Cerbera speed six - all doom and gloom?
Discussion
Over the past weeks and months there have been numerous posts 'questioning' the reliability of the speed six engine in its various guises - particularly in the cerbera speed six. Are things really that bad and why is it that the cerbera speed six comes under such heavy criticism - heavier criticism than say early tuscans with a similiar (same?) 4.0l six engine?
Nearly everyone on here suggests avoiding cerb speed sixes like the plague - citing early 4.2s or even 4.5s at a similar price as a better bet.
What is it that makes these engines go 'pop?'
Also, does anyone know how roughly how many cerb 6s there are on the road?
Moonie
With regard to how many speed 6s on the road I cannot answer.
I have had 3 engine rebuilds since September 2001, the last being in May.
Since May I have done 12000 miles in mine and not a single problem, it is currently having a service including tappets, which is normal, and no problems.
I believe that all problems are now fixed with the Speed 6 engine so would be surprised if we here anymore about them
I have had 3 engine rebuilds since September 2001, the last being in May.
Since May I have done 12000 miles in mine and not a single problem, it is currently having a service including tappets, which is normal, and no problems.
I believe that all problems are now fixed with the Speed 6 engine so would be surprised if we here anymore about them
I've had my Speed Six Cerby for nearly 2 years now.
It had an engine rebuild at 16,000 miles (stretched valves). Since the rebuild last January I haven't had any mechanial problems with it.(up to 23K miles now)
I bought the S6 as it seemed easier to live with than the V8's that had stiffer suspension and a harder ride.
(nice sound though
)
If I'd known about the issues before I bought I may well have gone with the V8. As it goes, I think people like me and Martin have been the QA people for the 4l S6 engine...and hopefully TVR have corrected the problems that we've found !
It had an engine rebuild at 16,000 miles (stretched valves). Since the rebuild last January I haven't had any mechanial problems with it.(up to 23K miles now)
I bought the S6 as it seemed easier to live with than the V8's that had stiffer suspension and a harder ride.
(nice sound though
) If I'd known about the issues before I bought I may well have gone with the V8. As it goes, I think people like me and Martin have been the QA people for the 4l S6 engine...and hopefully TVR have corrected the problems that we've found !
the SP6 cerbie has alot going for it, it slides all day long on those goodyear eagles, can sound good if you make it a bit louder and other than the engine it's a cerbie after all so that's a major thing in it's favour. I've had to take too many sp6 engines out to ever really like it, but does give good power when on song. there's a few new tuscans and tamoras with engine probs so I don't think they're sorted just yet but someday soon yeah?
I've got a 99 speed six that had running problems after 15K (previous owner) but never actauly went bang. The car was returned to the factory and engine
rebuilt/"upgraded" in April '01. Since then it has been spot on (touch wood). It just sailed through the 24K service with no problems at all.
I was also told to be very carefull when buying a SP6 so it is critical you get the car checked out by an expert and know it's history. I bought one because it was an absolutely mint condition and very well looked after. Better than the 4.5/4.2's for sale at the time.
Talking to dealers. A couple told me that there are more issues with the SP6 in the Tuscan than the Cerbera though I don't understand why?
rebuilt/"upgraded" in April '01. Since then it has been spot on (touch wood). It just sailed through the 24K service with no problems at all.
I was also told to be very carefull when buying a SP6 so it is critical you get the car checked out by an expert and know it's history. I bought one because it was an absolutely mint condition and very well looked after. Better than the 4.5/4.2's for sale at the time.
Talking to dealers. A couple told me that there are more issues with the SP6 in the Tuscan than the Cerbera though I don't understand why?
It is something of a problem, if only by myth. I have a chimaera at the minute and will be looking for a 2nd hand cerb in a year or so. Every thing that I have read on this site points me to buying a 4.2/4.5 rather than the s6. TVR themselves should come clean and say if there is a problem, what it is, how it is fixed and when these problems were ironed out in the newer models. That way it may be easier to know whether all mods are done before buying one.
Dave
Dave
quote:
It just sailed through the 24K service with no problems at all.
Waddler...
You lucky git !
Mines just had it's 24K and heres the list of things they found.
Wiper parker switch stopped working - covered under warranty)
Radiator leaking (needs new radiator - warranty)
Rear exhaust box needs welding
Rear exhaust mounting needs replacing
Horn/Full beam not functioning (wiring problem)
Engine mounting cracked
Coolant pipe to block needs replacing
New set of HT leads
Oil tank sump plug needs replacing
Gear box seal needs replacing
Air-con gas needs refilling
... Told the garage to do these bits....
and worse of all....
Rear & front Diff bushes need replacing - (TVR dealer wants £565 for this (I'm going to shop around)
&
Drive Shaft gaiters need replacing - (TVR dealer wants £450 for this) .. again I'm going to shop around.
Jools.. you still there? How much do you reackon for the bushes and gaiters?
