Buying high mileage diesels

forgotmyname

spacey2012 wrote: »

Sorry they were know as the TDCI 115ps, but that is by a very long margin the most reliable, the TDCI 130 is the pig of the bunch for the injectors going.

A set of 4 injectors, fitting and ECU coding comes in around £1800 + Vat.

Thats what helps to keep the prices low. A small percentage of people have injector problems and they quote main dealer prices on a fairly old car.

You can get properly reconditioned injectors for 1/3rd of that price.

If they are so bad how did mine manage to get to 170,000 on the original ones?

bigjl

thetoaster wrote: »

Interesting stuff, what I've got from the ad is it's got full history, and the clutch and dmf have just been done. It's to ghia x spec and is up for 2200 with tax and test with a dealer. I can't see any reference to a 110 or 130 though?

As a Ghia X it is more likely to be the 130 bhp model. From memory the power is written clearly on the engine cover. I think the 130 was 6speed only so that is something to look for.

The 130 has substantial mid range urge, unlike the slightly anaemic 115.

If it puffs smoke when you boot it get the egr and inlet manifold cleaned and either clean or replace the MAF sensor, i sm sure thst is the correct name for it, the one positioned on the plastic pipe just along from the air filter held in place by a couple of screws or bolts from memory.
Has a litlle wire inside thst gets hot. Dirt builds up on it and leads to extra smoke under load, use a cotton bud very csrefully or soke non contact electrical cleaner from Maplins.

No matter what some VW enthusiasts might believe all cars have faults.

With a bit of research most mk3 Mondeo issues are cheap and easy to solve.

jase1

nickcc wrote: »

Diesels usually last for many more miles than petrols mainly due to being a lower revving engine.

Diesels usually last for many more miles than petrols because they are driven for many more miles than petrols. No other reason.

However, modern diesels that aren't used as they're designed to be (ploughing the motorway for hundreds of miles at a time) break, so high-mileage is a good thing, within reason (the rest of the car will fall apart before the engine does, regardless of diesel or petrol).

nickcc

jase1 wrote: »

Diesels usually last for many more miles than petrols because they are driven for many more miles than petrols. No other reason.

However, modern diesels that aren't used as they're designed to be (ploughing the motorway for hundreds of miles at a time) break, so high-mileage is a good thing, within reason (the rest of the car will fall apart before the engine does, regardless of diesel or petrol).

Not sure what you're trying to say, could you explain ?

Richard53

bigjl wrote: »

As a Ghia X it is more likely to be the 130 bhp model. From memory the power is written clearly on the engine cover. I think the 130 was 6speed only so that is something to look for.

Mine's the Zetec. You're right about the engine cover - mine is the 130 bhp model and has (I think) 96PS written on the black plastic cover. I think all the 130s had six speeds.

I'm very happy with mine and will probably keep it until it dies. It has good midrange, it's quick enough for me, and it's extremely comfy over long journeys. I get 42-44 mpg on normal driving and well over 50 on long trips, and surprisingly it is a much better towcar than my old Td5 Disco II. It will turn 50k miles tomorrow morning on the way home, so I am hoping that it has a long life ahead of it. It smokes a bit when you floor the gas, only noticeable at night with following headlights, and starting in cold weather is a bit lumpy for the first 10 seconds. Other than that, no complaints and it swallows masses of gear. No clutch or DMF issues so far, although I am a fairly sympathetic driver and haven't had to replace a clutch in 40 years.

The only major expenses have been a new caliper (stuck on in France, so forced to use a garage), half an exhaust, and four discs earlier this year. 2006/56, bought 2007 with 13k (ex-fleet), now 50k and still looking smart.

I tend to get bored with cars and change them every couple of years, but this one has grown on me and will be a keeper, unless I win the lottery and can afford - dunno, another one?

forgotmyname

Early MK3 Mondeo's were all 5 speed, Then the 130's got the 6 speed box.

I have only seen a couple of 115's with the 6 speed. Maybe an option?

harveybobbles

Richard53 wrote: »

bought 2007 with 13k (ex-fleet), now 50k and still looking smart.

So 37k in 7 years? Thats not good for the car tbh!

Richard53

harveybobbles wrote: »

So 37k in 7 years? Thats not good for the car tbh!

I use my motorcycle by choice, and most of my mileage is on two wheels. The car gets used for holidays, and any trips involving cargo or passengers, which means 90% of the mileage is long trips and highish speeds. I also make sure I take it out and get it properly warmed up every couple of weeks. It seems to be coping.

OddballJamie

Richard53 wrote: »

I use my motorcycle by choice, and most of my mileage is on two wheels. The car gets used for holidays, and any trips involving cargo or passengers, which means 90% of the mileage is long trips and highish speeds. I also make sure I take it out and get it properly warmed up every couple of weeks. It seems to be coping.

Explains why it's running sweet. Mention low miles people automatically think it's only used for the school run. High miles and people are convinced it lives on the motorway.

andygb

jase1 wrote: »

Diesels usually last for many more miles than petrols because they are driven for many more miles than petrols. No other reason.

However, modern diesels that aren't used as they're designed to be (ploughing the motorway for hundreds of miles at a time) break, so high-mileage is a good thing, within reason (the rest of the car will fall apart before the engine does, regardless of diesel or petrol).

So, is that why taxi drivers who mostly do short trips and clock up huge mileages love diesels?;)

I do love this "urban mythology":rotfl: