2.6 dualram reliablity compared to c20ne?

[cav_2.0_gli]

hello,

ive just bought flash's 2.6 cdxi estate, which in all honesty i originally wanted to use for spares for my gli estate. however, upon purchase, and then driving the car, its far too good for the scrappy (which i knew would happen, hate seeing these cars being scrapped)

so now im in a dilema, which carlton do i keep?

the 2.6 cdxi, manual, estate, has:

208,000 miles on the clock (engine runs sweet as a nut, but the mileage is putting me off this car only as im unfamiliar with these engines)
gearbox/clutch/brakes are all very good.

work that needs doing:

mot & tax
change front wings & few other cosmetic bits
needs new heater matrix (got one)
needs new front indicators
needs drivers e/w window motor changing

so nothing major really.

the 2.0 8v gli estate, manual, k-reg has:

113,000 miles on the clock
engine & box & clutch & brakes are all fine.

it needs:

every panel has some form of damage, whether its minor dent or scratch, the drivers rear arch (top bit that you can see), has a hole in it above the bump strip, but on the whole the bodywork is very good once a dent man has been over it.


in terms of condition and equipment/spec, im liking the cdx more, however, as i know the 2.0 8v engine is bulletproof and not bad on jungle juice, and im completely unfamiliar with the 2.6 dualram engine, and this one has done 208k (which weirdly bothers me on the 2.6, but wouldn't bother me on the 2.0), i dont know what to do.

just thought i'd ask other members who have/had a 2.6 carlton, what their thoughts on economy, reliability etc, and if things like headgasket is a common issue or any other common faults?

many thanks for your help!

[Murph]

The economy isnt as good as the 2.0 but the power is better and smoother which makes up for it a bit.
The 2.6 is pretty much the same engine as the 3.0 12v and is every bit as bulletproof as the 2.0.

Personally I'd keep the 2.6 as it looks like it needs less work overall.
I have a spare 2.6 short engine (block and head, no ancillaries) that I'll be getting rid of soon if you're worried about the engine.

[cav_2.0_gli]

The economy isnt as good as the 2.0 but the power is better and smoother which makes up for it a bit.
The 2.6 is pretty much the same engine as the 3.0 12v and is every bit as bulletproof as the 2.0.

Personally I'd keep the 2.6 as it looks like it needs less work overall.
I have a spare 2.6 short engine (block and head, no ancillaries) that I'll be getting rid of soon if you're worried about the engine.

this is what i thought, i knew the 2.6 wouldn't be as good on jungle as the 2.0, but for a car with 208k on the clocks, my god its a smooth and quick motor, i was pleasently suprised with it, and very very impressed.

as i said, its only because ive never had a 2.6 before, and i dont know anyone who's had one before, and with 208k, it just put me off abit thats all.

[carlton_mad]

208k is just run in for a 12v engine wont need a cam belt either itll sit and cruise at silly speeds all day long and the arse will come out far more easily than you will believe!!

[cav_2.0_gli]

thanks for the reply chaps, thats reasured me over the 2.6 engine.

as i said, only reason i was worried is the high miles and the fact i'd never owned one and knew naff all about the lumps

i think i'l be keeping the 2.6 cdx for myself then, and i'l sell the 2.0 gli on, i aint gona scrap it, there getting too rare. if i can get the bodywork done fairly cheap on the gli then i'l get that done, mot it and sell it on. i definately wont scrap it.

[Murph]

Good call that man!
If I had known you were in the market for a 2.6 estate I would have flogged you mine!

[carlton_mad]

if the 2.0 is bullet proof then the 12v is bomb proof

[cav_2.0_gli]

Good call that man!
If I had known you were in the market for a 2.6 estate I would have flogged you mine!

i wasn't actually on the market for the 2.6, the only reason i bought that 2.6 cdx estate was for the towbar and diamond black leather seats for my gli!

i had that feeling before i bought it, that i'd end up wanting to keep it.

[man of kent]

Very long term the 2.6 is an investment and I did say long term like 10 years or more as its going to be the rare one. Tons of 2.0L around. At the moment they are mainly everyday cheap cars but the bigger engine ones are starting to increase in value especially the 12 and 24v.  Collectors of classics aren't worried about mpg because they dont do man miles. The LC is an example of this.

But its your decision. Everyday car, the 2.0L as its lower mileage and cheaper to run. Mantlepiece car to look after for shows and investment, the 2.6. Both engines do tons of miles if looked after.

A major decision should also be based upon the condition of the longitudinal sidemembers re rust.

[melinx]

My previous Carlton was a 2 Litre manual base model, it only gave me one small (easily fixed) problem; it was an enjoyable ride and used for everyday use.

My present Carlton is an automatic 2.6 Diplomat it's a delight to drive but as an everyday 'shopping trolley' its pretty thirsty at about 18/20 to the gallon (I seem to remember about 25/27 for the 2 L manual) so I try not to use it for journeys below 30 miles round trip when it returns 31/32 mpg and 36/38 on a steady 70 motorway run

There have been a number of problems with various of the Diplomats electronic systems on what is a fairly sophisticated car (fortunately, the engine and gearbox ECU's seem to be pretty robust )

The systems that seem to give problems are those which have the (museum piece) Z80 programmable chips in them (cruise control and electric window motor systems) and the locking solenoids suffer from 'dry' solder joints

Faulty Z80 chips are a 'throw it away' problem unfortunately

Another problem common to all models is the instrument voltage regulator chip which has a specification that is barely adequate but was the best that could be done when the system was designed over 20 years ago. (clip a high power booster starter across the battery and you're likely to blow this chip)

[chrismec]

Having owned both the 2.0 auto and 2.6 auto I'd say the 2.6 is the better car, mines done 184k and is sweet as a nut, as for economy the 2.0 I used to got 18mpg round town  and 36ish on a run, the 2.6 20mpg round town and 37 ish on run even pulling a very heavy trailor, i find the 2.0 to be sporty compared to the 2.6 which is much smoother and could be labled lazy unless you boot it then it becomes very quick
In my opinion keep the 2.6 as it's rarity value will always be better

[kevinfourlegs]

I got 2.0 cat estate auto. Can't call it sporty, even in S mode. More like slug than sport. I didn't buy it to be sporty. Compared to the 2.0 non cat models, the 2.0 cat equipped ones are down on power and use more fuel, so I have found. Lovely to drive and comfortable, regardless of engine.

May be I should look at 2.6 auto estate in the future.

[chris]

I had a 2.6 estate on the road for a while, it surprised me with how economical it was and how quick it could be with the pedal down.

Ive still got it, back off Matt after an unfortunate accident, it doesnt look like itll ever be repaired, giving its life to save others. Ill bet that when the remains get scrapped the engine is still in it, Ive never heard of one going wrong for anyone to want to keep a spare.

[kevinfourlegs]

Keep the engine if possible, Chris, as you never know.

[chris]

I know I wont need it, my others are 24v cars, and I cant see anyone buying it and taking it out even if the price is little more than scrap value. Itll be around for a while yet though if anyone unexpectedly wants one.

[cav_2.0_gli]

hello,

you'l all be happy to know that ive decided to keep the 2.6 cdx.

and more importantly, as of this afternoon, it now has a full years mot, 6 months tax, and insured, and is now my daily runner. only gone 40miles in it since, but i am staggered at how good the car is, soo good to be back behind the wheel of a carlton, and i am suprised how smooth it is and how it quick it can be if you open the taps.

looks like the gli estate will be up forsale soon, if anyones on the market for the 2.0 manual estate?