The Joy of Running an Old Shed
Discussion
Lemming Train said:
It's a BMW. Still considered a premium car with premium running/parts costs. Premium cars generally don't make for cheap shedding unless you get really lucky or you only paid £100 for it so you don't care if it blows up a month later. Low end and mid range priced cars when new are better bets for cheap longer term shedding and parts cost buttons because you don't have to pay the marque tax. 
I know it’s a BMW. Most parts are freely available.However.
Mine needs two parts somewhere around the clutch/gearbox to make it work properly.
Sod’s law says that both parts are main dealer only. So I got raped by BMW!!
Far from happy.
The Brummie said:
Decided to get the b
h repaired.
Cost so far up to £540.00. And rising......
Just paid £460 to get my 15 year old e46 through the MOT, still better the devil you know. Also the way I look at is I doubt I would have been able to get an alternative decent car with 12 months MOT for £460.h repaired.Cost so far up to £540.00. And rising......
I've just paid £936 for a full service, cambelt, water pump, auxiliary belt and sump for my shed, Mrs Eyersey thinks I'm mad and should have got something else but I like the Focus and better the devil you know, there's a good chance that a £1000 car would still need money spending on it.
I bought my 2004, V70 D5 at approx 113k miles in November 2017. It has been loved mechanically with full main dealer service history and lots of big invoices for the previous owner in the last 12 months of his ownership, clutch and DMF, intercooler, ABS issues, brakes all round etc. Even had a full set of barely worn Michellin Cross Climates on it! I paid £2300 from memory (might have been £2100, in that ball park anyway). A bit toppy on price but the history was a big selling point for me with all the big ticket known issues done.
The interior was immaculate, and bodywork whilst its better than most it does have little scrapes on all 4 corners, and it was peppered in those little door-opened-into-it type dings and a larger ding in the rear quarter. £100 later with my local independent ding guy had all the dents removed and the car looking entirely presentable.
I had a few issues in the first 12 months. The main problem was needing to replace the ABS module. I bought VIDA DICE so I have dealer level diagnostics. I got lucky in that the Volvo breakers at Wyboston on the A1 had a compatible module in stock with an identical part number that didn't even need coding. The best bit is they only wanted £60 and were happy for me to return it if it wasn't compatible, great service.
I also replaced all 5 engine mounts at £240 ish as the 2 vacuum ones had collapsed and the solid rubber ones were all split.
I also had an issue with the power steering making horrible noises, so I sent the pump to be reconditioned at £120, also the reservoir was leaking at the seam, so a genuine Volvo one was fitted at I think £30 ish, and I took the opportunity to replace the fluid whilst I was at it.
A new windscreen was required so another £80 there.
The rear wiper motor failed when I tried to use it in the snow, a pattern Chinese part was £25.
The undertray was missing (annoying as it's only ever been main dealer serviced!) so a replacement was sourced for £35.
I gave it a standard service last year (just oil and filter), and the next one will be a big one.
I've kept on top of niggles like replacing a couple of damaged trim panels, replaced a couple of bulbs here and there etc.
It's had advisories on front wishbone bushes for about 4 years on the MOT and I bought a pair of genuine Volvo ones probably a year ago now for £245, but I've still not got round to fitting them as it drives tight and doesn't knock etc. I'll fit them before the MOT is done (due end of the month) and I'm hoping for a clean sheet.
It's due a cambelt next year based on age at 8 years since the last one, but I'll probably do it this Autumn nearly a year early as I want peace of mind. I'll do a major service at the same time. Probably £400 in parts to do the service, belts, water pump, all the bearings, idlers, alternator pulley etc. but done once and done right with genuine parts it'll probably be the last set of belts it will ever need.
Its now at 137k miles, so in 24k miles and 22 months I've had:
£2300 purchase
£50 minor service
£100 dents removal
£60 ABS module
£240 engine mounts
£60 power steering fluid change and reservoir replaced
£120 power steering pump reconditioned
£120 battery
£80 windscreen
£25 rear wiper motor
£35 undertray
£400 cambelt & major service
£220 set of 4 Avon tyres
£110 pair of Avon tyres
£3920 total (That's the first time I've totted it up. *gulp* ). I'd probably hold out for £1800 ish if I was to sell it so I've lost £2120 in 22 months. £96 a month for premium motoring seems like good value to me. Part of me thinks I've been unlucky, but I bloody love the car and I will keep it tip top. I do all the work myself and I hate to think what it would have cost at a dealer!
