Are the 4.3l and 5.0l worth the extra money over the 4.0l?
Discussion
In the real world are the 4.3 and 5.0 litre Griffiths worth what appears to be the extra premium over the 4.0l.
I really like the look of the blue 4.3 in the classifieds, which is £14k at Tony Gilbert but it is a good 4 to 6k more than a couple of nice looking 4 litres on there.
The problem is the Griffith would have to replace my EVO 5 in which I do around 4,000 miles a year is totally reliable, flatters my lack of driving skills is used in winter and summer but is not a convertible and not a TVR.
I think I could justify the extra £4k to replace it with a 400 not sure I could justify the extra £8-9 for a 4.3l or 5l. Also, the extra 5k just to go 9/10 of a second faster to 60 although sounding nicer doing it, seems a lot.
This is also assuming I can sell the EVO which the market for (like most performance cars) appears to have died.
Any comments gratefully recieved, although not necessarily agreed with.
Regards
Nick
I really like the look of the blue 4.3 in the classifieds, which is £14k at Tony Gilbert but it is a good 4 to 6k more than a couple of nice looking 4 litres on there.
The problem is the Griffith would have to replace my EVO 5 in which I do around 4,000 miles a year is totally reliable, flatters my lack of driving skills is used in winter and summer but is not a convertible and not a TVR.
I think I could justify the extra £4k to replace it with a 400 not sure I could justify the extra £8-9 for a 4.3l or 5l. Also, the extra 5k just to go 9/10 of a second faster to 60 although sounding nicer doing it, seems a lot.
This is also assuming I can sell the EVO which the market for (like most performance cars) appears to have died.
Any comments gratefully recieved, although not necessarily agreed with.
Regards
Nick
Edited by Nick Brough on Sunday 24th June 14:23
Nick Brough said:
In the real world are the 4.3 and 5.0 litre Griffiths worth what appears to be the extra premium over the 4.0l.
I really like the look of the blue 4.3 in the classifieds, which is £14k at Tony Gilbert but it is a good 4 to 6k more than a couple of nice looking 4 litres on there.
The problem is the Griffith would have to replace my EVO 5 in which I do around 4,000 miles a year is totally reliable, flatters my lack of driving skills is used in winter and summer but is not a convertible and not a TVR.
I think I could justify the extra £4k to replace it with a 400 not sure I could justify the extra £8-9 for a 4.3l or 5l. Also, the extra 5k just to go 9/10 of a second faster to 60 although sounding nicer doing it, seems a lot.
This is also assuming I can sell the EVO which the market for (like most performance cars) appears to have died.
Any comments gratefully recieved, although not necessarily agreed with.
Regards
Nick
Hi Nick and welcome. I am a 4.3 owner and must say looked extensively for one of these models. The 4.0L are lovely cars also and are pre-cats (like the 4.3), so sound glorious. If you want a Griff and have a more limited budget get the best 4.0 you can find, you will not be disappointed, the performance will be exhilarating, and you will enjoy the howl of a tuned V8. In an ideal world you would keep the Evo for winter and enjoy the Griff for open top summer motoring. So, at the end of the day get the best your budget can buy, you will not be disappointed, be it 4.0, 4.3 or 5.0. Best regards, Pete
I really like the look of the blue 4.3 in the classifieds, which is £14k at Tony Gilbert but it is a good 4 to 6k more than a couple of nice looking 4 litres on there.
The problem is the Griffith would have to replace my EVO 5 in which I do around 4,000 miles a year is totally reliable, flatters my lack of driving skills is used in winter and summer but is not a convertible and not a TVR.
I think I could justify the extra £4k to replace it with a 400 not sure I could justify the extra £8-9 for a 4.3l or 5l. Also, the extra 5k just to go 9/10 of a second faster to 60 although sounding nicer doing it, seems a lot.
This is also assuming I can sell the EVO which the market for (like most performance cars) appears to have died.
Any comments gratefully recieved, although not necessarily agreed with.
Regards
Nick
Hi Nick and welcome. I am a 4.3 owner and must say looked extensively for one of these models. The 4.0L are lovely cars also and are pre-cats (like the 4.3), so sound glorious. If you want a Griff and have a more limited budget get the best 4.0 you can find, you will not be disappointed, the performance will be exhilarating, and you will enjoy the howl of a tuned V8. In an ideal world you would keep the Evo for winter and enjoy the Griff for open top summer motoring. So, at the end of the day get the best your budget can buy, you will not be disappointed, be it 4.0, 4.3 or 5.0. Best regards, Pete
Edited by Nick Brough on Sunday 24th June 14:23
The 4.3 sounds a lot more of a beast, even at idle - I think I am right in saying that as well as capacity hike the tuning is a little more extensive
The original tuner, John Eales rates the 4.3 above all other configurations, which kinda backs up my own personal opinion.
