SR3SL Maintenance
Discussion
Hello,
I'm planning on buying an SR3 Street Legal. I would like to know first-hand opinion on real maintenance costs and requirements of this car. I don't quite understand the need of Life ECU to record (among other stuff) engine running time. Shouldn't the engine (Ford Diratec) be reliable enough to clock a lot of miles?
What about the gearbox? Any problems?
Summary: I would love to read your experience with the car.
Thank you very much.
I'm planning on buying an SR3 Street Legal. I would like to know first-hand opinion on real maintenance costs and requirements of this car. I don't quite understand the need of Life ECU to record (among other stuff) engine running time. Shouldn't the engine (Ford Diratec) be reliable enough to clock a lot of miles?
What about the gearbox? Any problems?
Summary: I would love to read your experience with the car.
Thank you very much.
Hi, I also have a SL. I do not think Radical make them any more, 2nd hand ones come up for sale every now and again. The engine used is a Ford Ecoboost, which is also fitted in the Focus ST. As it is basically a car engine, just the usual engine maintenance is required. The life engine management is locked by Radical, so any adjustments here will have to be done by a Radical agent. They have used a few gearbox parts over the years, I had the gears replaced on mine recently....the parts cost around £3200....
Good fun to drive, but hardly the most practicle or cheapest of cars to own.
PS. I found it pretty difficult to find a used version, I think they only made around 100. I presume you want a LH version so you may find it slightly easier. Gareth
Good fun to drive, but hardly the most practicle or cheapest of cars to own.
PS. I found it pretty difficult to find a used version, I think they only made around 100. I presume you want a LH version so you may find it slightly easier. Gareth
Thanks a lot for your input, Gareth. I really appreciate the input.
So engine seems to be pretty realiable/cheap to keep up to date.
What about gearbox? Does it wear out with no track use? I'm planning of running the car 95% of time on moderate speed non-urban roads. Can I ask why did you get the gears replaced?
Any other issue you can think about the car?
Yes, I'm looking for a LHD car. I hope the running costs are smaller than the Ferrari but I'm starting to have second thoughts.
Cheers.
So engine seems to be pretty realiable/cheap to keep up to date.
What about gearbox? Does it wear out with no track use? I'm planning of running the car 95% of time on moderate speed non-urban roads. Can I ask why did you get the gears replaced?
Any other issue you can think about the car?
Yes, I'm looking for a LHD car. I hope the running costs are smaller than the Ferrari but I'm starting to have second thoughts.
Cheers.
My car was the prototype SL 'Daisy' as Radical named it. Google it and you will find the car, white and lots of coloured stripes all over it....it is now all black with yellow wheels.
The car does not have the refinements of the proper Sl. No heater, no electric mirrors, interior light...etc. It also does not have the SL tri rear wing.
For a couple of years, the car was used for taking people for rides around tracks. (6th gear experience) hence the gears needed replacing. I was advised to spend a few quid on getting them replaced as a new gearbox is around£16k (eek!). 3rd and 5th gear were extremely noisy. For usual general use, I would of thought a gearbox will last for many years. I won't be happy if I have to have anymore work done on the gearbox that's for sure!.
Other advice...try not to drive over any bumps, be careful when getting in/out of the car, you will catch bits of the bodywork and they will crack/break off.
Let me know how you get on with finding one, I have seen a couple of LH drive ones for sale recently. The prices seem to be going up, so don't hang about!
More expensive to run than a Ferrari... Not sure. I heard oil changes on a Ferrari cost a real quid....or is that just rumour!
The car does not have the refinements of the proper Sl. No heater, no electric mirrors, interior light...etc. It also does not have the SL tri rear wing.
For a couple of years, the car was used for taking people for rides around tracks. (6th gear experience) hence the gears needed replacing. I was advised to spend a few quid on getting them replaced as a new gearbox is around£16k (eek!). 3rd and 5th gear were extremely noisy. For usual general use, I would of thought a gearbox will last for many years. I won't be happy if I have to have anymore work done on the gearbox that's for sure!.
Other advice...try not to drive over any bumps, be careful when getting in/out of the car, you will catch bits of the bodywork and they will crack/break off.
Let me know how you get on with finding one, I have seen a couple of LH drive ones for sale recently. The prices seem to be going up, so don't hang about!
More expensive to run than a Ferrari... Not sure. I heard oil changes on a Ferrari cost a real quid....or is that just rumour!
What a nice car! I really love that livery. Congrats.
Great read about your gearbox, it's pretty interesting. Again I appreciate all your input.
Ferrari's "regular services" aren't that expensive at least in my book - about 1000€ per year or 10.000km. Not quite expensive for a 200.000€+ car. Any other non programmed services could be quite costly, though.
So, summarizing...besides a possible tricky gearbox and cracks in the cockpit bodywork...any other "don't-forget-to-check-this"?
I would keep you posted on my search, I owe you!
Great read about your gearbox, it's pretty interesting. Again I appreciate all your input.
Ferrari's "regular services" aren't that expensive at least in my book - about 1000€ per year or 10.000km. Not quite expensive for a 200.000€+ car. Any other non programmed services could be quite costly, though.
So, summarizing...besides a possible tricky gearbox and cracks in the cockpit bodywork...any other "don't-forget-to-check-this"?
I would keep you posted on my search, I owe you!
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