V8 itch needs scratching
Discussion
As much as I love the S550 Mustang it is just too far out of my budget at the moment. At the same time I am sure that I can scratch that V8 itch in a slightly more affordable way. Options in the £5000-£8000 bracket that I am thinking of include:
Jag S Type R (mainly keen on the facelift)
Jag XKR (Facelift 2003-2005)
MG ZT260
Thoughts are:
S Type R - Great straight out of the box (aware valley pipe would need looking at/replacing probably). A little bit of tuning potential (thinking intake, pulley and exhaust at the most). Also the cheapest out of the 3. Has an air of "Bricktop" from the film Snatch; calm and composed but "You stop me again whilst I'm walking, and I'll cut your f***ing Jacobs off"
Jag XKR - Again straight out of the box (like the S Type R I would need to check for rust etc) Prefer the looks of this over the STR but aware of the premium I would be paying for the XKR over the STR. Would likely just change the exhaust to open up the sound a little.
MG ZT260 - Had a ZT190 in the past and loved it so know the usual foibles with MG ZTs. Obviously aware the engine is very different to the V6 I used to have. LOVE the fact that this is a manual rather than an Auto. Whilst it might not be a mustang, with the american power plant I can live out a diluted Steve McQueen Bullitt fantasy
Also know this wouldn't be as fast as the Jags however I know that they can be upped with a supercharger (depending upon the size of your wallet), plus (correct me if I am wrong) there is a fairly big tuning market for the V8 lump with how many of these engines were produced in America for mustangs? I would LOVE to get some cams on them for that choppy american muscle car idle!
Mainly wanting something that I can waft around in, and that can make me smile when I want to push on a little, with a bit of style and that is a bit different from your usual BMW or Merc alternatives.
Jag S Type R (mainly keen on the facelift)
Jag XKR (Facelift 2003-2005)
MG ZT260
Thoughts are:
S Type R - Great straight out of the box (aware valley pipe would need looking at/replacing probably). A little bit of tuning potential (thinking intake, pulley and exhaust at the most). Also the cheapest out of the 3. Has an air of "Bricktop" from the film Snatch; calm and composed but "You stop me again whilst I'm walking, and I'll cut your f***ing Jacobs off"
Jag XKR - Again straight out of the box (like the S Type R I would need to check for rust etc) Prefer the looks of this over the STR but aware of the premium I would be paying for the XKR over the STR. Would likely just change the exhaust to open up the sound a little.
MG ZT260 - Had a ZT190 in the past and loved it so know the usual foibles with MG ZTs. Obviously aware the engine is very different to the V6 I used to have. LOVE the fact that this is a manual rather than an Auto. Whilst it might not be a mustang, with the american power plant I can live out a diluted Steve McQueen Bullitt fantasy
Also know this wouldn't be as fast as the Jags however I know that they can be upped with a supercharger (depending upon the size of your wallet), plus (correct me if I am wrong) there is a fairly big tuning market for the V8 lump with how many of these engines were produced in America for mustangs? I would LOVE to get some cams on them for that choppy american muscle car idle!Mainly wanting something that I can waft around in, and that can make me smile when I want to push on a little, with a bit of style and that is a bit different from your usual BMW or Merc alternatives.
You could do a lot worse than an S4. This particular one also has a Milltek exhaust:
https://www.pistonheads.com/buy/listing/10718589?c...
https://www.pistonheads.com/buy/listing/10718589?c...
I could be wrong on this (I usually am!) but I thought I heard somewhere that the lump used in the 260 was a slightly modded version of the standard Mustang V8 - meaning that it's not as easy/cheap to to tune....
That being said I do think the ZT looks great.
Other ideas:
C4 Corvette
'New Edge' Mustang
Monaro
That being said I do think the ZT looks great.
