Is the VVT engine worth it?

I have driven a Jimny, which was a VVT powered one, I like it and thought it went better than a stock Tdi Landy.

But on reflection, a pre March 2001 Jimny would appear to cost less to tax, so is there really much real world difference between the non VVT and VVT engines?

I was thinking in terms of:

-off road performance
-on road performance
-mpg
-reliability
-tunability


Thanks

Matt.

There is a few posts on here discussiing this very thing.

General opinion seems to be if you can afford a VVt then do, but there is not much in it.
Performance is slightly better (but only slightly), reliability seems similar, tunability is exceedingly limited for both.
One bonus of the VVT is its chain rather than belt driven so one less servicing cost.

Have a look here... (knew it had been covered before)
bigjimny.com/index.php?option=com_kunena...=7&id=6745&Itemid=75

Worth noting if you go for later cars you may end up with a push button 4wd selector and ABS. Whether thats good thing or not is down to personal preference....

Thanks, hadn't realised about the belt vs chain. I did do a search, but maybe I didn't refine it enough to get useful results.


If there's not much in it, then I quite like the sound of cheaper road tax tbh.

the forum search function is pretty naff
best to use google and add site:bigjimny.com to the end of your search terms
i.e. vvt and non-vvt site:bigjimny.com

The hard top got the twincam engine with timing chain for X reg.
The dearer tax came in for Y reg.

I've had two jimnys one with the earlier 'belt' engine 13gb(?) and before that with the later m13(?) engine with a chain. I can't tell any real world difference other than the earlier engine is giving better mpg. The belt is dead easy to change and the tax is over £100 cheaper.

G

I have had 3 jimnys, 2 with the M13AA engine and my current one with the VVT, I agree with Goatboys comments, the VVT engine seems to deliver the power more smoothly. The VVT MPG in standard spec I was getting a constant average of 36mpg obviously if you start to modify the Jimny then this will go down. The ABS hasn't been an issue off road but no doubt more servicing costs. I do miss the 4wd selector gear stick. Also the VVT models the rear seats don't fold down flat like the previous models which can be a bit of a nuisance at times. Reliability has been excellent except for the Kingpins which is a constant weak spot for all Jimny's.

My VVT one pulls like a tractor and I've had 100mph out of it on the flat! :evil: