Mend it or buy another ?

[Roscoe]

Hi All,

I have a manual 1.9 CDTi 56 SRi 150 Nav estate, I bought it from my company and I know they service and repair their vehicles regardless of costs because it costs them a lot in lost revenue if the car ever breaks down. The owner of the firm also happens to be a confirmed petrol head (has had an R8 and does track racing in other modded cars he owns).

I put it in for a service today since I got no history with it, accounts department lost the whole folder for the car...
I know it had a full service with the MOT 4 weeks before I got it in August 2012 and although I have only done 12K miles in it since then I thought it would be nice to service it and get it inspected underneath as the next MOT is due in July.

It has had a warning light on for the last few weeks, since it has covered 239K miles now I thought a bottle of injector/fuel system cleaner wouldn't hurt so I ran two full tanks of diesel through it with the recommended dosage.
The car seemed a little smoother on the next tank of normal fuel and I reset BC2 after the last of the fuel that had cleaner added was used. The average MPG on BC1 over 12K miles is 44.1, BC2 now says 44.9 after 600 miles so I am pretty happy with that.
The garage read the fault code and it said EGR, they cleared the code but told me it will probably come back unless I replace the EGR, but then siad buying a bottle of fuel additive from them at 12 quid might just sort it.
I didn't buy it as I have just used a bottle of the Halfords stuff instead. Since I left the garage this morning I have done 95 miles and the fault light hasn't come on again so maybe the additive did its thing ?
So after the service they gave me a list of faults including;

Front flexi exhaust section blowing (I only hear it under hard acceleration)
Mid section corroded and needing replacement (is this where the DPF is ?)
Rear discs lipped and pitted
Rear pads
3 tyres on 2mm, one on 3mm
Geometry out by 5 degrees on rear and 4 on front
N/S/F drop link dust cover split
All 4 wheels out of balance (will be sorted when tyres are replaced anyway)
Brake fluid very dirty

They couldn't give me a price for the exhaust because their supplier was closed today but they said the rest of the list except the tyres would be about 450 plus VAT.

I reckon 4 new tyres 215/50/17 91W will cost me 320 quid for a half sensible set, was going to get the alloys refurbed too but not sure if spending all that is really worth it on this particular car given the 239K mileage ?

I did only pay a grand for her but 770 quid plus whatever the exhaust parts are going to cost is a big lump.

She still runs like a dream btw and smoked my mates 61 plate insignia design 130 lol

What do you think guys ? Mend it or get another ?

[burnswood]

i think its a tough call, you sound quite attached to it - 239,000 is that miles or km?

[Critch]

They actually check geometry? And wheel balance on a service?

ive never seen a place that does it on a service.
the time alone would be a lost cause money wise.

have you delt with gsrage before?

shopping around will get parts cheaper

[v6vc]

If it's the same as mine, the front flexi is on the section which includes the cat. I know we have different cars but quotes on my replacement were anything from 280 to 450. Sounds like it's all going to cost a bit to repair.

[XPCobra]

Mend it, The faults could happen on a low Milage expensive car

[Caveman_nige]

i would mend it.. nothing wrong with it really.. just wear and tear.. you can pick up an exhaust way cheaper than they are quoting..

[exmouthlocal]

I had a garage cut out my blowing flexi then they welded in a new one they order in for around £100 total!

[Roscoe]

i think its a tough call, you sound quite attached to it - 239,000 is that miles or km?

Miles lol, I am going to get a new set of plates made when it hits 250K with some kind of remark about a quarter million miles and counting !

They actually check geometry? And wheel balance on a service?

ive never seen a place that does it on a service.
the time alone would be a lost cause money wise.

I used Formula 1 Autocentres in Crawley, they give you an option to have a service with additional checks included. For 129 quid I got the following checked

STAGE 1: ROAD TEST
1. Check steering for pull / vibration / travel
2. Check clutch for slip / judder
3. Check brakes for pull / judder
STAGE 2: VEHICLE ON FLOOR
4. Check exterior lights operation
5. Check seat belts (excluding any child seats if fitted and report)
6. Check wipers condition and operation
7. Check front washer operation, adjust washer jets if required and top up
8. Check rear washer and wiper for condition and operation
9. Check condition and tension of fan / aux. belt where visible
10. Check instrument panel for warning lights and report
11. Check / top up power steering reservoir (if applicable)
STAGE 3: VEHICLE ON RAMP
12. Check and report Wheel Alignment or Geometry
13. Check steering gaiters, joints and dust covers
14. Check propshaft, suspension joints and grease nipples where fitted
15. Check wheel bearings for excessive play or noise
16. Check inner and outer driveshaft gaiters
17. Check tyres size, condition, tread depth, and fitment including spare
18. Check clutch operation and top up fluid if applicable
19. Check shock absorbers and spring condition (where visible)
20. Check all road wheels for correct balance (including spare)
21. Check and adjust tyre pressures (including spare)22. Check condition of brake pads and shoes
23. Check condition of brake discs and drums
24. Check condition of wheel cylinders, calipers and adjusters
25. Check handbrake linkages
26. Check exhaust system
27. Check any items reported by customer
STAGE 4: SERVICE TASKS
28. Replace engine oil and engine oil filter
29. Replace air filter
30. Check coolant level and top up if required
31. Check brake fluid level and top up if required
32. Check anti-freeze strength MIN -20
33. Check battery condition and grease terminals if accessible
34. Lubricate accessible door hinges
35. Lubricate bonnet catch
STAGE 5: SCHEDULED SERVICE TASKS
36. Check for timing belt replacement interval and report if due according to mileage or age
37. Check for Pollen Filter replacement interval and report if due according to mileage or age
38. Report if Spark Plugs are due to be changed according to mileage or age
39. Reset vehicle service light where applicable / subject to data and tooling availability
STAGE 6: ROAD TEST
40. Road test

I could have had the 'normal' service for 89 pounds.

[burnswood]

1/4 mil miles - that is something! i would be delighted to get min upto that point!

[Roscoe]

I had a garage cut out my blowing flexi then they welded in a new one they order in for around £100 total!

Might explore that option actually, I intend to get out the axle stands tomorrow and have a poke about under it, I wasn't at the garage while it was up on their ramps so haven't seen it first hand yet.