Is it still worth keeping my 172?

[shiyan]

I've come to the realisation that I probably made a massive mistake in buying a very high mileage car, as it's become a money pit.

It's currently on 258000km.

Since purchase, I've had to:

- replace all suspension bushings, with powerflex items at the front, replaced rear bushings with new ones from Renault (total cost was around 800 Euros as the rear took so long to replace)
- Replace dampers all round (replaced with KW V2, cost including install was 1500 Euros)
- Replace fallen off exhaust, with Supersprint item, cost around 800 Euros
- Replace all brake disks, lines, pads, fluid, rear bearings, cost around 600 Euros
- Replace front topmounts
- Replaced the steering wheel
- Replace an engine mount
- Replace a broken oil sump (700 Euros)

It's now a pretty good car on the track, can happily lap the Nordschleife in the low 9 minute range, but to keep it track worthy, I potentially have to replace the steering rack (feel some slack), at a cost of 1000 Euros, and I think I probably need to replace another engine mount, or possibly a drive shaft.

What other enormous bill am I potentially looking at in the future? Engine, gearbox, clutch? :dead:

I've started considering buying a lower mileage Clio and just swapping parts between the 2 cars, but then I'm not sure if I'll ever find a buyer for the high mileage car.

Feel free to point and laugh :clown:

 

[Budgie]

Jesus!

 

[WILLIE]

Someone will always buy a car no matter what milage. Don't be afraid to put it up for sale.

If you feel its to much of a burden and can afford a low milage Clio then go for it I say.

 

[Fluxuk05]

160,000 miles!

After putting that much money in i wouldn't have the heart to sell it for so much under what i'd spent.

 

[JON13S]

i'd retire it from being a daily driver..other than that i'd keep her and do the steering rack myself (all the time in the world if its not a daily)

 

[Sargara]

Those prices are crazy! £850 for a steering rack swap!

Cant you make friends with a mechanic and get those prices down with your regular custom?

 

[Andyman]

Majority of the things listed are general wear and tare. Could happen on a car half that mileage..

 

[Henry]

thing is, you'll eventually end up going through that list with a newer car anyway (ed. as above)

this is just my own perception after 2yrs in mine, but a lot of the stuff bolted to these is either poorly designed or of crap quality (IMO/etc). the engine seems good though

 

[Martin_172]

bet it doesnt need a rack bet its inner track rods and track rod ends that need done, mine felt fucked when they needed done

 

[Fletcher]

160,000 miles!

After putting that much money in i wouldn't have the heart to sell it for so much under what i'd spent.

+1

Mines now on 111k and i'd never sell it

 

[alex-avfc]

Lol most the replacement parts have been expensive uprated items no wonder you're beginning to think its a money pit!

 

[Fletcher]

Lol most the replacement parts have been expensive uprated items no wonder you're beginning to think its a money pit!

LOL..I did the same thing H&R coilovers, 4 pots etc

 

[shiyan]

bet it doesnt need a rack bet its inner track rods and track rod ends that need done, mine felt f**ked when they needed done

How do I (or the garage) tell if it's wear inside the rack or wear in the inner track rods and track rod ends?

They need to take the entire rack out to replace the track rods right? Perhaps my Renault garage can take out the rack then check?

 

[OLR]

Renault garage doing the work!!! Lol no wonder it’s a money pit

 

[shiyan]

Renault garage doing the work!!! Lol no wonder it’s a money pit

well the one I've been going to is cheap compared to the main dealers

they only have 3 or 4 guys working there

perhaps I need to look into a small one guy type of place?

 

[Paddy_g46]

well the one I've been going to is cheap compared to the main dealers

they only have 3 or 4 guys working there

perhaps I need to look into a small one guy type of place?

yes.

 

[maynard]

it would certainly help your bills if you can find a one man garage, but obviously someone who knows renaults.

 

[sideways danny]

it's not necessary to remove the rack to change the track rods

 

[shiyan]

if the trackrod ends are worn, then there should be some play when the car's been lifted up and 2 guys try to wiggle the front wheels about right?

when we did that there was maybe a tiny bit but not much

 

[H182]

After spending that much I'd struggle to sell it. At least the parts you've replace will last a while. You could get a lower milage one that could need the same parts in 12months.

 

[Tav]

Those prices are crazy! £850 for a steering rack swap!

Cant you make friends with a mechanic and get those prices down with your regular custom?

Having just changed a steering rack on a Honda Integra Type R £850 sounds good if it's parts and labour. Not an easy job by a long shot!

 

[shiyan]

Having just changed a steering rack on a Honda Integra Type R £850 sounds good if it's parts and labour. Not an easy job by a long shot!

the 1000 Euro bill was roughly
650 Euros for the rack itself from Renault
50 Euros for steering pump oil
30 Euros for testing things out
70 Euros for alignment
200 Euros for labour

if only I could find a cheaper rack :dapprove:

 

[Henry]

i know the UK's spoilt with an enormous aftermarket industry re. motoring/mechanics, but is there really no one in Belgium who would be able to recondition the rack? apart from internet searches, you could try asking around (hydraulics specialists - check through goods vehicle owners; classic car restoration outfits, etc). apols if i'm assuming it might be simpler than it is in reality in Belgium.
or breakers? could have a go at importing a decent s/h rack from a French breaker? (assuming yours is LHD)

 

[shiyan]

well it turns out that changing the ball joints (? where the track rods connect to the wheels) solved most of my steering slack problem, 90 Euros out of pocket instead of 1000 for a new steering rack

 

[Russ_16v]

seems about right mate, luck of the draw with some, mines on 131k and iv only had to do shocks, brakes, exhaust and engine mounts, now you have done all that you wont need to worry about it for another 250k

i say keep it