The 5 litre is a torque monster, making performance a little too effortless whilst losing a lot of the tuned V8 sound because of CAT
The 4.3 at idle is sensual, when cruising warmly satisfying, when passing under a bridge accelerating from 4k to 6k rpm the first few times, you look in your mirror to see what exotic / Nascar/ race car is about to scream past....! - Seriously!! - I much prefer it over most Ferrari (V8 flat-plane)
4.3 or 4.3BV (rare) is all you could wish for
The original tuner, John Eales rates the 4.3 above all other configurations, which kinda backs up my own personal opinion.
The 5 litre is a torque monster, making performance a little too effortless whilst losing a lot of the tuned V8 sound because of CAT
The 4.3 at idle is sensual, when cruising warmly satisfying, when passing under a bridge accelerating from 4k to 6k rpm the first few times, you look in your mirror to see what exotic / Nascar/ race car is about to scream past....! - Seriously!! - I much prefer it over most Ferrari (V8 flat-plane)
4.3 or 4.3BV (rare) is all you could wish for
Lone Granger said:
The 4.3 sounds a lot more of a beast, even at idle - I think I am right in saying that as well as capacity hike the tuning is a little more extensive
The original tuner, John Eales rates the 4.3 above all other configurations, which kinda backs up my own personal opinion.
The 5 litre is a torque monster, making performance a little too effortless whilst losing a lot of the tuned V8 sound because of CAT
The 4.3 at idle is sensual, when cruising warmly satisfying, when passing under a bridge accelerating from 4k to 6k rpm the first few times, you look in your mirror to see what exotic / Nascar/ race car is about to scream past....! - Seriously!! - I much prefer it over most Ferrari (V8 flat-plane)
4.3 or 4.3BV (rare) is all you could wish for
Lone Granger, you have summed up the lovely 4.3 very nicely. I really like mine, and as you say the Nascar like howl from 4-6k is intoxicating and addictive. Just can't wait to get out in it again!! Rgds, PeteThe original tuner, John Eales rates the 4.3 above all other configurations, which kinda backs up my own personal opinion.
The 5 litre is a torque monster, making performance a little too effortless whilst losing a lot of the tuned V8 sound because of CAT
The 4.3 at idle is sensual, when cruising warmly satisfying, when passing under a bridge accelerating from 4k to 6k rpm the first few times, you look in your mirror to see what exotic / Nascar/ race car is about to scream past....! - Seriously!! - I much prefer it over most Ferrari (V8 flat-plane)
4.3 or 4.3BV (rare) is all you could wish for
I think alot of discussion on here has fuelled a rise in 4.3 values (non BV) in the the last couple of years, maybe rightly so due to production numbers, however some higher asking prices trying to jump on the bandwagon....
I remember only a 2-3 years ago several 4.3's going for £6-8K (admittedly higher miles/minor TLC etc) but have not seen these levels since.
Indeed, lucky to find a 4.0 at this level now and these still represent great bang for buck into Griff ownership.
Whilst 5.0's can be had for similar (or less) than 4.3 money their greater numbers are offset by more modern spec although most cars will have been upgraded/improved hence buy according to spec and (above all) CONDITION.
Oh, and don't forget you can decat a 500 to get the best of both worlds ;(although still a different character (more torque but not as free revving as a 4.3 - unless you spend more on bits....).
Whatever your choice/budget they all leave you with a silly grin. Enjoy.
I remember only a 2-3 years ago several 4.3's going for £6-8K (admittedly higher miles/minor TLC etc) but have not seen these levels since.
Indeed, lucky to find a 4.0 at this level now and these still represent great bang for buck into Griff ownership.
Whilst 5.0's can be had for similar (or less) than 4.3 money their greater numbers are offset by more modern spec although most cars will have been upgraded/improved hence buy according to spec and (above all) CONDITION.
Oh, and don't forget you can decat a 500 to get the best of both worlds ;(although still a different character (more torque but not as free revving as a 4.3 - unless you spend more on bits....).
Whatever your choice/budget they all leave you with a silly grin. Enjoy.
