High Mile Phobia

[-Dan]

Hi Guys,

I want to upgrade to a 172/182 from my 1.4 16v which is on 65k.

To get anything in my budget which is sub 2k, I'm looking at high milers, but I'm still scared!

Do I need to stop being a pussy?

When I go look at cars what should I look out for? what do you look for?

Obviously cambelt, aux, waterpump/ good service history etc..

But what about inspecting the car.

Thanks
Dan

 

[botfch]

I'd prefer a high milage car they tend to have had more maintenance despite the miles look for one that has equal amounts of miles between mots.

 

[peedee]

If its a high miler, then I think its best to go there with an open (to a point). No point turning up expecting a showroom-class car with mirror like paintwork. On the flip side, check for obvious rust issues, major dents, possible previous damage I.e wonky panel gaps, resprayed panels etc (although a panel may have been resprayed because the owner got fed up with stone chips or something).

 

[Knuckles]

Stop being a puff :rasp:


check for evidence of belt changes, the more service history the better and check for odd noises when testing.

And check the bodywork isn't fucked

 

[welshname]

We need to start with finding out what you consider to be a "high miler"

 

[RichyMa]

Like others have said, as long as its been looked after, and they have proof of everything that should have or has been done, you got nothing to worry about

 

[Owen92]

I read the thread title as 'Mile High Phobia'. Disappointing as that would make for a good thread.

 

[con1981]

Mine had 96000 and pulls like a train you will not be disappointed

 

[GrahamS]

^96k that's pussy mileage!

I went to look at a car yesterday, didn't know the mileage and said I would be happy if it was under 160k.

Expect to have stone chips on the bumper/bonnet as it's probably done more motorway mileage. This does have benefits though as the suspension is generally tighter.

SH is the most important thing, oil change every 10k. On a 182 you will want to try and get one with the dephaser done although @TomSmith123's one has done 110k and has no sign of any dephaser problem.

Remember it's all about the mechanics and less about the paint! If you are worried about paint I always think the best way to find out a cars true condition is get it wet and then dry it off, you will find every blemish. High milers will normally have better condition passengers seats

Put it this way. My clio dci on 127k is better than my girlfriends clio dci on 100k

 

[jesus]

Miles per year is what you should be looking at.

50k miles on a 10 year old car has hardly been driven so may have more problems than a higher miler. 100k on a 10 year old car is only 10k miles per year which isn't a high amount of mileage.

 

[-Dan]

We need to start with finding out what you consider to be a "high miler"

I'm thinking 100k+

I read the thread title as 'Mile High Phobia'. Disappointing as that would make for a good thread.

Dang it, that'd been brilliant.

 

[KitsonRis]

Mine has 143k which is about 10k/year which really isn't that bad. Despite being a track toy for a bit it has been looked after and it is only going to be looked after with regular services and that. Still feels like it can go on for another 140k!!

 

[ClioRN]

Dont worry about high mileage, as long as it's well looked after it will run forever.

My 1.2 8v still going great .

 

[Dan@SJM]

From my experience, the cars I tend to see more often are the low mileage ones.

 

[LiamR172]

My old ph2 was on 120k and was going fine. It had no service history or f**k all when i bought it. I had the belts and dephaser done and that was it.

Was fast too

 

[drapermids]

the old 1.2 my girlfriend learnt to drive in was on 178k (when she burnt the clutch out) and was more reliable than any of the 3 shes had since (in less than a year)

on the flipside, my mum has a 2001 320D that hasnt even done 20k and she cant get her head round why i wont buy it off her

 

[Bluebeard]

As a general rule;

High mileage cars tend to be owned by people who know what they're doing and have been maintained properly.

Low mileage cars tend to be bought and run by people that think 'it's done low mileage, it doesn't need servicing'

Always always always buy on condition rather than mileage.

 

[GrahamS]

So true @Daniel

Used to see countless cars where I would ask has it got a full service history to which people would answered "yes, I've only done 8k in the last 3 years and it was done before I bought it"

had a 155k 07 focus estate once. He said its got full SH, at least an oil and filter change every 8k.

High milers also have the bonus of less car park dents because of where they drive.

 

[Coops Mk1]

I always plug for 100k plus cars for the same reasoning, they've probably had more maintenance and been looked after as they are doing regular mileage.

it doesn't always hold true, but essentially miles don't matter imo

 

[Andyman]

Things will go wrong no matter what the mileage, its a Renault. Mine has just tipped 160k and has broke 3 times in the last 18 months requiring towed home by the AA on 2 of the occasions. Dodgy CPS sensor, a broken loom wire and a collapsed Koni shocker. Drives like new when its working.

