AU xr8 vs Ef xr8

[Longreach]

I'm considering one of the two options, Au xr8 or E series xr8 for my next car. (Rather newer than older so like EF onwards). There pritty much what i want so thats what i'm hunting, but for the questions.

* There much difference in power in the engine??
* How difficult is it to find a decent example of each, like is there a major lack of one or the other in the second hand market?
* Could i get a rough price for each, i have an idea of what i'll be looking at but another opinion on there value won't hurt.

Thanks Pat

[pauljh74]

The EF has 170kw I believe
http://www.drive.com.au/buy/market_v...&body=4D+SEDAN

The AU has 185kw, the same as the late 97 onwards EL XR8. You also get IRS on the AU http://www.drive.com.au/buy/market_v...&body=4D+SEDAN

As for real world pricing, try searching something like http://www.carsales.com.au

[EeLeYe]

I've seen a few series III AU XR8's that have 220kw... there's an extra badge on the back which shows this, it says "220kw" hehe

[Longreach]

Now i know this comment might cop me some flak but, whats the power of an equivelent holden, be either vs or vt ss wouldn't it?? But ye hows the ford stack up against the holden there?

[Kenaz]

Why EF or AU? Have you considered a EL2 XR8 with 185kW engine? They're easily the best looking out of all 3 cars and almost as quick as the AU.

[Longreach]

After posting i did consder that i should have said ef/el but ye. Ye el is on the cards,

[EeLeYe]

Originally Posted by Longreach

Now i know this comment might cop me some flak but, whats the power of an equivelent holden, be either vs or vt ss wouldn't it?? But ye hows the ford stack up against the holden there?

Holdens seems to be all over the shop when it comes to the power of their v8's.
A standard 5ltr has 174kw (or close to it)
Then you can have the better 5ltr which has 185kw
And then again, you can also get the special edition one that has 215kw

I'm positive that the vs came out with all three types.

[schmidty]

Originally Posted by EeLeYe

Holdens seems to be all over the shop when it comes to the power of their v8's.
A standard 5ltr has 174kw (or close to it)
Then you can have the better 5ltr which has 185kw
And then again, you can also get the special edition one that has 215kw

I'm positive that the vs came out with all three types.

VS had 168kw, and hsv and vs series 2 had 185kw, and the 215 in the GTS and Senator was a 215kw stroker version.

They had a 230 or 232kw upgrade in the GTS-R too The 215 and the 230 were a stroked version of the 5.0L

The vt was the same. They had the 185kw standard v8, then the 195kw and 215kw options in the hsv.

Then anyone who bought a 215kw vt hsv cried because when the vt2 came out you could get a base model commodore with 220kw of gen 3 for almost half the price!

Could get it in the

[Eaturbo]

AU XR 8 easy. More power better rear suspension, better steering, quieter cabin. Quite cheap to buy. They look good when they have the full body kit.

[RG]

Late AUII or AUIII with the 220 engine, absolutely gorgeous and a real nice ride.

[Lukeyson]

Forget the AU1 IMO, either go EL2 or AU2+3

[b2tf]

EF, EL and AU XR8's all share the same engine just with different manifolds, exhausts and heads.

Ot of the 3, I would probably go a Series II EL unless AU II or III was an option. Ive driven plenty of AU's and own a Series III XR8 myself, and it is the pick of the bunch IMHO.

[SVR73]

Originally Posted by Kenaz

Why EF or AU? Have you considered a EL2 XR8 with 185kW engine? They're easily the best looking out of all 3 cars and almost as quick as the AU.

That's what a friend of mine has got, a herrod enhanced may 98 EL2 XR8 manual hot chilli red.
I was cruising with him down mt gambier way on the weekend and what an awesome machine. Lowered to the max, 18's, ex showcar in mint condition

Myself, I'd go the AU but the EL is a bloody close second

[EL8TED]

you could pick up an ef xr8 these days for $5000-$8000 and modify it to be quicker than the au ..
and sorry to say , the ef/el design look way hotter than the pregnant pastie AU models

the EL 2's had a higher diff ratio on the EF's too. 3:45 v 3:23

EF/EL's and AU's are all going to be lacking in the HP dept versus the chev GEN3 donk , but against the Holden 5.0 motor of the VS/VT series 1, which was competitor for the EF/EL range wasnt anything to crow about , pretty much even par..

[jimt3te50]

EL2 with 185kw or AU2+

I've had XHII (EL2 Xr8 185kw engine), AU1 sedan, AUII 220kw sedan and the AU1 was by far the worst car I've ever had- had it 3 months, burnt a shitload of money on it then went and bought the XHII.

The EL's are lighter with a bit less torque than the AU 185kw but both look beautiful with their respective body kits- looks would probably be in the EL's favour (my AU1 was white with the full kit and 17's- it was sensational looking) The AU does have the better suspension, adaptive shift box if you're gong auto and is a bit roomier and obviously a bit more modern.

Personal choice, but that's my opinion. Good luck- they're all nice cars.

[Cooper69S]

when i was looking for an EL2 xr8 in Perth a few months ago, they were very hard to find and very expensive (13-15K). I drove the one for 13K (EL2 manual) and then drove an AU and the EL to me seemed to show its age a lot more in the way it drove - AU felt heaps better. If you can find an E series cheap then they're probably worth considering being nice looking cars and all, but comparing an EL and AU at a similar price i'd have to vote AU. With decent wheels and the full body kit they look every bit as good as an e series, and already come with the good engine bits... (heads, manifold etc).

