What do you Drive?

[Whoey]

So a trip to the Ford dealership and for the tidy sum of 150 euros they found 800 euro worth of quick fix they can see, plus whatever they discover while doing that, as well as they suggested it sounds like the lower timing belt? might be on the way out, and that my recent 6 month ago timing belt maintenance was only the upper part and the lower part requires major engine dismantling to the tune of 2000 euros. Basically 3000 eur on a 14 year old car with possibly more about to go wrong... or the downpayment on something new. Pretty sure the decision is made, if I can just make up my mind what to get...

Upside, today I finished work and am off for the next 3 weeks. (first proper vacation in the last 2 years!)

Downside, we were hoping to do a road trip to Spain for most of that... so if I can't find anything quick a rental will have to fill in as the Focus is going nowhere out of town.

[old Lefty]

^
Wut, upper timing belt and lower timing belt? Sounds odd, what engine does your Ford have?
In any case, it might be time to move on. If you do like Audis, 'haps also give A-class a change? Or what about local offerings? A used 508 or Talisman methinks would blow doors off in style and comfort from the Audi and similar VAG offerings

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[Whoey]

it's a 1.8 TDCI, there's definitely a whine to the engine in lower gears that didn't used to be there a few months ago...

I'm a computer nerd, not a mechanic. Also I could be wrong, the conversation was in French after all...

[old Lefty]

^
Ok, I think in new 1.8 tdci engines there is what ford-folks call 'wet timing belt' or 'lower timing belt' I reckon it actually drives the injection pump ( at least the chain in older versions did).
So yes, if it past replacement it should be replaced.

EDIT: a quick peak on one of the ford boards seems to point out that it is appr. 4 hours to dissamble, so I guess it takes about the same to put it back together. Dunno what dealer prices in France are, but I would ask for another quote from an independent prior parting with my hard earned.

[gregozedobe]

At those prices I'd be considering a lower mileage second hand engine from a wrecked car.

[old Lefty]

^
Not sure if that would make sense. Changing the engine is at least the same amount of work. If I understood correctly this one has low mileage, basically maintenance is required.

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[Whoey]

144k km on the odometer, not bad for 14 years old, it's a Diesel as you probably figured from TDCI, and the last 6 months it's barely being used for trips longer than 10 km a day. Partially because it has at least one bad glow plugs, as of a couple weeks ago, turbo doesn't kick in at all due to error code.

All my tools apart from Victorinox spirit and cyber tool are 1000km away.

Other reported issues: some sort of bodge job on the water pump (wasn't me), and some rubber tube is bulging on the point of exploding... And I do think he said something about the injectors... Yes a non dealership mechanic might do it all for less, but I can't help thinking this is what half the issues are about in the first place.

Other minor issues: wiper fluid tank is clogged, and doesn't seem to work properly, think they cut the rear tube when my back window got replaced because it doesn't work at all now, and I noticed dampness inside that rear corner. Additionally, one of the rear turn signal sockets works on and off, cleaning contacts helped, but still needs replacement, but haven't been able to track down a reasonably priced one.

Add to all this it is Spanish registered and insured, to keep driving it here I will need to switch and pay a bunch for getting it all clear with french equivalent. In the end, more effort than it's worth on a car that isn't really anything but a means to get around and buy groceries. But it is the first car I owned over here, so there is that emotional attachment to it.

Regardless, it's time... Maybe it would be a different story if I had tools and someone mechanically inclined to assist. But I also need to factor in what would be next... Where does it end?

[Grant Lamontagne]

It never ends.

Last week the Jeep needed a new battery, and this is the third one in it since new.  The battery I replaced had a 4 year warranty, and it turns out it is about 4 1/2 years old, so I replaced it with a battery that has a 5 year warranty.   

This week the Jeepngot two new tires, as one was bald and another had three plugs in it and a very liberal take on the concept of holding air.

Next month will be another safety check, which means replacing the emergency brake (they rust off quickly here) and anything ends they have a problem with.  Then it'll an alignment.... because as I said,  it never ends....

Def

[Syncop8r]

Wut, upper timing belt and lower timing belt? Sounds odd, what engine does your Ford have?

One is for Northern Hemisphere use, one for Southern. 

Downside, we were hoping to do a road trip to Spain for most of that...

Add to all this it is Spanish registered and insured, to keep driving it here I will need to switch and pay a bunch for getting it all clear with french equivalent.

Would it make it to Spain (one-way)? 

[Whoey]

Would it make it to Spain (one-way)? 

I'm not willing to test that theory, it would at least need half the servicing done ie glowplugs and potential rupture tube

Been to look at the replacement candidates this morning, test drive of our top candidate this afternoon...

