Originally Posted By: supton
Originally Posted By: silverrat
I find it hard to believe that a 2004 with 157k miles is on original brake pads
It's possible.
My '04 goes like this: I drove >32kmiles/year initially, tapering down to probably 25k last year. Something like that. It took me but 3 years to hit 100k, and I want to say another 3 to hit 200k, and the last 100k to the 300k mark is dragging out, as I keep finding reason after reason to drive my truck instead--I think this last year has been but 15k. So it hardly sat.
Prior to 100k it had the tandem pump recall and the EGR cooler recall. The EGR was done twice inside of a month, as the first time was done poorly (ever see an intake manifold all but fall off? yeah that bad!).
-every 10k was oil&filter, for around $50, as I just bought online
-every 20k was fuel filter, $27 or so, but these days I do it every 40k
-every 40k was a set of tires. Unless if it was 30k, on a couple of sets. $330 to $450 each, IIRC.
-headlight bulbs every year
-I suspect a windshield every other year. I can recall three replacements off the top of my head. $220 each time?
-99k: first timing belt job
-105k: front wheel bearings. The first actual repair, and on my dime. Barely outside of the three year mark! Also changed lower control arm bushings to the solid Audi TT bushings? or maybe I had the LCA's done at...
133k: replaced struts/shocks with Koni Red's
-168k: rear brake pads finally wore to the rivets, did pads and rotors. Wound up having to have the rear calipers replaced also at...
-170k: more EGR work done (this is when the botched dealership work was found), along with rear calipers
-175k: front brake pad fell off. Rust. Other three pads found to have >50% of material left. Replaced pads and rotors
-180k: I noticed what might have been a coolant leak, possibly from the water pump. Found out that timing belt jobs were derated to 80k or 90k, so, well timed for its second timing belt.
-200k: intake flap died
-220k: intake flap died. $500 each time. Ouch.
-249k: flywheel making noise, had clutch replaced. Massive amounts of friction material left, but I had it replaced anyhow
-251k: turbo blew. First tow of its life, off the highway (but it was off of I89).
-255k: electric lift pump died. One parking brake cable replaced around this time too. Second tow, was only a couple of months after the first.
-260k: front struts replaced
-293k: I did all pads and rotors, and rear calipers (again!), after I found evidence of pad separation on at least two pads. I've been driving harder, so now the front and rear wear at similar rates; all pads had probably 40% material left.
Right now, at 295k, it has a torn CV boot (not making noise, caught early), bad strut mounts and every rubber bushing is likely bad, badly rusted front fenders/driver's door, while the hood and hatch aren't too bad (if you ignore the holes I fixed in the hatch), lots of rattles, bad cooling fan, missing an HVAC fan speed, pitted windshield and bald tires... and I think it might have a camshaft that is just starting to go.
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I keep alternating between "it did a good job" and "it's a junk car, look at all the work it needed!" Structurally there is little rust where it counts -- BUT -- I have rust forming where the rubber door seals hit the body. I've never seen that before. Is the body starting to settle now? Is it just from dirt/rocks? I dunno.
Lifetime mpg is over 46mpg. At the very least fuel savings paid for repairs, over a 30mpg gasser.
Interesting post. Thanks for taking the time. I have several questions/observations. Oil, fuel filters, brakes, tires, timing belts are wear items and I understand the need for replacement. Why three windshields? Road damage or faulty windshields? Your "botched dealership" comment kind of re-enforces my perception of less than stellar dealership competence and workmanship (from all info I've read as I have no first hand experience). Starting at the 180K mark with the water pump, flywheel and turbo, would this be considered normal for this mileage? While I've replaced water pumps, I've never had to replace a flywheel and I've never owned a turbo. Looking at your list I'm thinking that your problems/repairs might not be that bad overall given your total mileage. Am I off base here? Thanks again for the time it took to post your experiences.
