Another V6 vs V8 question...

R

randywatson

New member
Hi, thinking of getting an f-type, have recently rented a P450 V8 and had the pleasure of driving it down the autobahn and around the Austrian Alps for a few days. Loved the car, now looking to buy...

It looks like the P450 is a bit out of my budget, so that really leaves me with the 380 V6 or an older 550 V8.

I loved the sound and character of the P450 V8 (especially now I know about fuse 15), the drama of the noise was perfect, and performance seemed about right. I actually thought it was faster 0-60 than it was which I guess is mainly down to the sound - I have a BMW 435d that does 0-60 in 4.7, and it seems the P450 is only 4.4, but I was convinced it was way quicker driving it and only found out the 0-60 when I'd given it back.

The other thing I noticed it, driving it in the alps, was I spent practically all my time in either 2nd or 3rd, I clocked it at about 80mph in 2nd to the redline. That's not a massive problem in itself but I did wonder if something where I could use more gears and thrash it a bit more might be more engaging.

So looking at the 380 V6 and the 550 V8 - would I find the V8 550 maybe too powerful, like surely you would barely need to get out of 2nd on uk roads if you wanted to get up in the rev range? Other than the sound is the driving experience maybe less engaging because of that?

Then the V6, would I be disappointed in the lack of power, or do you folks with the V6 find it better to push it more?

I think the P450 was a nice middle ground for me - the sound was great but the performance wasn't excessive, so based on that wondering what you think of the 380 and 550 options?
 
I went from a V6S to P450, not a huge difference in performance, V6S is definitely shorter geared and more involving from that point of view, but the sense of occasion you get from the V8 is just unbeatable.

Was it AWD or RWD, if you want to avoid AWD you'll need to stick with the V6 (or P450) as I did.
 
Early V8 R's were RWD.

Drive both would be my recommendation and also a 400 sport V6 if budget allows.
 
V6 or 400 for me for the ability to push more while maintaining an amazing grip. If you want more power later, a tune takes any V6 engine to past 410hp. But it boils down to how and where you will drive it.

Then there's the manual transmission option with a V6. I've commented on the thread below about it this week
https://www.ftypeforums.co.uk/viewtopic.php?t=8647&start=20
 
I don't think there's a bad choice there with either.

I contemplated the same question, as have many on here. Just the pure grunt of a V8 swung it for me in the end. It's a belting, gutsy engine. There would have always been that 'what if?' feeling for me if I'd gone with the 6cyl.

That said, if you want a tool for B-road twists and turns there's a good argument that the V6 is a better fit.

Someone on here once compared the spirit of the V8 to an American muscle car engine and spirit of the V6 to an Italian sports car, which I thought was a good way to explain it.
 
randywatson said:
I spent practically all my time in either 2nd or 3rd, I clocked it at about 80mph in 2nd to the redline. That's not a massive problem in itself but I did wonder if something where I could use more gears and thrash it a bit more might be more engaging.
Click to expand...

BTW, I tested mine tonight after reading your comment and 2nd revs out at 60mph, not 80mph. From memory it was about 55 in the V6, but 3rd gear in the V8 is definitely taller. V6 was definitely more bang bang through the gears, same as the Supra I had between the V6 and V8.
 
Thanks for the replies all, The P450 I had was AWD, I think thats what I'd like to stick with, never had RWD before and it seemed playful enough with AWD. Would like to drive it all year round, and while I was away had some torrential rain for one of the days, was glad to have that extra grip at the time.

Sounds like the V6 400 is a good consideration though, hadn't looked at that. But I agree with @scz4 I loved the drama from that V8, so much fun and so obnoxious! Also 60mph is interesting, I was in kmph and I thought I got to about 120, didn't work it out but figured thats about 80mph, 60mph sounds more usable though.

Think I need to test drive that V6 400 to be sure... cheers
 
randywatson said:
Thanks for the replies all, The P450 I had was AWD, I think thats what I'd like to stick with, never had RWD before and it seemed playful enough with AWD.
Click to expand...

The AWD drives pretty much like a RWD anyway, since, AIUI, it only sends power to the front if the car thinks it's needed to keep you out of the trees. But try 'em all and choose the one that best suits you!
 
scz4 said:
randywatson said:
I spent practically all my time in either 2nd or 3rd, I clocked it at about 80mph in 2nd to the redline. That's not a massive problem in itself but I did wonder if something where I could use more gears and thrash it a bit more might be more engaging.
Click to expand...

BTW, I tested mine tonight after reading your comment and 2nd revs out at 60mph, not 80mph. From memory it was about 55 in the V6, but 3rd gear in the V8 is definitely taller. V6 was definitely more bang bang through the gears, same as the Supra I had between the V6 and V8.
Click to expand...

I had a go today and on the manual transmission V6, 2nd revs out at 65 mph. It's the best and most useful 2nd gear in any car I've ever had 😊

Update: second run this morning and actually 2nd gear kept going until 78 mph without complaining but I was going down a slight slope on a private road compared to going up a slope yesterday. I had to back down as I'd ran out of space but I reckon it could get past 80 mph.
 
randywatson said:
Thanks for the replies all, The P450 I had was AWD, I think thats what I'd like to stick with, never had RWD before and it seemed playful enough with AWD. Would like to drive it all year round, and while I was away had some torrential rain for one of the days, was glad to have that extra grip at the time.
Click to expand...
This review is worth a watch. F Types often known to be loud but his shirt wins that contest 😳😂😂
https://youtu.be/LR1UtgvXqqk?si=GQHPnC6d5HppZyPR
 
550 Rs were available up to MY16 I think. I have one from MY16 that definitely only has one diff!

Give it a go. It isn't too much for the road but it can be a lot in the wet. It was the only F Type variant that I wanted as I was looking for the full hotrod experience, but others have different preferences. I take comfort that mine is the lightest V8 variant out there!
 
This review is worth a watch. F Types often known to be loud but his shirt wins that contest 😳😂😂
[/quote]

Thanks Mike, I'll take that as a compliment. That one is certainly from the V8 end of my wardrobe. :D :D :D
[/quote]
😂😂 cheers Tim, great info always.
 
MikeM said:
randywatson said:
Thanks for the replies all, The P450 I had was AWD, I think thats what I'd like to stick with, never had RWD before and it seemed playful enough with AWD. Would like to drive it all year round, and while I was away had some torrential rain for one of the days, was glad to have that extra grip at the time.
Click to expand...
This review is worth a watch. F Types often known to be loud but his shirt wins that contest 😳😂😂
https://youtu.be/LR1UtgvXqqk?si=GQHPnC6d5HppZyPR
Click to expand...
Best explanation I’ve heard. Super helpful. Thanks for posting 👌
 
MArtyn Veg said:
MikeM said:
randywatson said:
Thanks for the replies all, The P450 I had was AWD, I think thats what I'd like to stick with, never had RWD before and it seemed playful enough with AWD. Would like to drive it all year round, and while I was away had some torrential rain for one of the days, was glad to have that extra grip at the time.
Click to expand...
This review is worth a watch. F Types often known to be loud but his shirt wins that contest 😳😂😂
https://youtu.be/LR1UtgvXqqk?si=GQHPnC6d5HppZyPR
Click to expand...
Best explanation I’ve heard. Super helpful. Thanks for posting 👌
Click to expand...

Agreed! Kudos to you Tim for creating such nice F-Type content and spreading some knowledge about these fabulous cars. I remember that you also posted a short good video on the Y-pipe issue which I'm sure calmed down some people. Although I'm not in the market for another F-Type it's a pleasure to watch your ad videos.
 
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