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Topic: Advice on which engine... (Read 2308 times) |
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stu_cdx
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Advice on which engine...
« on: Nov 22nd, 2009, 9:35pm » |
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Hi there people...
I'm a new member on this forum...
My Mercedes W124 E280 is in the process of being written off and therefore, I require something to replace it. I've looked into the Scorpio with great interest and see the Ultima model as being an identical specification to the Mercedes E280 (Air con, ABS, Electric Windows, Sunroof, airbags, etc etc...)
I'm not used to driving a guzzling car, I used to drive a Picasso HDi and a Maestro but after the Mercedes doing 30mpg average, I didn't notice a BIG difference in running costs as a better built car costs less in parts.
I've discounted the 2.0 Petrol due to the car weighing 1500kgs... I've looked into the 2.9-12v and realised that the 2.3-16v beats it on most things... And the 2.9-24v. Now...
The 2.3 and 2.9-24 seem like my choice motors. It needs to be an automatic as my other half can't get on with manuals... I know the TD came as an Auto but is rare.
I don't particularly need power but I need something that can hold it's own on the motorways and be a bit spritely on the country roads.
Some websites say that the best fuel economy from a late 2.3 is as high as 41mpg... Where as the 24v will do 33mpg. Is this about right?
All replies welcome!
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Stu.
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Baz
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S Reg. 1998 24v Cosworth S2.9 COS (Deceased)
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Re: Advice on which engine...
« Reply #1 on: Nov 22nd, 2009, 9:45pm » |
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Hi Stu and welcome to the forum....
If you are used to 30mpg then I wouldn't go for the 24v; especially as you will be lucky to hit 20mpg around town or in stop start traffic. I have owned a few and they are very thirsty beasts. The 2.3 appears to be the best all rounder but they do suffer from dodgy inlet manifolds which are prone to cracking and spares are quite difficult or expensive (or both) to acquire
The diesel auto is rare but a good and reliable car by all accounts, but at the end of the day it is your choice!! Do not rush into buying the first you see and I would say to go for the newest model (R, S, T reg) you can find as those have the side airbags and more reliable under bonnet wiring.
Baz
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Tekno
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Tenho Ruohoranta
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Re: Advice on which engine...
« Reply #2 on: Nov 22nd, 2009, 9:47pm » |
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I'd go with chipped 2.5 td
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1998 Ford Scorpio Ultima Estate 2.3i 16V
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Scorpio_Mike
Senior Member
Jeep Grand Cherokee 3.0 V6 & 2.8 Sierra XR4i 4x4
Posts: 2354
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Re: Advice on which engine...
« Reply #3 on: Nov 22nd, 2009, 9:54pm » |
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2.3 for me 
Everyday driving, about 23 mpg, on a good run driven sensibly 34 mpg possible.
Ultima estate with auto - would I buy another ?
Definately 
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Star sign is Scorpio !
Sierra XR4i's are great...especially when fitted with 4WD 
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stu_cdx
Newbie
Posts: 5
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Re: Advice on which engine...
« Reply #4 on: Nov 22nd, 2009, 10:04pm » |
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Well, if people say a 2.3... a 2.3 it is! Now, saloon or Estate? I love the look of a facelift saloon... The Estate is unchanged throughout, however, the saloon looks rather pleasing... But then, the Estate seems harder to find in good nick with a 2.3.....
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Stu.
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tonyboy
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black2.924Vcoss ( No More )
  
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Re: Advice on which engine...
« Reply #5 on: Nov 22nd, 2009, 10:10pm » |
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2.9 24V 19mph round town.... 26mph motorway driving....... Approx..
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I think i'm going, erm what do you call it..... Senial.... 
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Scorpio_Mike
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Jeep Grand Cherokee 3.0 V6 & 2.8 Sierra XR4i 4x4
Posts: 2354
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Re: Advice on which engine...
« Reply #6 on: Nov 22nd, 2009, 10:24pm » |
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on Nov 22nd, 2009, 10:04pm, stu_cdx wrote:| Well, if people say a 2.3... a 2.3 it is! Now, saloon or Estate? I love the look of a facelift saloon... The Estate is unchanged throughout, however, the saloon looks rather pleasing... But then, the Estate seems harder to find in good nick with a 2.3..... |
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Only the rear end on the estate didn't change - facelift models have the same front end on both saloon and estate models
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Sierra XR4i's are great...especially when fitted with 4WD
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Scorpio_Mike
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Jeep Grand Cherokee 3.0 V6 & 2.8 Sierra XR4i 4x4
Posts: 2354
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Re: Advice on which engine...
« Reply #7 on: Nov 22nd, 2009, 10:27pm » |
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on Nov 22nd, 2009, 10:10pm, tonyboy wrote:| 2.9 24V 19mph round town.... 26mph motorway driving....... Approx.. |
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I think you mean mpg, not mph 
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Sierra XR4i's are great...especially when fitted with 4WD
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tonyboy
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black2.924Vcoss ( No More )
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Re: Advice on which engine...
« Reply #8 on: Nov 22nd, 2009, 10:30pm » |
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on Nov 22nd, 2009, 10:27pm, Scorpio_Mike wrote:
I think you mean mpg, not mph |
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you havn't been in my scorp...........
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I think i'm going, erm what do you call it..... Senial....
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stu_cdx
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Posts: 5
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Re: Advice on which engine...
« Reply #9 on: Nov 22nd, 2009, 10:56pm » |
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Interesting... I'm aware of the plastic inlets that can crack up... However, I'm looking to buy from a Scorpio specialist in Romford who has a massive stock of things... All bits Scorpio.
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Stu.
