How many of you have bought a high mileage car??
Discussion
I bought my Merc C180 a few months ago with 193k on the clock, the biggest number I've owned by far. It appears to have been looked after though, oil seemed fresh and everything worked smoothly. Interior was a bit of a mess but once I gave it a valet its perfect. Considering its mileage and 12 years of age, there's no wear on the seats or bolsters. Either its had a replacement seat or its survived well.
Second highest miler was an S14a at 113k. Had been some fella's company car so had been maintained very well. That was also in mint condition.
Second highest miler was an S14a at 113k. Had been some fella's company car so had been maintained very well. That was also in mint condition.
I never fails to surprise me how many people think that cars will only last 100k or so.
My personal highest mileage motor was A VW Passat GT which was on 244k when I sold it, lasted another year before the guy who bought it off me decided to scrap it because of a failed CV joint
Prior to that a VW Golf mk2 with 199k when the shell was written off, the engine had a head gasket/head rebuild at 199k and is still going strong today circa 6 years later
My uncle, gran and dad have all had Mercs & Saabs that have run to nearly 300k prior to be sold apart from one Saab 9000 which was scrapped at 220k and a Saab 93 at 198k - only because a fuel pump cost nearly 1K.
My personal highest mileage motor was A VW Passat GT which was on 244k when I sold it, lasted another year before the guy who bought it off me decided to scrap it because of a failed CV joint
Prior to that a VW Golf mk2 with 199k when the shell was written off, the engine had a head gasket/head rebuild at 199k and is still going strong today circa 6 years later
My uncle, gran and dad have all had Mercs & Saabs that have run to nearly 300k prior to be sold apart from one Saab 9000 which was scrapped at 220k and a Saab 93 at 198k - only because a fuel pump cost nearly 1K.
We don't normally buy high mileage cars, but we do run them to very high mileages! Tend to go for the largest, simplest engine possible, and just keep 'em going.
1988 (F) Vauxhall Astra Van 1.6 petrol - bought new, went round the clock twice. Eventually sold it on at around 220k miles. It'd had both sills and the floor welded up, but amazingly was still on its original clutch. Cam belt went on it twice too, luckily those old Vauxhall engines didn't do any further damage, just a new belt, and away you go again.
1994 (M) Ford Mondeo 2.0 LX Estate - one of the very first Mondeos after launch... Dad put 170k on it, then sold it to my sister who ran it with her husband up to 240k, who then sold it. Brother in law works at a Ford garage so it was gifted oil changes every six months, ran sweet as a nut.
1997 (P) Mercedes E230 Estate (4 cylinder model) - bought 18 months old with 25k on the clock... we ran it up to 180k before it went to my sister again.
All our current cars aren't doing so many miles now... the 2002 E430 Estate has 145k on the clock... should have another 100k left in it without any problems.
1988 (F) Vauxhall Astra Van 1.6 petrol - bought new, went round the clock twice. Eventually sold it on at around 220k miles. It'd had both sills and the floor welded up, but amazingly was still on its original clutch. Cam belt went on it twice too, luckily those old Vauxhall engines didn't do any further damage, just a new belt, and away you go again.
1994 (M) Ford Mondeo 2.0 LX Estate - one of the very first Mondeos after launch... Dad put 170k on it, then sold it to my sister who ran it with her husband up to 240k, who then sold it. Brother in law works at a Ford garage so it was gifted oil changes every six months, ran sweet as a nut.
1997 (P) Mercedes E230 Estate (4 cylinder model) - bought 18 months old with 25k on the clock... we ran it up to 180k before it went to my sister again.
All our current cars aren't doing so many miles now... the 2002 E430 Estate has 145k on the clock... should have another 100k left in it without any problems.
My first purchase of a high mileage car was in 1988, a 3 year old Vauxhall Astra with about 75,000 on the clock. That may not sound much but back in the day most offerings from the likes of Vauxhall, Ford and BL were ready for the knackers yard by 50k.
It turned out the be one of the best cars I've owned. It had a very good history being an ex-company car for an insurance rep and most of the miles appeared to be m'way miles. It looked in great condition and felt nice and sound and it was cheap due to the high miles.
I ran it for about 4 years and spent nothing on it. I did the servicing myself and changed the oil/filter every 12 months and that was it, no wiper blades, no tyres, no bulbs/fuses, didn't burn oil, started first time every time. Put about 50,000 miles on it, awesome car. The tyres were lets say fully used and wouldn't pass a MOT and the exhaust was blowing when I part-exd it but it was still running perfectly.
I still class it as one of the best cars I have owned.
It turned out the be one of the best cars I've owned. It had a very good history being an ex-company car for an insurance rep and most of the miles appeared to be m'way miles. It looked in great condition and felt nice and sound and it was cheap due to the high miles.
I ran it for about 4 years and spent nothing on it. I did the servicing myself and changed the oil/filter every 12 months and that was it, no wiper blades, no tyres, no bulbs/fuses, didn't burn oil, started first time every time. Put about 50,000 miles on it, awesome car. The tyres were lets say fully used and wouldn't pass a MOT and the exhaust was blowing when I part-exd it but it was still running perfectly.
I still class it as one of the best cars I have owned.
Not as high as you you have specified, but my E46 M3 has 101k on it. I bought it over a year ago at 94k.