Other ideas:
C4 Corvette
'New Edge' Mustang
Monaro
tomrunner said:
As much as I love the S550 Mustang it is just too far out of my budget at the moment. At the same time I am sure that I can scratch that V8 itch in a slightly more affordable way. Options in the £5000-£8000 bracket that I am thinking of include:
Jag S Type R (mainly keen on the facelift)
Jag XKR (Facelift 2003-2005)
MG ZT260
Thoughts are:
S Type R - Great straight out of the box (aware valley pipe would need looking at/replacing probably). A little bit of tuning potential (thinking intake, pulley and exhaust at the most). Also the cheapest out of the 3. Has an air of "Bricktop" from the film Snatch; calm and composed but "You stop me again whilst I'm walking, and I'll cut your f***ing Jacobs off"
Jag XKR - Again straight out of the box (like the S Type R I would need to check for rust etc) Prefer the looks of this over the STR but aware of the premium I would be paying for the XKR over the STR. Would likely just change the exhaust to open up the sound a little.
MG ZT260 - Had a ZT190 in the past and loved it so know the usual foibles with MG ZTs. Obviously aware the engine is very different to the V6 I used to have. LOVE the fact that this is a manual rather than an Auto. Whilst it might not be a mustang, with the american power plant I can live out a diluted Steve McQueen Bullitt fantasy Also know this wouldn't be as fast as the Jags however I know that they can be upped with a supercharger (depending upon the size of your wallet), plus (correct me if I am wrong) there is a fairly big tuning market for the V8 lump with how many of these engines were produced in America for mustangs? I would LOVE to get some cams on them for that choppy american muscle car idle!
Mainly wanting something that I can waft around in, and that can make me smile when I want to push on a little, with a bit of style and that is a bit different from your usual BMW or Merc alternatives.
The Jags are good cars IMO. But they are very comfy biased and auto. And the engine will be near silent in them. I think if you want a fun car, these may not be it. Although the XKR is a great GT and tourer.Jag S Type R (mainly keen on the facelift)
Jag XKR (Facelift 2003-2005)
MG ZT260
Thoughts are:
S Type R - Great straight out of the box (aware valley pipe would need looking at/replacing probably). A little bit of tuning potential (thinking intake, pulley and exhaust at the most). Also the cheapest out of the 3. Has an air of "Bricktop" from the film Snatch; calm and composed but "You stop me again whilst I'm walking, and I'll cut your f***ing Jacobs off"
Jag XKR - Again straight out of the box (like the S Type R I would need to check for rust etc) Prefer the looks of this over the STR but aware of the premium I would be paying for the XKR over the STR. Would likely just change the exhaust to open up the sound a little.
MG ZT260 - Had a ZT190 in the past and loved it so know the usual foibles with MG ZTs. Obviously aware the engine is very different to the V6 I used to have. LOVE the fact that this is a manual rather than an Auto. Whilst it might not be a mustang, with the american power plant I can live out a diluted Steve McQueen Bullitt fantasy
Also know this wouldn't be as fast as the Jags however I know that they can be upped with a supercharger (depending upon the size of your wallet), plus (correct me if I am wrong) there is a fairly big tuning market for the V8 lump with how many of these engines were produced in America for mustangs? I would LOVE to get some cams on them for that choppy american muscle car idle!Mainly wanting something that I can waft around in, and that can make me smile when I want to push on a little, with a bit of style and that is a bit different from your usual BMW or Merc alternatives.
The MG I like a lot. I thought it handled fantastically, but they are not super quick. The 4.6 Modular Ford V8 is a complete boat anchor of an engine. They respond well to boost, but plan in the region of £4000-7000 to add a supercharger. The motor can be tuned in n/a fashion, but they are expensive to do so and don't respond all that well. Max you are likely to get is around 300-330hp unless you spend more on n/a tuning than a supercharger. In the UK doing this would likely be very costly however. If you plan long term ownership, I suspect these will hold their money quite well and might be sought after at some point.
An SN95 Mustang also used the same 4.6 V8, but they weigh a lot less and are a fair bit quicker than the MG out of the box. They don't handle as well, but aren't bad tbh. And you can upgrade the handling for less money than upgrading the power of the 4.6
I'd say, if you really are after a fun performance V8. Keep an eye out for an Fbody (Camaro/Firebird). Camaro's tend to be a bit cheaper and were sold officially in the UK for a while.
