And another one - again!

[Peter.N.]

But when you look at the cost of purchase and repair of a new car, they look like a bargain, as I think most of us on here are DIYers the repair costs are only a fraction of garage costs and a fraction of what a new car can cost to repair, which you can't do on a DIY basis.

Peter

[messerschmitt owner]

But when you look at the cost of purchase and repair of a new car, they look like a bargain, as I think most of us on here are DIYers the repair costs are only a fraction of garage costs and a fraction of what a new car can cost to repair, which you can't do on a DIY basis.

Peter

true, but I had neither the time nor inclination to do a job that would take me a full week to do! However, it is a misconception that modern cars are not DIY-able - my smart roadster is eminently workable on at home.

[boyse7en]

if the mot ran out in June 2009, why was it taxed to jun 2010? That still makes no sense!

Other than that, I like the look of it. If it was a bit (alright, a lot) closer I'd be interested in going to have a look, but its about 350 miles from here, so teh cost of getting it shifted would be prohibitive.

[Peter.N.]

But when you look at the cost of purchase and repair of a new car, they look like a bargain, as I think most of us on here are DIYers the repair costs are only a fraction of garage costs and a fraction of what a new car can cost to repair, which you can't do on a DIY basis.

Peter

true, but I had neither the time nor inclination to do a job that would take me a full week to do! However, it is a misconception that modern cars are not DIY-able - my smart roadster is eminently workable on at home.

That was a generalisation, there are always execptions, finding a fault on most modern cars is a lottery, there are very few mechanics that have experience of enough faults to be able to diagnose more or less any fault, many repairs cost a fortune becaue they are carried out on a trial and error basis. Have a look on 'Honest Johns' forum and se just how durable modern cars are - and, I know a few people who have had them.

Peter

[messerschmitt owner]

Peter

I know how durable they are and I know the faults that many mechanics have never seen on a smart roadster cos I have had them - 15,000 miles a year on a commuter car with a highly stressed 200BHP a litre engine have taken their toll.

I picked up tonight a new alternator for my car, it'll probably be fitted on Sunday - I've found that forums just like this are available for modern cars (I'm a moderator of one), and that the mechanically minded can still replace bits - in some respects, computers and ecu's make it simpler - plugging in a tool that tells you the MAF sensor is buggered does indeed help.

The problems involved in a modern car are often the same, but the advantage is that modern electronics can help diagnose a fault better. None of it is rocket science, there's just a few more covers to get out the way normally - the difference is I can get the head off my car in a couple of hours as opposed to 7-8 for the XM. Having it repaired was a choice I made as I had the money but not the time. If I have the time and not the money, I do it myself - my smart hasn't seen a garage for 40,000 miles (with 7500 mile service intervals) as it hasn't needed to - it's had better servicing and done at cost of parts only.

[Peter.N.]

I agree that some fault finding is easier, but its not just that, DMFs are failing at ridiculously low mileages, diesel injection systems cost a fortune to repair, injectors only seem to last about 80k and road springs seem to break for a pastime, all problems 'built in' to modern cars, too the avarage DIYer doesnt have access to the code reading equipment or data so are reliant on a garage - I don't want to go down that route.

I agree that XMs are diabolical to work on, but even if you have to pay they are probably cheaper to repair than a post 2000 car. My BMW is a bit of a compromise, its lovely to work on but does have a measure of electrickery, but its not a common rail so I can still work on it if necessary - doesn't ride like an XM though, niether does it have anything like as much room in it.

I think a lot of the problem with modern diesels is the ammount of power thay produce, they are far less reliable than the older ones, turbocharger failure is virtually unheard of on an XM, the new BMWs at about 300 bhp seem to fail regularly, what with that and swirl flaps being ingested, I think I will leave them well alone

Peter

[Dieselman]

the avarage DIYer doesnt have access to the code reading equipment or data so are reliant on a garage - I don't want to go down that route.

You can buy an OBD2 scanner for as little as £25, so obtaining the codes is cheap. Pretty well all sensors and actuators can be read using a DMM anyway.

I think a lot of the problem with modern diesels is the ammount of power thay produce, they are far less reliable than the older ones, turbocharger failure is virtually unheard of on an XM, the new BMWs at about 300 bhp seem to fail regularly, what with that and swirl flaps being ingested, I think I will leave them well alone

Peter

The problem is that the public wanted cheap cars so the manufacturers reduced the quality of components. You are right about BMW turbo's and swirl flap breakage, they have a dreadful reputation for premature failure.

[Peter.N.]

Fair enough, but if you want something reliable it still pays to run a '90s car.

Peter