[Gareth]

I'm not willing to test that theory, it would at least need half the servicing done ie glowplugs and potential rupture tube

Been to look at the replacement candidates this morning, test drive of our top candidate this afternoon...

Let us know what you've been looking at and what you think (if you don't mind).   

[Whoey]

Let us know what you've been looking at and what you think (if you don't mind). 

2018 Audi A3 Sportback 1.5 TFSI COD 150 S tronic 7

It will be mine at the end of the week.

(edit corrected full model name)

[pfrsantos]

2018 Audi A3 Sportback 1.5 TFSI S-line S tronic

It will be mine at the end of the week.

 

Nice looking wheels! And windshield. And hood. And everything else.

 

[Gareth]

Looks awesome mate.    Just don't forget what the flashing lights on the corners are for.

[Whoey]

It was lovely to drive. After 2 years busting my rear in France, it's time for a little reward.

That photo doesn't really do it justice.

The s-line seats wrap around you like a hug, plus a load of options that round it out to a really nice ride.

Will be keen to do our first proper road trip.

Also, the first auto I've driven in at least 20 years... I kept reaching for the stick at lights out of habit.

[Reinier]

Nice A3!

[pfrsantos]

It was lovely to drive. After 2 years busting my rear in France, it's time for a little reward.

That photo doesn't really do it justice.

The s-line seats wrap around you like a hug, plus a load of options that round it out to a really nice ride.

Will be keen to do our first proper road trip.

Also, the first auto I've driven in at least 20 years... I kept reaching for the stick at lights out of habit.

Yeah, old habits die hard.

 Just the other day, I was waiting for the green light when a biker pulled up in the lane to my left. He reduced the speed until he stopped... and just fell down. I got out to help him up, luckily he wasn't hurt.
We got the bike up, he sat on it and gave a big sigh. "Man, I took out the sidecar almost two weeks ago and still haven't got used to it..."

[Gareth]

Oops!

Mine is keyless entry.  Last car had it, current one doesn't.  Two years later and (way too often) I still forget to unlock the door before yanking on the handle. 

[pomsbz]

Looks awesome mate.    Just don't forget what the flashing lights on the corners are for.

 

[Whoey]

I have confirmed that it does come with a turn signal stalk, and it does indeed actually work.

Today has been mostly involving getting it insured... not fun when you haven't been insured in the country before, basically giving me rates like I was a new driver. Hoping it can all be sorted before we get it Friday or Saturday... in the meantime need to clear personal crap out the old one...

[pfrsantos]

I have confirmed that it does come with a turn signal stalk, and it does indeed actually work.

Today has been mostly involving getting it insured... not fun when you haven't been insured in the country before, basically giving me rates like I was a new driver. Hoping it can all be sorted before we get it Friday or Saturday... in the meantime need to clear personal crap out the old one...

Couldn't you get a statement from your previous insurance company, with your auto insurance history? Some companies are present in several countries, that might help. Or not, I'm just thinking writing out loud.

 

[Whoey]

Couldn't you get a statement from your previous insurance company, with your auto insurance history? Some companies are present in several countries, that might help. Or not, I'm just thinking writing out loud.

 

Exactly what I did. Rather surprisingly I got no feedback at all through the client area on their site, chat function borked. And had it within 30 min of posting a PM to them on the bork of face. I'm all sorted, but no extract for my wife as she was only listed as occasional driver on the old policy... making it impossible to confirm her history 

[pfrsantos]

Exactly what I did. Rather surprisingly I got no feedback at all through the client area on their site, chat function borked. And had it within 30 min of posting a PM to them on the bork of face. I'm all sorted, but no extract for my wife as she was only listed as occasional driver on the old policy... making it impossible to confirm her history 

That shouldn't be a problem, if the car is in your name. At least over here, the insurance must be taken by the owner. It insures the car, even if the person driving is not the owner itself.

If anything happens, you can say "wow, the only time she drove MY car, she had an accident...".

 

[Whoey]

I now have insurance, but not the car yet... some paperwork held it up, so monday afternoon I go fetch 

[old Lefty]

Same spot than earlier with the Caddy this time however, a dusty Alfa Romeo:



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Whoey]

It's official, now in my possession:

[Gareth]

 

[Grant Lamontagne]

 

Def

[old Lefty]

It's official, now in my possession:

Looks like it means business. Nice!

Lähetetty minun SM-T515 laitteesta Tapatalkilla

[gregozedobe]

It's official, now in my possession:

I'm not sure if it applies to the engine in your Audi, but it might be worth checking the wear on the cam follower that opersted the high pressure fuel pump.  On some VAG (Volkswagen Audi Group) engines this wears out and should be replaced (a relatively cheap and easy job) before it damages the cam.  Also VAG engines can be very fussy about using the correct engine oil & coolant.