Anyone with a 200k+ miles petrol car
Discussion
200k on a mk2 golf gti, including some pretty hard motorsport use and still doesn't smoke. 5k oil n filter changes and regular cam belt changes are the key.
There are plenty of forums for high miles petrol subarus and volvo going to 300k plus and other marks too
They were all simple and robust designs, the newer highly stressed small capacity turbo lumps like the ford eco boom 1 litre seem less likely to be able to match those gor lingevity though, but happy to be proven wrong...
There are plenty of forums for high miles petrol subarus and volvo going to 300k plus and other marks too
They were all simple and robust designs, the newer highly stressed small capacity turbo lumps like the ford eco boom 1 litre seem less likely to be able to match those gor lingevity though, but happy to be proven wrong...
My Lotus Excel didn’t quite make it to 200k - I rebuilt it @ 175k after getting poor compression on one cylinder.
I got a fresh Nikasil coating on the liners, but the rest of the engine was all fine, bearings didn’t need grinding so I just had them polished. I replaced crankshaft bearings, piston rings, all seals and gaskets, other minor service stuff, the rest was fine just to go back in again.
This is no off-the-shelf engine from a major manufacturer either, this is the high-compression version of Lotus’ own 912 engine.
I got a fresh Nikasil coating on the liners, but the rest of the engine was all fine, bearings didn’t need grinding so I just had them polished. I replaced crankshaft bearings, piston rings, all seals and gaskets, other minor service stuff, the rest was fine just to go back in again.
This is no off-the-shelf engine from a major manufacturer either, this is the high-compression version of Lotus’ own 912 engine.
helmbarrie said:
I plan to keep my 2001 BMW 530i Sport tourer until it has done 200,000 miles, now on 193000 but has always liked a drop of oil ( 750 mils to a litre now)since I bought it on 75000 16 years ago. New alternator recently, radiator a few years ago and auto transmission oil cooler 4 years ago. Still runs sweetly.
Mega cars! Mines on 166k miles and so tempted to keep it going for big miles..And they sound nice too
My 1985 Land Rover LWB V8 made it to 200k but I noticed it smoking quite heavily in the headlights of the car behind when I was towing a trailer up hill on the A303 near Stonehenge.
I realise that it didn't have an oil leak after all and bit the bullet and had a reconditioned one fitted. This was several years ago and it's still going strong.
This one was owned by the MOD and looked after very well as it spent several years assigned to the UN escorting food convoys from Munich to the Balkans.
British engineering for you....😊
I realise that it didn't have an oil leak after all and bit the bullet and had a reconditioned one fitted. This was several years ago and it's still going strong.
This one was owned by the MOD and looked after very well as it spent several years assigned to the UN escorting food convoys from Munich to the Balkans.
British engineering for you....😊
Not a car engine but I spoke to a Triumph motorcycle dealer a few years back who had a 1980s Moto Guzzi 850 (bike) in for a burnt valve took the head off and the Nikasil barrels were like
new the bikes general condition was very Ratty and was being ridden by a Kiwi round Europe
the mileage 360,000 miles!
new the bikes general condition was very Ratty and was being ridden by a Kiwi round Europe
the mileage 360,000 miles!
_Batty_ said:
"Only" 200 !?
This thread is another level and a LOT of work has gone into making a very special machine that gets properly used.
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
I run a garage and have been in the motor trade fully for about 30 years and it was my hobby for around 20 years before that so I should know what I'm talking about. But may not so if you disagree just say so!
Back in the day diesels did last far longer than petrol engines because they were "over engineered" to resist the compression pressures involved and there was NO reason to try and extract any performance from them because people that bought diesels knew they would be slow but just wanted better fuel economy. Also engine technology in general was nothing like what it is today (anyone else remember the adverts in every local paper "Mk II Cortina for sale, 60,000 miles, new engine recently fitted")?
