why bother servicing

[TicklyT]

Going back a few years, an original mini needed a gearbox rebuild after around 3k miles.

I think not.

IIRC the idea of the engine and gearbox 'sharing the same bathwater' in the original Mini wasn't particularly good for either of them, and prototype gearboxes had a very short life expectancy. The design did hasten the development of modern lubricants to make the best of the situation.

The alternative, used in the Triumph 1300 had seperate sump, gearbox and differential housings all in the same casting, each using it's own specific oil. It was much bulkier, and expensive to produce.

Regarding service intervals, the Corsa I use for work is supposed to determine the need for servicing itself. The thing eventually prompted '400 miles until service'.... after 17,000 miles.

I have heard of firms electing not to change cam belts etc. at the recommended intervals, seeing the occasional engine failure and re-build as costing less than the recommended maintenance, regimen, particularly when fleet vehicles are changed about every 3 years.

 

[Donkmeister]

and I think it is Cadillacs that have a 100k miles major service interval.

At the "original Mini" end of the scale, my little MG TF needed the cambelts (for all THREE cams?!) changing at 10k miles, along with the corroded HT leads...

Mmmm, mid-engine service charges... £200 to take the bodywork off, £100 to do the job.

Yank cars are renowned for long service life and intervals: you can buy 50k mile tyres out there. Their cars are optimised for driving very long distances and keeping driving if you get a minor fault in the middle of a desert highway. Oh, and for drivethrough takeaway meals.

 

[Donkmeister]

Regarding service intervals, the Corsa I use for work is supposed to determine the need for servicing itself. The thing eventually prompted '400 miles until service'.... after 17,000 miles.

Interested to see how much the bill is though... My mate's old Clio had double the service interval of my old Astra, but the services cost MORE than twice as much!