P300 vs V6 Costs?

[Ant94]

Hi all - I’m new to the forum and have received some great advice so far regarding buying my first F-Type. Thank you so far to this great community.

I’m torn between a P300 and a V6, as the P300 is already a significant upgrade to what I’m currently driving and I’d be looking for a 17/18 model for affordability.

I’d like to weigh up a few costs between the two, so if anyone would know how the models compare your advice on this is greatly appreciated.

Driving habits: used as a daily. Urban driving (inner to outer London). Parked outside - no garage or car port coverage. Average 7000-8000 miles per year. Longer drives on weekends in Hertfordshire, B roads etc, less stop/start. I’d be looking to keep the car for at least 3 years - hopefully longer.

Based on usage above, and buying a car that is already on 30-40k mileage, would the costs of the categories below be massively different?

1) Maintenance (looks like a V6 needs more maintenance, more regular engine oil change, parts etc?)

2) Depreciation - is it true a P300 depreciates far quicker than a V6?

3) Parts availability - are parts for a base model compared to V6 more likely to become harder to get (eg manufacturers start to support base models less than higher spec).

4) Any other additional considerations regarding overall cost of ownership, other than the obvious (P300 has higher MPG and lower insurance costs).

 

[BobHarrington]

There was an upgrade/refresh in 2018 - try to get the later model, if you can. Lots of improvements, the most obvious one was the apple car play/android auto with 10.5in screen.

 

[Ant94]

There was an upgrade/refresh in 2018 - try to get the later model, if you can. Lots of improvements, the most obvious one was the apple car play/android auto with 10.5in screen.

Good to know. I thought the next update was 2021/2022 but perhaps that was just the facelift?

 

[scm]

Note that not all the MY18 cars came with the 10" screen, the early ones had the 8" with (nice) physical buttons, and aren't easily upgradable to CP/AA.

 

[Ant94]

Note that not all the MY18 cars came with the 10" screen, the early ones had the 8" with (nice) physical buttons, and aren't easily upgradable to CP/AA.

Is this suggesting there are specific models easily upgradable to CP/AA?

 

[NCE 61]

MY 2018 can be upgraded to the 10” screen see https://lr-retrofits.co.uk/x152-f-type

 

[Ant94]

MY 2018 can be upgraded to the 10” screen see https://lr-retrofits.co.uk/x152-f-type

Pricey, but good to know this is an option and fairly easy to be able to identify whether the vehicle can be upgraded by the VIN. Saves paying the extra few grand at a dealership for a later model.

 

[MajorTom]

MY 2018 can be upgraded to the 10” screen see https://lr-retrofits.co.uk/x152-f-type

Pricey, but good to know this is an option and fairly easy to be able to identify whether the vehicle can be upgraded by the VIN. Saves paying the extra few grand at a dealership for a later model.

CP/AA can be added to all model years that didn't come with it from factory in different ways so whether it's already in an F-Type you're buying shouldn't really matter.

As said, MY18 cars with the 8" screen can get it through the original 10" screen replacement by e.g. LR Retrofits. The only drawbacks with that solution are that you apparently lose some climate control settings and that it's wired only so you need to add some aftermarket dongle for wireless CP/AA.

Another option for MY18 cars with the 8" screen is to install the aftermarket CP/AA add-on from UAD. That's the route I went. A bit overpriced and a bit of a faff to install but cheaper than the 10" screen upgrade, you don't lose any functions, it works brilliantly with wireless connectivity out of the box and it lets you get more out of your audio system because it has equalizer settings that are far better than in the OEM system.

For all earlier model years before MY18 there are more and cheaper aftermarket add-on options for CP/AA. Some piggybacking a CP/AA unit to the existing infotainment like the UAD kits and some replacing the whole screen with a 10" Android based system that you move the head unit motherboard into.

Can't quite help with the other questions I'm afraid. A V6 should be a bit more costly in terms of maintenance but I doubt there would be any huge difference between a V6 and P300 so I'd focus on finding a car you really like. Good luck!

 

[scm]

A V6 should be a bit more costly in terms of maintenance but I doubt there would be any huge difference between a V6 and P300 so I'd focus on finding a car you really like. Good luck!

Going for the V6 first wil save you the cost of the (inevitable!) upgrade later, though!

 

[Ant94]

MY 2018 can be upgraded to the 10” screen see https://lr-retrofits.co.uk/x152-f-type

Pricey, but good to know this is an option and fairly easy to be able to identify whether the vehicle can be upgraded by the VIN. Saves paying the extra few grand at a dealership for a later model.

Another option for MY18 cars with the 8" screen is to install the aftermarket CP/AA add-on from UAD. That's the route I went.

Thanks, I’ll bookmark Unique Auto Developments to refer to in future!

 

[Ant94]

A V6 should be a bit more costly in terms of maintenance but I doubt there would be any huge difference between a V6 and P300 so I'd focus on finding a car you really like. Good luck!

Going for the V6 first wil save you the cost of the (inevitable!) upgrade later, though!

