Prospective new Griff owner questions
Discussion
Hi, Ta for looking.
I have just sold my S3 and looking for a Griff. I see quite a lot of 500's advertised with new short engines, even at 35k miles? Is this common? How reliable are the 500's?
What is the received wisdom, I want to limit spending to £15k, just on the cusp of Serentine. Is it worth the extra for later engine? What about the 4.3?
Lots of questions, thanks in advance.
Nic
I have just sold my S3 and looking for a Griff. I see quite a lot of 500's advertised with new short engines, even at 35k miles? Is this common? How reliable are the 500's?
What is the received wisdom, I want to limit spending to £15k, just on the cusp of Serentine. Is it worth the extra for later engine? What about the 4.3?
Lots of questions, thanks in advance.
Nic
94k miles on ours. Original engine with the original camshaft. No rattles other than some disintegrating suspension bushes...
I'd go for a serp engine over an earlier one if possible (there's a number of little things such as the T5 gearbox and slightly better brakes) but buy on condition more than age and milage!
I have a preference for cars that have been used. (Specially if you're going to do the same) They seem to like being run daily. And I always get to work smiling. (Apart from when it doesn't want to go to work, but that doesn't happen too often)
It's broken down twice now in over a year. Both times were silly things that only cost a few pounds to fix. Other than that, it seems to be handling the miles well.
I'd go for a serp engine over an earlier one if possible (there's a number of little things such as the T5 gearbox and slightly better brakes) but buy on condition more than age and milage!
I have a preference for cars that have been used. (Specially if you're going to do the same) They seem to like being run daily. And I always get to work smiling. (Apart from when it doesn't want to go to work, but that doesn't happen too often)
It's broken down twice now in over a year. Both times were silly things that only cost a few pounds to fix. Other than that, it seems to be handling the miles well.
its funny how many people ask this.
the rover V8 engine is inherrently very reliable. what you must not forget is that the rover V8 was originally 3.5 litres and developed between 136 and 150 HP depending upon which car it was fitted to.
A TVR rover V8 is 5.0 litres (nearly 75% bigger in capacity) and developes 320 hp (twice the power)
as such the loadings and forces which can and often are given to this unit are extreme. to get the power cam profiles rocker ratio's lifter blled down etc etc are all much more aggresive.
making power is just the theory of getting as much fuel and air into a confined space as possible to get the biggest bang.
ultimately this power gained from aggressive engine building protocol puts much greater forces on the engine than its original design intended.
so is it reliable. Yes.
Is it as reliable as a 150hp rover in a rover P6. No
But then consider how much the engine costs to re-build and compare to its output and you will realise it is an absolute gem of an engine and bargain to boot.
Neil.
the rover V8 engine is inherrently very reliable. what you must not forget is that the rover V8 was originally 3.5 litres and developed between 136 and 150 HP depending upon which car it was fitted to.
A TVR rover V8 is 5.0 litres (nearly 75% bigger in capacity) and developes 320 hp (twice the power)
as such the loadings and forces which can and often are given to this unit are extreme. to get the power cam profiles rocker ratio's lifter blled down etc etc are all much more aggresive.
making power is just the theory of getting as much fuel and air into a confined space as possible to get the biggest bang.
ultimately this power gained from aggressive engine building protocol puts much greater forces on the engine than its original design intended.
so is it reliable. Yes.
Is it as reliable as a 150hp rover in a rover P6. No
But then consider how much the engine costs to re-build and compare to its output and you will realise it is an absolute gem of an engine and bargain to boot.
Neil.
Not sure of the specific benefits of a serp engine myself, but people tell me "it's better", so go for one if you can. I believe they were fitted from some time in 1995.
T5 gearbox is definately preferable to the old Rover box, and they were fitted from sometime in 1994. Yes, you can get a pre-serp engine on a T5 box - I did.
My original engine did die at about 32k and had a new bottom end. The problem was an oil strainer bolt coming out and going round the engine. I'd put this down to poor build of the specific engine, rather than poor design. It was somewhat encouraged by trackday use, but I believe that the bolt should never have come out, even under those conditions.
T5 gearbox is definately preferable to the old Rover box, and they were fitted from sometime in 1994. Yes, you can get a pre-serp engine on a T5 box - I did.
My original engine did die at about 32k and had a new bottom end. The problem was an oil strainer bolt coming out and going round the engine. I'd put this down to poor build of the specific engine, rather than poor design. It was somewhat encouraged by trackday use, but I believe that the bolt should never have come out, even under those conditions.
