Sunday 22nd April 2018

PH Service History: Blowers for buttons

On Monday we told you how superchargers work; here's how to get a car with one for less than the cost of a new supermini

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So you've learned about the history of supercharging thanks to this week's PH Origins feature (and if you haven't, go and have a read - it's a cracking tale of planes, cars and fascinating engineering). And naturally, you now fancy a taste of the instant boost and fantastic aural accompaniment that a supercharger brings to a performance car.

Well, I'm here to give you some good news: thanks to the brief resurgence in popularity that the technology enjoyed in the 1990s and early 2000s, there are quite a few supercharged cars sitting peacefully in that trough of value that occurs between shiny new object of desire and bona fide classic.

In fact, if you're not too picky, a blower can easily be yours for shed money these days. This Merc CLK is a case in point. It's a 230 Kompressor Avantgarde, meaning you get a decent spec including leather and climate control, and it's done a relatively undisturbing 117,000 miles. Granted, the electric passenger seat doesn't move and there's a rattly heatshield, and at this price the chances are it isn't the most pristine example around. But it'll still hit 60 in 8.4 seconds (probably) and make a bit of supercharger whine, and you get a bit of history and a decent amount of MOT in the bargain, all for £800. Buy, enjoy, sell it on for spares when something expensive goes pop.

But if you're willing to spend a little more, there's some genuinely capable supercharged performance machinery out there for peanuts these days - like this Mini Cooper S. These were built with 170hp, but the 17 per cent reduction supercharger pulley fitted to this one means it should be kicking out around 190hp. The owner's also added uprated spark plugs, a useful mod combined with the pulley, but there's no mention of an uprated intercooler - the final piece of the puzzle to realise this car's full potential. Still, after you've added one, I make that a proper quick little supercharged toy that'll surprise a few people, for less than three grand. Bargain.

Of course, were I talking about cheap supercharged heroes without mentioning a Jag, I wouldn't be doing my job properly. So here are a couple to wrap your head around. First up, at the bargain end of the scale, sits this beautiful turquoise XJR. It's a touch on the leggy side, but the ad boasts of extensive history and lots of loving care which shouldn't make that an issue. Shame about the botched interior resto, but it's just £3,500; I'd live with it.

If you've got a bit more wedge to spend, get your peepers round this S-Type R. This is an E39 M5 rival, albeit one that suffered from a standard auto box and slightly less sharp handling (though, to be fair, only by a whisker), and yet this cracking example is going for half the price you'd pay for a late M5 with similar mileage. These make a terrific noise, too, especially when loosened up with an aftermarket set of pipes.

But why have retro-inspired styling when you can have something truly retro? I've got previous with Mk1 MR2s, but they still turn my head. There's very little I can think of this side of a Testarossa that's more redolent of the 1980s; supercharged examples are quick, great to drive, and carry the cachet of a car that few know about thanks to their import-only status. This one looks superb on a set of split-rim cross-spokes, seems to be in excellent condition inside and out and isn't stupidly priced. Just make sure you check it thoroughly for rust first.

This being PH, though, I'm guessing you'd rather have your supercharger attached to a thumping great V8, in which case may I guide your eyes toward another Mercedes - this time, a rather lovely old CLS55 AMG? Suffice it to say that the looks of these old Mercs have proven a little controversial; I get that - I hated them when they were new. But I think they're just getting better with age, and starting to catch my eye out on the road. I find it faintly unbelievable - and delightful - that one with 476hp can be yours these days for less than ten grand. This one costs just nine, in fact, and with that you get a proper history, a tonne of maintenance work just done and a nice slug of options into the bargain. Hold me back.

My favourite supercharged tip of the moment, will cost you a little more. That said, I can't help but feel it's undervalued right now so it might make a good investment - and one that'll give you jitters each time you clap eyes on it. It's the Aston Martin DB7, and believe it or not, this very sound-looking example can still be yours for the seemingly very reasonable sum of £24,995. It's finished in the perfect colour combination of Buckingham Green over cream leather, comes with oodles of history, and had a big-money overhaul in 2008. I wouldn't be surprised if it was getting on for twice this price in 10 years or so, so now's the time to buy. If there's a classier way to be blown (quiet at the back), I can't think of it.

[j_s14a]

[alpha channel]

I wish I could have afforded a DB7 when they hit rock bottom at mid-teens, if I remember rightly the cheapest I saw was about £16,000. These days it'd be an XKR for supercharged coupe goodness in that price range... probably wouldn't bend me over as much as the Aston either and I kind of prefer the Jag in the looks department as well.

[irocfan]

The author is right - there is just something about a S/C, bolt one to a V8 and

[HardMiles]

Have just picked my first V8 and chargered car all in one, by the way of a 4.2l XKR, with the aforementioned aftermarket pipes & the noise is tremendous. It’s utterly fantastic. Handles better than I’d have ever expected too. Plus it’s achingly beautiful. (He says staring into its eyes)...

[Plate spinner]

I think I’m the only person on earth that doesn’t like ‘that supercharger whine’.

Induction sound: yes
Exhaust sound: yes
Supercharger whine: nah

[ianwayne]

DB7s seem to have shot up in price, at least the asking prices have at dealers!

Cars like that were £15k - £20k a couple of years ago. And if you can accept mileage over 100k or CAT D repaired, they still are.

[liner33]

Plate spinner said:

I think I’m the only person on earth that doesn’t like ‘that supercharger whine’.

Induction sound: yes
Exhaust sound: yes
Supercharger whine: nah

No, my mate had a XKR with the 4.2 V8 and whilst it sounded like a Spitfire on full chat it did nothing for me , my XFR 5.0 supercharger doesnt really make any noise unless you are at WOT and high rpm, you just hear the exhaust

[culpz]

I always forget that they did the CLS55 AMG. There's a similar looking car to the one on this article that i see on my commute, usually hoofing it, but that one's the CLS63. So, no supercharger, but some lovely N/A V8 goodness!

The S-Type R is a car that's always caught my attention. They can be had cheaper than i thought too! I thought they had flown up in price, but those are low miles examples. I've always liked the R53 Cooper S aswell.

What about a supercharged VXR8? How much are they these days?

[unsprung]

irocfan said:

The author is right - there is just something about a S/C, bolt one to a V8 and

+1

And well-mannered driving characteristics, too.

For those who dislike the supercharger whine: Keep in mind that you're often hearing a positive-displacement supercharger.

And while positive displacement is a favourite of OEMs (for a number of good reasons), if you're considering an aftermarket application, you would do well to think about the merits of a centrifugal supercharger. These are, much of the time, barely audible. They also have a "more natural" power curve that is linear. Their charged air is often of lower temperature and they tend to give off less heat under the bonnet.

Depends on the application (and, of course, available space), but there is more than one way to look at crank-driven forced induction.

[Dalto123]

That S-Type R has been for sale for months! I was thinking of looking at it back in Jan/Feb as a replacement for the Elise.

[jakesmith]

Am i the only person that saw a £11k maintenance bill 9 years ago on the db7, when the car was 12 years old, as more of a sign of impending doom than an actual benefit? £11k to spend in 3 years?
No thanks, the Vantage V8 is only slightly more expensive and a bit less ‘retired accountant’

[jakesmith]

Dalto123 said:

That S-Type R has been for sale for months! I was thinking of looking at it back in Jan/Feb as a replacement for the Elise.

You’d barely notice a difference between the 2 cars!!