But now...diesels are no tougher than modern petrol engines and have far more power squeezed out of them, but then machining tolerances are infinitely better as are modern oils so, basically, the major components all last longer and I would expect any modernish engine, petrol or diesel, to do 200K PROVIDED it is properly and regularly serviced. Neglect any of them and they tend to go downhill rapidly.
The big issue though is the emissions equipment on diesels and that gets worse the newer they are. There are so many electronic bit and bobs bolted on to diesels these to try and stop them killing TOO many people and that is where the reliability issues mostly come from.
One simple example a customer with a Nissan Pathfinder. DPF 100% clogged beyond any hope of salvation. The eventual bill was £2,500 AND as it was down to his useage pattern, which he can't change. I had to tell him that is going to happen again in 2 - 3 years. And that sort of thing is what's killig a lot of diesels. They don't die as such but they get to be beyond economic repair.
Back in the day diesels did last far longer than petrol engines because they were "over engineered" to resist the compression pressures involved and there was NO reason to try and extract any performance from them because people that bought diesels knew they would be slow but just wanted better fuel economy. Also engine technology in general was nothing like what it is today (anyone else remember the adverts in every local paper "Mk II Cortina for sale, 60,000 miles, new engine recently fitted")?
But now...diesels are no tougher than modern petrol engines and have far more power squeezed out of them, but then machining tolerances are infinitely better as are modern oils so, basically, the major components all last longer and I would expect any modernish engine, petrol or diesel, to do 200K PROVIDED it is properly and regularly serviced. Neglect any of them and they tend to go downhill rapidly.
The big issue though is the emissions equipment on diesels and that gets worse the newer they are. There are so many electronic bit and bobs bolted on to diesels these to try and stop them killing TOO many people and that is where the reliability issues mostly come from.
One simple example a customer with a Nissan Pathfinder. DPF 100% clogged beyond any hope of salvation. The eventual bill was £2,500 AND as it was down to his useage pattern, which he can't change. I had to tell him that is going to happen again in 2 - 3 years. And that sort of thing is what's killig a lot of diesels. They don't die as such but they get to be beyond economic repair.
meb90 said:
My Mk4 Mondeo 2.5T has 214,000 miles on the clock. I've done about 70,000 of them. It does get regular servicing though.
Still drives very well, the mileage isn't obvious (bar the bodywork). Here's aiming for 300,000
You're ruining my plans for a new car you know. Still drives very well, the mileage isn't obvious (bar the bodywork). Here's aiming for 300,000
The 2.5T is so good the only way I'm going to replace it is if it dies...and it's only on ~140k.
My Mrs 02 plate Astra had somewhere around 220,000 miles when it finally got T-boned and written off. Not bad for a little 1.4 16v Vauxhall engine.
She owned it from 60,000 miles ish. In our ownership it had oil changes at 15,000 mile intervals, fuel filter air filter and plugs at 45,000 mile intervals, and cambelts at 120,000 ish and 190,000 something miles.
It never had a clutch, starter or alternator, was whacked up the arse twice and the front smashed up twice too in our ownership. All repaired at home and put back on the road.
A truly remarkable car.
She owned it from 60,000 miles ish. In our ownership it had oil changes at 15,000 mile intervals, fuel filter air filter and plugs at 45,000 mile intervals, and cambelts at 120,000 ish and 190,000 something miles.
It never had a clutch, starter or alternator, was whacked up the arse twice and the front smashed up twice too in our ownership. All repaired at home and put back on the road.
A truly remarkable car.
2 cars I use to own are well over 200,000
2002 BMW e46 330i, last time I checked it was on 218,000. Still on its original clutch
2001 BMW e39 530i, 237,000
The e39 I bought in 2010 with 129,000. The guy bought it from got it as an ex demo at 6 months old. He changed the oil every 6000 miles (which is what I do). I sold it at 150,000 in 2013. It’s now with a good friend who’s also a mechanic, and again he’s doing oils changes every 5000 miles. In our combined ownership, it’s needed one cam sensor, pair of front callipers. Proper centre bearing, a doughnut & Rad
The e46, got that on 137,000. Sold it at 155,000 to a friend who’s also a mechanic, he then moved it on to another person we knew in the BMW community.