The 4th Gen models were introduced in 1993 thru to 2002. 1993-7 uses the traditional cast iron "350" small block Chevy engine. While the 1998-2002 use the aluminium LS1 5.7 V8. Both of these engines are way better than the Ford offering. The cars also only weigh about the same as a BMW e46 M3. And the LS powered ones offering similar performance.
The older engine ones still go well however. And tuning these is a lot cheaper than the Ford V8 and with bigger returns on you mods. They even handle well from the factory too.
6 speed manual cars are rare in the UK, but they made plenty of them.
tomrunner said:
Good point. Don't they have that chain belt in them that requires the entire engine taking out in order to change it? I have read in a few places like it is £3500 plus for parts and labour!
I am not 100% on the timing chain situation on the v8 but AFAIK the job is nigh identical as the v6, as was on mine and that has been an engine out job as well as a very long job and has cost me in excess of £6500 to date with elements associated with the original work and subsequently have gone wrong. Due to the failure. To summarise - my engine was beyond repair, the chain going created a whole in the bottom end that meant the £1000 surplus you usually get back went out the window, instantly knocking it up to £4500 from the initial £3500 quote. Work on a new engine was carried out but still wasn't running correctly after installation at the garage, so after another £1000 worth of investigatory work and repairs. They advised that actually it needed a full ECU and loom. The garage had determined either the engine took out the ECU or more than likely the ECU took out the engine, it was impossible to tell at that point, but the whole loom was cooked. At this stage i started going bald and the bill was at £5500. I then got the car back, it was running very rich, burning oil/losing oil and subsequently was returned. At which point, The garage advised that the oil cooler situated in the V of the engine had broke due to "increased" oil pressure from the "healthier" engine, putting it at £6500 (inc. all parts and VAT and transport).
Cheapest quote i had at the time was the £3500 and honestly, you get what you pay for as well as it being a massive pain in the arse.
I still don't have my car back and its been over 13 months since it going into the garage (included the initial return and then going back again) - hopefully i should have it next week and i still have money to spend on getting it back on the road as its been sat in a garage.
Whilst mine is a very BAD BAD BAD horror story, it really has put me off Audi for life - some of the lead time on engine parts was weeks to months from Audi as they are only available from Germany. Take that all as a pinch of salt as i'm not 100% on the garage but once you are in you are in. Was either abandon the car or get it fixed.
So. Personally, i would not touch either a v8 or v6 Audi with a timing chain for love nor money unless its been overhauled already - no guarantee it won't go again, but honestly, save yourself the headache at least and get one already done.
Symptoms on mine were seemingly non existent, till it went, no rattle on start, no smoke, saw a steady decrease in MPG and then one day driving home it just snapped at about 50/55mph - you'll know then, trust me! But if you do look at one, watch out for excess oil usage, smoking, rattle, hesitant acceleration and poor mpg (check the computer - may mean a heavy foot and it'll never be high on a v6 or v8 granted, but i noted it drop significantly so its least a question you can ask).
For V8 goodness that is a bit different i guess, the following -
Chrysler Hemi - Not subtle but certainly not bad offering of a v8 muscle car in a wafty package. Do notice the weight pushing on but then it's not really that kind of car where you'd expect the dampening to be sportsy. That said, very good all round package in that class of car i think and you won't see many of them. The HEMI unit is reliable and robust and wears high mileage just fine.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202007211...
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Chrysler-300C-HEMI-RHD/...
You mentioned a couple of jags but not the XF and for the budget its possible to get a v8 XF - newere than the XK/XJ you mentioned and arguably nicer to look at and still available supercharged -
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202008052...
Again not overtly dynamic but - Volvo S80 v8 - rarer than hens teeth, well built, lovely wafting to be had -
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202008152...
Yes it would probably ruin your wallet in a number of ways but cannot overlook the Maserati Quattroporte -
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202008142...
Maybe skip the whole v8 itch and go straight to v10 ? with either the -
Phaeton
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202006290...
or
Audi S8
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202008052...
Personally, and i think its already been mentioned, i'd go for -
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202007251...
