T350 Fuel Consumption, Problems, Servicing, Engine

[jking]

Hi,

Am thinking of buying a T350C, but am worried about a few things....
1) Fuel consumption - will have it as a general car, so what is the fuel consumption like on long sedate (80 mph) motorway drive for example?
2) General problems, including speed six problems?
3) Servicing looks expensive, but most dealers quote without valve clearance checks...how often do they need to be done
4) Engine in a 2003 03 reg (two year old) T350C? Nearly bought an 2004 Tamora last year (wish I had, bargin price), and he told me there had been a significant engine up-date with dry sump (which helped stop to end problems) and improved ECU etc.....if this is true, when did this engine arrive (i.e. should I be looking for an 04 model?).....Ta

[blueyes]

jking said:

Hi, Am thinking of buying a T350C, but am worried about a few things.... 1) Fuel consumption - will have it as a general car, so what is the fuel consumption like on long sedate (80 mph) motorway drive for example? 2) General problems, including speed six problems? 3) Servicing looks expensive, but most dealers quote without valve clearance checks...how often do they need to be done 4) Engine in a 2003 03 reg (two year old) T350C? Nearly bought an 2004 Tamora last year (wish I had, bargin price), and he told me there had been a significant engine up-date with dry sump (which helped stop to end problems) and improved ECU etc.....if this is true, when did this engine arrive (i.e. should I be looking for an 04 model?).....Ta

There's an FAQ at the top of the page which answers most questions but here's what I think:

1. Low 20's
2. Lots of little niggles which are usually sorted in the first 6 months.
3. It's not a cheap car to run but servicing with a specialist instead of a dealer should be cheaper. I think valve checks are done every 6k miles but it only costs if they need adjusting.
4. the engine is already dry sumped so I think he was talking out of his arse. There were a few problems with engines up to about 2002 but generally it seems to have been sorted. There are some later cars that have blown up but that might have been due to them not being warmed up/run in properly.

Whatever you decide, it's not a cheap car to run as a daily drive, I know, I've done it, but it will always put a smile on your face.

[steve11]

blueyes said:

3. It's not a cheap car to run but servicing with a specialist instead of a dealer should be cheaper. I think valve checks are done every 6k miles but it only costs if they need adjusting.

Valves are checked at the £12k service and normally do need adjusting.

[ed.]

steve11 said:

Valves are checked at the £12k service and normally do need adjusting.

damn, steve are you trying to scare him off?

[blueyes]

ed. said:

steve11 said: Valves are checked at the £12k service and normally do need adjusting. damn, steve are you trying to scare him off?

I think he meant £1.2k service.