What are some of the most bullet proof cars to buy in terms of reliability these days

[sxturbo]

Injection pressures are so mightily high these days, compared with what they were......this gives for much greater atomisation of the fuel so a much cleaner burn and less oil contamination.
20k miles is still much too high in my opinion - that should be halved if you want decent engine life.
John

yes that is the theory behind it, the reality is different though

 

[Harry Bloomfield]

So do they get coked up when they do short runs during their life? What about taxis though as they are always doing short runs, this would probably mean that taxis would need good reliable engines to start with

They may do short journeys, but they don't do the hot/ cold cycle that a privately owned car would be expected to do. For local trips I try to walk or use the bus, rather than start the car and drive it for a few minutes - a free bus pass helps. I also try when I do have to get the car out to use it for a short run, to try to add several such trips together if I possibly can. Parking my car in the garage and having drive gates, makes for an extra deterrent in getting the car out unnecessarily.

 

[ReganAndCarter]

Beloved of taxi drivers all over the world, the Merc 190 600 series diesel is a good old clunker.
The Peugeot XUD in its many guises was very much ahead of it's time.
John

Apart from a P4 Rover 80 with same engine as early Landrovers, a 190 was the slowest car I ever drove. It was diesel auto without a turbo. Even the cyclists were overtaking me. Quality engineering though, like the W123s.

 

[ReganAndCarter]

On my 1.9Tdi vag I only chuck new oil in it ever 20,000 miles she's treated gently and never has let me down and doesn't cost in terms of maintenance and has already done 30,000 miles since I bought her.

20K is way too high. I'm changing mine every 5,000 miles but only because of lots of short trips.. Diesels contaminate their oil more than petrols. Also needs to be quality oil and filter - something like Mann or Mahle filters.

Oil is cheap, engines are expensive!

 

[teaboyjim]

20K is way too high. I'm changing mine every 5,000 miles but only because of lots of short trips.. Diesels contaminate their oil more than petrols. Also needs to be quality oil and filter - something like Mann or Mahle filters. Oil is cheap, engines are expensive!

It's turned out to be the best car I've ever owned in terms of value for money

 

[Harry Bloomfield]

Do you change your own oil? I end up having to pay about £100, you say I want an oil change they charge you for a service

Do it yourself and save much of the £100, it is not a difficult task. Even sucking the old out via the dipstick is better than nothing. I have always changed my oil and filter myself, I do it every 5Kmiles now that it does less annual miles. I buy my oil in bulk 25litres at time, nothing special just oil that meets the spec.. Regular changes are more important than the name on the container and quality filters.

 

[teaboyjim]

Do it yourself and save much of the £100, it is not a difficult task. Even sucking the old out via the dipstick is better than nothing. I have always changed my oil and filter myself, I do it every 5Kmiles now that it does less annual miles. I buy my oil in bulk 25litres at time, nothing special just oil that meets the spec.. Regular changes are more important than the name on the container and quality filters.

How much would oil cost to fill a 1.9 tdi

 

[Harry Bloomfield]

Doesn't oil cost about £50 for fill a car then how do you get rid of the old oil? I don't think you can take it down to the recycling centre can you anymore

Nothing like that much, mine takes (from memory) 6.5L per change. I take the old oil to a local boatyard, where they have someone collect it for free, for recycling.

 

[teaboyjim]

Nothing like that much, mine takes (from memory) 6.5L per change. I take the old oil to a local boatyard, where they have someone collect it for free, for recycling.

That's not too bad then

 

[Harry Bloomfield]

That's not too bad then and would save a few pennies

Do it your self and you know it has been done. I have taken company cars in where they have managed to miss changing the oil in a service. Once they were supposed to have checked the brake pads, charged for and just a few miles further on they began grating steel on steel.

 

[Burnerman]

Anyone notice the reek coming out of a classic vehicle these days? If you can’t see it, you sure can smell it.
John

 

[ReganAndCarter]

Do you change your own oil? I end up having to pay about £100. If you ask for just an oil change they seem to charge you for a mini service which includes an oil filter and an air filter as well I think. Yeah I think I should change it more frequent than 20k

What would you buy now to be as reliable as you could get?

Yes, always change my own. Not too messy if you are organised. I have a large metal tray to cover ground under sump/filter, pan to drain into, oil pump pliers (£6 delivered on Ebay) and oil suction syringe to transfer used oil from drain down pan to old oil can and some disposable gloves. New copper washer for sump plug. The council take the old oil with the recycling. Plenty of how to vids on Youtube. I buy Mobil or Castrol Magnatec - but I'm open to suggestions if anyone knows of similar spec oil for less money. It's for 2004 Scudo van with 2.0 HDi engine - requires 10W40.

I like to do it myself as I know it's been done properly with quality oil and filter.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/OIL-FILTER-12-ADJUSTABLE-PLIER-PLIERS-FILTER-WRENCH-OIL-FILTER-REMOVER-TOOL-NEW/271536805085?ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT&_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Sealey-O...330841&hash=item1a05de566b:g:RQsAAOSwavZe7VpU

 

[ReganAndCarter]

Anyone notice the reek coming out of a classic vehicle these days? If you can’t see it, you sure can smell it.
John

Yes, wonderful. Hot oil and unburnt petrol. Smell of my youth, but don't enjoy for too long. Even better if it's accompanied by the burble of a V8. Then there's that unique smell inside - especially if it's got leather.

 

[johnny2007]

So you mean it's capable of doing 350k miles plus or you've actually got that on the clock?

Wasn't my one, I only have 180k on my 1.8T petrol 1998.
It was my neighbour's, a taxi driver.
I used to do his service every couple of months for him.
He scrapped because someone rear ended him, not before I nicked a few good parts from it

 

[sxturbo]

Yes, always change my own. Not too messy if you are organised. I have a large metal tray to cover area under sump/filter, pan to drain into, oil pump pliers (£6 delivered on Ebay) and oil suction syringe to transfer used oil from drain down pan to old oil can and some disposable gloves. New copper washer for sump plug. The council take the old oil with the recycling. Plenty of how to vids on Youtube. I buy Mobil or Castrol Magnatec - but I'm open to suggestions if anyone knows of similar spec oil for less money. It's for 2004 Scudo van with 2.0 HDi engine - requires 10W40.

I like to do it myself as I know it's been done properly with quality oil and filter.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/OIL-FILTER-12-ADJUSTABLE-PLIER-PLIERS-FILTER-WRENCH-OIL-FILTER-REMOVER-TOOL-NEW/271536805085?ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT&_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Sealey-O...330841&hash=item1a05de566b:g:RQsAAOSwavZe7VpU

The motor factor own brand oil is good quality.

It will be made by either exol or comma.

I use tradetec oil (now branded as Napa) as the wife gets it cost through work. For me it's been the best oil in my Almera and my A4 the A4 used to drink oil when I used Fuchs and valvoline, switched to the tradetec stuff and the car became quieter and stopped using oil. I do changes every 5k