Both use a bit of oil, nothing too bad but it’s known that the M54 engines use a bit of oil (1 litre every 1000 miles is considered acceptable by BMW themselves, but these were about a litre every 2/3000 depending on type of use)
2002 BMW e46 330i, last time I checked it was on 218,000. Still on its original clutch
2001 BMW e39 530i, 237,000
The e39 I bought in 2010 with 129,000. The guy bought it from got it as an ex demo at 6 months old. He changed the oil every 6000 miles (which is what I do). I sold it at 150,000 in 2013. It’s now with a good friend who’s also a mechanic, and again he’s doing oils changes every 5000 miles. In our combined ownership, it’s needed one cam sensor, pair of front callipers. Proper centre bearing, a doughnut & Rad
The e46, got that on 137,000. Sold it at 155,000 to a friend who’s also a mechanic, he then moved it on to another person we knew in the BMW community.
Both use a bit of oil, nothing too bad but it’s known that the M54 engines use a bit of oil (1 litre every 1000 miles is considered acceptable by BMW themselves, but these were about a litre every 2/3000 depending on type of use)
Edited by Kos1980 on Friday 13th November 00:31
V6todayEVmanana said:
Having a chat with a mechanic and he mentioned that if my petrol engine made it to 200K miles that would be exceptional and I am very lucky.
He expected the big end or piston seals to fail on a petrol car by then.
So was curious if anyone has reached this milestone and if so what major engine work was required.
I know in other threads there are mega mile diesel hence the focus on petrol.
That mechanic should find another career; just 3 of mine which spring to mind.He expected the big end or piston seals to fail on a petrol car by then.
So was curious if anyone has reached this milestone and if so what major engine work was required.
I know in other threads there are mega mile diesel hence the focus on petrol.
1964 3.8 E-type;- 287,000 miles when sold 40 years ago, still on the road. 4 valves needed @ 70,000 miles owing to youthful exuberance (over revving in 3rd).
1981 735ise;- 380,000 miles written off in accident. Valve @ 130,000, head gasket @ 232,000.
2004 XJ6; - 264,000 miles when sold 3 years ago, still on the road. Absolutely nothing.
Fastdruid said:
You're ruining my plans for a new car you know.
The 2.5T is so good the only way I'm going to replace it is if it dies...and it's only on ~140k.
Sorry! The 2.5T is so good the only way I'm going to replace it is if it dies...and it's only on ~140k.
Mine doesn't show any signs of dying yet, needs some mileage related TLC yes, but nothing serious. I guess the Volvo connection with the engine is helping the longevity.
My 2002 BMW e39 2.0l Sport was the last of the shape and was loaded up with leather etc by BMW at a knock down price to use up stock. All this meant I could squeeze it into my company car budget. The BMW contract hire ( 3 years, 75K miles ), was up in June 2005 with 82K miles. I left the company ( who paid the excess) and bought the car via my local BMW dealer.
Fast forward to Sept 2017 and 245,000 miles in total later, I traded it in for a 435d Xdrive, and got £500 in PX. All on original gearbox /diff oil, exhaust, it never missed a beat ! Slight engine oil leak, replaced wear and tear items water pump once, drive belts, hoses, 1 radiator. DVLA records show it has continued to pass MOT each year.
Fast forward to Sept 2017 and 245,000 miles in total later, I traded it in for a 435d Xdrive, and got £500 in PX. All on original gearbox /diff oil, exhaust, it never missed a beat ! Slight engine oil leak, replaced wear and tear items water pump once, drive belts, hoses, 1 radiator. DVLA records show it has continued to pass MOT each year.
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