[Abacus]

Why would you pick an EL XR8 over an AUI XR8, apart from the looks?

[HOON69]

Originally Posted by Longreach

Now i know this comment might cop me some flak but, whats the power of an equivelent holden, be either vs or vt ss wouldn't it?? But ye hows the ford stack up against the holden there?

EF XR8 Vs AU XR8 gimme the EF anyday

AUXR8 Vs VTSS

compare a mid 13's to mid 14 second ford, to a instant mid 12's to a mid 13's holden

for some reason the holden SS just puts power to ground so much better then most fords.

if i had a pick between
EF/AU X8 and a VT VX SS
i'd be tempted on the SS (except the gen3 issues would play a huge factor in my decision)

[Lukeyson]

VT1 had 5 litre though, and i presume your 1/4 times are non stock ?

[HOON69]

EF 5.0L V8 (XR8)
Bore and stroke: 102 x 76 mm
Power: 170kW at 4500rpm
Torque: 398Nm at 3000rpm
Pushrod overhead valve, 2 valves per cylinder
Fuel system: EEC V fuel injection
Compression ratio: 9.0:1

with a kerb weight of :1536kgs:

EL 5.0L V8 (XR8, October 1997-)
Bore and stroke: 102 x 76 mm
Power: 185kW at 4500rpm
Torque: 402Nm at 3100rpm
Pushrod overhead valve, 2 valves per cylinder
Fuel system: EEC V fuel injection
Compression ratio: 9.0:1

at a kerb weight of :1536:

AU SR1
5.0L V8 (XR8)
Bore and stroke: 102 x 76 mm
Power: 185kW at 5000rpm
Torque: 412Nm at 3500rpm
Pushrod overhead valve, 2 valves per cylinder
Fuel system: EEC V fuel injection
Compression ratio: 9.1:1

and compare that to

AU 5.0L V8 (XR8 sedan, May 01-)
Bore and stroke: 102 x 76 mm
Power: 220kW at 5250rpm
Torque: 435Nm at 4000rpm
Pushrod overhead valve, 2 valves per cylinder
Fuel system: EEC V fuel injection
Compression ratio: 9.4:1

with a qtr mile of 14.8 and a weight of :1530: (lighter according to the stats then the EF/EL )

VR SS
* 5.0 L V8 – 165 kW

* 5.0 L HSV V8 – 185 kW

* 5.7 L HSV V8 – 215 kW



VT SS
* 5.0 L V8 – 179 kW

* 5.0 L V8 – 195 kW

* 5.7 L V8 – 220 kW

compare them both in stock form,but would come down to driver and klms on car as well..

[xr8man83]

the series two el would be the pick of the e series cars but as nice as they look the au3 sedan would spank it for speed with its 220kw and the au's are real nice inside with there black interior. series two el's i reckon would be harder to find in good nick then the newer au's because of there age. if it was me i would be looking at the au's and not just saying that cause i own one but they are a nice drive i got a mate with a ef xr8 and its nice but its not as nice as my ute when you sit in it so much thet he wants to upgrade to a au

[Longreach]

Been driving my old ladies Au forte i6 lately, my utes in need of some TLC, 2 rims, and some gear to do with the left wheel, no chasis problems touch wood. But ye i have to say her car is fairly nice to drive, wouldn't rave over it but quite nice.

Now, the 220kw au was that all AU3 xr8's?? Did they come with a body kit standard, if not whats the rough value of gettin one of those put on, and how much is a 220kw going to set me back roughly?? I'd presume i'd be between the 15 and 20 mark wouldn't it?

Thanks by the way to all of you for the infomation you've given me.

[Lukeyson]

yes kit was std on the AUIII XR8, and i seen a few at dealers in Sydney for $17999 with about 120'000km on the clock.
I dug up a Wheels mag from Sept 2001, where they did a comparo between AUIII XR8 & VX SS, and the XR held its own up against the GENIII

[Longreach]

and the 220kw was standard on all au3 as well??

[AdzT3-146]

Yes, 220kw was standard on all AUIII XR8's

[Longreach]

cheers for all the info guys.

[MRJUCY]

You can feel that the AU steering, power down & body stiffness is a generation ahead of the EL. I've followed my mate in his EL through twisties & punching out of corners you could really tell the difference his smokes the tyres while mine just hunkers down & launches.

[jspec_sti]

Longreach, just test drive an AUIII XR8 and the decision will be made for you...

[SVR73]

I agree with jucy. I give the E's and BA-BF I6's and 8's a spanking through the twisty stuff, a few run out of brakes, I don't. The thing just never understeers or gets out of shape. Once I hit 110, the bi plane spoiler helps a little bit with some downforce.
Someone once told me the AU1 XR handles better than SII or III but ride is better in the later ones.

[FTE217]

I wouldn't even give an ESeries a look unless it was a prime ELGT etc
Having owned a S3XR8 I can vouch it's a sensational Ford, very underated due to "the AU dislike in general " but once owned and driven you are convinced not to judge a book by it's cover !!!