So whilst I'm probably doing this wrong, I have a very presentable V70 which feels very fresh inside and is soon to be mechanically perfect with no service items due until the next (standard) service in 12 months time. I plan to keep on top of any niggles as they arise as I don't want it to become an old banger and I want lots of years out of it yet. That £96 a month should come right down now fingers crossed, but I don't think there's anything that could go wrong on it that I wouldn't be able to fix or that would make it uneconomical to repair!
Oh, forgot to say, sold the 17" Thor alloys when the CrossClimates were nearly done and bought a set of 16" Mimas wheels. It drives 100% better on the new wheels I think, and the tyres are half the price!
The interior was immaculate, and bodywork whilst its better than most it does have little scrapes on all 4 corners, and it was peppered in those little door-opened-into-it type dings and a larger ding in the rear quarter. £100 later with my local independent ding guy had all the dents removed and the car looking entirely presentable.
I had a few issues in the first 12 months. The main problem was needing to replace the ABS module. I bought VIDA DICE so I have dealer level diagnostics. I got lucky in that the Volvo breakers at Wyboston on the A1 had a compatible module in stock with an identical part number that didn't even need coding. The best bit is they only wanted £60 and were happy for me to return it if it wasn't compatible, great service.
I also replaced all 5 engine mounts at £240 ish as the 2 vacuum ones had collapsed and the solid rubber ones were all split.
I also had an issue with the power steering making horrible noises, so I sent the pump to be reconditioned at £120, also the reservoir was leaking at the seam, so a genuine Volvo one was fitted at I think £30 ish, and I took the opportunity to replace the fluid whilst I was at it.
A new windscreen was required so another £80 there.
The rear wiper motor failed when I tried to use it in the snow, a pattern Chinese part was £25.
The undertray was missing (annoying as it's only ever been main dealer serviced!) so a replacement was sourced for £35.
I gave it a standard service last year (just oil and filter), and the next one will be a big one.
I've kept on top of niggles like replacing a couple of damaged trim panels, replaced a couple of bulbs here and there etc.
It's had advisories on front wishbone bushes for about 4 years on the MOT and I bought a pair of genuine Volvo ones probably a year ago now for £245, but I've still not got round to fitting them as it drives tight and doesn't knock etc. I'll fit them before the MOT is done (due end of the month) and I'm hoping for a clean sheet.
It's due a cambelt next year based on age at 8 years since the last one, but I'll probably do it this Autumn nearly a year early as I want peace of mind. I'll do a major service at the same time. Probably £400 in parts to do the service, belts, water pump, all the bearings, idlers, alternator pulley etc. but done once and done right with genuine parts it'll probably be the last set of belts it will ever need.
Its now at 137k miles, so in 24k miles and 22 months I've had:
£2300 purchase
£50 minor service
£100 dents removal
£60 ABS module
£240 engine mounts
£60 power steering fluid change and reservoir replaced
£120 power steering pump reconditioned
£120 battery
£80 windscreen
£25 rear wiper motor
£35 undertray
£400 cambelt & major service
£220 set of 4 Avon tyres
£110 pair of Avon tyres
£3920 total (That's the first time I've totted it up. *gulp* ). I'd probably hold out for £1800 ish if I was to sell it so I've lost £2120 in 22 months. £96 a month for premium motoring seems like good value to me. Part of me thinks I've been unlucky, but I bloody love the car and I will keep it tip top. I do all the work myself and I hate to think what it would have cost at a dealer!
So whilst I'm probably doing this wrong, I have a very presentable V70 which feels very fresh inside and is soon to be mechanically perfect with no service items due until the next (standard) service in 12 months time. I plan to keep on top of any niggles as they arise as I don't want it to become an old banger and I want lots of years out of it yet. That £96 a month should come right down now fingers crossed, but I don't think there's anything that could go wrong on it that I wouldn't be able to fix or that would make it uneconomical to repair!
Oh, forgot to say, sold the 17" Thor alloys when the CrossClimates were nearly done and bought a set of 16" Mimas wheels. It drives 100% better on the new wheels I think, and the tyres are half the price!