Previously i had a 4.0hc Chim which i loved and it was the best car i had ever had the good luck to own.................so a good 4.0 is a great thing, trust me. However i had always wanted a Griff but couldn't stretch to one until i fell upon a high mileage 4.3 which needed a bit of TLC. The difference is night and day, end of. My Chim was in rude health but the difference between a 4.0/4.5 and a 4.3 is huge. Even before the engine rebuild it kicked serious ass and as mentioned previously it is deffo the version that TVR spent time on. A 500 should be faster etc (and probably is) but i think you'll find that the mapping, fettling etc that TVR bestowed on this engine make it the thoroughbred of the Rover V8 range.
It may be worth looking at the other differences in the 5L as well so you get the full picture. A friend has a 4.3 and was recently following me (in my 5L and not particularly pushing it at the time) and commented afterwards that he struggled to keep up with me as my car cornered more flatly than his. We talked about that to Heath (X Works who was also on the run) as the thought was maybe suspension issues and he said the rear anti roll bar on the 500 makes the difference. From that I assume the earlier Griffs don't have one(?) but no doubt one could be fitted.
I'm not knocking the earlier cars here as they are very nice too but not sure what the other differences are with the later 500s.
Jim
I'm not knocking the earlier cars here as they are very nice too but not sure what the other differences are with the later 500s.
Jim
If you have an Evo not I personally wouldn't bother with the 4.0 as you will probably find it a bit slow. The 4.3 and 5.0 are both great cars. IMO the 4.3 is nicer to drive (less shunting and revs higer), looks better, and sounds better than a 500. The 500 however has several advantages - most of them have the later serpentine engines which are more reliable, they have a borg warner T5 box which again is more reliable and they have better brakes and suspension.
My personal choice would be a 4.3BV with updated suspension, brakes and a T5 box.
I wanted a 4.3BV when I bought mine but I could not find one I wanted in the correct condition. I did however find a very nice condition 500 which I now own.
My personal choice would be a 4.3BV with updated suspension, brakes and a T5 box.
I wanted a 4.3BV when I bought mine but I could not find one I wanted in the correct condition. I did however find a very nice condition 500 which I now own.
Nick Brough said:
In the real world are the 4.3 and 5.0 litre Griffiths worth what appears to be the extra premium over the 4.0l.
I really like the look of the blue 4.3 in the classifieds, which is £14k at Tony Gilbert but it is a good 4 to 6k more than a couple of nice looking 4 litres on there.
The problem is the Griffith would have to replace my EVO 5 in which I do around 4,000 miles a year is totally reliable, flatters my lack of driving skills is used in winter and summer but is not a convertible and not a TVR.
I think I could justify the extra £4k to replace it with a 400 not sure I could justify the extra £8-9 for a 4.3l or 5l. Also, the extra 5k just to go 9/10 of a second faster to 60 although sounding nicer doing it, seems a lot.
This is also assuming I can sell the EVO which the market for (like most performance cars) appears to have died.
Any comments gratefully recieved, although not necessarily agreed with.
Regards
Nick
dropping a 4.6 in lieu of a 4 isnt difficult, so you get a "relatively" cheap 400, then add a solid 4.6. new brakes for the front, and you're all setI really like the look of the blue 4.3 in the classifieds, which is £14k at Tony Gilbert but it is a good 4 to 6k more than a couple of nice looking 4 litres on there.
The problem is the Griffith would have to replace my EVO 5 in which I do around 4,000 miles a year is totally reliable, flatters my lack of driving skills is used in winter and summer but is not a convertible and not a TVR.
I think I could justify the extra £4k to replace it with a 400 not sure I could justify the extra £8-9 for a 4.3l or 5l. Also, the extra 5k just to go 9/10 of a second faster to 60 although sounding nicer doing it, seems a lot.
This is also assuming I can sell the EVO which the market for (like most performance cars) appears to have died.
Any comments gratefully recieved, although not necessarily agreed with.
Regards
Nick
Edited by Nick Brough on Sunday 24th June 14:23
Nick Brough said:
In the real world are the 4.3 and 5.0 litre Griffiths worth what appears to be the extra premium over the 4.0l.
I really like the look of the blue 4.3 in the classifieds, which is £14k at Tony Gilbert but it is a good 4 to 6k more than a couple of nice looking 4 litres on there.
The problem is the Griffith would have to replace my EVO 5 in which I do around 4,000 miles a year is totally reliable, flatters my lack of driving skills is used in winter and summer but is not a convertible and not a TVR.
