TVR CERBERA V8 ENGINES
Discussion
I am currently considering whether to purchase a TVR Cerbera with either the 4.2 or 4.5 engine, i would just like to pose the question how many miles would you expect to get from the engines before it needed a full major rebuilt? And are they as trouble some as they are made out to be?
I'll be sure to let you know when we get there...
currently 70k miles - its never been touched. This is thanks to being fettled by the BEST out there in the past (TrackCarSolutions)/ being used properly/ being looked after properly in terms of warming up and checking fluids etc etc.
FWIW, 70k isnt really that impressive anymore - im sure Simonsparrows 4.2 clatter cam has done 120k+
F'kin fantastic engines.
currently 70k miles - its never been touched. This is thanks to being fettled by the BEST out there in the past (TrackCarSolutions)/ being used properly/ being looked after properly in terms of warming up and checking fluids etc etc.
FWIW, 70k isnt really that impressive anymore - im sure Simonsparrows 4.2 clatter cam has done 120k+
F'kin fantastic engines.
In a word no. Some 4.2s and 4.5s have done more than 100k without a rebuild. Some early 4.2s suffered crank failures, that aside the AJP is reliable in either form, provided it is looked after properly. Proper warmup is critical, paying close attention to oil pressure, before using the performance. The Speed 6 (also fitted to the Cerb) has not proven to be this durable.
Steve.
Steve.
Edited by Steve_T on Monday 22 January 16:39
RSHARPER said:
I am currently considering whether to purchase a TVR Cerbera with either the 4.2 or 4.5 engine, i would just like to pose the question how many miles would you expect to get from the engines before it needed a full major rebuilt? And are they as trouble some as they are made out to be?
They are better than the S6 but I would be suprised if any can do much more than 40-50k without a full rebuild.
Mine needed a full factory rebuild at 4k miles due to excessive oil consumption.
The original 'clatter cam' 4.2's pretty much all had valve gear issues and were upgraded / improved f.o.c. by the factory.
Dont forget its as much collapsing suspension, chassis welds coming apart and dodgy electrics as the engine that cost to keep a cerb running.
I had 2 by the way and both cost me £3-£4k per year in maintenance and servicing costs.
Bennno
bennno said:
RSHARPER said:
I am currently considering whether to purchase a TVR Cerbera with either the 4.2 or 4.5 engine, i would just like to pose the question how many miles would you expect to get from the engines before it needed a full major rebuilt? And are they as trouble some as they are made out to be?
They are better than the S6 but I would be suprised if any can do much more than 40-50k without a full rebuild.
Mine needed a full factory rebuild at 4k miles due to excessive oil consumption.
The original 'clatter cam' 4.2's pretty much all had valve gear issues and were upgraded / improved f.o.c. by the factory.
Dont forget its as much collapsing suspension, chassis welds coming apart and dodgy electrics as the engine that cost to keep a cerb running.
I had 2 by the way and both cost me £3-£4k per year in maintenance and servicing costs.
Bennno
There do seem to be quite a few running big mileages. I have had two AJPs rebuilt. One at 40K and the other at 50K.
I am aware of the standard suspension not lasting that long on some cerbs but havent heard of probs for many yrs. I have never heard of chassis welds coming apart. Dodgey electrics is pretty common but you would hope that that prob was reserved for when the cars were new.
a friend known to a few of us on here bought a Cerb 4.5 (98) about 4 years back - so it was 4 years old. took it in to get the failed power steering pump replaced and the independent noticed one of the chassis welds had come apart.
Que total strip and rebuild, which TVR at the time covered due to the seriusness
Bennno
bennno said:
They are better than the S6 but I would be suprised if any can do much more than 40-50k without a full rebuild.
Be suprised.
70k and probably pushing more power than it has done in ages thanks to TrackCarSolutions, whilst not using any more oil than it has ever done... and this is on a car that is used as Peter Wheeler intended.
benno,
I don't quite know how to put this as i truely don't wish to be rude and cause a stir but,
Your talking out of yer ARSE
My 4.2 Clatter Cammed Old Heap, has covered well over 40k, gets thrashed (when warmed up properly) like a
at a clan meeting, Goes on it's holidays to France twice a year spitting fire and brimstone along every millimetre of French road it travels 
Costs me under £2k p/a, as all engine, suspension, lights etc etc mods etc have been done.