Edited by PartOfTheProblem on Saturday 7th September 09:48
Lemming Train said:
PartOfTheProblem said:
So whilst I'm probably doing this wrong
You are definitely doing it wrong by spending £100 a month on a £2k car. 
Not sure a 15 year old Volvo is 'premium motoring' either, but each to their own!
The old faithful CR-V made it through its MOT with a bit of replacement brake pipe. Couple of advisories as top and lower suspension arms on way out, but still going strong. Fancy a V70 or something similar though now, so tempted to change things around. Had it’s first wash in about 1 1/2 years though as promised son I’d clean it if it passed. Made sure he helped mind!
PartOfTheProblem said:
I also had an issue with the power steering making horrible noises, so I sent the pump to be reconditioned at £120, also the reservoir was leaking at the seam, so a genuine Volvo one was fitted at I think £30 ish, and I took the opportunity to replace the fluid whilst I was at it.
I bought an 07 S60 2.4D manual (a superb car) for 1500 quid in 2015. It too had a noisy pump and the cure was to add a bit more oil! It was up to the level but running it just over 'full' stopped it. Great car, lousy turning circle.Why do I always think this is the best way to go, so many interesting cars for around £2/3k (is this shed territory?)
I run a 318d '12 E91 (last of the old classic shape beamers imo) - it's not a shed but lads at work think it is as it's got 120k on the odo...much rather have this than a boring monthly asset costing half my mortgage!..doesn't cost me anything really this car, over service it on the dot, I do look after it mind, off to Italy in it next week it's a great mile mucher.
Will definitely run it till it borks, probably fix it and carry on to be honest
I run a 318d '12 E91 (last of the old classic shape beamers imo) - it's not a shed but lads at work think it is as it's got 120k on the odo...much rather have this than a boring monthly asset costing half my mortgage!..doesn't cost me anything really this car, over service it on the dot, I do look after it mind, off to Italy in it next week it's a great mile mucher.
Will definitely run it till it borks, probably fix it and carry on to be honest
Eyersey1234 said:
I've just paid £936 for a full service, cambelt, water pump, auxiliary belt and sump for my shed, Mrs Eyersey thinks I'm mad and should have got something else but I like the Focus and better the devil you know, there's a good chance that a £1000 car would still need money spending on it.
This definitely isn't the way I'd do it. If it needs that lot then fair enough, but I'd spread it out over about 3 or 4 months. If something big goes pop now you're in too deep.Even with servicing, I do the oil one month, then the air filter the next, etc etc. I just link up things that are necessarily connected, like water pump and cambelt on most cars, wouldn't make sense to split them into two jobs if you know they both need doing.
M4cruiser said:
Eyersey1234 said:
I've just paid £936 for a full service, cambelt, water pump, auxiliary belt and sump for my shed, Mrs Eyersey thinks I'm mad and should have got something else but I like the Focus and better the devil you know, there's a good chance that a £1000 car would still need money spending on it.
This definitely isn't the way I'd do it. If it needs that lot then fair enough, but I'd spread it out over about 3 or 4 months. If something big goes pop now you're in too deep.Even with servicing, I do the oil one month, then the air filter the next, etc etc. I just link up things that are necessarily connected, like water pump and cambelt on most cars, wouldn't make sense to split them into two jobs if you know they both need doing.
Bought my Polo 1.2 tdi in April.
The only thing it has cost me in 13k of motoring is 26 tanks of fuel at around £50 a pop. (£1300)
Road tax is £20 and the fuel economy never dips under the mid 40s regardless of how its driven.
Unlike most cars of the same size and similar bhp it is quiet on the motorway and keeps up in third lane traffic no problem.
The only thing missing is cruise control. It has an excellent stereo with DAB.
Its in for a service at my local indy next week. Oil Filter and Oil £25 from Eurocarparts and a tenner for the actual wrenching.
Not a single noise, vibration or issue has reared its head.
I reckon i've not even lost more than £200 depreciation according to Autotrader.
Best cheap car ever.
The only thing it has cost me in 13k of motoring is 26 tanks of fuel at around £50 a pop. (£1300)
Road tax is £20 and the fuel economy never dips under the mid 40s regardless of how its driven.