As others have said, wouldn't worry too much. Just go for one that's been owned by the same owner a good while with plenty of receipts and the usual proof of belts being done at the right times.

 

[Chrisgti6]

It's rare, but occasionally you do get the reverse. My car is low miles for it's year (2006 car with 53k on clock, less than 8k a year) but has been back to the dealer 3 times a year, a winter check, summer check and annual service! There's more in receipts than I paid for the car!

 

[JAMason]

My last 5 cars

1995 106 1.3 S1 Rallye:- 156k
2002 Saxo 1.6 VTS:- 121k
1994 106 1.3 S1 Rallye:- 134K
2002 Audi TT 225: 143k
2002 Clio Sport 172: 103k

Mileage is just a number, as has been covered, look for service history and maintenance. I would much rather buy a car that's been to the moon and back but has been serviced regularly and pampered with all new parts as and when required than a car thats been driven to the shops and back by Nanna Pat once a week for 10 years and never see the inside of a workshop!

Jack

 

[benhwolves]

From my experience, the cars I tend to see more often are the low mileage ones.

That's because they'll have been clocked

 

[Dan@SJM]

That's because they'll have been clocked

Nope, stuff that relies on being used frequently/long journeys. DPF's, cats, brakes, alternators etc.

 

[-Dan]

Nope, stuff that relies on being used frequently/long journeys. DPF's, cats, brakes, alternators etc.

So DPF's cats alternators all stay alive and healthy longer if they're used more frequently/ constant rate (motor way driving.)

 

[deadmau5]

Did anyone else read the title as 'mile high phobia' and think it was about being scared of flying or fear of having sex on a plane?

 

[Oggy997]

I remember going to view a type-r last year, this thing was immaculate - 1 owner from new full Honda service history. When I was told it had done 170k I had to ask the dealer again if we were talking about the same Civic! IT was really well looked after. I'd of bought it too if I hadn't found a Cosmic Grey one the same day.

 

[imprezaworks]

If you are concerned pay a bit more and get a well looked after car with average miles. I dont buy high milers, never have.

 

[imprezaworks]

So DPF's cats alternators all stay alive and healthy longer if they're used more frequently/ constant rate (motor way driving.)

pretty much.

 

[midge]

People who are scared of high mileage annoy me, high mileage cars have been looked after, if they hadn't been looked after they wouldn't have got to high mileage would they!

 

[imprezaworks]

So because they are high milers they have been looked after?

 

[midge]

With possible exception of the last/current owner i'd say yes, cars that haven't been looked after won't see high mileage.

 

[imprezaworks]

Aye true. Guess it's just down to personal pref and budget. There will allways be good and bad stories to buying low or high milers. Experience of either will determine responses in this thread.

 

[steve32c]

:clap:As it happens I have a 05 plate BG182, one owner from new (Me)

Mileage is 164500-ish

Car put back to standard fittings silver alloys and badges, sport spoiler original steering wheel with silver insert and dash strips except for:
AAS Stainless steel exhaust
K-Tec coilovers
K-tec top Mounts
K-tec solid engine mounts
ECU has been mapped by K-tec for CATCAM421s (they will come with it, currently not fitted, as after the main dealer buggering up a belt change destroyed the original engine, replacement engine fitted by DTM, donor engine 68000 miles fitted October last year when my car was on 157000-ish can contact Trevor at DTM to confirm)
oh and yellow Lockwood dials
LED side lights (nice Bright ones)
LED Fog lights (more use as DRLs)
Aluminium Foot rest
Carbon Fibre Splitter
Carbon Fibre Foglight surrounds (need peeling and re-lacquering)
Rear bumper insert and exhaust trim carbon wrapped
Aux and Cam belts changed in July 13 by Dealer and put on this engine by DTM

Asking price is £1200

It alternative looks I've normally had it in

In it's Winter shoes (Good year ultra grip 3)

Summer Running

AAS Exhaust

Extras at a price:
Gold and/or black alloys and tyres Alloys could do with a refurb if you're picky)
Snappy steering wheel (orange strip and thread)
Black Gold Dash inserts (taken off a smashed V6)
Cup Spoiler
V6/Trophy Spoiler & shorter struts

Needs a polish IMO which is why it's not been put up for sale yet as not had the time and crap weather, but just thought I'd give you a heads up....

