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Currently running a 56 Reg BMW 320D Touring. Bought second-hand about 6 years ago from BMW dealer in Galsgow
Just completeted 101000 miles.
Oil and filters changed about every 6 months / 9000 miles. Serviced by BMW dealer in Perth and intermediate oil changes at excellent local grage.
No mechanical problems. Two expensive, electrical problems in last 18 months.
Used mostly for long, motorway/dual-carriageway journeys from Perthshire to Darlington, Nottingham, Bala, Manchester, Cardiff, Lee Valley, Newbury. Sometimes loaded with 4/5 people plus kayaks and kit.
Still returning at least 50mpg despite / because of some relatively high-speed runs.
Delighted with vehicle. Wish I had bought scotch-guard finish for the seats.
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I would go for a merc or BMW over a VAG.
VAG quality is woefully lacking across the range.
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I would go for a merc or BMW over a VAG.
VAG quality is woefully lacking across the range.
Pathetic
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VAG can't be that bad as most taxis around here seem to be VAG cars in some way, shape or form.
What I don't understand is why anyone would buy an Audi when it's essentially a Skoda/Seat with a 'softer dash'. Same mechanicals underneath due to the MQB platform. I suppose it has something to do with the 'prestige' badge.
Edited by balleballe on 07/02/2015 at 06:25
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What I don't understand is why anyone would buy an Audi when it's essentially a Skoda/Seat with a 'softer dash'. Same mechanicals underneath due to the MQB platform. I suppose it has something to do with the 'prestige' badge.
So why buy a Mercedes-Benz when SsangYong, Chrysler and Renault share their platforms ?
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What I don't understand is why anyone would buy an Audi when it's essentially a Skoda/Seat with a 'softer dash'. Same mechanicals underneath due to the MQB platform. I suppose it has something to do with the 'prestige' badge.
So why buy a Mercedes-Benz when SsangYong, Chrysler and Renault share their platforms ?
Do they use the same engines?
I know the new A-class uses the Renault 1.5 DCI. Do any of the cars from Ssangyong/Chrysler have the mercedes 2.2D?
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The SsangYong and Chrysler models generally use M-B medium size engines, 2-7-3.0.
Now that they're part of Fiat, the Chrysler 300 uses a VM Motori 3.0 engine, also part of Fiat, but still uses the E-class platform from the days when M-B owned Chrysler..
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Hardly the same thing as a skoda being the same as an Audi.
They are based on the same platforms and have the same engines. petrol to diesel....all the same
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One of the SsangYongs used the ML-class platform/powertrain - the Chrysler 300 used the E-class powertrain/powertrain.
Whether platform-sharing is done well or not is a variable, but platform-sharing isn't a bar to quality.
Judge the engineering, not the label.
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Still a bit of a luck of the draw thing I guess. I've a three and a half year old E Class which I've had from new and have put 120,000 trouble free miles on. It has the 2.1 "250" CDI engine which has been faultless. My pal has a similar age ML 350 CDI and has has a fair amount of bother with it. I'd have another Merc in a heartbeat but he probably wouldn't.
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"Still a bit of a luck of the draw thing I guess."
Good point - but of course, given that a car is the most expensive thing people buy (or have bought for them as a company car) apart from a house, it really shouldn't be a matter of luck, particularly not for a new car.
That's why a lot of people buy Japanese: only a few models are entertaining to drive, but the chances of getting one with problems, even when buying used, are considerably smaller.
That said, 5 of my last 6 cars have been from the VAG stable, and all have been faultless - but I've been lucky enough to have been able to buy new and not keep them for more than three years.
I bought my BMW Z3 when it was seven years old and kept it for five years: that never went wrong either, and I had the impression that it was a high quality product throughout. But it had a full service history and I also think it had been looked after by its two previous owners.
If the OP is buying used, that last sentence is probably more important than anything else.
Edited by Avant on 07/02/2015 at 16:19
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A very good pal of mine, with whom I've had many a good discussion on VAG product reliability over the years, and who is awaiting delivery of a Scirocco, ordered from me and much against my professional advice, has texted me today.