Unlike most cars of the same size and similar bhp it is quiet on the motorway and keeps up in third lane traffic no problem.
The only thing missing is cruise control. It has an excellent stereo with DAB.
Its in for a service at my local indy next week. Oil Filter and Oil £25 from Eurocarparts and a tenner for the actual wrenching.
Not a single noise, vibration or issue has reared its head.
I reckon i've not even lost more than £200 depreciation according to Autotrader.
Best cheap car ever.
M4cruiser said:
Eyersey1234 said:
I've just paid £936 for a full service, cambelt, water pump, auxiliary belt and sump for my shed, Mrs Eyersey thinks I'm mad and should have got something else but I like the Focus and better the devil you know, there's a good chance that a £1000 car would still need money spending on it.
This definitely isn't the way I'd do it. If it needs that lot then fair enough, but I'd spread it out over about 3 or 4 months. If something big goes pop now you're in too deep.Even with servicing, I do the oil one month, then the air filter the next, etc etc. I just link up things that are necessarily connected, like water pump and cambelt on most cars, wouldn't make sense to split them into two jobs if you know they both need doing.
I would always buy new tyres, not part worns but I would choose a brand such as Avon, Kuhmo, Nexen etc. that was just above the black circles "Value (ling long, Triangle etc.) brands.
I’m trying to decide what approach to take with my 9-3
It’s a 2008 aero estate with 116k and FSH, mainly Saab specialists. I had a big service done by a local specialist when I bought it in November last year. Since then it’s also had a new power steering pump.
Is there any point in getting the minor service done from a specialist just for the sake of a stamp? I’m competent enough to change the oil and filters myself. The car cost me £2k so not quite full on shed territory but still not major money at the same time.
It’s a 2008 aero estate with 116k and FSH, mainly Saab specialists. I had a big service done by a local specialist when I bought it in November last year. Since then it’s also had a new power steering pump.
Is there any point in getting the minor service done from a specialist just for the sake of a stamp? I’m competent enough to change the oil and filters myself. The car cost me £2k so not quite full on shed territory but still not major money at the same time.
giblet said:
I’m trying to decide what approach to take with my 9-3
It’s a 2008 aero estate with 116k and FSH, mainly Saab specialists. I had a big service done by a local specialist when I bought it in November last year. Since then it’s also had a new power steering pump.
Is there any point in getting the minor service done from a specialist just for the sake of a stamp? I’m competent enough to change the oil and filters myself. The car cost me £2k so not quite full on shed territory but still not major money at the same time.
Do the service yourself. I always mark the book with DIY and date/mileage it, and make sure I keep the receipt. It’s a 2008 aero estate with 116k and FSH, mainly Saab specialists. I had a big service done by a local specialist when I bought it in November last year. Since then it’s also had a new power steering pump.
Is there any point in getting the minor service done from a specialist just for the sake of a stamp? I’m competent enough to change the oil and filters myself. The car cost me £2k so not quite full on shed territory but still not major money at the same time.
giblet said:
I’m trying to decide what approach to take with my 9-3
It’s a 2008 aero estate with 116k and FSH, mainly Saab specialists. I had a big service done by a local specialist when I bought it in November last year. Since then it’s also had a new power steering pump.
Is there any point in getting the minor service done from a specialist just for the sake of a stamp? I’m competent enough to change the oil and filters myself. The car cost me £2k so not quite full on shed territory but still not major money at the same time.
Years ago when I used to do my own servicing on my old cars, I spent a tenner on Ebay and got a custom stamp made up with bascially my name and home address on it, eg. L.T. MOTORS, 123 HIGH STREET, LEEDS, LS1 1AA and house landline number It’s a 2008 aero estate with 116k and FSH, mainly Saab specialists. I had a big service done by a local specialist when I bought it in November last year. Since then it’s also had a new power steering pump.
Is there any point in getting the minor service done from a specialist just for the sake of a stamp? I’m competent enough to change the oil and filters myself. The car cost me £2k so not quite full on shed territory but still not major money at the same time.
. Never once had a problem and I remember one guy commenting "I know it'll be a good one as you've got a full book of stamps for it" when selling it on some years later. People just want to see a stamp there and don't even bother looking to see what it says. Hand writing in the servicing will arouse suspicion that it hasn't been serviced because that's how people's brains work.Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff