Engine reliability by year..
Discussion
As above, i see some posts saying that engines on 2003 cars and newer dont suffer the same issues as cars up to 2002..is this fact?What are the differences? Is there a particular good year or bad year for build strength? If a car is registered in 2003 does this mean it will have the more reliable engine? or could it have an engine produced in 2001-2002 etc?
My 3.6 was a late 2004 engine. At 8000 miles the big end bearing was worn requiring a bottom end rebuild, this was early 2008. In 2012 my half time bearing then failed lunching the whole engine and causing me to shell out on a 4.3 rebuild. At the time the rest of the engine internal were in perfect order.
A couple of my friends have since opted to spend money on the uprated half time bearing as a result of my failure as the original seemed to have been made from chocolate.
A couple of my friends have since opted to spend money on the uprated half time bearing as a result of my failure as the original seemed to have been made from chocolate.
The general consensus seems to be that the later the engine is, the more reliable it is likely to be, but there are exceptions. Some early engines are still working fine after 17 years!
My personal experience of four S6 engines, 2 x 2001, 2005 and 2006, is that one of 2001 engines needed rebuilding after less than 1500 miles, but the others are still going fine.
Why not give Dom a ring at Powers Performance to get feedback on a much bigger sample.
My personal experience of four S6 engines, 2 x 2001, 2005 and 2006, is that one of 2001 engines needed rebuilding after less than 1500 miles, but the others are still going fine.
Why not give Dom a ring at Powers Performance to get feedback on a much bigger sample.
There was a step change in reliability mid 2002 due allegedly to changes in parts design and quality.
Up to then multiple rebuilds were fairly common. Mine had a top end one in 2001 and then I think a whole new motor in 2002, but the factory didn't confirm what had been done. All I've got is a piece of paper saying new clutch fitted FOC as compensation for engine problems.
Up to then multiple rebuilds were fairly common. Mine had a top end one in 2001 and then I think a whole new motor in 2002, but the factory didn't confirm what had been done. All I've got is a piece of paper saying new clutch fitted FOC as compensation for engine problems.
This Link will probably be the best info for reliability vs age. I do have some data from an earlier survey that I can dig out next week some time. Mine is a 2001 (registered 2002) 4.0 non S and has done about 66k miles on its original engine. The valve guides are a bit worn (evidence of oil use and smoke on the overrun) but otherwise seems to be in good form.
If the car has been used, the engine is likely to either be ok or have gone bang by now. It's the ones left in the garage that don't do the miles and hence haven't yet reached the mileage likely to show issues (non-rebuilt S6 engines around the 15-20k miles mark, or early rebuilt engines with still bad parts (some were rebuilt with 'original' chocolate items!) that haven't done sufficient miles).
If the car has been used, the engine is likely to either be ok or have gone bang by now. It's the ones left in the garage that don't do the miles and hence haven't yet reached the mileage likely to show issues (non-rebuilt S6 engines around the 15-20k miles mark, or early rebuilt engines with still bad parts (some were rebuilt with 'original' chocolate items!) that haven't done sufficient miles).
My 2000 Tuscan had a factory rebuilt at 35k in 2003.
When I bought it in 2006 at 70k it needed a rebuild.
I suppose you call that reliable.
My 2006 Tuscan convertible is on 80k no rebuild but with a noisy half time bearing.
I thought the engine improvements were 2004 onward's under the then new management.
When I bought it in 2006 at 70k it needed a rebuild.
I suppose you call that reliable.
My 2006 Tuscan convertible is on 80k no rebuild but with a noisy half time bearing.
I thought the engine improvements were 2004 onward's under the then new management.
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