can a used car actually drive better the more you drive?

londonTiger

I have a mk4 golf, nothing special. I rememebr we had some teething problems with the car. Nothing wrong just a few niggles here and there.

When I first bought it, it used to take a few goes to start the car. But after a month of ownership the problem completely went away In the 18 months I had the car, (during the last 17 month) the engine started from cold almost every time but twice that I can recall.

Also engne wasn't so smooth. But these days it runs very smooth - not noisy and can shoot off idle pretty quick too.

Part of me thinks that it's just that my clutch control has improved considerably and also I'm more familiar with the gear changes and can switch gears better than before.

I've done a lot of servicing myself, but these shouldn't really affect performance tat much.

- gear oil change (2x drain and fill)
- coolant flush (4x drain and fill)
- brake bleeding
- annual engone oil and filter change (only once)

Ultrasonic

What engine does it have?

Might an initially coked up turbo that is now clear have made some difference?

DKLS

Did you give it an Italian service?, My mums Yaris needs one about twice a year as she drives like Miss daisy.

I take it for a day and its like a new car after I have done with it.

Hintza

I tend to Italian tune in the run up to the MOT.

Why are you flushing the coolant 4x and the gear box oil 2x in 18 months?

Strider590

Most likely the car was only ever driven 2 miles to the shops and back, and not serviced often enough to compensate.

The classic "one lady owner" car.

Rolandtheroadie

The servicing may have helped, a lot of it may be down to you getting used to the car.

My non turbo merc diesel used to seem slow and sluggish compared to my last tdi, now its fine.

londonTiger

the car is naturally aspirated.

I didn't do the coolant flush 4 times. I don't know which hoses to disconnect so I just did the long and easy meth. Drain the radiator - fill up with clean water, cycle the coolant round the system, then repeat 3 or 4 more times to change as much of the old coolant as possible.


With the gear oil I did drain and fill twice, I dont have the specialist gear change tools to completely clean out the gear oil, so I just did a drain and fill.

Yes I do do an italian tune up once a month or so because the car is used for short trips so I do push it hard once in a while.