German Reliability?

[codprawn]

This will probably turn into a can of worms.............

Everyone seems to love Volkswagens - Audis and new Skodas for their reliability. I would say prob the most common engine is or was the 1.9tdi - used in the Golf - Passat - A4 - A6 and Skoda Octavia.

I have driven several of these over the last few years and yes they were nice cars except the Golfs which had water leaks into the cabin.

Met a mate of mine last night who drives his own taxi. He really pampers his car and won't let anyone else drive it. When he pulled up the Skoda Supurb sounded like a tractor. When I asked what was wrong he said the flywheel had packed up. £400 to replace ex labour.

The car has done 85,000 miles - a 56plate. When I asked him if this was common he said they always go at about this mileage. He has had several Passats/Skodas and they have all done it as have the other taxis.

I have never heard of this before - I am quite sure if it had been a British car it would have been crucified for this. Our Rover 400 diesels all did well over 150,000 miles with no problems and yet everyone mocks Rover - any wonder they went bust???

I have just had 2 cars on hire - week 1 was a Mundano Tdci - base model so no toys but a 140hp engine and 6 speed box - really fast for a diesel(but I got 26mpg). Week 2 I have a new Passat Estate - it's the SE model with loads of toys BUT it still has the old 110tdi now producing 105bhp - what a dog - if only it had the 140 or 170 I would be happy - and as for electric handbrakes - YUCH!!!

I just wonder if the cars really ARE more reliable or are people prepared to make more allowances for some makes than others?

[Carl]

sounds like you hired an old model because the later passat from 2005 is 2.0l and 138hp,but saying that even the older model has a 1.9l 130hp and 150hp 2.5l diesel engine,sounds like you got a really budget rent and wreck

[Lostboy]

Originally Posted by codprawn

I just wonder if the cars really ARE more reliable or are people prepared to make more allowances for some makes than others?

Hee hee hee!!!!! You don't really need to wonder that do you? I can't wait to see Gavin's response to this......................

[codprawn]

Originally Posted by Carl

sounds like you hired an old model because the later passat from 2005 is 2.0l and 138hp,but saying that even the older model has a 1.9l 130hp and 150hp 2.5l diesel engine,sounds like you got a really budget rent and wreck

Nope - 07 plate with the old 1.9tdi engine which used to be 110 bhp - now it's 105 with all the extra emissions crap. My old Rover 400 diesel was 105bhp and being a lighter car is far quicker.

Don't get me wrong it's a nice car but to put an agricultural old engine like this in it is a joke. They also have a 140 and a 170 model - that would be far better.

The Mondeo I had was a 140hp and was stupidly quick but being a base model it had skiiny tyrs and no alloys - too much power for the car. The tdci drives like a petrol engine so I did - the result was 26mpg. The Passat is giving me 44mpg because it just doesn't like being driven like that.

[Mollers]

I ran a BM' 525 TDS for years. When a twat in a modified Clio hit it whilst running from the cops, it had done 300k having only ever had a new lift pump in the tank and a set of heater plugs. Now that's german reliability.

[codprawn]

I think you get good and bad cars with all makes.

A mate of mine who's a bit of a car trader on the side has an old BMW 3 series - it's a K reg with the straight 6 2.5 engine. He loves the car and has had it since new but he told me the other day it's cost him as much in parts over the years as it did to buy it. A few years ago he had to have a new engine after the head cracked. These days it seems pretty reliable but he does have to change the anti roll bar bushes every year. The car has done 160,000 miles now.

My old alfa 75 - H reg - which I still have has only needed a new clutch in 175,000 miles and there is NO rust - and look at the reputation they have!!!

Whoops I forgot - it also needed the new rubber doughnut on the prop shaft - it let go when I was doing some doughnuts!!!

[Lostboy]

Originally Posted by codprawn

I just wonder if the cars really ARE more reliable or are people prepared to make more allowances for some makes than others?

You really still haven't got it have you? It's bizarre that you, of all people, ask this question when you have such unswerving loyalty or perhaps are "prepared to make allowances for" Landrover!!!!

Is it the fact that BMW owned Landrover and then sold it on that causes you such a problem?

[codprawn]

Originally Posted by Lostboy

You really still haven't got it have you? It's bizarre that you, of all people, ask this question when you have such unswerving loyalty or perhaps are "prepared to make allowances for" Landrover!!!!

Is it the fact that BMW owned Landrover and then sold it on that causes you such a problem?

Got what???

I do not need to make any allowances for Land Rover. I have a Disco - A Defender 110 and a Range Rover Classic and I have had NO problems with any of them. I have just put my Disco into a LR specialist for a service and timing belt change. Cost me £264 all in - not bad!!!

In fact the ONLY car I have ever had trouble with is the only Ford I ever owned. A Granada which had auto gearbox problems and the engine used loads of oil. It also hated puddles and misfired like hell. Before that Granada I took another for a test drive and the v6 2.9 blew on the test drive...........

[Carl]

cod,you must have the only 17/18 yr old non rusty alfa in history. and as for the 3 series anti roll bar bushes being changed every yr,i dont think so,unless your mate is doing something wrong.

[Lostboy]

It's nice to have him back though, he's still a great laugh!