His 61 plate A1 1.6 TDi has given up the ghost in a cloud of black smoke. One day before the warranty expired.
Odd that!. I was convinced that all VAG diesels were programmed to blow up one day after the warranty expired. They're losing the plot!
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Oh dear…
Friday the 13th ?
This morning my 61 Plate Skoda Octavia with 1.6TDI CR, at 60200 miles, Coolant Level Warning Light came on. The Coolant level in the expansion tank is below “Low” mark. Should I expect a big repair bill ?
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Oh dear…
Friday the 13th ?
This morning my 61 Plate Skoda Octavia with 1.6TDI CR, at 60200 miles, Coolant Level Warning Light came on. The Coolant level in the expansion tank is below “Low” mark. Should I expect a big repair bill ?
You should expect to fill it up with a proper coolant/water mix, and then carefully monitor it (every day for the first week, then weekly for a month or 2), and see if the level drops again or not. If it does, then don't do what so many do, and just keep on topping it up, GET IT FIXED.
Sadly, basic maintenance of vehicles, even opening the bonnet and checking oil, coolant, brake fluid, etc. seems to beyond most people. I'm certainly not perfect, but our cars get checked at least monthly. Takes me all of 15 minutes for 3 cars, and that includes tyre pressures and topping up screenwash.
I'm firmly of the opinion that a lot of engine failures aren't down to poor design, but poor owner responsibility.
Edited by RobJP on 13/02/2015 at 14:19
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Thanks Rob.
Will do and update in here accordingly....
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Friend of mine has a VAG engine in a Seat Exeo. Previously had a Honda Accord I-CDTI.
He ran the Accord from 40k - 160k in 4 years
His Exeo he got on 20k and its now on 110k.
The engine in the Accord had an EGR issue and a new clutch flywheel in it's owndership. The engine in the Exeo needed 2 injectors replaced a few thousand miles ago. Also a new clutch and flywheel some time last year.
The Accord used to get 50-55mpg on the motorway, the Exeo gets 55-60mpg.
The Accord had 0 electrical issues. The Seat however has had a few electrical issues mainly with the windows and something about water ingress with dodgy door seals.
He's was going to try a C class Merc next......but the timing chain issue on the current model may sway him against it.
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The Accord had 0 electrical issues. The Seat however has had a few electrical issues mainly with the windows and something about water ingress with dodgy door seals.
They had the same problem with Leons and Ibizas. The seals were made from a foam type material that degraded over time letting in water.
I can't stand a car that constantly mists up inside.
I would have thought, being a later model, the Exeo wouldn't have suffered from this.
VAG doesn't seem to be able to make a car that keeps water outside. Maybe they should hire a drainage company.
Are their latest models finally leak proof?
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I know it’s a complicated machine after all and need an attention.
But, Am I being too optimistic to expect trouble free motoring ?
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If you want reliability buy a car with out a turbo, less to go wrong.
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If you want reliability buy a car with out a turbo, less to go wrong.
Wouldn't always agree with that, a bit of ignoring of fashionable thinking and makers recommendations can help prolong the life expectancy of these things to indefinate.
Such as ignoring current bad joke oil service intervals (unless well driven very high motorway style mileage), allowing the engine to warm up and cool down a bit before and after driving, and doing your own online research to find out if your particular engine has design faults likely to result in combustion gases or neat fuel finding its way into the crankcase, or in the case of certain FWD German cars a EGR valve made of cheese that takes approx 6 hours to change.
There are lots of other goodies and features i'd not touch long before turbos feature on the list, EPB and DSG just two of the many.
Edited by gordonbennet on 13/02/2015 at 19:40
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I drive 60 miles a day. 50 miles of which are on the motorway. The rest urban/sub-urban. Each end of the trip, I let the engine run for up to a minute to ensure all cooled down nicely. Sometimes more after long journey.