Bought on condition rather than mileage, there were lots of 30k examples which were cack!
Was a mistake? nah not really! a few things have gone wrong, but not what i would call a life changing experience wrong.
Had an old Mazda 626GT years ago with 240k on it. Sold that on, it was still running for years after!
Loved that car!
Bought on condition rather than mileage, there were lots of 30k examples which were cack!
Was a mistake? nah not really! a few things have gone wrong, but not what i would call a life changing experience wrong.
Had an old Mazda 626GT years ago with 240k on it. Sold that on, it was still running for years after!
Loved that car!
Just changed my car in June - a 1996 Merc W124 with 172k. It replaced a 1989 W124 with 162k which I bought 6 months earlier on 161k. Apart from wear on driver's seat bolster the 1989 one could have passed for 62k, not 162k. I don't do a lot of miles but I'd happily drive either of them for years to come. BMW E30 325 bought in April last year on 127k.
Edited by mccrackenj on Wednesday 1st August 10:24
Hi all,
I bought my current Land Cruiser with 198,000 miles on the clock.
Full Toyota history from day 1.
Now I have almost 250,000, and it runs exactly the same as the day I got it.
Big diesel engine, automatic box, regular service, no problem
60 mph is about 1600 rpm, so almost no wear.
vette
I bought my current Land Cruiser with 198,000 miles on the clock.
Full Toyota history from day 1.
Now I have almost 250,000, and it runs exactly the same as the day I got it.
Big diesel engine, automatic box, regular service, no problem
60 mph is about 1600 rpm, so almost no wear.
vette
I took a mk1 Focus from 160k to 230k with only 1 significant problem. the cambelt snapped at 180k, Ford used to reccommend 100k intervals, which with hindsight is a tad ambitious. I exchanged the head and it kept on running. Sold it for 50 quid less than I paid for it so money saved on depreciation more than covered the £200 odd it cost to fix.
inman999 said:
I took a mk1 Focus from 160k to 230k with only 1 significant problem. the cambelt snapped at 180k, Ford used to reccommend 100k intervals, which with hindsight is a tad ambitious. I exchanged the head and it kept on running. Sold it for 50 quid less than I paid for it so money saved on depreciation more than covered the £200 odd it cost to fix.
You've got high mileage LEGS!My Mercedes 220TE has just clocked 203,000. Looks and drives lovely. Purchased 1 year ago at 173,000 miles. Its been to mainland Europe twice(no not just Calais) and I use it daily and service it myself.
I haven't owned a vehicle under 100k for about 5 years now and will always buy a quality older car and pay more for fuel/enjoyment rather than mega depreciation. Just got to look at the barge thread for inspiration.One day I may be unlucky and buy a dog if this happens break/sell with known fault (and be honest) or weigh it in if it was a cheapy. I nearly fall over when I hear what people are paying to basically rent a new car per month.
The internet is full of old Mercs, Bmws, Lexi (Alan Partridge),Volvos,Saabs etc with huge mileage.
I am really happy with this countries obsession with new shiny stuff for £xxx per month, it keeps the used market flooded with perfectly good older cars.
P.S. Just don't tell them all.
I haven't owned a vehicle under 100k for about 5 years now and will always buy a quality older car and pay more for fuel/enjoyment rather than mega depreciation. Just got to look at the barge thread for inspiration.One day I may be unlucky and buy a dog if this happens break/sell with known fault (and be honest) or weigh it in if it was a cheapy. I nearly fall over when I hear what people are paying to basically rent a new car per month.
The internet is full of old Mercs, Bmws, Lexi (Alan Partridge),Volvos,Saabs etc with huge mileage.
I am really happy with this countries obsession with new shiny stuff for £xxx per month, it keeps the used market flooded with perfectly good older cars.
P.S. Just don't tell them all.
Got a lift in a taxi a few years ago and noticed the mileage was in the 400k's (Pug 406 derv) and commented on it to the driver. He said he always buys mega mileage cars and runs them till they die. He said he doesn't even to go and view a car unless it has 200k+ miles on the clock. Picks them up for a grand or less, so that's as much as it costs him in depreciation even if he scraps it. Now that is bangernomics right there!
Had a 318is with 155k miles, bought it for £1200 years ago and sold it after a year for £1200, didn't miss a beat. Also had a 54 plate Polo 1.4 with 150k, bought it for £2450 ran it for 8 months and flogged it for £2200, also never let us down. Both drove perfectly and were a pleasure to own.
Only issue I had was could only seem to shift them on eBay, no real issue but never got a sniff when on autotrader.
Only issue I had was could only seem to shift them on eBay, no real issue but never got a sniff when on autotrader.
Bought a 2004 XJ 3.0 SE (X350 model) 2 years ago for my old man, was one owner with 164k on the clock, paid £4500 for it (I'm in the trade). Car was like new bar the front end which was chippy, it's currently on 170k, doesn't sound as much now with an extra 2 years on it, would probably still get nearly £4k for it but he doesn't see the point in selling it.
My current smoker is a V reg E320 CDi with 190K and that replaced a Passat TDI that had hit the double ton.
My current smoker is a V reg E320 CDi with 190K and that replaced a Passat TDI that had hit the double ton.
Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff