Is new better than old?
Is new better than old?
Following this week's round of maintenance on the old girl, I am delighted to share the following pearls of wisdom:
Excessive brake judder - replace the discs and pads
Flickering xenon and intermittent central locking fault - replace the battery
Random fan speeds - replace the FSR
Unlike the more modern cars in Phil's workshop yesterday that seemed to require a PhD in Computer Science, the old tech on the E46 makes it such an easy car to diagnose and fix.
Begs the question, is new better than old when it comes to maintenance?
(And for those of you who watch The Grand Tour, the similarity between this post and one of the recent episodes only struck me as I finished the post)
Excessive brake judder - replace the discs and pads
Flickering xenon and intermittent central locking fault - replace the battery
Random fan speeds - replace the FSR
Unlike the more modern cars in Phil's workshop yesterday that seemed to require a PhD in Computer Science, the old tech on the E46 makes it such an easy car to diagnose and fix.
Begs the question, is new better than old when it comes to maintenance?
(And for those of you who watch The Grand Tour, the similarity between this post and one of the recent episodes only struck me as I finished the post)
Charles
Teacher of Chemistry and driver of ALPINAs - not necessarily in that order
B3S Touring (49/116) - been to the moon and now on the way back!
Renault Grand Espace - not mine but the wife's!
Teacher of Chemistry and driver of ALPINAs - not necessarily in that order
B3S Touring (49/116) - been to the moon and now on the way back!
Renault Grand Espace - not mine but the wife's!
For me I prefer the older ones.
Having thrown an E91 in the bin last week I very much doubt I'd own anything newer than the E46 and E39 I currently have.
As you put it they are very easy to work on and diagnose.
I like to fix things with spanners and hammers not computers
Having thrown an E91 in the bin last week I very much doubt I'd own anything newer than the E46 and E39 I currently have.
As you put it they are very easy to work on and diagnose.
I like to fix things with spanners and hammers not computers
B3 3.3 Coupe #090
D3 2.0 Biturbo Touring #098
D3 2.0 Biturbo Touring #098
Seam sealer over E coated bodywork. Its crap. I was changing the fuel filter on my wifes F25 X3 at christmas and couldn't help but notice it. I should of taken a picture i've seen some very very rusty E90's and E60's.Metrics wrote:Yikes - really? Like none at all??simon13 wrote:E90 onwards cars are not under sealed so won't last aslong as older cars rust wise either!
How does that work then?
Won't be long till some are failing MOTs on structural rot.
What he said!ali-bumble wrote: I very much doubt I'd own anything newer than the E46 and E39 I currently have.
I've just had some floor corrosion dealt with on the E39. However, the E32/34/36 are still very solid. Anything after the E46 is like a high tech washing machine designed with a limited lifespan built in.
I've been thinking about this question of old versus new. My Alpina, although not the youngest of the cars in our family, is certainly the most complex electrically and electronically. Currently it is stuck in my garage with a dead battery caused by a faulty switch which was repeatedly unlocking the tailgate glass.
Normally I'd swap batteries in a jiffy and drive it off to get the switch sorted but I'm wary that things may not be that simple. Perhaps I'll start a separate thread asking for advice and warnings about any gotchas.
Normally I'd swap batteries in a jiffy and drive it off to get the switch sorted but I'm wary that things may not be that simple. Perhaps I'll start a separate thread asking for advice and warnings about any gotchas.
2000 E39 B10 3.3 Touring #10
1993 Eunos Roadster
1993 Saab Turbo 900 Ruby Edition
Gone but not forgotten: Ford Escort Mk 2 1600 Sport, Alfasud, Saab 900 GLS, Saab 900 Turbo (8v), MB W124 E320 Sportline Estate, Honda Accord 1.8S 6th Gen
1993 Eunos Roadster
1993 Saab Turbo 900 Ruby Edition
Gone but not forgotten: Ford Escort Mk 2 1600 Sport, Alfasud, Saab 900 GLS, Saab 900 Turbo (8v), MB W124 E320 Sportline Estate, Honda Accord 1.8S 6th Gen