Advice needed - Purchase 03MM w/ new motor?

[Shaft333]

Folks...
I'm seriously looking into picking up a very low mileage MM with TC.
I was just informed that there is a noise in the motor that the mechanics didn't care for - so they called Ford. Ford decided to replace the motor.
The bright side... new motor with new warranty on it.

What's your take on it?
I really want the TC. I work with a guy who helped design it. And I live in the snowbelt. Finding a car with TC has proven difficult.

[RF Overlord]

First things first: Welcome to the collective...and put your location in your profile...it'll help us help you in future.

If Ford just put in a brand new motor, you really can't go wrong...go for it...

BTW, '03 300Bs and all '04s have TC...

[LordVader]

:) Welcome to the best site on the web. Anything and everything there is to know about the MM is here in one form or another. My MM is a 03 300A and does not have the TC, however, everything I have read so far would appear that the preferred method of driving in the winter with the MM is to park it and driver a beater.

[wchain]

Folks...
I'm seriously looking into picking up a very low mileage MM with TC.
I was just informed that there is a noise in the motor that the mechanics didn't care for - so they called Ford. Ford decided to replace the motor.
The bright side... new motor with new warranty on it.

What's your take on it?
I really want the TC. I work with a guy who helped design it. And I live in the snowbelt. Finding a car with TC has proven difficult.


Was it a new Crate motor off the assy line or an AER Rebuilt Motor?

[DEFYANT]

Can you find out what went wrong with the first motor?

I say go for it!

Oh, and welcome aboard.

[Shaft333]

I don't know if it's a crate motor or rebuilt. I would imagine that it would be a remanufactured engine.

Thanks for the replies... keep 'em coming.

I can't park this car in the winter... I'm a motorcycle rider at heart - and I'll probably be riding the bike then.

[jdando]

Wow this is an interesting scenario. It is hard to give "a recommendation" over the internet without knowing all the facts. My initial response is one of concern about the car. What is the exact warranty situation? How much time is left on the car and motor warranty? Is an extended warranty available? How good of a deal is it? What does OASIS tell you? Which dealer did the motor replacement and is that the dealer you would be buying from?

These are the questions I would want answered if I was buying.

jeremy

[RoyLPita]

Welcome aboard. Regarless of what engine is installed (new or Ford rebuilt), you would get 3 years or 36000 miles warranty coverage above what is on the car now.

[jstevens]

I wouldn't be too concerned with finding one with tc.

Most of the winter, I shut mine off as this car spins a lot and I don't need the tc kick'en in every other minute.

[jgc61sr2002]

Folks...
I'm seriously looking into picking up a very low mileage MM with TC.
I was just informed that there is a noise in the motor that the mechanics didn't care for - so they called Ford. Ford decided to replace the motor.
The bright side... new motor with new warranty on it.

What's your take on it?
I really want the TC. I work with a guy who helped design it. And I live in the snowbelt. Finding a car with TC has proven difficult.


Shaft - Welcome aboard. :D The new engine sounds good to me.

[STLR FN]

Maybe the new engine wil come with a little "<i>whine</i> to it.:D Which would be a good thing. Anycase Welcome to the nuthouse.

[FastMerc]

Welcome to the collective of Marauder owners,new motor hop on that man:D

[BillyGman]

I'll offer my opinion, and that's all it is.....my opinion. I LUV driving my Marauder, and I'm one of those who drives it all year long even in the snow. When I was shopping for this car, I deliberately picked one out that does NOT have traction control, because I don't like traction control at all. So my Marauder doesn't have it. As far as your car getting a new engine, what can be bad about that? I think that's great. Keep us up to date on the progress of this, and welcome aboard. ;)

[Rider90]

What chicago burbs are you in?

[rookie1]

Welcome. Don't get too hung up on the TC. I live in the Chgo area and have a MM with TC. I suppose it's nice to have but it's certainly not very real world effective. On days when it's wet or slippery the car still handles like a sled.
Mine is an everyday driver and If it's really nasty out we usually take the wife's car. Responsible driving in inclement weather is the best protection against slippery conditions. The TC is a bonus but don't count on it giving you front wheel drive like traction.

[merc]

Was it a new Crate motor off the assy line or an AER Rebuilt Motor?

What's the differance between the two options ?

[SeaKingDriver]

The MM is a fabulous winter car: as long as you use four winter tires. I have Bridgestone Blizzaks on the front, Michelin X-ICE on the backs, mounted on Police Interceptor rims. I find the Traction Control does kick in from time to time, but you have to be reasonable and not punch the throttle when you are driving on ice and snow. (Here in Edmonton, our last snow of the winter was on May 5th, and our first snow was on September 9th...) Naturally, with winter tires the car's handling is not nearly as crisp as with stock wheels and tires. That's the price we pay not slipping and sliding all winter long.

Marvin

[BillyGman]

Welcome. Don't get too hung up on the TC. I live in the Chgo area and have a MM with TC. I suppose it's nice to have but it's certainly not very real world effective. On days when it's wet or slippery the car still handles like a sled.
Mine is an everyday driver and If it's really nasty out we usually take the wife's car. Responsible driving in inclement weather is the best protection against slippery conditions. The TC is a bonus but don't count on it giving you front wheel drive like traction.
Very well spoken!! I commend you for having such honesty. The only thing that I will add to that is the fact that good snow tires(NOT "all season" tires:rolleyes: ) will make a considerable difference in the snow, but even with snow tires, your Marauder will require good driving skills, and will not be as forgiving in the snow as a front wheel drive car will be that also has very good snow tires.

[BillyGman]

What's the differance between the two options ?
One has a new block with all new internal parts, and the other has a used block, with some parts being used, and re-worked. Even a remanufactured engine can be excellent though. However, it depends mostly on who did the rebuild, and how the work was done. If the place that does the rebuild work cuts corners to spare expenses(such is the case with mass produced rebuilds), then the engine will not be as good as a brand new one. But if the rebuild was extensive, and great care was taken in the manufacturing process (which by the way is usually and only the case with some high performance rebuilds) then the engine can actualy be better than any mass produced engine such as those off of the Ford assemly line.

[Shaft333]

Thanks for the advice. So far it looks like I'll be getting this car later this week.

A snow tire isn't a too bad of an idea. However we get VERY few days when we have to drive in snow. I'd have the sipes worn down till the tires are just regular ol' all seasons before the winter is over.

I just found out that I'm also getting a new driver's seat since the original owner had a back brace strapped to the seat that caused permanent distortion in the cushion.

I'm rather impressed how well this dealer is taking care of me.

[BillyGman]

That's good to hear.....I think you should support and encourage that dealer in the future by giving them business when it comes to maintainence (atleast twice per year). Dealers like that aren't easy to come by (atleast not in my homestate!). Let us know how things turn out.