7M-GTE durability?
 

Hey all, I'm new to the forum and love the look of Supras and I'm trying to buy one not as a daily driver but something I can build in my spare time (Or every weekend).

I've been searching for info on the forums here and on Google and the only major issue I can find with the 7M is the hg. Awesome. But the MKIII I'm looking to purchase is $2500 obo. The biggest downside I see is 170,000 miles on the motor. Haven't bothered getting in contact with him yet because I don't have the cash yet :crazy2:

So basically, how long can these things last???

Thanks all. :]
-Monaco

if well maintained, theres no reason they could eclipse 300k. i know theres some around with that much and more. it all depends on your maintenance intervals and how you drive really.

toyotas are notorious for lasting a long time if maintained. all except the 3.0 v6....toyotas first and only outsourced engine...is an over glorified boat anchor.

The 3vze (toy 3.0l v6) was outsourced? where did u get that from? i had a 92 4runner before my supra with 315k miles when i sold it (head gaskets/ used heads) and the current owner runs it with no problems.

yep, designed for them by isuzu (if i recall correctly) and certain parts were outsourced to them and germany. need to find the articles again.

im not saying there hasnt been good ones. ive seen a few go 300k plus, but usually not without some serious maintenance. unlike the R, M, G, UZ, and F engines by toyota, among others, which usually require no major repairs b4 300k (save the 7m, due to the HG material change and tq value overlook) as long as they are cared for. even thrashed ones hold up quite well.

i personally wouldnt trust a 3vz as far as i could kick it. i havent had good luck with them at all. every time i even thought about pushing it hard or doing anything out of normal driving, it would break down. and when i actually did get a chance to push it; fantastic explosion. this was a stock motor, well maintained.

and frankly i dont think replacing headgaskets is part of "general maintenance" if you drive the car right. they also have horribly small oil passages and several 90* bends that do not help oil delivery.

may not be what everyone thinks, but ive had enough and dealt with enough to make my decision final: i will never own another one and wouldnt recommend one.

Thanks for all the info guys. Hopefully I can come up with the money soon. All the car really needs is timing according to the owner.

Oh, quite interesting! it also make sense since they were the first V6's for toyota. They were heavily under powered and had shit gas mileage but they sounded beasty with a axle back..lol

The S series (3S and 5S) were built mostly by Yamaha, IIRC.

yep, a lot of collaberative work.