 

[imprezaworks]

You know it's not a for sale section lol, looks nice though

 

[steve32c]

You know it's not a for sale section lol, looks nice though

Yeah I did think of that but as it's not polished up yet in it's current form, it isn't officially being advertised yet just thought I'd let him know what he could get high mileage wise..... early bird and all that.

 

[-Dan]

We need to start with finding out what you consider to be a "high miler"

I read the thread title as 'Mile High Phobia'. Disappointing as that would make for a good thread.

:clap:As it happens I have a 05 plate BG182, one owner from new (Me)

Mileage is 164500-ish

Car put back to standard fittings silver alloys and badges, sport spoiler original steering wheel with silver insert and dash strips except for:
AAS Stainless steel exhaust
K-Tec coilovers
K-tec top Mounts
K-tec solid engine mounts
ECU has been mapped by K-tec for CATCAM421s (they will come with it, currently not fitted, as after the main dealer buggering up a belt change destroyed the original engine, replacement engine fitted by DTM, donor engine 68000 miles fitted October last year when my car was on 157000-ish can contact Trevor at DTM to confirm)
oh and yellow Lockwood dials
LED side lights (nice Bright ones)
LED Fog lights (more use as DRLs)
Aluminium Foot rest
Carbon Fibre Splitter
Carbon Fibre Foglight surrounds (need peeling and re-lacquering)
Rear bumper insert and exhaust trim carbon wrapped
Aux and Cam belts changed in July 13 by Dealer and put on this engine by DTM

Asking price is £1200

It alternative looks I've normally had it in

In it's Winter shoes (Good year ultra grip 3)

Summer Running

AAS Exhaust

Extras at a price:
Gold and/or black alloys and tyres Alloys could do with a refurb if you're picky)
Snappy steering wheel (orange strip and thread)
Black Gold Dash inserts (taken off a smashed V6)
Cup Spoiler
V6/Trophy Spoiler & shorter struts

Needs a polish IMO which is why it's not been put up for sale yet as not had the time and crap weather, but just thought I'd give you a heads up....

Looks nice, but way to far away! haha and I can't afford to insure those mods.

 

[Andyy]

It depends really. I got my 172 with 52k on the clock last year. Not much history but it was visible that work had been done previously. Now both belts are not due until 90k or 2017. It's been fully serviced twice once when I got it, the other recently. Lots of parts replaced. I do about 7k a year. I'm looking for a 182 with 70-90k on the clock. As long as there is maintenance proof and has been looked after I'm not fussed.

 

[bigrez]

My opinion.

As stated by most above, buy on condition not mileage.

For me, its all about low owners rather than low mileage. High owners low mileage typically mean each owner has thrashed it and then potentially sold it on when a large bill has been pending.

My Integra DC2 Type R I bought from the first owner; its now on 158K with fHsh from new. I've restored the car, so its better than new, but has been totally reliable. It also doesn't consume any oil which is extremely rare for a VTEC engine (its been on Mobil 1 0W40 from new which I swear by). Get yourself a lower mileage higher owner DC2 and you'll end up with lots of rev happy owners all hitting VTEC like madmen - these engines also puff a little oil at revs and consume oil.

My Clio 182 has had one lady owner from new and is on 140k. It's absolutely immaculate inside out (I'm super critical aswell), you'd be hard pushed to tell it was on 50K! Its still on the original clutch, engine etc and has literally been used to go up and down motorways (odd choice of car I know).

I've started replenishing parts on the car just because I like to (rather than the car needing it), but when I'm finished next month it won't need anything doing for years (all new Michelins, discs/pads all round, all fluids, thermostat and tank, plugs, shocks/top mounts/Cooksport springs and LOADS more plus next month it gets dephaser pulley/cambelt kit/aux belt kit and maybe waterpump should Renault actually get them in again!).

If its been well maintained don't be too scared and, if at all possible, look for a maturer owner (mine was a lady in her early 40's).

Give me a shout in a month as mine will be available!

Cheers

 

[m4tt274]

my mum has a clio, its done 20K and would i f**k buy it, the things been crashed on every corner, thrashed cold, its been sick in, had dogs in it and so on, its a state and has just been used as 'transport' as she wanted a run about to park in the hospital car park, door dent central.

My VRS has done nearly 80K now and still looks showroom underneath and on top and drives just as well. Its all about who's owned it and how its been treated.