Cars... the discussion continues

[just_david]

Some newer cars don't actually need yearly servicing anymore.

The onboard computer can tell from the driving being done and adjust accordingly.

 

My saab had a silly key turn system. It needed a service every x amount of timers the ignition was turned on. The idea being more keys in a short space of time is shorter more damaging trips etc.

BMW's have a more complex system for donkeys years now, and I think it's filtered down now to the likes of ford, that actually takes into account engine rpm's and break wear etc.

 

Both my mini's had it, and the merc did too. It was awesome. The saabs system not so much.

[arwen]

The lack of servicing didn't bother me too much, the car drove very well, and very smoothly on a short test drive. It's more the fact it has been sitting doing not very much for a number of years. The previous year for example, were those 500 miles 500 very sort trips? Or were they all done in one or two goes and the car has been sitting for months?

Personally, I would take a car that has lowish miles but regular use, on trips where it can be warmed up properly, than one with extremely low mileage that is hardly ever used.

 

The guy that lives across from me gets up early in the morning, drives his car around 1/4 mile to the corner shop to get his paper, then drives straight back. I have never seen him use the car other than this. I can't see how that can be good for any engine. Or am I missing something?

[twin--turbo]

The guy that lives across from me gets up early in the morning, drives his car around 1/4 mile to the corner shop to get his paper, then drives straight back. I have never seen him use the car other than this. I can't see how that can be good for any engine. Or am I missing something?

 

Hopefully it's a petrol!

 

And No it's not good for anything, the engine will me running an enriched mixture which will cause more bore wear. The oil will not be thinned and will cause more wear on the crank,big end, little end and cam journals. The exhaust won;t burn off the moisutre inside and will rot the exhaust faster.

 

Low miles cars are often troublesome.

 

As for servicing, it makes a lot of money for un-necessary work or in many cases a lot of money for work not to be even done.

 

TT

[mikeprice]

I'm well chuffed - just had my Honda Civic serviced and MOT'd and if feels FAR better than before

 

And it only cots £150 - Honda were going to charge £500!!

[3s-gtech]

Just getting my nice new Fiesta ST brakes ready for my Puma, totally under-braked as standard. Should be an even better package when done.

[twin--turbo]

My manager just sold his perfectly good focus 59plate to hock himself for £250 a month to "USE" a CAR

 

I say "use" as he will never own it

 

I say "car" rather than "NEW CAR" as it's now old after 2 days.

 

If he kept his old car I would say in the next 2 yeats he may spend £400.

His new ( sorry not so old ) will cost £5500

 

TT

[twin--turbo]

Just getting my nice new Fiesta ST brakes ready for my Puma, totally under-braked as standard. Should be an even better package when done.

 

Only car I found under braked was our MK1 golf, and only when descending Kirkstone Pass at pace.. They faded badly to the extend I had to flare the handbrake to get it to stop.

 

TT

[Davit2005]

Only car I found under braked was our MK1 golf, and only when descending Kirkstone Pass at pace.. They faded badly to the extend I had to flare the handbrake to get it to stop.

 

TT

 

Servo failure in a Range Rover going down a bendey hill is no fun, and can't really pull up handbrake in old Range Rovers cause you can wreck the box

[twin--turbo]

Servo failure in a Range Rover going down a bendey hill is no fun, and can't really pull up handbrake in old Range Rovers cause you can wreck the box

 

Push harder on the pedal

[Oaktech]

Low miles cars are often troublesome.

 

Wouldn't know - the lowest mileage car I've ever owned was 175,000 - the highest 580,000

[eyetea]

Wouldn't know - the lowest mileage car I've ever owned was 175,000 - the highest 580,000

 

Impressive numbers! Highest "legitimate" milage I knew about was my old Vectra at just over 110,000. Highest "un legitimate" milage would be my old '69 Morris Minor - when I had it there was 80,000 on the clock... but who knows how many times it had gone over!

[Oaktech]

Impressive numbers! Highest "legitimate" milage I knew about was my old Vectra at just over 110,000. Highest "un legitimate" milage would be my old '69 Morris Minor - when I had it there was 80,000 on the clock... but who knows how many times it had gone over!

 

It's the nasty habit I have of buying ex taxis and big motorway mile munchers!

 

[3s-gtech]

Only car I found under braked was our MK1 golf, and only when descending Kirkstone Pass at pace.. They faded badly to the extend I had to flare the handbrake to get it to stop.

 

TT

 

Ever driven a pre-84 Mini? Drums on the front + enthusiastic driving = terror!

[elsiegee40]

Ever driven a pre-84 Mini? Drums on the front + enthusiastic driving = terror!

