What "cheap" V8s are less likely to be ruinous to run?
Discussion
A bit of musing really, I'm probably not serious about this (yet) but I've just read an article on The Intercooler in which the writer bought a 2005 BMW 650 for £6k.
This sounded to me like a bit of a gamble but is it actually? Are there other similar cars that are less likely to throw up massive bills?
For clarity I'm not talking about fuel cost which is obviously going to be high regardless.
This sounded to me like a bit of a gamble but is it actually? Are there other similar cars that are less likely to throw up massive bills?
For clarity I'm not talking about fuel cost which is obviously going to be high regardless.
My Jaguar S-Type R has behaved itself this year, not costing me a bean. I did have a big bill last year, sorting sill corrosion etc but in my three years of ownership, it hasn’t been ruinous…I say all this with my fingers crossed!
I think STR’s are great value for money. And, mine is for sale
I think STR’s are great value for money. And, mine is for sale
blueovercream said:
A bit of musing really, I'm probably not serious about this (yet) but I've just read an article on The Intercooler in which the writer bought a 2005 BMW 650 for £6k.
This sounded to me like a bit of a gamble but is it actually? Are there other similar cars that are less likely to throw up massive bills?
For clarity I'm not talking about fuel cost which is obviously going to be high regardless.
The beauty of the older cars is the gamble can at least be a largely measured one. I mean that era 6 series including the M6 has pretty much every common issue (and there are a fair few!) very well documented, including 'how to' fixes and often tools/parts made to fix the issues easier/more cheaply. This sounded to me like a bit of a gamble but is it actually? Are there other similar cars that are less likely to throw up massive bills?
For clarity I'm not talking about fuel cost which is obviously going to be high regardless.
In many ways buying a 5 year old M6 was more of a gamble than a 15 year old one? At 3 years there were loads of unknowns, now the old cars have had lots of the fixes done.
Most V8's are rare the 6 series are relatively plentiful, and I think part of the attraction for the discerning buyer is a 120K car with evidence of all/most of the common issues done can't command much of a price premium over the 90K mile basket case that will soon be leaking from all orifices!? So make a good choice and I don't think it's so much of a gamble?
Down the bottom of the depreciation curve it's nearly always the same, buyers are generally looking for low purchase prices over pretty much anything and not so willing to pay a grand or two more for a sorted one, but also one that's in the more expensive range isn't necessarily a better buy, truly a major wheat from the chaff exercise is needed as one major issue you can't DIY can wipe out all the 'savings' on a lower purchase price.
Essentially what I'm saying is with research, time and effort you can minimise the gamble aspect.
Truckosaurus said:
Lexus, of course, although V8 versions seem to be entering the 'modern classic' realm so some optimistic prices are being asked.
A few GS430's are around that are still cheap (if you ignore the 8K mile one up at £17,950 !? (I wonder what this does eventually go for and to who?), SC430 used to be but seem to have drifted into your observed category.Edited by Scootersp on Tuesday 21st November 14:53
RDMcG said:
Was talking to my neighbour who bought my 2008 Cayenne V8 with 305,000 km on it last year .i pretty much gave it to her - it now has 340000 on it so a lot of trouble free motoring overall.
That's good to know. I bought a 2005 Cayenne Turbo last week (under £5k), and that only has 112,000 miles on it so plenty left to give yet!There's a YouTube of the 1986 Motorshow at Birmingham. The BMW 750i was getting first viewings with the BMW v12. BMW stated at the time that it was designed to give a long service life with just changing of fluids. How much of this was marketing BS and how much was true you can only guess... but at least the intention was there that the engine was going to be reliable and easy to look after.
My old W211 E500 has been pretty good over the last 6 years. A couple of big spends, I ditched the airmatic suspension soon after purchase whihch was a £1500 job doing it DIY and I wished I hadn't, other than that it's had rear subframe bushes, some ABS sensors, couple of sets of front discs and pads, tyres, battery etc. The drivetrain has been flawless. It's 'only' 306BHP and the oldest Merc 5 speed box but that has been plenty. Tyre wear is minimal when driven half sensibly. It's starting to suffer with rust now so I'll soon need to decide what to do. Biggest ongoing cost is fuel. 90 quid does 300 miles. Nothing terrible for a 21 year old car
Hippea said:
I’m no expert but have heard the Jaguar XK (x150) is pretty reliable
Yes, those with the 4.2 V8 are fairly bullet proof. The early 5.0 V8s can have timing chain guide issues that is expensive to sort; those after about 2012 (ish) apparently have modified setup and don't suffer. I had an 4.2 XK for three years and only issue was a failed radiator fan motor; the engine itself never missed a beat. That car was better built than my newer replacement SL 350. In general the Mercedes 6.2L C63 cars have been pretty solid. The post 2013 facelift cars solved a lot of the niggles from the early cars like lifters and headbolts. There are quite a few around with 100k+ miles.
The 4.0 C63's are also proving reliable so far with the main issue being electric locking diffs in the 'S' cars failing after multiple launches.
Like most cars if they are looked after they and treated with a bit of mechanical sympathy they last well.
Another vote for the Vauxhall Monaro with the LS engine, super basic, super simple, super reliable.
The 4.0 C63's are also proving reliable so far with the main issue being electric locking diffs in the 'S' cars failing after multiple launches.
Like most cars if they are looked after they and treated with a bit of mechanical sympathy they last well.
Another vote for the Vauxhall Monaro with the LS engine, super basic, super simple, super reliable.
Range Rover?
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/296025023792
I’ve currently got one and like it very much. Likes a drink though.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/296025023792
I’ve currently got one and like it very much. Likes a drink though.
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