Old, high mileage cars?

Fate

Hello all,

I have just bought a 1994 VW Golf CL 1.6 with 140,000 miles on the clock!!!!! It was pretty cheap and seems to drive just fine, it has no rust and the interior is pristine!! It has service history until 2001 and some receipts for work done after that. I know that I will have to spend some money on it because it's an old car (I have just booked it in for a cam belt change and service - independant garage for around £200.00).

I am a bit uneasy now, because when I tell people it's a petrol engine with 140,000 they draw a sharp intake of breath and shake their heads in a knowing way! It's been driven approx 10,000miles for every year of it's life (backed up by the service history).

Has anyone else a car with high mileage with tips for prolonging it's life and what other problems can I expect from a VW this age?

Many thanks

anewman

Is it the 1.6 AEE engine code? If so I hear they're good engines and should last another 160,000 miles or more with cam belt changes and oil changes. Most people get lazy with servicing when a car gets to this stage which kills the car off needlessly, so it's good to hear you're looking after it - (whereas those idiots who gasp wouldn't and would be wasting money on new car and finance) :T :cool:

The people who gasp know little about cars and probably waste their money on a new car every 3 years or less and pay wads of cash on finance like idiots. They're also snobby gets who wouldn't be seen with a car older than 3 years old - and if you had a 200 mile journey planned in the car they'd be all "are you going to get there?" etc yet chances are you'll never have a problem if car is serviced well.

As for problems from a VW that age, not really sure. Suspension is probably worth keeping an eye on, and you could paint on underbody seal which you can get for £10 a big can in Halfords.

judderman

Hello fellow Dubber, this site may be handy at some point http://www.golfgtiforum.co.uk/
i own a 1991 1.8 auto Mk2 driver 108k on the clock still going strong :j

manda1205

I had a fiesta do 152,000, might've gone further but it got wrote off, so will never know. It does depend on how you look after it and it may go to 200k. Its not unheard of, although usally diesels will go further than a petrol. How much was pretty cheap? If you paid cheap money ie £300 then Id expect it to last me a year maybe 2 max, in which case it doesnt matter. It'll keep going as long as you service it and look after it well.

Fate

It's an ABU, is that cause for concern? I think they are the most basic type aren't they?

I had a 1981 Mk1 1.3CL years ago, the head gasket blew in France and it was repaired by a Citroen garage who managed to put it all back together the wrong way round!! Anyway to cut a long story short, it was never the same again and I just didn't have the money to put it right so I sold it to a local mechanic for £50.00, I would see my old golf whizzing around up until a few years ago!

custardy

ive had old bangers with way beyond that mileage.
its a gamble on any car that age/mileage but the way i look at it you pay cash and run it as long as it runs.
my car cost £700 with 1 years mot and 6 months tax.
if i get the year out of that then im happy but tbh i dont see it having major issues on the MOT

make sure you stay on top of servicing and minor repairs.you really have below average miles

i always make sure i have breakdown cover ot get the car towed home,1 breakdown on the motorway easily covers the cost of cover

Fate

manda1205 wrote: »

I had a fiesta do 152,000, might've gone further but it got wrote off, so will never know. It does depend on how you look after it and it may go to 200k. Its not unheard of, although usally diesels will go further than a petrol. How much was pretty cheap? If you paid cheap money ie £300 then Id expect it to last me a year maybe 2 max, in which case it doesnt matter. It'll keep going as long as you service it and look after it well.

I actually paid £700, and I'll be happy if I get a year out of it. Basically, I just need something to get me to work, the furthest I envisage going is a 100 mile round trip once in a while. I got a good deal on my insurance (fully comp was cheaper than 3rd Party, F & T :huh: ) using the MSE insurance quote method.

anewman

Fate wrote: »

I had a 1981 Mk1 1.3CL years ago, the head gasket blew in France and it was repaired by a Citroen garage who managed to put it all back together the wrong way round!!

Typical French automotive engineering :rotfl:

Don't know anything about the ABU engines, I guess if you look out for the VW forums on the net, like the one judderman links to, they'll have a better idea

steveo3002

theres loads and loads of cars around with those miles and higher

if its been treated with some respect and serviced theres no reason why it wont last a good few more years

once the cam belt is done make sure it gets regular oil changes and keep an eye on the level

Conor_3

Regular oil changes are the key. Change the oil every 6000 miles and it'll go for ages.

vaio

Fate wrote: »

Hello all,

I have just bought a 1994 VW Golf CL 1.6 with 140,000 miles on the clock………Has anyone else a car with high mileage with tips for prolonging it's life and what other problems can I expect from a VW this age?

Many thanks

I’ve never had a VW but my last three cars (over 20 years) have been Audi so same group. The first I got at 68k and parked up it up at 226k, the second had 90k when I got it and 160k when I sold it and the current one had 150k when I got it and is now on 185k.

In addition to normal service items the first one had an alternator, a radiator, a fuel pump and a starter motor. The second one is the only one that ever stranded me (dumped all the power steering fluid on the road) and and needed a power steering pump repair. The current one has had nothing. I do use good oil and genuine filters every six months.

Keep the cam belts and oil changes up to date and I reckon it’ll easily go past 200k