NB. Not very technically minded so hope I've got terminology correct
Rear & front Diff bushes need replacing - (TVR dealer wants £565 for this (I'm going to shop around)
&
Drive Shaft gaiters need replacing - (TVR dealer wants £450 for this) .. again I'm going to shop around.
Jools.. you still there? How much do you reackon for the bushes and gaiters?
NB. Not very technically minded so hope I've got terminology correct
driveshaft gaiters, well you have to drop the rear hubs to get the driveshaft out on the cerb so reckon on two hours per side, so 100 pounds plus parts from me.
diff bush .. it's diff out time here, bummer. that's five hours if all goes to plan so 125 pounds plus parts. shame I'm booked up until mid november ...
I'd use Raven if I were you. They're a good company, full of people who know what they're doing.
Just as long as you don't mind them taking the piss out of you. They do that to everybody
www.ravenmotorsport.com/
They're near to Gatwick Airport, so dead easy to get to from "The Smoke".
James
Just as long as you don't mind them taking the piss out of you. They do that to everybody
www.ravenmotorsport.com/
They're near to Gatwick Airport, so dead easy to get to from "The Smoke".
James
Moonie,
I have a Dec '99 Speed 6 that has so far managed 17k miles without going pop (always feel I'm tempting fate...) and nothing but "standard" servicing since new.
From what I've seen, most of the AJP6 problems have been related to valve train problems - finger followers stretching due to poor quality manufacture. Just to make sure the engine got a bad rep the factory seem to have managed to replace the failed ones with similarily flawed items on a number of occassions, hence some unlucky souls getting several rebuilds.
Once the valve train problems are sorted then with proper servicing the reliability isn't going to be any different than with an AJP8 engine and the servicing will be cheaper.
Just look for a car with some miles on it (specifically since any major engine work), full service history and a warranty. Then go have some fun
If you want a feel for what it's like to run one of these then check some of our profiles (mine's boringly comprehensive as a start).
I have a Dec '99 Speed 6 that has so far managed 17k miles without going pop (always feel I'm tempting fate...) and nothing but "standard" servicing since new.
From what I've seen, most of the AJP6 problems have been related to valve train problems - finger followers stretching due to poor quality manufacture. Just to make sure the engine got a bad rep the factory seem to have managed to replace the failed ones with similarily flawed items on a number of occassions, hence some unlucky souls getting several rebuilds.
Once the valve train problems are sorted then with proper servicing the reliability isn't going to be any different than with an AJP8 engine and the servicing will be cheaper.
Just look for a car with some miles on it (specifically since any major engine work), full service history and a warranty. Then go have some fun
If you want a feel for what it's like to run one of these then check some of our profiles (mine's boringly comprehensive as a start).
quote:
Moonie,
I have a Dec '99 Speed 6 that has so far managed 17k miles without going pop (always feel I'm tempting fate...) and nothing but "standard" servicing since new.
From what I've seen, most of the AJP6 problems have been related to valve train problems - finger followers stretching due to poor quality manufacture. Just to make sure the engine got a bad rep the factory seem to have managed to replace the failed ones with similarily flawed items on a number of occassions, hence some unlucky souls getting several rebuilds.
Once the valve train problems are sorted then with proper servicing the reliability isn't going to be any different than with an AJP8 engine and the servicing will be cheaper.
Just look for a car with some miles on it (specifically since any major engine work), full service history and a warranty. Then go have some fun
If you want a feel for what it's like to run one of these then check some of our profiles (mine's boringly comprehensive as a start).
Agreed the SP6 cars are fun and slightly less frustrating to drive in traffic than the v8cars which are a bit more jiggly over the bumps etc. If I was confident about that engine I'd be recommending them just as highly as the v8 cars and everyone knows how I love those! I have to say that just recently there has seemed to be a downward trend in the number of people talking about engine problems so you've got to assume they're much better than they used to be. have TVR got it nailed once and for all? .. it'd be nice to think so wouldn't it... and I'd be the first to buy them a drink (metaphorically speking of course, I'm not that well off!!). Not sure if servicing is cheaper, I charge slightly more for SP6 cars cos they're a bit more awkward to work on and take more time to do, after all you're only saving the price of two spark plugs in the parts dept...
quote:
... Not sure if servicing is cheaper, I charge slightly more for SP6 cars cos they're a bit more awkward to work on and take more time to do, after all you're only saving the price of two spark plugs in the parts dept...
As I've (not yet
) had to pay for AJP8 servicing I can't speak from experience, my comments were based on service tarrifs I've seen at dealers and their comments when I was originally deciding which car to go for. Humbly bow to Jools' greater knowledge on the subject (whilst wondering if there is a premium being applied to v8 servicing because the punters expect it to cost more anyway...)
hi bandit i own and run apm automotive in hants im based 8 miles south of farnham(hawthorns)just seen your post about diff bushes my prices almost the same as jools if your intrested e-mail and i can give you a quote
andy
Bandit - I can vouch for APM both on quality and price!!! My cerbera is in finest health.
andy
Bandit - I can vouch for APM both on quality and price!!! My cerbera is in finest health.
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