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Scorpio_Mike
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Jeep Grand Cherokee 3.0 V6 & 2.8 Sierra XR4i 4x4
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Re: Advice on which engine...
« Reply #10 on: Nov 22nd, 2009, 10:59pm » |
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on Nov 22nd, 2009, 10:56pm, stu_cdx wrote:| Interesting... I'm aware of the plastic inlets that can crack up... However, I'm looking to buy from a Scorpio specialist in Romford who has a massive stock of things... All bits Scorpio. |
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Ironically I bought my Scorpio from Romford...but not from who I think you are talking about...
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Star sign is Scorpio !
Sierra XR4i's are great...especially when fitted with 4WD
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10mpg
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Re: Advice on which engine...
« Reply #11 on: Nov 23rd, 2009, 2:15am » |
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The 2.3 is a lovely engine torquey, smooth and responsive but in my experience will only manage about 25mpg avg over mixed roads, the inlet manifold will very quickly become the bane of your life unless your very lucky mines been through 3 in 25k hence why I'm changing it for a metal one to solve the problem for good also i rewired mine comprehensively under the bonnet (big job, nearly 10 hours work) as the wiring loom appears to be made of lovely mature crumbly cheese..
These cars do have their faults but for the money i find them pretty unbeatable, the main fault with them is that the material quality for the most part is pretty awfull when compared to an older Merc/Volvo/Bimmer or similar, but then again you'll pay twice or three times the price for one of them..
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Simmo
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Re: Advice on which engine...
« Reply #12 on: Nov 23rd, 2009, 8:34am » |
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Stu, There is a Kent meet at Badgers Mount (See Meetings page) on Sunday. There are usually about 8 or 9 cars of various sorts, with various sorts driving them  , and you'd be welcome to pop along and have a chat if that would help.
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tiff
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Re: Advice on which engine...
« Reply #13 on: Nov 23rd, 2009, 9:38am » |
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I've driven both the 2.3 and 24v, and as an all-rounder, I'd say the 2.3.
The 24v's performance is addictive though.
Also remember 24v parts are expensive (timing chain blades, water pumps, thermostats etc)
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tlundkvi
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Ex. Scorpio 2.9 24V -95
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Re: Advice on which engine...
« Reply #14 on: Nov 23rd, 2009, 10:45am » |
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on Nov 23rd, 2009, 9:38am, tiff wrote:I've driven both the 2.3 and 24v, and as an all-rounder, I'd say the 2.3.
The 24v's performance is addictive though.
Also remember 24v parts are expensive (timing chain blades, water pumps, thermostats etc) |
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Expensive maybe if they can be obtained  If you buy a 24V make sure it's a good one, rather a dent in the bumper than problems with the powertrain.
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pinto
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TD04 on a galaxy manifold ? whooooooosh !
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Re: Advice on which engine...
« Reply #15 on: Nov 23rd, 2009, 11:39am » |
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From what you describe, the 2300 will fit your bill best My old ghia used to return 27mpg around town and up to 38mpg on a long run - the ultimas tend to return slightly less simply on weight (all those electric toys and leather add some serious weight !)
The cossie again.... big performance (but at heavy fuel costs) - mine tends to get used only at the weekends now because of this (i have a diesel transit minibus for day to day use).
TD i dont have any experience of - plan to put an engine from one in my minibus sometime tho
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stu_cdx
Newbie
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Re: Advice on which engine...
« Reply #16 on: Nov 23rd, 2009, 7:34pm » |
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Right, well, 2.3 it seems like it will be then!
Am I right to avoid the 2.0 engine? I just think it'd struggle to be any good for me and with the extra beating it'd get on a motorway, a 2.3 would cope better?
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Stu.
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pinto
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TD04 on a galaxy manifold ? whooooooosh !
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Re: Advice on which engine...
« Reply #17 on: Nov 26th, 2009, 10:19pm » |
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2.0 is very competant in both 8v and 16v, and makes for a very nice scorp, so i'd not avoid them specifically - just that the better torque from the 2300 suits the car and more specifically, the autobox better.
You're far more likely to come across a 2300 too - but if a nice 2000 comes up at a good price - go test drive it you might just fall in love anyway
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PJDavis
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2 x 1995 Jag X300 3.2 / 4.0 (Henley) 1957 XK140
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Re: Advice on which engine...
« Reply #18 on: Nov 28th, 2009, 6:20pm » |
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For the first time since March this year when I became addicted to these cars, I did fuel consumption test this week over 852 miles. I returned 26.8 mpg. I'm a slightly sad git that keeps a log of fuel imput at what price and miles covered!
My driving is quite erratic, I live in the very North of Scotland and am able to enjoy all roads, from town driving to foot on the floor for four miles in one case! (The Achnasheen Road to Kyle) I drive the car as it should have been driven in it's hey-day, I certainly don't 'molly-coddle' it, however I also like driving the car quite sedately on main roads with the CD turned up loud, listening perhaps to, 'Stiff-Little-Fingers, or The Clash, or Sex Pistols! Maybe a bit of Blondie? When I go for an overtake, I press my foot to the floor and hold it there right up to the red-line, I use te O/D button as well in towns and I never have it in O/D under about 55 mph. Great car, fast enough, powerfull enough, and very comfy with what I consider good mpg for it's size and power. Of course I'd love to have a 24v, but I have a few Bikes for that fast excitement, and the Gal would definitely kill me if I get any more vehicles!
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1995 Jaguar XJ6 X300 3.2 (Henley)
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jon_viola
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Re: Advice on which engine...
« Reply #19 on: Nov 29th, 2009, 6:35pm » |
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on Nov 22nd, 2009, 9:47pm, Tekno wrote:| I'd go with chipped 2.5 td |
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Can you chip the Td's?
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