25 years at the wheel and never had the 'head off
Discussion
The thread about what constitutes high mileage for a second-hand car got me thinking. During the past quarter of a century I have owned about 10 old classics and 5 brand new cars. As far as I can remember none of them had even reached 50,000 miles by the time I came to sell them on. Coincidence or not, none of them ever needed any engine work during my ownership. No engines out, no cylinder heads off (and no complaints from their subsequent buyers!). Sure, some of the ancilliaries (water pump, radiator, alternator, clutch, fuel pump etc.) have worn out and needed replacing, but, touch wood, that's been it so far, with the exception of regular service items.
Would I have been so lucky if I'd kept these cars for 100,000+ miles each? Maybe I would if I kept the servicing up-to-date, but I'd struggle to buy an unknown second-hand car from a third party at that sort of mileage.
Would I have been so lucky if I'd kept these cars for 100,000+ miles each? Maybe I would if I kept the servicing up-to-date, but I'd struggle to buy an unknown second-hand car from a third party at that sort of mileage.
Most of my cars go over 100,000 miles and I've only ever had the head off two of them, both MR2s (a 4AGE with valve sealing issues at over 100,000 miles and a 3SGE head gasket).
I've also had a wankel do 67,000 miles with no problems (until the 25 year old floor rusted away and wrote the car off). I count that as as much of a win as my quarter million mile 325.
I'm currently playing k-series headgasket roulette.
I've also had a wankel do 67,000 miles with no problems (until the 25 year old floor rusted away and wrote the car off). I count that as as much of a win as my quarter million mile 325.
I'm currently playing k-series headgasket roulette.
Despite the general belief on PH that there was some Golden Age of wonderful cars the reality is that modern cars are simply much better. 100,000 miles without attention must be absolutely normal these days. I think the Americans have a requirement that engines must be able to get to 100,000 miles in full emissions compliance and without any maintenance except oil changes.
Ozzie Osmond said:
Despite the general belief on PH that there was some Golden Age of wonderful cars the reality is that modern cars are simply much better. 100,000 miles without attention must be absolutely normal these days. I think the Americans have a requirement that engines must be able to get to 100,000 miles in full emissions compliance and without any maintenance except oil changes.
Entirely correct Ozzie. I have had several Volvo's over the years that each covered well in excess of 200,000 miles without major component failure of any sort and an Audi diesel that covered over 550,000 miles with everything still working on the car.That sort of mileage could never have been achieved on the cars of my youth. The Classic Mini when new struggled with reaching 60,000 miles on the A series. No car at that time could get anywhere near modern longevity. Triumph Herald engines frequently require reringing at 40,000 miles. When did anyone rering a modern car?
Modern lubricants do help but modern cars are manufactured to far higher standards than existed 50 Years ago in motoring. Modern performance is vastly better. Modern noise vibration and harshness removal and modern soundproofing treatment has revolutionised in car comfort and modern motoring.
Much as I love my Wolseley 4/50 and my three Classic Minis there is no comparison to the standards now achieved in car manufacture in these cars. Modern cars are simply much better made and much more reliable.
All my cars bar one have done in excess of 100,000 miles. The only car I've ever had to take the head off of was a Fiat Seicento I bought with a failed head gasket. In the past 10 years I've been left stranded twice- once because a replacement alternator I fitted was faulty and once because I ran out of fuel.
Modern cars are incredibly well engineered, to a point that I'm almost tempted to say mechanical sympathy is just an inconvenience to those that practice it. I drive old bangers and I drive them hard. In my experience suspension still wears out but modern engines seem to thrive on neglect.
Modern cars are incredibly well engineered, to a point that I'm almost tempted to say mechanical sympathy is just an inconvenience to those that practice it. I drive old bangers and I drive them hard. In my experience suspension still wears out but modern engines seem to thrive on neglect.
busta said:
All my cars bar one have done in excess of 100,000 miles. The only car I've ever had to take the head off of was a Fiat Seicento I bought with a failed head gasket. In the past 10 years I've been left stranded twice- once because a replacement alternator I fitted was faulty and once because I ran out of fuel.
Modern cars are incredibly well engineered, to a point that I'm almost tempted to say mechanical sympathy is just an inconvenience to those that practice it. I drive old bangers and I drive them hard. In my experience suspension still wears out but modern engines seem to thrive on neglect.
Modern engines thrive on modern lubricants. That is the biggest single reason for engine longevity. Better materials selection, closer tolerance, better manufacturing all help. But modern lubricants are the longevity secret.Modern cars are incredibly well engineered, to a point that I'm almost tempted to say mechanical sympathy is just an inconvenience to those that practice it. I drive old bangers and I drive them hard. In my experience suspension still wears out but modern engines seem to thrive on neglect.
Try running a modern car on the old oils and you will soon see the consequences. The modern lubrication cushions all the friction and drag. Hence the 500,000++ mile modern motors.
My old 760 Volvo Estate, had 265k on the clock before i had it made into a convertible by the local fire and rescue service.The Turbo went 3 weeks after i bought it!!.other than that a rad leaked and so did the a/c 'rad', and the in sensor cable failed. And that was it Had it for 140k
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