Good point! :lol:

 

[MajorTom]

A V6 should be a bit more costly in terms of maintenance but I doubt there would be any huge difference between a V6 and P300 so I'd focus on finding a car you really like. Good luck!

Going for the V6 first wil save you the cost of the (inevitable!) upgrade later, though!

Good point! :lol:

Agreed!

Apart from insurance and taxes which depend on your personal circumstances and where in the world you are, I don't think there's ever a big difference in the running costs between the different F-Type versions. Sure the supercharged engines will require a bit more maintenance than the four banger and I suspect they are a bit more prone to the known cooling system related issues than the P300 but overall I doubt it would ever be a night and day difference in costs.

The F-Type is about character and emotions, the different engine versions feel quite different and none of them is a financially sensible choice so it's more important to figure out which version really floats your boat than comparing costs. Some prefer a P300, some prefer a V6 version and some prefer a V8 version so I'd say it's important to figure that out first. If your heart says one engine version but you go for another one for cost reasons you may indeed get rather high upgrade costs down the line.

 

[RobinTR6]

I got mine to do some touring so the P300 is an easier driver, no so prone to breaking speedlimits and easy on the ear when youre doing lonfer journeys, but have to agree with Ant94, pick what suits and always go for the better kept motor . Good hunting.

 

[OllyH]

I have a p300 and commute from essex to NE London and average around 26 mpg, so don’t get the 2 litre thinking it will be cheaper to run as it’s a thirsty engine and really not far off a p380 or p450 in terms of mpg.
They are all reliable although the automatic engine mounts tend to get stuck so leads to vibration at idle due to vacuum hose issues. People think they have the same issues as the diesel variants but it’s just not true.
All it really lacks is the noise, it’s not a bad noise but is just a noise rather than something to appreciate

 

[JonGreen]

I have a p300 and commute from essex to NE London and average around 26 mpg, so don’t get the 2 litre thinking it will be cheaper to run as it’s a thirsty engine and really not far off a p380 or p450 in terms of mpg.
They are all reliable although the automatic engine mounts tend to get stuck so leads to vibration at idle due to vacuum hose issues. People think they have the same issues as the diesel variants but it’s just not true.
All it really lacks is the noise, it’s not a bad noise but is just a noise rather than something to appreciate

Agree with this. I have a P300, if I bumble along at 70 on the motorway I'll get near 40mpg, around town, low 20's and if I thrap it much less.
Apart from vanity projects like a remaps and retro fitting climate seats, heated steering wheel and various activations the running costs have been that of any other car, petrol and servicing.
The engine in the P300 is common across the JLR brand and has proved a very reliable lump, cheap to work on and service. With a remap it opens it up a bit and goes well, but you won't get that V6 or V8 sound or feel.
You do get some sound piped in and the odd pop and crack in sport mode, but then you won't destroy your cats.
A weekend doing some tests drives will make your mind up for you

 

[Ant94]

Agree with this. I have a P300, if I bumble along at 70 on the motorway I'll get near 40mpg, around town, low 20's and if I thrap it much less.
Apart from vanity projects like a remaps and retro fitting climate seats, heated steering wheel and various activations the running costs have been that of any other car, petrol and servicing.
The engine in the P300 is common across the JLR brand and has proved a very reliable lump, cheap to work on and service. With a remap it opens it up a bit and goes well, but you won't get that V6 or V8 sound or feel.
You do get some sound piped in and the odd pop and crack in sport mode, but then you won't destroy your cats.
A weekend doing some tests drives will make your mind up for you

Cheers appreciate this. Still on the lookout for any coming up in dealerships near me just so I can get a feel for the vehicle before even thinking of commuting further for a potential purchase. Lots to consider and I think it’ll all come down to how good the deal is at the time as I am probably closer to considering a V6 now - need to accept my insurance is quoting x2 on a V6 than a P300 though!

 

[Andyp123]

I’ve got a V6 and absolutely love it. It’s my daily I do 100 miles a day b roads and motorway I’m getting no less then 30mpg normal driving and some spirited.

 

[Ant94]

I’ve got a V6 and absolutely love it. It’s my daily I do 100 miles a day b roads and motorway I’m getting no less then 30mpg normal driving and some spirited.

And are service costs for the V6 more expensive than a normal car? Obviously depends where you take it but I don’t think I’d be going to JLR, I’d continue going to a performance garage I’ve been taking mine for years.

 

[scm]

I’ve got a V6 and absolutely love it. It’s my daily I do 100 miles a day b roads and motorway I’m getting no less then 30mpg normal driving and some spirited.

And are service costs for the V6 more expensive than a normal car? Obviously depends where you take it but I don’t think I’d be going to JLR, I’d continue going to a performance garage I’ve been taking mine for years.

I don't even think the V8 is an expensive car to maintain. Obviously the extra plugs make a difference but they're not a frequently replaced item, identical oil costs, the only thing you have to spend on is fuel and the V8 is surprisingly frugal unless you're a lunatic with your right foot (and who on here isn't?)!

Excellent idea using a trusted independent, too.

 

[Andyp123]

Just had my 60k service that included plugs it cost £470 at my local Indy.