 

I drove a pre 74 mini. It was brilliant. 898cc engine I think

Edited February 12, 2016 by elsiegee40

[cpjitservices]

My car is currently at 185,000k ... today is new clutch day LOL

[difinity]

Ever driven a pre-84 Mini? Drums on the front + enthusiastic driving = terror!

 

I think you mean fun ?

One of my minis had a MG Metro 1275 engine in and the stock brakes that suffered from torque steer. I also had a 1000cc ported and polished, race tuned engine with straight through exhaust...also standard brakes.

 

My 57 Focus TD has done 150k.

[Davit2005]

I drove a pre 74 mini. It was brilliant. 898cc engine I think

 

Many years back my first car was a 1975 Mini Clubman GT cost me £285 and insurance was £264, tiny steering wheel, 15 shades of brown mostly rust. Scared the hell out of me when I took it on motorway at 75mph. How it got through it's previous MOT was anyones guess.

Edited February 12, 2016 by Davit2005

[elsiegee40]

Many years back my first car was a 1975 Mini Clubman GT cost me £285 and insurance was £264, tiny steering wheel, 15 shades of brown mostly rust. Scared the hell out of me when I took it on motorway at 75mph. How it got through it's previous MOT was anyones guess.

 

I had a 1970 H reg mini van which had been converted to have side windows and a seat that folded down in the back. Steering wheel big enough for a bus. It was basic.

 

It got me and my stuff to university with my slalom kayak on the roofrack. It was handy for slaloms because I could sleep in the back and didn't need a tent

 

What it lacked in power it made up for in reliability. I loved it

[3s-gtech]

I think you mean fun ?

One of my minis had a MG Metro 1275 engine in and the stock brakes that suffered from torque steer. I also had a 1000cc ported and polished, race tuned engine with straight through exhaust...also standard brakes.

 

My 57 Focus TD has done 150k.

 

Nope, I don't mean fun. The discs on later cars were fine, but the drums were woeful. They were prone to overheating and expanding, and the fade was immense. They'd eventually distort, so it wobbled when braking. Also had a bit of a heart stopper when one of the slave cylinders popped in a rear drum - single circuit brakes meant I had nothing but the handbrake to try to slow me down!

 

The car itself was great fun overall though, and I've enjoyed driving later disc braked cars.

[twin--turbo]

Never owned a Mini. NEVER want one. Been in a crash in one, which perhaps feeds my derire to have large cars.

 

Only owned 3 cars in 23 years with less than 110k on the clock. Personal best was 220k on my Volvo 855T5.

 

TT

[difinity]

Nope, I don't mean fun. The discs on later cars were fine, but the drums were woeful. They were prone to overheating and expanding, and the fade was immense. They'd eventually distort, so it wobbled when braking. Also had a bit of a heart stopper when one of the slave cylinders popped in a rear drum - single circuit brakes meant I had nothing but the handbrake to try to slow me down!

 

The car itself was great fun overall though, and I've enjoyed driving later disc braked cars.

 

I never suffered from fade in my minis, and i had lots, the trick was using the gears more.

I did have one with a leaky radiator, used to overheat and seize the engine. I'd have to top up with water and wait for the piston to shrink back to a normal size before carrying on.

I was a mobile mini mechanic for a while. Traveled about the county in my Clubman estate with my Snap-on tool box in the back. It was interesting one night when i got pulled by the police trying to explain why there was a load of mini bits in the back of my car (quicker to throw a blanket over them than take them out).

[just_david]

With the higher mileage cars, do you do any work yourself?

The main thing that puts me off high milers is if that something goes wrong, I'm out a car and the money to fix it.

any worn parts I'd have to pay to be fixed rather than do myself.

[cpjitservices]

Car Woes! Clutch Kit wrong from the car parts place... not just wrong... but used. not a happy chappy. Work delayed!!

[cpjitservices]

With the higher mileage cars, do you do any work yourself?

The main thing that puts me off high milers is if that something goes wrong, I'm out a car and the money to fix it.

any worn parts I'd have to pay to be fixed rather than do myself.

 

Yes I DIY most stuff on my car, 185k miles... and to be honest it hasn't cost me anymore on servicing / repairs than a low mileage car. I service it regular and its due a new clutch which was supposed to be done today but a mess up at the motor factors has scuppered that, it's a diesel I get fantastic mileage out of the 1.9 VAG lump. High mileage doesn't bother me at all.

[datar_]

Aston Martin for me hopefully!

 

I am half way there with a Mondeo v6, the ford Duratec XE is essentially one half of an Aston Martin V12.

 

Cosworth had something to do with Bolting two Mondeo engines together to get 460hp back in 2002 (coincidently the same age as my Mondeo)