Buy new or used F4?

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I want an F4 but am very interested in extra HP. I am considering buying a 2000 F4 and installing the Casoli big bore kit. Then again, by the time I spend that much money I could buy a new F4 with 137 hp. Here is my question. Will the new model be comparable to the big bore kit in performance? Is the 2003 a better model than the 2000 in other categories? If I buy the used F4 and want to sell it in the future I doubt I could recoup my investment so resale on the 2003 would be better. Any suggestions would be welcome.

Thanks Scott

-- scott graves (jsgraves@sbcglobal.net), June 09, 2003

Answers

I would buy a new one with the extra hp. If you buy an older one and dump a bunch of money in it, you will never get it back. At least with a new one there is better chance of keeping it's value. Warranty is another issue. Might be tough getting a 2 yr. warranty on a hot rod motor.

-- greg petersen (gntpete@nvbell.net), June 09, 2003.

A few threads up I mentioned a potential problem with the later more powerfull F4's. I would probably go for the 2000 model with big bore kit unless you fancy having new valve manufactured especially for an Evo02/03.

-- Daniel (pril@voicenet.uk.net), June 12, 2003.

We 02 owners would appreciate your not responding to folks interested in the later model with your alleged story of "weak valves". Even assuming the facts as you describe them to be true, the abuse of a bike by one owner should not be used to paint the entire lot of 02s as potentially "blowing up".

I have had absolutely no issues regarding same and never has this issue come up on this site.

Our 02s are the fastest of the lot and are absolutely of premium quality.

No offense to owners of the earlier models.

Am I the only one disturbed about this guy's comments to potential buyers of the evo2?

-- mike (msoucy@deflaw.com), June 12, 2003.


OK how's this...

7600 miles on the bike, three, maybe four multiday trips, three track days for 1200 to 1500 track miles, and heading in for the 7500 mile service. So far she's been well kept up and bulletproof. I'll have the mech take a look while he's in there and ask him to snap off a couple of photos for "future reference".

There are a lot of things that can cause one bike to present a specific problem. Any other experiences on this one?

Juries need 12...

Scot/NC

-- Scot Hennon (scot/nc@i-bmw.com), June 12, 2003.


I have doubts about the valve issue too. Haven't heard too many 2002 failing in the US. Althought, TP on MV Agusta F4S.com is having some engine problems with his Senna, but it doesn't necessarily mean shorter valves are the culprit.

If anything, I have more confidence in the EVOII motors that EVOIs. And I say this after having both a 2000 & 2002 and having pretty much every problem with the 2000 model know to exist.

BTW, I've ridden both MV during the AZ summer and in traffic. It doesn't get much hotter that.

And in terms of parts being in short supply, I sent a e-mail to Cagiva during the height of the bankrutpcy scare. They confirmed they have large supplies in inventory and are also working with MV special parts to maintain supplies. Now that production is up again, I don't think that's an issue.

Oh, to answer Scott's question, a big bore kit will have more power than the 2003 models, simply because it will have more torque. If you go with the big bore, I'd try to find the cheapest (but good condition) 2000 MV could you find. If you want a warranty and better resale value, I'd stick with a 2003. I think the F4 Mille will be the bike to have. But I really think we're two years away from seeing it in the showrooms, despite Cagiva saying they'll have a protype in Milan this September (Castigiloni interview).

Personally, I'd want the warranty and would stick with a 2003 MV. OR, if I could get a really, really good discount on left over 2002, I'd grab it. That way, you still have a 2 year warranty, no difference in power (between 2002/2003), but the discount will really offset depreciation. When the Mille comes, you'd be in a better position to trade or sale.

-- Allan Gibbs (Phoenix, Arizona) (Agibbs996@aol.com), June 12, 2003.



Thanks for all the good feedback. I believe the Evo 2 will be a better choice financially and mechanically until the F4 Mille arrives.

-- scott graves (jsgraves@sbcglobal.net), June 12, 2003.

Good luck Scott. And don't be shy about asking for discounts. How much, I'm not sure but I THINK someone got a 2002 silver for $18K OTD. For reference, full MSRP ($18,995)+ fees+ AZ tax is $21,000.

-- Allan Gibbs (Phoenix, AZ) (Agibbs@aol.com), June 13, 2003.

I am releived on hearing the recent feedback from 02 owners on a few threads, I seem to have attracted a lot of flack from passing on what I heard from some dealers in this country. I own a 2000 f4 which has done around 9000 miles and the only problem I ever had with the engine was a slight leak from the water pump that was rectified by fitting a new shim. I agree that these machines are built to a fine standard and are a quality item in every respect. I am glad to hear no one else has experienced problems with the later model engines and yes maybe it was a one off that was blown out of all proportion, keep the feedback alive.

Daniel.

-- Daniel (pril@voicenet.uk.net), June 16, 2003.


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