Engine: 850 T5/R - Mystery whistling - Page 2

turboboy · Mar 12th, 2020, 10:35

Clogs has it spot-on. With any secondhand car you are thinking of buying you should have it checked over by someone who knows what they are looking at if you are not technically inclined. Even then go in with the attitude that something will need fixing in the near future and therefore you will need to budget extra expenditure.

You may be lucky and find it never needs other than the usual consumables or it may need something unexpected, but if it is basically sound then that repair is something I have always put down to general running expenses and console myself that I finish up with a car that I enjoy driving, is reliable and is costing me less per annum than a new car finance.

I bought a 740 after researching into the usual problems to expect and bought the best I could find for my budget. Lo and behold, after about a year it needed the turbo rebuilt. Then the following year one of the rear self levelling rear dampers started to leak but once I had replaced the rears with standard dampers and HD springs and also rebuilt the front struts it drove like a dream (one of the mechanics my son worked with said it was like driving a new car). Only reason for selling it a few years down the line was to get something with luxuries such as A/C and cruise control otherwise I would still have it.

Another purchase was a SAAB which was one owner with full service history (main dealer for the main part with the last two at local garage). I knew that the oil cooler probably needed attention but also knew that this could be bought cheaper as the Vauxhall version so budgeted for this. The surprise on this one was the cabin filter which was the original and was so choked full that it was not concertina section but totally flat with all the dust and dirt, having never been touched since it left the factory. Again these were things that could be overcome at a reasonable cost which I put it down to "running costs" and then enjoyed driving the car for some time in the knowledge it was reliable, comfortable and would get me anywhere and back without drama or worry and was costing less than something new and boring.

HTH

Clogs · Mar 13th, 2020, 13:20

Having a choked cabin air filter says everything about main dealer servicing... they simply do not follow the guidance that says things need replacing other than oil and oil filter, and brake pads... everything invisible to the naked eye is normally ignored.

Mar 12th, 2020, 10:35	#11
turboboy Master Member Last Online: Dec 15th, 2023 08:44 Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Twickenham	Keep or Sell On? Clogs has it spot-on. With any secondhand car you are thinking of buying you should have it checked over by someone who knows what they are looking at if you are not technically inclined. Even then go in with the attitude that something will need fixing in the near future and therefore you will need to budget extra expenditure. You may be lucky and find it never needs other than the usual consumables or it may need something unexpected, but if it is basically sound then that repair is something I have always put down to general running expenses and console myself that I finish up with a car that I enjoy driving, is reliable and is costing me less per annum than a new car finance. I bought a 740 after researching into the usual problems to expect and bought the best I could find for my budget. Lo and behold, after about a year it needed the turbo rebuilt. Then the following year one of the rear self levelling rear dampers started to leak but once I had replaced the rears with standard dampers and HD springs and also rebuilt the front struts it drove like a dream (one of the mechanics my son worked with said it was like driving a new car). Only reason for selling it a few years down the line was to get something with luxuries such as A/C and cruise control otherwise I would still have it. Another purchase was a SAAB which was one owner with full service history (main dealer for the main part with the last two at local garage). I knew that the oil cooler probably needed attention but also knew that this could be bought cheaper as the Vauxhall version so budgeted for this. The surprise on this one was the cabin filter which was the original and was so choked full that it was not concertina section but totally flat with all the dust and dirt, having never been touched since it left the factory. Again these were things that could be overcome at a reasonable cost which I put it down to "running costs" and then enjoyed driving the car for some time in the knowledge it was reliable, comfortable and would get me anywhere and back without drama or worry and was costing less than something new and boring. HTH __________________ Turboboy Current: 1998 Volvo V70 2.3 T5 Auto. Previous: 2000 Volvo V40 T4; 1981/2 265 (x2); 1988 740 Turbo Estate.

Mar 13th, 2020, 13:20	#12
Clogs Clogs Last Online: Dec 26th, 2023 08:04 Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Canterbury	Choked air filter Having a choked cabin air filter says everything about main dealer servicing... they simply do not follow the guidance that says things need replacing other than oil and oil filter, and brake pads... everything invisible to the naked eye is normally ignored.

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