Rare. Great car for the money. Drive nicely. Reliable despite the griffin badge, lot of fun to be had.
Good luck with the search.
tomrunner said:
As much as I love the S550 Mustang it is just too far out of my budget at the moment. At the same time I am sure that I can scratch that V8 itch in a slightly more affordable way. Options in the £5000-£8000 bracket that I am thinking of include:
Jag S Type R (mainly keen on the facelift)
Jag XKR (Facelift 2003-2005)
MG ZT260
Thoughts are:
S Type R - Great straight out of the box (aware valley pipe would need looking at/replacing probably). A little bit of tuning potential (thinking intake, pulley and exhaust at the most). Also the cheapest out of the 3. Has an air of "Bricktop" from the film Snatch; calm and composed but "You stop me again whilst I'm walking, and I'll cut your f***ing Jacobs off"
Jag XKR - Again straight out of the box (like the S Type R I would need to check for rust etc) Prefer the looks of this over the STR but aware of the premium I would be paying for the XKR over the STR. Would likely just change the exhaust to open up the sound a little.
MG ZT260 - Had a ZT190 in the past and loved it so know the usual foibles with MG ZTs. Obviously aware the engine is very different to the V6 I used to have. LOVE the fact that this is a manual rather than an Auto. Whilst it might not be a mustang, with the american power plant I can live out a diluted Steve McQueen Bullitt fantasy Also know this wouldn't be as fast as the Jags however I know that they can be upped with a supercharger (depending upon the size of your wallet), plus (correct me if I am wrong) there is a fairly big tuning market for the V8 lump with how many of these engines were produced in America for mustangs? I would LOVE to get some cams on them for that choppy american muscle car idle!
Mainly wanting something that I can waft around in, and that can make me smile when I want to push on a little, with a bit of style and that is a bit different from your usual BMW or Merc alternatives.
Now I know you're not a fan of the Mercedes options but you can roll around in something a bit different as well as having lots of go & sensible running costs.Jag S Type R (mainly keen on the facelift)
Jag XKR (Facelift 2003-2005)
MG ZT260
Thoughts are:
S Type R - Great straight out of the box (aware valley pipe would need looking at/replacing probably). A little bit of tuning potential (thinking intake, pulley and exhaust at the most). Also the cheapest out of the 3. Has an air of "Bricktop" from the film Snatch; calm and composed but "You stop me again whilst I'm walking, and I'll cut your f***ing Jacobs off"
Jag XKR - Again straight out of the box (like the S Type R I would need to check for rust etc) Prefer the looks of this over the STR but aware of the premium I would be paying for the XKR over the STR. Would likely just change the exhaust to open up the sound a little.
MG ZT260 - Had a ZT190 in the past and loved it so know the usual foibles with MG ZTs. Obviously aware the engine is very different to the V6 I used to have. LOVE the fact that this is a manual rather than an Auto. Whilst it might not be a mustang, with the american power plant I can live out a diluted Steve McQueen Bullitt fantasy
Also know this wouldn't be as fast as the Jags however I know that they can be upped with a supercharger (depending upon the size of your wallet), plus (correct me if I am wrong) there is a fairly big tuning market for the V8 lump with how many of these engines were produced in America for mustangs? I would LOVE to get some cams on them for that choppy american muscle car idle!Mainly wanting something that I can waft around in, and that can make me smile when I want to push on a little, with a bit of style and that is a bit different from your usual BMW or Merc alternatives.
CL500 apart from the possibility of one of the suspension legs giving up (£500 per leg exchange) then it's hard to beat the 5.5 engine & drivetrain:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202008142...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202008032...
The CL ticks all of your boxes it's not something you see everyday it'll waft better than anything on your list & when you want to have a bit of fun then it's a willing partner.
C55 AMG rare and a car that has pretty much done all of it's depreciation:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202008112...
CLK55 AMG as above
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202008152...
I know the owner of this car (he owns a bodyshop hence the newer Mercedes colour) it has been well looked after although the miles are high ish it was his daily.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2003-MERCEDES-CLK55-AMG...
All the above fit your brief but for me the CL is the pick.
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