How long before a engine needs a rebuild, Average.

[bababoom]

I know it will depend on how its been looked after and serviced, Been reading through some posts on here and it seems after 70k its classed as hi mileage?
I have 2 cars lined up to see at the weekend both seem to be ticking all the questions so far.
Unfortunately for me there at opposite ends of the country to me.
A 400 with a rebuilt engine 3k ago and solid out riggers, and a 450 with 70k on the clock and new outriggers 3 years ago.
Both cars have good spec one has air con.
I know with I rather but I expect it will be sold before the weekend even through I offered a deposit over the phone.
Anyway back to the original question regarding what is hi mileage and when would I be looking at a rebuild.

[JimTC]

Tricky one that.

The 500 I bought around two years ago had a rebuild prior to my purchase at 32,000.

It all started with a rolling road check which showed it to be well down on power. So it was booked in for a cam change and went from there......

A big bill for the previous owner!

[The Aardvark]

Mine has just been rebuilt at 57k, but only due to a porous block.
Took the opportunity to also change cam and have a new clutch - but without the porous block issue these probably could have waited.

[pwd95]

My 450 is on 150k & it's only had a new cam a few years ago, still smooth & strong.

[ph1l5]

My 400 is on 108,000 miles and has a rebuild at 50,000 miles. Its still brilliant.

[Andav469]

The engine on my 500 expired at 35k miles and that was with a full service history!

[Trevor450]

How long is a piece of string? It depends how it was looked after. Mine had to be rebuilt at 66k. When it was opened up, it was clear it had been abused at some point in its life (oil starvation/lack of oil changes), despite the full and regular service history.

[semaj]

My 500 is now on 121k and original cam!

[mk1fan]

bababoom said:

OP

Given the themes of your posts I would suggest a TVR is not for you.

[JimTC]

semaj said:

My 500 is now on 121k and original cam!

Impressive!!

[Sardonicus]

JimTC said:

Impressive!!

4.0 Serp 133k original everything inc cam although timing chain was stretched and oil pump gears needed renewal and 3 of the cam lobes were starting to loose their profile slightly and very fine pitting on all the cam followers crank only needed a polish & bores still withing specs I have receipts for everything the car as had and no work on engine apart from a couple of sets of RC gaskets and numerous ex manifold gaskets over the years & a clutch replacement at 85K I purchased with 108k and no regrets clean internals too consuming about a litre of oil every 1500 miles

Edited by Sardonicus on Wednesday 18th March 16:17

[V8 GRF]

semaj said:

My 500 is now on 121k and original cam!

I would suspect at that mileage however that it actually does need a new cam. It will, no doubt, still pull like a train but I'd bet the experience would be better with a new one

Just saying....

[Sardonicus]

V8 GRF said:

I would suspect at that mileage however that it actually does need a new cam. It will, no doubt, still pull like a train but I'd bet the experience would be better with a new one

Just saying....

[db484bhpv8]

For me about every 100 drag races

[EGB]

My compression on all 8 cylinders averages 170.2. All are within 4 percent of each other. Bores, rings and valves therefore all good at 56K. Happy with all that! New cam and new EPROM chip made an awesome improvement to performance.

[EGB]

You could ask the seller for his compression figures of all 8 cylinders. He should/may oblige! Good luck.

[ChilliWhizz]

Block went porous on my 500 at 34k

[semaj]

VR8 GRE, understand what your saying but I know a local pampered Cerb that cannot get away from it and you should see the face on a new Porsche Cayman owner that lives near me! My motto has always been, if its not broken leave it alone. I bought mine at 112k and its the best, most fun vehicle I have ever spent money on and under £7k as well. Oh yes, I also got 26mpg average over a 1200 mile trip to Wales so I suspect very little wrong with the cam!

[bababoom]

Ok so it literally is how long is a peace of string.
Next question what would you go for a 450 with 68k
Or the 400 with 72k on the clock but with a full rebuild 3k ago.
I think the 400 is a nicer looking car but the 450 is hi spec low owner.

[Griffithy]

Our 500 is on 95.000 mls now and still runs very sweet and
is also not that slow at all.
Oil and filter are changed at least once a year or before 3.000 mls are reached.