V6 s v V8

[mikal83]

Until I get my new garage built I will be a serial lurker here and elsewhere....keeping my eye on whats for sale/prices etc etc...

My initial thought was the V6 S....do I need a V8 and all that extra power etc when the V6 s does about the same....But meh, for a coupla grand I can perhaps buy the V8...but my ? here today is specs.

Does the V8 come with more as standard...than the standard V6?

Must haves.... for me V6 wise...reversing camera, better stereo and the sports seats.....not overly fussed on the 12 way adjustable as it will only be me driving it......But I like my music when driving. It has to be a ragtop

 

[Lunar]

The Sports seats are the standard (Porsche-like) ones - do you mean the winged Performance seats maybe?

The earlier cars have a built in music storage drive where it could download the CD it was playing.

Personally I would go for the Meridian stereo version and not the Meridian Surround (surround badge on the speakers) version - especially in a convertible, stereo is the way to go and keep surround for the home movies.

I had a standard (open diff) V6 with plenty of options and then had it pulley’d (top -6%) and tuned to >400 bhp - this proved to be a really nice state for road use without worrying about how much to flex the right foot.

When buying be sure to check the clarity of the reversing camera (rare not to have one), as they do deteriorate over time.

Personally I love the sound of a supercharged V6, compared to the gruffer V8 - it sings very well with the roof down!

 

[gf15]

You do not say which year you are looking at, but if a v6 or v8 RWD early one with the bonnet vents at the rear of the bonnet, you will need to consider swapping out plastic coolant pipes for aluminium ones and replacing the cam cover bolts, as they will be rusted away to nothing by now ( even if it is a garaged example like mine). This is not an easy job. Add in a super charger oil service and water pump with associated gaskets and you are looking at £2k. Applies to v8 and v6.

 

[gasgas]

reversing camera, not needed as back of car is only a few cm away, expecialy with the ragtop you can almost reach the bumper from your seat, v6 plenty enough for the road if you need more get a pully upgrade, much light than the v8 especialy under breaking and cornering at speed

 

[cj10jeeper]

Honestly forget the music. I’ve had the V6S for 8 years and can hardly recall ever using it. Add engine noise, roof down and tyre noise and you’ll never hear it anyway.
Drive both to decide on engine. You’ll get strong arguments both ways. For me the S is more than powerful enough. More nimble and my preferred sound.
V6 is an exotic Italian sounding engine whilst V8 the old deep notes of US cars
Performance seats, and nice wheels were my priorities.

 

[scz4]

Honestly forget the music. I’ve had the V6S for 8 years and can hardly recall ever using it. Add engine noise, roof down and tyre noise and you’ll never hear it anyway.
Drive both to decide on engine. You’ll get strong arguments both ways. For me the S is more than powerful enough. More nimble and my preferred sound.
V6 is an exotic Italian sounding engine whilst V8 the old deep notes of US cars
Performance seats, and nice wheels were my priorities.

Totally agree, even the Meridian surround system is mediocre at best, unlikely to satisfy you if that's your thing. Enjoy the sound from the exhaust.

I had a V6S and now V8 (P450). Both sound very different, V6S is raspier, but makes different sounds as it progresses through the rev range. V8 is much deeper and special, but is monotone. Sometimes I loved the V6S, but other times I found it too raspy. V8 sounds exotic and super special. Whilst both are a sporty GT car at best, the V6S is perkier to drive, not because of weight difference as it's marginal both in RWD form, but has shorter gearing and loves to be revved.

No noticable difference in running costs, mpg etc. Get a V8 whilst you can.

 

[CentaX]

I got my 2013 V8 S convertible because I wanted to have a V8 for such a long time - and this V8 is even the reason why it became an F-Type in the first place.

However, the longer I have my V8, the thoughts that a V6 S would have been enough grow more frequent. Sure the V8 sound is incredible. The V6 S also sounds nice, not V8-nice, but way more exotic. It's just that the power of the V8 is so rarely usable, that 98% of the time the V6 S would have been just as good. "Bang for your buck" the V6 S is even better than the V8 in my opinion. And I always liked the obscene center tips of the V6 more than the 4 V8 pipes.

I would get a V6 S rather than a V6, because on the used market the difference to a plain V6 is negligible, but you always get: The rear LSD; active exhaust; active suspension; and a small bump in hp. I have the Meridian Surround and I don't like it, it's kind of exhausting to listen to and not as easy-flowing; maybe due to the small cabin, and definitely because quality of the system is not the best. Not sure what to expect of the smaller audio systems. For me, the aftermarket Android Auto integration was absolutely necessary, for this you need a factory navigation system. Heated steering wheel is a must for me, and the extended leather package might not be necessary, but it is so nice to look at. The performance seats are ok, but very firm - I don't use the full adjustability. From memory, the standard seats were more comfortable, but I lack the direct comparison. I don't use the rear camera too often, with the top open and the normal PDC it's easy enough to position the car.

 

[Lord Farquad]

Quite a nice little comparison of the exhaust sounds.

https://youtu.be/FymZwU9r2ac?si=HebE0Y54EBehNFq1

I love the V6, it just sounds so exotic in the real world, like an expensive Italian supercar

 

[mikal83]

The question was about spec differences not whether YOU dont want a better stereo or not!

 

[scz4]

In that case, essentials for me were performance seats, 20" wheels, performance brakes (not carbon) heated steering wheel and believe it or not heated seats aren't always standard.

If coupe in your thing then definitely a panoramic sunroof, non chrome window surounds, you'd probably want the power bootlit and and the dynamic spoiler rather than fixed.

As I say, Meridian surround is of course the preference, but wouldn't be a deal breaker for me.

 

[Lord Farquad]

Looking in the 2016 brochure I have, V6 and V8 S models had pretty much the same options (e-diff v mechanical diff were the only difference).
The V8 R is an engine upgrade and some R branding but no obvious extra options.
I’d agree that optional extras are important. Heated seats, steering wheel, decent wheels and a nice colour.

 

[Steveglenlee]

Try out both and make your choice. Everyone has their preferences and opinions (just like arseholes).
I went for a V8 because that's what I wanted, I never tried a V6 out of choice but I wouldn't say , as others may, one is better than the other.

 

[scm]

I’d agree that optional extras are important. Heated seats, steering wheel, decent wheels and a nice colour.

Cooled seats and heated windscreen for me, too.

 

[Lord Farquad]

I’d agree that optional extras are important. Heated seats, steering wheel, decent wheels and a nice colour.

Cooled seats and heated windscreen for me, too.

Good shout! I have the windscreen but my car predates the cooled seats. They’re a nice feature for summer driving.

If you live in a rural setting then adaptive headlights and auto high beam are useful.

 

[Lord Farquad]

Here’s some info from the 2016 brochure for the OP

 

[mikal83]

TY LF

 

[Lord Farquad]

Just noticed V8s have the Sports Design Pack as standard. V6S doesn’t.
I personally love the side skirts and colour coded rear diffuser of the pack so that’s an option to consider looking for, particularly if you have a bright colour.

 

[Apex]

There is an “Active Sports” exhaust listed for all models but some are switchable.

What makes the exhaust “Active”?

 

[Lord Farquad]

I think all models have valves that open to make more noise. But the switchable allows you to override the system to open or close the valves earlier/later in the rev range etc

 

[MajorTom]

Exactly, the active part basically means manual control of when you want to open the valves. Not sure if it allows you to manually close the valves when the car thinks they should be open like at high revs, but it definitely lets you open the valves whenever you want.