AU XR8 S3 5 speed manual or BA XR8 Auto S1

[Edxr6]

Guys,

I have a low Klm AU S3, XR8 5 speed that I am thinking of selling to purchase a low klm BA XR8 S1 auto. I hoping it will be a straight exchange with the sale price of the S3. I have never driven a BA XR8, hence my post to some of you fellas that have had the opportunity to drive one or own one.

The BA looks great from the pics and appears to be cared for with log books. The AU is in great condition, I am just starting to sway towards the BA XR8’s. What’s the general consensus in relation to both models.

The AU will be hard to let-go, but the BA maybe more practical for the family being an auto, no one else at home can drive a manual, although the kids are at a stage were they are willing to learn. However they wouldn’t be driving the AU long term, more so locally or to move the car around the drive way, or in an emergency.

Cheers

[fordomatic]

Hey mate, What is the details on your XR8? kms, colour, condition?

[Mechan1k]

And if Jake doesn't buy it off you .... I wish I had the $$$$$ to do so ... hahahaahaa

[Maka]

You are mad lol, buy a cheap Bf zf i6 & keep the AU imo, good luck!

cheers, Maka

[undertow]

A low km manual AUIII XR8 is one everyone wants. Worth more than an early BA auto IMO.

The AU manuals can be a pain in traffic though with the slightly lumpy engines and touchy throttles.

Early Boss 5.4s had issues with the plastic timing chain tensioners and a coolant flow issue in the back of the heads that caused worn valve guides/burnt valves in the rear cylinders. Was fixed in 2005 IIRC with a head casting revision. They seem prone to spinning bottom end bearings too, have heard of a few doing it and seen a few for sale cheap with spun bearings.

If you want an auto I'd go for a mint AU 220 of stretch to a BF which fixed a few issues.

[Edxr6]

Originally Posted by undertow

A low km manual AUIII XR8 is one everyone wants. Worth more than an early BA auto IMO.

The AU manuals can be a pain in traffic though with the slightly lumpy engines and touchy throttles.

Early Boss 5.4s had issues with the plastic timing chain tensioners and a coolant flow issue in the back of the heads that caused worn valve guides/burnt valves in the rear cylinders. Was fixed in 2005 IIRC with a head casting revision. They seem prone to spinning bottom end bearings too, have heard of a few doing it and seen a few for sale cheap with spun bearings.

If you want an auto I'd go for a mint AU 220 of stretch to a BF which fixed a few issues.

Thanks Undertow,

I appreciate your knowledge and information.

Regards

[PridenJoy]

From memory your 220 has under 100k kms? A manual 220 in Narooma blue with those kays is worth more than BA XR8 with similar kays all day everyday. For good reason, it's a better car.

If you need an auto, i think the advice given here is sound. Buy an auto 6 and keep the 220 or if you have to sell, buy an auto 220.

If you do sell it, there will be a few takers don't miss this one Jake.

[fordomatic]

Originally Posted by PridenJoy

From memory your 220 has under 100k kms? A manual 220 in Narooma blue with those kays is worth more than BA XR8 with similar kays all day everyday. For good reason, it's a better car.

If you need an auto, i think the advice given here is sound. Buy an auto 6 and keep the 220 or if you have to sell, buy an auto 220.

If you do sell it, there will be a few takers don't miss this one Jake.

All up to Edxr6, I’ve let him know I’m keen, I’m so over looking for one now, this would fit nicely in the garage if the coolant leak is just minor, which I think it would be.

I’ve seen plenty of immaculate 220 autos sell for around 8k in the last 2 years

[Strattos]

Haven't owned a BA, but been in a few and in terms of the interior it felt cheap and brittle to me - just my impressions.

Just little things like in the AU the dash surface and door linings have that little bit of give in them, making them feel better quality rather than hard brittle plastic. The seats are better and more supportive and the nicer material in the door linings around the door lever.

For me the 'XR8' designation brought more in the AU than it did with the BA, which to my uneducated eye, aside from the motor, seemed little more than a bonnet bulge and some different colours on the dash and seat.

In the AU it seems a much more special occasion having an XR8, such as additional gauges and generally more additions, but as I said, this is a cursory view as I've never really researched BAs.

Might be being a bit harsh on the BA here, but I am biased towards the mighty AU!

[fordomatic]

The AUb is a really bad vehicle, especially the XR8’s, the BA XR8 is far superior, you should buy a BA

[Edxr6]

Originally Posted by PridenJoy

From memory your 220 has under 100k kms? A manual 220 in Narooma blue with those kays is worth more than BA XR8 with similar kays all day everyday. For good reason, it's a better car.

If you need an auto, i think the advice given here is sound. Buy an auto 6 and keep the 220 or if you have to sell, buy an auto 220.

If you do sell it, there will be a few takers don't miss this one Jake.

PridenJoy,

119,000k’s now, its still my daily, thanks for the comments, tough decision, it took me 2 years to find the AU. When I purchased the car in 2014 it only had 96,000ks still quite low K’s considering. Great cars, as you would concur.

Regards

[falconhell74]

Keep the AU and pick up a cheep BA i6 especially if the kids are going to drive it.
Ba's are cheep as , I just picked up a dedicated gas for $750.00 it will probably cost me only $1000.00 to get it up to scratch and on the road.

[TICKFORD220]

I know my 107000km s3 manual au xr8 is worth at least 2 times more than an average auto ba xr8 in perth,some ba's are going for as little as $3500-4000 and the high priced ones just don't sell,ba xr8s aren't worth anywhere near as much as a good condition,low km au xr8.
The au is so much more sought after
If a good nick s3 manual au xr8 with low km ever pops up it doesn't last long,its only the 220 kw xr8 though, the 185 and 200 just don't get the same love,its not to say the 220 is faster but people just want the most powerful option,maybe bragging rights.
The 4 speed auto in the ba is rubbish,go look for a six speed auto bf xr8 for example,good ones are still over 10g here in perth,and ba xr8 had the most inherent engine issues too.
Ive watched the market for ages and these are my findings,im sure some wont agree,this is only perth,car prices are higher.

[Ben]

I couldn't sell my AU, I tried twice but couldn't bring myself to do it.

Even when I knew I was going overseas for 2 years I put it in storage for the 2nd time. I just got back a few days ago and am looking forward to getting it towed to where I am in the next few weeks.

I would rather ride a bike all week than sell it to be honest.

I might be slightly bias..

[Professor Farnsworth]

BAs are great, but heavy and cumbersome compared with an AU. Not a relaxing drive once you factor out the transmission. I don't really miss any of my B series that much, but I miss my AUs. And I LOVED B series'.