I think I could justify the extra £4k to replace it with a 400 not sure I could justify the extra £8-9 for a 4.3l or 5l. Also, the extra 5k just to go 9/10 of a second faster to 60 although sounding nicer doing it, seems a lot.
This is also assuming I can sell the EVO which the market for (like most performance cars) appears to have died.
Any comments gratefully recieved, although not necessarily agreed with.
Regards
Nick
dropping a 4.6 in lieu of a 4 isnt difficult, so you get a "relatively" cheap 400, then add a solid 4.6. new brakes for the front, and you're all setI really like the look of the blue 4.3 in the classifieds, which is £14k at Tony Gilbert but it is a good 4 to 6k more than a couple of nice looking 4 litres on there.
The problem is the Griffith would have to replace my EVO 5 in which I do around 4,000 miles a year is totally reliable, flatters my lack of driving skills is used in winter and summer but is not a convertible and not a TVR.
I think I could justify the extra £4k to replace it with a 400 not sure I could justify the extra £8-9 for a 4.3l or 5l. Also, the extra 5k just to go 9/10 of a second faster to 60 although sounding nicer doing it, seems a lot.
This is also assuming I can sell the EVO which the market for (like most performance cars) appears to have died.
Any comments gratefully recieved, although not necessarily agreed with.
Regards
Nick
Edited by Nick Brough on Sunday 24th June 14:23
SSPPGG said:
dropping a 4.6 in lieu of a 4 isnt difficult, so you get a "relatively" cheap 400, then add a solid 4.6. new brakes for the front, and you're all set
^^^This. Even if you get a 500 sooner or later you will get itchy fingers and start on the bhp race. So if you find a nice 4lt at the cheaper price go for it and do the above. Plus you will get the pre cat sound.carsy said:
^^^This. Even if you get a 500 sooner or later you will get itchy fingers and start on the bhp race. So if you find a nice 4lt at the cheaper price go for it and do the above. Plus you will get the pre cat sound.
Exactly , prcat noise with better than most 500 performance.Then put it up for sale as you have bought a speedsix.....
Thanks for all the replies
Regards
Nick
MPoxon said:
If you have an Evo not I personally wouldn't bother with the 4.0 as you will probably find it a bit slow.
I don't think that would be a problem as I would have to take it a lot slower than the EVO 4 wheel drives flatters driving skills. Regards
Nick
Further to my previous comments, I was just thinking back to my first back to back comparison test of 4.3 to 5.0 at Barnett dealer...
I drove the 4.3 and from the moment it burst into life and idled to the drive I had an ear to ear grin when not actually chuckling to myself - We then pulled out in the 5...within 1/2 mile i came to the instant conclusion which one was for me and actually voluntarily cut short the road test!
The 5 will suit some folk for sure as it has a lazy effortless gait with subdued sound and tauter ride (softer springs and firmer dampers plus rear bar basically I believe - The pre-cats have a more relaxed comfortable ride with the occasional vert pitch on backroads as low rate damping gets caught napping (turn up the std adj konis or go aftermarket)
Few will disagree that the 4.3 has best sound...stop! - Mind you some of the wedges are excellent, esp solid lifter SEACs - my first pipe dream was such a beasty with four twin choke Webber conversion - found one at a dealer but they couldnt be bothered to charge flat battery for demo...the rest is history.
As others have commented, for reasons discussed, i imagine the 4.3s will start to climb back over 20k before long - not looked for a long time, what would a top low mileage 4.3 fetch at the mo?..£15k?
I drove the 4.3 and from the moment it burst into life and idled to the drive I had an ear to ear grin when not actually chuckling to myself - We then pulled out in the 5...within 1/2 mile i came to the instant conclusion which one was for me and actually voluntarily cut short the road test!
The 5 will suit some folk for sure as it has a lazy effortless gait with subdued sound and tauter ride (softer springs and firmer dampers plus rear bar basically I believe - The pre-cats have a more relaxed comfortable ride with the occasional vert pitch on backroads as low rate damping gets caught napping (turn up the std adj konis or go aftermarket)
Few will disagree that the 4.3 has best sound...stop! - Mind you some of the wedges are excellent, esp solid lifter SEACs - my first pipe dream was such a beasty with four twin choke Webber conversion - found one at a dealer but they couldnt be bothered to charge flat battery for demo...the rest is history.
As others have commented, for reasons discussed, i imagine the 4.3s will start to climb back over 20k before long - not looked for a long time, what would a top low mileage 4.3 fetch at the mo?..£15k?
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