DIYbanter - View Single Post

Peter Huebner

In article 9280e86d-295a-4c0c-918f-
,
says...
If you changed the oil and set the tappets on an old Bug, on a regular
basis, those engines would run forever.
VW Diesels are as inconsistent as the fuel you feed them.

That's funny. My first diesel VW Golf (the German version of the
'rabbit') didn't make it to the end of its lifespan since my first wife
totalled it in a head-on. Only thing that ever failed was the electric
diesel line shutoff relay.
The second never had any mechanical problems outside a CV boot or two,
new brakeshoes and once, a slipped cambelt until it popped an engine
seal at around 230,000 km and suddenly had oil in the water ... I
decided to sell it for scrap at that point.
My father still drives his, about 21 years old now, never had a
breakdown yet ...

Incidentally, the Jetta and some of the Passat models had very bad reps
in Germany also 30 years ago. Although the vanilla Passat SW was the
travelling salesman's economy vehicle of choice. I haven't looked at
them since, due to emigrating half way round the globe.

And, talking of reliable European cars, I've known quite a few series 2
Volvos that cracked half a million kilometres ... Now that Ford are
messing with the Volvo design I think that will not be the case any
more, I won't buy another Volvo designed & built since 2006. Currently
driving an 850 wagon and an XC70. Wonderful cars to drive, but lots of
little things go wrong all of the time :-(

-P.