*Moved - Alternative (green) Engines

[Bellerophon]

I think that nobody is looking at engines from a business aspect, the reason
the American V8's are used is that it is a simple powerful engine at Rock
Bottom Price. If you change this for a modern multi-cylinder engine from Europe
the price for the car would shoot though the roof. So with cars taking 2000
hours to build plus the difference in cost of a new engine and gearbox, it
would put the car into a whole new price group, so may be best to stick to an
established formulae especially as there may a few V8 engines on the market at
knock down prices.
My regards,
Bellerophon

[Markus Berzborn]

Originally Posted by Bellerophon

If you change this for a modern multi-cylinder engine from Europe the price for the car would shoot though the roof.

I don't think so. Just have a look at how much Mercedes or BMW ask for a replacement engine for their V12 cars.
And whether a Bristol costs 200,000 or 210,000 or 220,000 - do you really think this makes a big difference for the target customer?

Regards,
Markus

[Kevin H]

Originally Posted by Markus Berzborn

I don't think so. Just have a look at how much Mercedes or BMW ask for a replacement engine for their V12 cars.
And whether a Bristol costs 200,000 or 210,000 or 220,000 - do you really think this makes a big difference for the target customer?

Which Bristol cars are we talking about here? I thought the original post was about finding an alternative to the Chrysler V8 and the V8 engined Bristols don't cost £200,000, although granted, they're in a price bracket where an extra £10-£20k probably still won't make much difference.

However, there are other things to consider for Bristol, even if they can still make the same margin on a new Blenheim sale. These modern BMW and Merc engines are extremely sophisticated, requiring specialist tools and equipment to diagnose, repair and service. Then there's the different (and very expensive) parts inventory and staff training. Last but not least, if you had a Bristol with a modern BMW or Merc engine in it, where would you take it for servicing? probably your nearest BMW or Merc dealership!

[Markus Berzborn]

Originally Posted by Kevin Howard

I thought the original post was about finding an alternative to the Chrysler V8 and the V8 engined Bristols don't cost £200,000

OK, not in British pounds. But the Blenheim 3 would be approx. € 184,000 /$ 233,000 and the 3S € 199,000/$ 252,000 - based on 15% VAT. In Germany, VAT is currently at 19%.

if you had a Bristol with a modern BMW or Merc engine in it, where would you take it for servicing? probably your nearest BMW or Merc dealership!

Yes, probably. But currently, it is also not possible for every Bristol owner around the world to drive to London to have the car serviced at Bristol Cars Ltd.
But sure enough, it would be preferrable to continue using the Chrysler engines as long as possible.

Concerning the Diesel alternative, it is really rather a question of taste or tradition than of technology. I'm not so much a Diesel lover, but my sister used to have an S-Class diesel and now has a BMW X5 diesel. These engines are rather sophisticated and offer an enormous torque already at low rpm.
So this would make them suitable. But there is no denying if you start the car, you still hear very much it's a Diesel - not so much once it is on the road. Whether this is an issue or not, everyone must decide for himself.

Regards,
Markus

[Aleph]

Up to a month ago I drove a Rover P6 as a driver. One thing I love about it
is the fact that the engine is not sophisticated. Neither am I, which makes
a good combination in case anything goes wrong 'cause most often one can
tweak it oneself to get going again.


And concerning this green CO2 hoax: when running on LPG and being well
maintained, emissions are very low. So I hope Bristol would go for an
American, light-weigt V8 with as little electronics as possible.

[Kevin H]

Originally Posted by Aleph

Up to a month ago I drove a Rover P6 as a driver. One thing I love about it is the fact that the engine is not sophisticated.

Have you got rid of it?

I love the P6, had two of them in the 1980s. A 3500 auto then a wonderful 3500S. Next time I see a nice one for sale here in Australia I'm going to buy it.

There is much to be said for simplicity in motor cars. I've had some wonderful modern cars but when they go wrong there is nothing you can do and if it's an intermittent electronics fault, God help you. I've had two Audis with an intermittent engine management fault and I ended up trading them both because in both cases the dealership couldn't fix the problem and one of them was still under warranty!

None of that nonsense in a Rover P6 or an older Bristol. I dare say the new Bristols aren't very complex compared with most modern cars and they should stay that way, at least in the engine bay anyway.

[Aleph]

As I'm not allowed to drive at the moment due to an arm injury and the car
was deteriorating from disuse, I gave it to a chap who's wel known in Dutch
P6 circles and who's going to restore it. If I can afford to buy it back
from him after restauration, I will.