Performance vs Service Intervals

[GroundEffect]

We've all heard the horror stories of certain supercars, and even Evos, with their short service intervals. So, just what is the best car in terms of Performance vs Service Intervals?

A few examples:

Lotus Elise R: 7,500 miles vs 189BHP/4.7Sec
Nissan GT-R (2012): 6,000 miles vs 550BHP/2.7Sec
BMW E46 M3: 13,000 miles vs 338BHP/5.1Sec
BMW Z4 Coupe (my car for interest): 15,000 miles vs 265BHP/5.5Sec
Mitsubishi Evo X: 5,000 miles (US), 10,000 miles (UK) vs 300BHP/4.7Sec <-- See conflicting reports on intervals. Mit Japan recommends 5,000km on engine oil on Evo X.

[FreeLitres]

Smart Roadsters need very frequent servicing for some reason.

[otolith]

Our Saab 9-5 Aero (2.3/250bhp) has 18,000 mile service intervals. Not sure I like that much, though it won't do anything like that a year and we'll service it annually.

[GroundEffect]

otolith said:

Our Saab 9-5 Aero (2.3/250bhp) has 18,000 mile service intervals. Not sure I like that much, though it won't do anything like that a year and we'll service it annually.

That is an odd value. I don't know anyone who'd let their oil chug around for that many miles.

The poor service intervals lead me to believe the GT-R isn't the performance bargain that it seems. Also consumables must be hideously expensive for it.

[kambites]

Indeed, especially considering the problems that Saab have had with oil emulsification in the recent past.

[pilchardthecat]

Porsches appeal on this basis - 997s are 20,000 miles or 2 years

[GroundEffect]

pilchardthecat said:

Porsches appeal on this basis - 997s are 20,000 miles or 2 years

Even the Turbos and GT2/3s?

[pilchardthecat]

GroundEffect said:

pilchardthecat said:

Porsches appeal on this basis - 997s are 20,000 miles or 2 years

Even the Turbos and GT2/3s?

Turbos yes, don't know about the GT models

[anonymous-user]

Corvette

Nothing except fluids until 10 years or 100,000 miles. Very fast, incredibly reliable and inexpensive to run.

[pilchardthecat]

5 USA said:

Corvette

Nothing except fluids until 10 years or 100,000 miles. Very fast, incredibly reliable and inexpensive to run.

That just makes me even more angry that they don't offer them with the steering wheel on the correct side

[kambites]

5 USA said:

Corvette

Nothing except fluids until 10 years or 100,000 miles. Very fast, incredibly reliable and inexpensive to run.

How often are the fluids?

[otolith]

kambites said:

Indeed, especially considering the problems that Saab have had with oil emulsification in the recent past.

I believe the version of the car we have has had less trouble with sludging - as I understand it, Saab extended the service intervals somewhat optimistically on all of them, but they only specified fully synthetic oil on the Aero model. We had the sump dropped and cleaned out to be on the safe side.

[elementad]

From my experience:
S2000: 12,000 miles, 240 bhp/5.9 sec and service cost approx £100 and majors between £300-400).
370z: 9000 miles, 330bhp/4.8 sec and service cost so far £164

[soda]

kambites said:

5 USA said:

Corvette

Nothing except fluids until 10 years or 100,000 miles. Very fast, incredibly reliable and inexpensive to run.

How often are the fluids?

10k intervals I would think, same engine as a Monaro (LSX)

[Patrick Bateman]

911 Turbo

[darkcat]

FreeLitres said:

Smart Roadsters need very frequent servicing for some reason.

indeed Smarts in general need VERY regular service, and they burn engines out in under 60k


I have just rebuilt one, a 2001 coupe, 53k on the clock, had worn out piston rings, VERY worn (but not noisy big ends, knackered turbo, dead cat.

i wouldnt have bothered but the £300 on parts was worth it for the £1200 increase in value :-D

[chilled901]

kambites said:

How often are the fluids?

there is a oil life indicator that tells you when your oil change is due depending on how you have driven the car.

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