Unless you want to get dragged into the my D*ck's bigger than yours on the BHP shoots, then there is a total new world of wallet pain available to you. if you paid between £3-4k per annum on a newish one...someone had yer pants down old chum.
Yes I agree the chassis can need extra care, but then the Cerb experience wouldn't be the same without the odd wire brush sesson every couple of years. You get out of a Cerb what you put into it, in many ways. C'mon what else can you buy for anything near the purchase price and maintennance costs that even comes close to the Performance, Looks, Noise and most importantly (for me) sheer Grin Value.
Cerbera + AJP + Warm Ups and Reasonable Maintenance =
I don't quite know how to put this as i truely don't wish to be rude and cause a stir but,
Your talking out of yer ARSE
My 4.2 Clatter Cammed Old Heap, has covered well over 40k, gets thrashed (when warmed up properly) like a
at a clan meeting, Goes on it's holidays to France twice a year spitting fire and brimstone along every millimetre of French road it travels Costs me under £2k p/a, as all engine, suspension, lights etc etc mods etc have been done. Unless you want to get dragged into the my D*ck's bigger than yours on the BHP shoots, then there is a total new world of wallet pain available to you. if you paid between £3-4k per annum on a newish one...someone had yer pants down old chum.
Yes I agree the chassis can need extra care, but then the Cerb experience wouldn't be the same without the odd wire brush sesson every couple of years. You get out of a Cerb what you put into it, in many ways. C'mon what else can you buy for anything near the purchase price and maintennance costs that even comes close to the Performance, Looks, Noise and most importantly (for me) sheer Grin Value.
Cerbera + AJP + Warm Ups and Reasonable Maintenance =
Simple question - have you owned from new?
If the answer is no then I doubt your car is fitted with the clatter cams as they failed on most cars and top end rebuilds were provided f.o.c. by the factory back in 98-99.
You know the odd thing is that I had somebody similarly outaged and posting almost exactly the words you have just used a couple of years back about his cerb. six months later he was back cap in hand having paid £2400 for a clutch and then £4k to have his engine rebuilt.
Bennno
bennno said:
Simple question - have you owned from new?
If the answer is no then I doubt your car is fitted with the clatter cams as they failed on most cars and top end rebuilds were provided f.o.c. by the factory back in 98-99.
You know the odd thing is that I had somebody similarly outaged and posting almost exactly the words you have just used a couple of years back about his cerb. six months later he was back cap in hand having paid £2400 for a clutch and then £4k to have his engine rebuilt.
Bennno
Fair comment if it happens I will tug a forelock and let you spank me with an empty wallet (mine), but £2.4k for a clutch
....Panties around ankles engine rebuild Iam sure WILL happen someday, but 4k is nothing if yer going to do a propper job with a few tricky bits thrown in. I have stated many times and will again.. A 'Cerb is for Ever'.... it will soon be an appreciating Classic, not that resale value has ever been a worry for me as I won't sell my P&J, its not about owning a badge or car snobbery its a kind of love/hate affair. I was Fcuked the moment that i went out for the fist time in one.
There are many owners on here that are into cerb ownership for the long term, we see lots of newbies and wanabees and always try to help with our experiences and also lend a supportive ear when things go tits up...and yes it does happen occasionally, but in the most it is because new owners have bought a 'pup' or don't truely appreciate what they have got themselves into. Cerbs are very very special and a true icon of British Automotive Heritage.
I am genuinely sorry that you had a bad experience or two whilst you ran a Cerb, but all in all I am sure Iam not alone in my rose tinted views.
For all the pros and cons of Cerbera ownership, all I can say is that TVR have given us a fantastic product, it is not a finished article by a long way, infact for me half the fun is prattling with the bloody thing all hours..it keeps me out of nagging range for a while
It is a true enthusiasts toy and not the best choice for many.....but for those like myself it's 4 Wheeled Porn.
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