Im now over the 70,000 mark and have done more than 20,000 pure leisure miles in less than 2 years of ownership.
Things that broke and have been replaced in my 20,000 miles (and why):
- alternator (age?)
- throttle switch (worn)
- radiator (rotted, plus newer one has more cores)
- fan switch (I dunno but its only £15!)
- clutch (drag racing!)
Other than the obvious (tyres and servicing) thats it I think.
It doesn't feel as quick as it used to though and I reckon it needs a damn good tune on a rolling road session.
Or perhaps its just due to owning another quick
loud(er!) car now! (but I don't think so).
I also know the last owner had a new cam fitted and a new gearbox (or exchange, rebuild or similar).
Its a '96 so terpentine with the Volvo g'box (as apprentice once fobbed me off with!)
Things that broke and have been replaced in my 20,000 miles (and why):
- alternator (age?)
- throttle switch (worn)
- radiator (rotted, plus newer one has more cores)
- fan switch (I dunno but its only £15!)
- clutch (drag racing!)
Other than the obvious (tyres and servicing) thats it I think.
It doesn't feel as quick as it used to though and I reckon it needs a damn good tune on a rolling road session.
Or perhaps its just due to owning another quick
loud(er!) car now! (but I don't think so).
I also know the last owner had a new cam fitted and a new gearbox (or exchange, rebuild or similar).
Its a '96 so terpentine with the Volvo g'box (as apprentice once fobbed me off with!)
heightswitch said:
originally 3.5 litres and developed between 136 and 150 HP depending upon which car it was fitted to.
3528cc, 100ish to 155 bhp
heightswitch said:
A TVR rover V8 is 5.0 litres (nearly 75% bigger in capacity) and developes 320 hp (twice the power)
42% and a lot more than twice the power.
Yes, I know that it doesn't alter what you were saying but it just bugged me.
NicBowman said:
Hi, Ta for looking.
I have just sold my S3 and looking for a Griff. I see quite a lot of 500's advertised with new short engines, even at 35k miles? Is this common? How reliable are the 500's?
What is the received wisdom, I want to limit spending to £15k, just on the cusp of Serentine. Is it worth the extra for later engine? What about the 4.3?
Lots of questions, thanks in advance.
Nic
I'd look for the best car I can for 13K leaving a bit of cash in reserve for repairs. I wouldn't get bogged down on engine specifics, they are all bloody quick fun cars if they are running well and that's the key. Find one that runs well with no major problems.
DustyC said:
Im now over the 70,000 mark and have done more than 20,000 pure leisure miles in less than 2 years of ownership.
Things that broke and have been replaced in my 20,000 miles (and why):
- alternator (age?)
- throttle switch (worn)
- radiator (rotted, plus newer one has more cores)
- fan switch (I dunno but its only £15!)
- clutch (drag racing!)
Other than the obvious (tyres and servicing) thats it I think.
It doesn't feel as quick as it used to though and I reckon it needs a damn good tune on a rolling road session.
Or perhaps its just due to owning another quick
loud(er!) car now! (but I don't think so).
I also know the last owner had a new cam fitted and a new gearbox (or exchange, rebuild or similar).
Its a '96 so terpentine with the Volvo g'box (as apprentice once fobbed me off with!)
Cor - DustyC
I remember him when he was he was just a boy, now look at him - could be Craig Davids negative
Nick
You must be deaf if you can't hear my Cherry!! 
I picked mine up a week and half ago and I've not stopped grinning since. Just watch it though cos it'll bite you if you're not carefull. I was used to a FWD Ford with over 200 bhp but it was much more forgiving than the 500 appears to be.
Having owned my RS for 12 years it was like parting with an old friend but I've got no regrets so far.
Can't wait for my first track day !
Colin.
Having owned my RS for 12 years it was like parting with an old friend but I've got no regrets so far.
Can't wait for my first track day !
Colin.
CLN1 said:
Can't wait for my first track day !
Colin.
I strongly recommend it. It will amaze you even more.
Do a few trakdays though and you'll just want to spend money modifiying! (Unless of course you already have good aftermarket suspension).
Don't bother with the loud exhausts if you want to do trackdays too, easier not to have to fiddle around with silencers.
As previously mentioned - choose on condition, go for the newest you can afford, but don't be put off pre-serp and SD1 box i.e. IMHO it's better to go for a good pre-serp SD1 than a rough serp T5. Mine's a 94 500 pre-serp SD1 model and I love it's wheelnuts off - even after nearly 3 years. Oh, and BTW, it's "Italian Red" which is of course the very best colour for this car (note to self...DUCK!!)
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