Rebuilds; and lack of them... lamb to slaughter?
Discussion
A fair few people seem to be panicing about the fact I bought an '04 car on 19,000 miles that has not been rebuilt (that we know of!) and I been led like a lamb to slaughter or are there a fair few post-20k cars that are still going strong without a rebuild?
Interesting to see a mileage / age / rebuilt chart... maybe its just pot luck?
Interesting to see a mileage / age / rebuilt chart... maybe its just pot luck?
Where did you buy the car from? Have you spoken with the last owner? Get the details from the logbook or post on here and find out more about your car.
Mine is on a low 27,000 miles and is running better than it was at 5,000 miles. There are plenty on 40k, a few on more, most owners don't do 'big' miles.
Mine is on a low 27,000 miles and is running better than it was at 5,000 miles. There are plenty on 40k, a few on more, most owners don't do 'big' miles.
Mattt said:
They say 04 cars onwards are much better build quality & components.
I'd say you'll be fine, just go and enjoy it - but make sure to warm it up properly and check the oil after each drive.
This! Stop panicking! The 3.6 is supposedly a less stressed version of the S6 as opposed to the 4.0 in the Tuscans and as mentioned post 2004 the engines did improve. A lot of it is driver dependant so ensure you warm her up properly. Mine is on 25k having had a bottom end rebuild at 8500 miles (due to a faulty big end bearing) and has zero shim adjustment each service and perfect compression. My top end (the cause of most failures) was inspected at the rebuild and given a clean bill of health with no work required, 16000 miles later this still proves to be the case.I'd say you'll be fine, just go and enjoy it - but make sure to warm it up properly and check the oil after each drive.
FWIW I warm my car up religiously but once it is warm I drive it like TVR designed the car to be driven, the S6 is a peach of an engine - just make sure you use it!
We had this when we bought the Cerb over a decade ago... Someone told us to never take it on track/avoid big revs etc etc.. It was on 95k when we sold it, still untouched and it's still mighty now at 97k+ 
. We were told to buy as late as possible, a 2005 car for us. 6k miles in, with proper use so far, it's awesome... Long may it continue.
. We were told to buy as late as possible, a 2005 car for us. 6k miles in, with proper use so far, it's awesome... Long may it continue. We had this when we bought the Cerb over a decade ago... Someone told us to never take it on track/avoid big revs etc etc.. It was on 95k when we sold it, still untouched and it's still mighty now at 97k+ . We were told to buy as late as possible, a 2005 car for us. 6k miles in, with proper use so far, it's awesome... Long may it continue.
. We were told to buy as late as possible, a 2005 car for us. 6k miles in, with proper use so far, it's awesome... Long may it continue. - oh and the Cerb saw plenty of track action, and was all the better for it.
Craig! said:
A fair few people seem to be panicing about the fact I bought an '04 car on 19,000 miles that has not been rebuilt (that we know of!) and I been led like a lamb to slaughter or are there a fair few post-20k cars that are still going strong without a rebuild?
Interesting to see a mileage / age / rebuilt chart... maybe its just pot luck?
No problem if its been looked after. Mine is a 2002 car with 24k on it and I am not bricking it. I look after it, don't 'drive it like I stole it' from cold and have it serviced every year. She will be fine.Interesting to see a mileage / age / rebuilt chart... maybe its just pot luck?
Stop worrying and enjoy
Shep
Craig! said:
A fair few people seem to be panicing about the fact I bought an '04 car on 19,000 miles that has not been rebuilt (that we know of!) and I been led like a lamb to slaughter or are there a fair few post-20k cars that are still going strong without a rebuild?
Interesting to see a mileage / age / rebuilt chart... maybe its just pot luck?
Don't worry about the PH numptys, I have a 55 Sagaris with 49k on it with no engine work and it has been 100% reliable as it gets regular use and track days though I am anal about checking water/oil and warmimg up.Interesting to see a mileage / age / rebuilt chart... maybe its just pot luck?
Also have a GRIFF 500 that was used on a regular basis for 10 years with 70+k and i've also never had any problems with that.
IMHO TVRs need to be used and personally I would stay away from low mileage cars,
though sometimes wish the Sag engine would go pop as that would be the perfect excuse for a 4.5 Supersport engine.
Thanks guys, the previous owner is as fussy as me and the car has been on sale, priced at the higher end of the spectrum, at the same TVR specialist (TVR Mads) twice now. Both James @ TVR Mads and the previous owner; Jon have allowed the car to warm up fully so I know for at least the last 6000 miles the car has been treated well and judging by its condition the first 13,000 miles it's been greatly cared for.
Car has been previously looked after and serviced by X-Works Service who at first I thought was just an independent but I am now lead to believe there pretty good!
Car has been previously looked after and serviced by X-Works Service who at first I thought was just an independent but I am now lead to believe there pretty good!
My June 04 Tam is just on 20k and Dom says its one of the quietest speed six engines hes worked on , i had the same apprehensions when i first had the car but it fades as you use it more . I no longer check the oil after each drive , i have never needed to put any oil in the car so i now check it less often . I treat it more like an ordinary car now but the buzz is still there every time i get in . There is nothing like a Tiv 
Craig! said:
A fair few people seem to be panicing about the fact I bought an '04 car on 19,000 miles that has not been rebuilt (that we know of!) and I been led like a lamb to slaughter or are there a fair few post-20k cars that are still going strong without a rebuild?
Interesting to see a mileage / age / rebuilt chart... maybe its just pot luck?
The tuscan forum has said chart. Interesting to see a mileage / age / rebuilt chart... maybe its just pot luck?
As others have said, I was more comfortable buying a highish mileage car as in my mind it was more proven.
If TVR Mads sold it, and X works have maintained it then Im pretty certain you have nothing to worry about, They both really know their stuff, Dont let the S6 paranoia ruin the experience for you... Warm it up properly and drive it how its meant to be driven whilst grinning from ear to ear.
Zippee said:
This! Stop panicking! The 3.6 is supposedly a less stressed version of the S6 as opposed to the 4.0 in the Tuscans and as mentioned post 2004 the engines did improve. A lot of it is driver dependant so ensure you warm her up properly. Mine is on 25k having had a bottom end rebuild at 8500 miles (due to a faulty big end bearing) and has zero shim adjustment each service and perfect compression. My top end (the cause of most failures) was inspected at the rebuild and given a clean bill of health with no work required, 16000 miles later this still proves to be the case.
FWIW I warm my car up religiously but once it is warm I drive it like TVR designed the car to be driven, the S6 is a peach of an engine - just make sure you use it!
Ditto & well said Tony. I can't believe the bull spoke about the Speed six on this forum FWIW I warm my car up religiously but once it is warm I drive it like TVR designed the car to be driven, the S6 is a peach of an engine - just make sure you use it!
Buzz
Buzz Billsberry said:
Ditto & well said Tony. I can't believe the bull spoke about the Speed six on this forum
Buzz
You do have to admit that across the range of S6 engines the incidence/percentage of rebuilds needed is pretty high even compared with other cars of similar performance. A number of engines have been rebuilt a couple of times before they have got to 30k miles.Buzz
blueg33 said:
You do have to admit that across the range of S6 engines the incidence/percentage of rebuilds needed is pretty high even compared with other cars of similar performance. A number of engines have been rebuilt a couple of times before they have got to 30k miles.
You have to equate in the many S6 cars that have had a rebuild that had nothing wrong with them! Gassing Station | Tamora, T350 & Sagaris | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff