Bulletproof cars on market today

[matt21]

In hindsight we all know the cars that seem to be bulletproof. For me it's E34s and W124s which will continue for many a year.

So in 20yrs time what cars on the market today do you think we will look back on as being reliable and built to last. Or the other way, if I want to buy new and run in to the ground over 200k with minimal issues what should I buy?

Not intended for this to be a "cars of yesterday are much better than today" thread.

For me a nice 520d would be a sensible candidate.

[redgriff500]

I would be choosing a non diesel (too complicated) and preferably a large unstressed engine.

So a Lexus LS460 would seem like a good candidate.

[redtwin]

No car will last if you "run it into the ground". Similarly every new car on the market will last forever if it is maintained and repaired as an when needed.

I used to have an E34. Very solid car that did indeed give a feeling of invincibility, but it did have inherent weakness that would render the car scrap (by current market values) if you did not take preventative measures to sort them out.

I have no doubts that a Mondeo of similar vintage would last just as long with an equal amount of care and attention.

[EV11NED]

Agreed - diesel too many potential issues, DMFs, injectors, turbos etc.

Depends on what size of car you're after. I'm guessing a similar size to the E34/W124 mentioned.

My vote would go to the Honda Legend. Bulletproof mechanicals, toys that will still work years later and it's not bad looking either.

[CraigyMc]

matt21 said:

In hindsight we all know the cars that seem to be bulletproof. For me it's E34s and W124s which will continue for many a year.

So in 20yrs time what cars on the market today do you think we will look back on as being reliable and built to last. Or the other way, if I want to buy new and run in to the ground over 200k with minimal issues what should I buy?

Not intended for this to be a "cars of yesterday are much better than today" thread.

For me a nice 520d would be a sensible candidate.

If doing that I'd have a 530i. i6 engines tend to run for a long time (no balance issues means the bearings get an easy time of it). Petrol because it's simpler and less stressed (compare the stresses internally between diesel and petrol as well!).

Can't see why a 520d would be better than a 530i in any of these respects, really.

I'd also have an auto (less chance of human error, and no clutch needing a replacement every 100,000 miles or whatever.

C

[Chris944_S2]

I'd go for something from accross the pond. Something like a Dodge Ram with a big, unstressed V8. Or if you don't want to count trucks, their cars are also generally designed to cover a lot more miles with minimal servicing costs.

[Dr Interceptor]

Tricky one... the problem is that larger engined 5-Series and E-Class sized cars tend now to come with fancy air suspension which would be a recipe for a big bill in years to come.

You need to find a nice big car, big simple petrol engine, simple sprung suspension with good quality mechanicals...

[Patrick Bateman]

CraigyMc said:

I'd also have an auto (less chance of human error, and no clutch needing a replacement every 100,000 miles or whatever.

C

But more chance of needing a reconditioned gearbox if the e39 era is anything to go by.

[madal]

it would have to be Jap like a honda i have owned a few Honda's over the last 4 years and never had a serious problems ..only battery and 1 caliper and both have done 100k...

[redtwin]

Dr Interceptor said:

You need to find a nice big car, big simple petrol engine, simple sprung suspension with good quality mechanicals...

10 million cabbies and coppers can't be wrong.



That's this thread solved....next!

Edited by redtwin on Tuesday 1st November 08:29

[5lab]

land rover defender?

otherwise, one of those dacia things renault sell in developing countries.

premium brand cars (volvo, bmw, merc etc) seem to last better than mainstream brands, but I suspect this is because of the owners. If you earn a reasonable amount and your 10 year old volvo is worth £5k, then you won't mind spending £1k keeping it in top shape. However if you're a low earner and your 10 year old mondeo is worth £500, you probably won't feel the same way, things will get skimped and the car will die an earlier death

Edited by 5lab on Tuesday 1st November 08:28

[zax]

Dr Interceptor said:

Tricky one... the problem is that larger engined 5-Series and E-Class sized cars tend now to come with fancy air suspension which would be a recipe for a big bill in years to come.

You need to find a nice big car, big simple petrol engine, simple sprung suspension with good quality mechanicals...

I'd go with this one. Problem is there aren't so many simple cars around these days. Even the basic stuff is packed with electronics and clever gizmos. And since the large stuff tends to have more equipment & options maybe that only leaves small cars...

[saaby93]

Thread title
Did anyone else think the OP was looking for a vehicle for a celebrity or politician?

[Prawo Jazdy]

This Jaguar XJ is pretty bulletproof:

http://www.jaguar.com/gl/en/about_jaguar/armoured_...

[CraigyMc]

Patrick Bateman said:

CraigyMc said:

I'd also have an auto (less chance of human error, and no clutch needing a replacement every 100,000 miles or whatever.

C

But more chance of needing a reconditioned gearbox if the e39 era is anything to go by.

touché.

Not sure the ZF 8 speeder will have those problems. Obviously time will tell, but if the box really has issues then various companies will have a problem (Jag/Landrover, Rolls, Bentley, Audi, various others).

[loomx]

I would be reluctant to assume an new petrol car will keep running well (or at least with peak performance) for 20 years because of Direct Injection, at some point within the 20 years, I would expect the valves/intake to be very coaked up.

[Powerrr]

EV11NED said:

My vote would go to the Honda Legend. Bulletproof mechanicals, toys that will still work years later and it's not bad looking either.

Not a bad shout. 3.0 v6

[0a]

Kia C'eed 1.6 petrol. The cars mentioned above are just too complicated. If you look at something like the old mercs mentioned earlier, then even a C'eed typically has more to go wrong. The C'eed might be boring, but you can bet Kia won't intend to be paying out in anything like their 7 year warranty.

I don't hear good things about modern 5 series models, diesel or not I wouldn't be confident one would be economic to run in 20 years time.

[Rafale]

what about something with the 8v cast iron block VW 2.0 engine? mk3 golf or similar?

[CraigyMc]

0a said:

Kia C'eed 1.6 petrol. The cars mentioned above are just too complicated. If you look at something like the old mercs mentioned earlier, then even a C'eed typically has more to go wrong. The C'eed might be boring, but you can bet Kia won't intend to be paying out in anything like their 7 year warranty.

Isn't the point of the 7 year warranty that in order to maintain the warranty you must get the car serviced at their dealer network (and the costs they want to charge)?

My take: I don't think it has anything to do with reliability, it's just finances: they've calculated that warranty claims will cost less than the money they will make from servicing.

C