I normally get 60+MPG. I look after my car. It's been serviced only by Skoda garage on schedule. It has been on the long life service regime up to 54k. The car's been running solely on Shell V-Power Diesel.
When I bought my car 3 years ago, there weren't many negative reviews on this engine(VAG 1.6 TDI CR). I believe it was still too new to judge its reliability.
I'm thinking to buy Citroen C4 Picasso with 115ps diesel. Is this engine any good ?
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I find very little goes wrong buying Japanese.
I've had 7 jap cars, and 5 of other makes, my last three being jap.
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Over the years - so going back to the late 80s - myself and my wife have had cars from :
Rover (1), Vauxhall (2), Landrover (3), Mercedes (1), Nissan (2), Mitsubishi (1), BMW (several of those, currently got 2), Audi (3 of those), Mercedes (1), Jaguar (1), Volvo (4), Renault (2), and a TVR.
The only breakdowns we have ever suffered have been a battery failure (dead cell) on a Volvo 850 and a turbocharger failure on a Jag X-type diesel.
Other problems have been notable by their total absence, though I did have to get an EGR valve changed on a Mitsubishi Shogun a few years back.
Between us, we do 40-50k a year. At one stage, a decade or so ago, I was doing 80k a year. In total, over the years, we must have covered something approaching 2 million miles of motoring.
However, throughout this time, we have maintained our cars properly. Checking levels regularly, ensuring that all servicing is carried out on time, and we both drive quite sympathetically. If I hear an odd noise while driving, I'll investigate it, and my wife does the same.
Unless you buy an absolute lemon, having a reliable car is far more about maintenance than anything else. Buy the finest piece of engineering on the planet, and if you never open the bonnet, then sooner or later, you'll have major problems.
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Well said Rob. I could tell a similar tale of about 20 cars (me) and 12 (SWMBO) over 45 years - all reliable except a Fiat (our first and also our last) - and seven of mine and three of hers were Renaults.
A reasonably high mileage, regular maintenance and sympathetic driving are what a car needs. The best thing an owner can do if they need a car only for short journeys is to do a good 20-mile run, say every other weekend, just for the fun of it. The extra petrol won't cost that much and it could pay for itself if the car doesn't go wrong so often.
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Having roughly counted, since starting driving in 1978, I have covered about 750,000 miles, in, first a Renault 5, then a VW Polo, then a Citroen BX Diesel, beiefly a VW VENTO, then a FGord Galaxy, and now a Skoda Octavia.
Only the last 2 being bought new.
Never once in all those miles and years have I broken down, beyond self repair, or had unexpected mechanical failures.
Covered quite a chuck o the Continent in the Polo, BX and Vento.
All sans ANY "get you home insurance"
Common sence and mechanical sympathy are apparently uncommon.
PS
The Galaxy reached 253,000 miles on the origional clutch, head gasket, exhaust, gearbox,and 1 front drive shaft, the other failing due to a missed split gaiter at over 200,000 miles.
Quite a few starter motors though, due to stop start driving.
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Breakdowns /faults since 1985 ish
Company Rover 800s x 3 : failed window motors/switches x lots, cyclinder head gasket, exhaust failed (new car), turbo failed, overheating, clutch failure, squeaking dash.
Company Mercedes 260E 1990: failed suspension, failed ignition switch
Peugoet 106D: failed clutch operating lever, cylinder head gasket.
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Update....
OK, Topped up Coolant Water to the level between MIN and MAX last Friday 13/02/15.
Checked every day and the level fluctuated between MIN Line and MAX Line.
Cold Start, Coolant level is at MIN Line. It goes up to MAX Line after 45 minutes driving.
It stays in the middle for the rest of the day.
I don’t think it lost any coolant since last Friday.
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My Friends 2 year old golf with the 1.6 TDi engine had a similar symptom yesterday.
He took it to the supplying VW garage and they rekon it's something to do with the head gasket, it's apparantly not an unkown fault with these engines. Hopefully your's is something simple as you're talking mega wonga otherwise
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