How much is a name worth.

As someone who lacks the knowledge that some on here have on engines, and is fortunate enough to be able to pay others for doing what some on here would do with their eyes closed, I always feel vulnerable when entering a garage looking for work to be done. It seems ridiculous what some charge for servicing. Then we have conflicting opinions. When I bought my first motorhome I was surprised when fiat set such long periods for servicing. But I was assured by experts that every two years with low mileage is fine for these engines. But even a mechanical novice like me can see the benefit of regular oil changes.
 
mariesnowgoose said:
That's great if you have a modern vehicle, Mark.
But those of us who have old, pre-computer engined vehicles don't have that luxury... ;)😉

An old flame who taught me how to drive was obsessive about checking the engine oil, water etc.
Oil in all his, and my, vehicles was changed at least once a year and he always bought top quality.

He was paid as a test driver for a year working in teams of pairs driving 24x7 for DeLorean.
They went all over the UK in the test DeLorean before the company went bust.
Guess it's all to do with how much mechanical knowledge you have and with what types of engine.

He always owned high end sports cars, so I guess his approach to engine oils and what/how/where to use them might be different to Trev's approach where you're servicing family cars and lower value vehicles?

But he used exactly the same 'servicing' approach to all my cheap and cheerful cars I owned at the time, so I suppose a lot is down to experience as well as personal preference?
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Well, I have a button to press to check oil level, warning light for any bulbs that are out, guess what, lights are checked manually every time I drive, oil and all other fluids checked manually every week to say a max of 10 days, that goes up to virtually daily when touring away and walk round check for leaks, tyres etc are done almost every time I park.

All these modern computer aided things are just additional tools, not an “instead of”.

I’m with your old flame on all of that stuff. :)
 
Truthfully, the only winners I perceive are the manufacturers not dealers or heaven forbid customers.

Servicing intervals extended , hours cut back with servicing times still 8 hours a day to sell on a ramp, add on manufacturers ego of three branded coffees in a waiting area and floor tiles an obscure shade of grey it takes little imagination to see we are being collectively had

I think customers can be well forgiven for their cynicism, not that long ago ducatos were 4500 mile service intervals! Whilst advances in technology have played a part and do exist, the transparency has been hijacked by manufacturers wanting to manipulate whole life servicing costs to win favour in the fleet markets

As for big brand names it is my understanding the detergents added to the oils are exclusive to that brand whether it is worth the premium I will let others decide
 
I also add a small bottle of REDEX to my diesel and petrol tanks now and then £2 each from the pound shops does it help? well my emissions tests at MOT never failed yet so ?
 
mark61 said:
Well, I have a button to press to check oil level, warning light for any bulbs that are out, guess what, lights are checked manually every time I drive, oil and all other fluids checked manually every week to say a max of 10 days, that goes up to virtually daily when touring away and walk round check for leaks, tyres etc are done almost every time I park.

All these modern computer aided things are just additional tools, not an “instead of”.

I’m with your old flame on all of that stuff. :)
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One of our members not so long since bought an old allegro. Method in their madness 100% checking oil, coolant brake fluid etc a breeze.even if they aren’t too good on the tools , uncle Trev and his kind can have it serviced in a couple of hours

Lot to be said with KISS keep it simple stupid, consumer pressure or otherwise I can’t help feeling manufacturers have lost their way especially on the bread and butter stuff
 
Engine manufacturers give the necessary grade and specification of oil to use, and if you stick to that I dont think it makes a great deal of difference who the make is on the label. Just change it and the filter regularly. Having said that to some extent I alter what I buy according to the power output of the engine. My 4.18ltr Lister HR4 generator engine runs at a steady 1,500rpm producing 43hp - thats just 10.3 hp/ltr. My Transit 2.5Di is rated at 70hp - 28hp/ltr. My D22 pickup with 2.5 engine gives I think 120hp so 48hp/ltr.
The pickup obviously needs better oil than the other 2, and gets fully synthetic while the others get semi-synthetic cheap oil.
My V-Strom 650 is making 103hp/ltr, slightly different as being petrol, but it obviously needs the best oil I can get.
 
