6 seems much less popular (there's a silver one that's been on sale for ages).
Are Tuscan aspirants, on the whole, a horsepower-hungry lot who would stoop to 350hp only under duress?

Thanks!
- Mark
(long-time lurker, first-time poster)

[tuscan lucy]

Hi Mark, some people think the 3.6 is a better car (less stress) the boys at barnet are as good as gold so just go with what they say...Lucy

[G20RG B]

Hi Mark,
I can't tell you anything about the car but it is a stunning colour combination. I really like Rolex blue and the cream interior suits it perfectly.

Oh...and make sure you get Carbon Cans as the sound is fantastic. Not to noisy but loads of POPS and Bangs.

[R TOY]

Hi Mark, I wouldnt let the 3rd owner thing worry you unduly, esp if one is a dealer?. I am my Tuscans 3rd owner 53reg (1st being Dealership) and its done about 16k miles so v similar. All Tuscans made after 03 should have the 3.6 engine, the S model having the 4.0. There are some later non S models with the 4.0 tho.(Tvr using up old stock i supose) Some may say 4.0 on reg document but will still be a 3.6 as does mine. Tamora and T350 use the 3.6 so plenty about.
Enough power for me
My advice..if you are serious about buying get an INDEPENDANT engine top end check. prob cost a couple of hundred at most. You need to know if cams or followers are showing signs of wear,and how much cam-follower adjustment is available. This is acheived by shimming. Speed 6 engines tend to lose clearance (caused by valves bedding into seats and stems streching i believe) so if the engine has the thinnest or near shims fitted could be a future problem. When an engine has lost valve clearance with thinnest shims its rebuild time!! Not the only issue i know but a fair indication of engine life expectancy.
Good luck Dave.
edit to add.. having looked again at the add i realise that 22k is the sale price!! Not wishing to lower the 2nd hand value of Tuscans but another 2k off that as well at least i would've thought.

Edited by R TOY on Sunday 18th January 15:18

[Gnome]

Thanks for all the replies guys.
(Dave, thanks especially for the info on shimming...)
Food for thought...

[pete]

Post-53 cars can have either 3.6 or 4.0 engines; on the non-S model the 360bhp 4.0 engine was a £1000 option. Personally I wouldn't use 3.6 vs. 4.0 as a differentiator, as they all feel a bit different anyway. In my experience the 3.6s rev a bit more freely, while the 4.0s have a little more low down torque, but it's hard to generalise. Buy the one that feels best / fastest / most sorted / etc to you and has a sensible history.

It's also worth pointing out that if your 3.6 needs a rebuild at some point you can have it upgraded to a 4.0 for very little extra, or a 4.3 for quite a lot extra!

I have a 36,000 mile 53-plate 3.6 which is on the original clutch and hasn't been rebuilt. They are out there, but I've had good luck as well as the mandatory mechanical sympathy. Good luck with your search!

Pete