Discussion
What would be considered a 'high mileage' for a ford v6... I've seen S's advertised at 100k and some at 40k. Now if it was a Merc or VAG diesel 100k is relatively OK under normal driving conditions in relation to the expected life of the unit. Is 100k for a Ford however getting a bit near to rebuild mileage?
SiF
SiF
Owners of TVR's seem to be so meticulous in their maintenance that I would say the engines are virtually rebuilt over the course of 100k anyway. Mine has just had its 70k birthday but from the work done over the years seems as good as ever. I always make sure its fully warmed up and oiled before giving any of the loud pedal and would imagine that is the case with 99% of owners. I would rather buy a 2.9 Tiv with 100k than a Grandada 2.9 with the same mileage.
shnozz said: Owners of TVR's seem to be so meticulous in their maintenance that I would say the engines are virtually rebuilt over the course of 100k anyway. Mine has just had its 70k birthday but from the work done over the years seems as good as ever. I always make sure its fully warmed up and oiled before giving any of the loud pedal and would imagine that is the case with 99% of owners. I would rather buy a 2.9 Tiv with 100k than a Grandada 2.9 with the same mileage.
Seconded!
With regular servicing then you can expect around 140 - 150K before a full recon would be looming. A recon V6 would be about £800 in standard spec, so if you were worried allow for that when buying a high mileage car. Bear in mind also that a 50K engine may have suffered an equivalent amount of wear to a 100K engine, due to it's lack of regular use or the driving style and care of it's previous owners. I think the best advice given on this site is to drive a few and pick the best you can afford and don't look at the mileage, look at the condition.
Andy
I couldn't agree more.
I have just had to have a full engine rebuild caused by the car being unused for a period of about 18 months by a previous owner.
When the engine had been stripped down the oilways were found to be gunged and blocked stopping lubriction to the big ends.
The most likely cause was lack of use for a long period(months) and beind parked with old oil and most likely restarted some months later with same oil.
After being queried about its history by the engine rebuilders I checked the MOTs and at 50,000 miles the car only did 300 miles in 2 years with previuos owners.
Although I regulary changed the oil every 3000 it was too late the bearings were not being fully lubricated and eventually complained.
The oil pressure was fine 50lb but the bearings got progressively noisy.
All now sorted I have just got to get the gentlr miles in.
Regular use and servicing is the best answer, be very wary of long gaps of use and stick to the recommended 15/50w multigrade.
These V6 engines were designed to use this oil not the modern ultra thin oils like Mobil 1.
If you take the car of the road over winter store it with clean oil and replace with fresh before use, better still use it and enjoy.
I have just had to have a full engine rebuild caused by the car being unused for a period of about 18 months by a previous owner.
When the engine had been stripped down the oilways were found to be gunged and blocked stopping lubriction to the big ends.
The most likely cause was lack of use for a long period(months) and beind parked with old oil and most likely restarted some months later with same oil.
After being queried about its history by the engine rebuilders I checked the MOTs and at 50,000 miles the car only did 300 miles in 2 years with previuos owners.
Although I regulary changed the oil every 3000 it was too late the bearings were not being fully lubricated and eventually complained.
The oil pressure was fine 50lb but the bearings got progressively noisy.
All now sorted I have just got to get the gentlr miles in.
Regular use and servicing is the best answer, be very wary of long gaps of use and stick to the recommended 15/50w multigrade.
These V6 engines were designed to use this oil not the modern ultra thin oils like Mobil 1.
If you take the car of the road over winter store it with clean oil and replace with fresh before use, better still use it and enjoy.
Blimey! 
Mine has about 93K on the clock and seems sweet as a nut. A little tappety when first started perhaps but once warmed through runs fine and sounds healthy and crisp. The oil pressure is as the book, 50lbs+ hot,25lbs or so at tickover. I use Millers 15/50. Only had the car one year (almost) but the previous owner was careful about servicing and I guess the earlier others were too. The moral seems to be condition is everything and not to worry about the mileage. As always.
Ive got 125,000 on the clock & its better than many ive seen!
The first 75K was put on in 3 years as a company car but was still enthusiast run, since then probably 3000 a year with plenty of maintenance.
I had the MOT done yesterday by a garage used to classics, generally they like to tell you the condition of bits n pieces, but when i asked, there was nothing wearing to comment on....sweet as a nut he said.
It pulls & runs almost like new & not a sniff of smoke at all. With all the work ive done to look after it, i'd put it up against a 40K miler any day. Its ultra reliable & i run it during the winter too, but only as a weekend car & pretty much only in the dry.
Dont let mileage put you off, but the truth is that it sometimes does, so you should get a bargain if its got extra miles on the clock.
Cheers
Giles
The first 75K was put on in 3 years as a company car but was still enthusiast run, since then probably 3000 a year with plenty of maintenance.
I had the MOT done yesterday by a garage used to classics, generally they like to tell you the condition of bits n pieces, but when i asked, there was nothing wearing to comment on....sweet as a nut he said.
It pulls & runs almost like new & not a sniff of smoke at all. With all the work ive done to look after it, i'd put it up against a 40K miler any day. Its ultra reliable & i run it during the winter too, but only as a weekend car & pretty much only in the dry.
Dont let mileage put you off, but the truth is that it sometimes does, so you should get a bargain if its got extra miles on the clock.
Cheers
Giles
Cars need to be used...! Mine's a weekend / toy car, so doesn't get quite as much use as I'd like, but I'll still do around 5000-6000 miles in it during the year.
Typically I'll pick it up on a Friday afternoon, go for a blast and use it all weekend... and is always running a lot happier when I come to put it away!
It comes out to play come rain or shine, and I try to use it when I can ('cos I love it!).
Even thinking about having a "cheap" holiday this year... just go touring round the UK for a week or so...
Typically I'll pick it up on a Friday afternoon, go for a blast and use it all weekend... and is always running a lot happier when I come to put it away!
It comes out to play come rain or shine, and I try to use it when I can ('cos I love it!).
Even thinking about having a "cheap" holiday this year... just go touring round the UK for a week or so...
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