vindiboy said:
a lot of garages just suck the Engine oil out of the sump with a pump via the dip stick tube and maybee change the filter, not for me that I undo the drain plug and let it drip for an hour whilst having a cuppa. and Bacon Butty lovely.
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Top man exactly how the job should be done, whilst possibly teasing a young apprentice sending him to parts for a box of sparks
 
vindiboy said:
a lot of garages just suck the Engine oil out of the sump with a pump via the dip stick tube and maybee change the filter, not for me that I undo the drain plug and let it drip for an hour whilst having a cuppa. and Bacon Butty lovely.
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Cant do it that way on SWMBO Mercedes Smart Car as no drain plug. So it has to be sucked out. I always change the filter as well being a small engine 799cc every six months.And if I do an oil change on my 2005 Freelander due to having to drop an undercarrier Pan which is awkward faff laying on the Ground I also use the suck Out method.Now my Freelander has only done 28000 miles in 15 years so I get the garage to do the oil change every other year as easy for them up on a Ramp.And in between every six months I use the Suck Out Pump.Which I know it not great but as I have soo low mileage I think its fine.
 
mickymost said:
Cant do it that way on SWMBO Mercedes Smart Car as no drain plug. So it has to be sucked out. I always change the filter as well being a small engine 799cc every six months.And if I do an oil change on my 2005 Freelander due to having to drop an undercarrier Pan which is awkward faff laying on the Ground I also use the suck Out method.Now my Freelander has only done 28000 miles in 15 years so I get the garage to do the oil change every other year as easy for them up on a Ramp.And in between every six months I use the Suck Out Pump.Which I know it not great but as I have soo low mileage I think its fine.
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If ever a manufacturer lost its way from its core values you don’t have to look that much further than Land Rover . I have a Range Rover sport, more electronics than the space shuttle I find it all quite scary, if the car is used to it’s true potential which they can with relative ease and little driver input, more sensors linking to abs systems, than you can shake a stick at, i remain to be convinced how compatible they are with mud and water. The old stalwart of the defender in its new guise has gone the same way a shame really, eyeing the suv market as opposed to pure off road ability it seems neither one or the other.
 
Some of the new mercs cannot be serviced at home as the complete engine is removed from below to change pil and plugs etc,no dip stick and no bonnet to open,very sad.
 
Thats why im not convinced with the fully Electric Cars as the oil and filter service costs an arm and a leg.Not including the cost of replacing the Duracells every year.Cant beat old technology no computers simple.
 
channa said:
If ever a manufacturer lost its way from its core values you don’t have to look that much further than Land Rover . I have a Range Rover sport, more electronics than the space shuttle I find it all quite scary, if the car is used to it’s true potential which they can with relative ease and little driver input, more sensors linking to abs systems, than you can shake a stick at, i remain to be convinced how compatible they are with mud and water. The old stalwart of the defender in its new guise has gone the same way a shame really, eyeing the suv market as opposed to pure off road ability it seems neither one or the other.
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Range Rover's and Discovery's have for a long time been vehicles that technically are very capable off road, but just a bit too fragile to live with an off road life.
If you want modern luxuries plus real off road capability your options are small, pretty much Land Cruiser and G Wagen, and you need as deeper pocket for those as you do a new Range Rover.
Still we will have to see how the new Grenadier takes off. By far the most promising 4x4 in years, decades even. No, make that ever. :)
 
mickymost said:
Thats why im not convinced with the fully Electric Cars as the oil and filter service costs an arm and a leg.Not including the cost of replacing the Duracells every year.Cant beat old technology no computers simple.
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Problem is getting very old and hard to find one with no rust,parts also big problem,bring back the rear engine soda.
 
mark61 said:
Range Rover's and Discovery's have for a long time been vehicles that technically are very capable off road, but just a bit too fragile to live with an off road life.
If you want modern luxuries plus real off road capability your options are small, pretty much Land Cruiser and G Wagen, and you need as deeper pocket for those as you do a new Range Rover.
Still we will have to see how the new Grenadier takes off. By far the most promising 4x4 in years, decades even. No, make that ever. :)
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Is it the Australian s that say if you want to head off in to the bush take a Land Rover, but if you want to come back buy the Toyota?
 
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