| Four years... Cost of Ownership and maintenance | |
updating...
this week it's four years since i bought my ff. it was more of a project car and wasn't intended as a daily driver but priorities and requirements changed along the way.
while the car wasn't fundamentally bad, there were lots of niggles which should have led it straight to the scrap yard and into the press unless dealt with outside of the dealership and with some diy.
on the other hand, always by my country's standards, the acquisition price wasn't bad; i flipped a well worn luxury watch for it and was left with enough money for the necessary first aid so that was a major factor and headstart on maintenance (restoration actually).
doing the math, after 4 years and 100k km, the total cost of repairs, improvements and regular maintenance has racked up to 22k euros. purchase price included, it's 30k euros. the past few months have by far been the most peaceful in regard to breakdowns and haven't been stranded since the early days.
this is not to say that it's been smooth sailing but can't help but wonder just how much neglect and abuse this vehicle had been through before coming home with me and still kept running. and i'm sure, had i owned it since new (a pipe dream) it wouldn't have had half the breakdowns.
anyhow, i'm pretty happy, still, with my choice although i wouldn't have the courage to go through this process ever again.
some before pics:
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and some after:
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engine
parts replaced:
radiator
valley pan
gearbox cooler radiator manifold+stat
top radiator hose x2
lower radiator hose
rear hose to heater matrix
lower return hose
expansion tank and cap
vacuum line tubes
intake manifold gaskets
pcv
pcv gasket
cross over pipe (thin)
water pump
thermostat x2
spark plugs x3 sets
ignition coils
timing chain set
timing chain guides set
tensioner
head gaskets
rocker covers seals
timing cover seals
vanos solenoid seals
idler pulley
serpentine belts
air filter
oil filter
oil change
coolant change
o2 sensors all 4 + 1
coolant temp sensor x2
camshaft position sensors
transmission
complete gearbox 140+k km ago
gearbox oil and filter change x3 since gearbox replacement
front - rear diff and transfer case oil change
neutral (xyz) switch
rear diff seal (right)
suspension
front bushes x2
front ball joints
front drop links
rear drop links
front air struts
body
side light clusters, front
tail lights
rear wiper motor
passenger wing mirror glass
windscreen jet sprayer right
wiper blades front - rear
wheel caps
boot lid gas struts
"a" pillar trim
towing eye cover
headlamp washer pump
passenger door lock
rear left door lock
rear right door lock
third (top) brake light
windscreen top moulding
brakes
pads x 2 sets
wear sensors + plugs
front rotors
rear rotors
parking brake shoes
interior
blender damper servo
door badges
headliner repair
front seats leather replacement
door cards repair
door pulls repair
interior plastics respray
cabin filter
rear seat hinge cover
indicator stalk
steering column lock emulator
steering angle sensor repair
...plus...
battery x2
tyres
the following jobs done:
colour correction + light polish
brunel grey trim pieces respray
wheel alignment
bonnet respray
pdc repair
fuel door lock repair
headlight wipers repair
rear muffler respray
brake system flush
hdc + low range panel / switch refurb
cylinder heads refacing
valve job
rocker covers powder coating
steering column lock repair + emulator installed as extra layer
ignition lock barrel repair
alternator repair
mot valid for another 2 years
cabin filter plenum replacement
and the following extras installed:
rubber mats
load space cover
wind deflectors
factory level window tint sides + windsreen
led reversing lights
spare key
mkiv navi with updated maps
Last edited by vs322 on 11th Oct 2023 4:44pm. Edited 5 times in total
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11th Oct 2023 12:10pm
