11 replies to this topic

[neglectedtorana]

Hi All,

 

I am thinking about upgrading my daily drive Golf to a bigger wagon and wondering if anyone has experience with the different engine types in the Commodores?

Previously I have had a VS and a VX both with the 3.8L which was reliable and decent fuel economy in my experience but I know nothing about the 3.6L Alloytec engine, is it any good? Reliable etc? I have seen a few advertised with broken engines but not sure if that is a car or operator issue.

 

Also looking at other brands like Subaru and Mazda wagons but letting my budget decide the final buying choice.

 

Any info appreciated, have a good weekend

 

Cheers, Tom

[dattoman]

timing chains are an issue...also sludge if oil changes are done too far apart...right oil req too

[yel327]

Dr Terry is your best one to answer this. I’d buy a 6cyl Falcon of that vintage before a Commodore/Calais though but that is me.

[bat 53]

i work at a commodore wrecker , what datto man said is right 

use good oil and service every 10k's 

if buying private pull one of the sensors , one with the square plug , use a light to look in and your finger to check for sludge

[neglectedtorana]

Thanks Gents, that's very helpful

I like the Falcon for size but think it would be less economical and I have a long commute.

 

Also looking at Outback, Forester and Mazda 6

[yel327]

I don’t reckon there would be much difference between a BF 4.0L auto or a 3.6/3.8 V6 auto. The 3.0L in a VE might be a bit better but on a highway commute any of them should give you less than 10L/100. The Falcon 6 is a far better engine. You can buy an LPG only BF wagon but they use a bit more fuel and gas isn’t as cheap as it used to be.

[Dr Terry]

If you want good old fashioned Holden simplicity & reliability get a VY 3.8 V6 wagon. Last & best of the breed.

 

The Alloytec V6 in the VZ/VE need their maintenance kept up & are very fussy with oil spec, just like a BA/BF Ford, Subaru or Mazda. I personally believe that the older AU single cam 6-cyl was a better long term prospect than the BA/BF.

 

My daily driving delivery fleet consists of several VX/VY wagons, almost unbreakable. Having said that my wife's car is a 2012 VEII 3.0 SIDI Berlina wagon. Very good on fuel & great performance for a 3.0 litre, but it does have a 6-speed transmission.

 

While the VX/VYs will do 500.000 mis with ease, I don't think the VE will do that.

 

Dr Terry

[rodomo]

+1 on the VY, we have 2, Crewman and Executive.

 

I'm tipping some of the timing chain issues are clogged cam actuator gauzes rather than the chain it's self.

 

The gauze blocks due to bad maintenance and throws a code.

 

Having said that, I've seen a broken chain at 100k

[jpxu1]

I have a retired Holden mechanic mate who also swears by the VY (and that's the model Commodore he hung on to as a run around), told me to find and put a VY (and not a VX) motor in our VS when it died from high K's.

 

We've had a VE SV6 from new, always looked after and serviced by the book, but it threw up a timing chain code about 6 months ago. The Holden mechanic who replaced them (they were stretched) said it was the cleanest engine he had seen.

 

However, since then the motor has had cam actuator rattle on initial morning start up when it is cold ever since, and nothing or no one has been able to solve/rid that problem.

 

JPXU1

Edited by jpxu1, 24 October 2020 - 10:34 PM.

[neglectedtorana]

Thanks for all the answers,

Will probably choose VY 3.8 over the later Commodore, Outback still an option. Mostly down to how good a car I can get in my budget.

Cheers, Tom

[Lima31]

https://youtu.be/5QLPU1Qh2oo

[Dangerous]

Our cars tend to do a lot of km. We've had a 3.8 litre VP Calais that did around 400,000 km and from memory engine wise only needed a coil pack and a harmonic balancer. Replaced that with a VY 3.8 litre 25th Anniversary Commy - that was a really nice car to drive, and I can't remember having to do anything to the engine - maybe a leaky oil pressure sensor? Our 3.6 litre LY7 WM Caprice is just about to clock up 410,000 km, and while I have had to do some work on it (timing chains, oil pressure sensor, throttle body, coil pack) I still think it is a very good engine. More things go wrong with it because it is a more complex motor, and we have done so many km in it. It is still smooth, powerful and economical.

 

If I were searching for a daily driver wagon on a budget (I can't bring myself to consider a Ford), it would definitely be a 25th Anniversary 3.8 litre wagon. If a VE came up cheap though, I'd consider it.