[Vwdiesel] stranded

[Val Christian]

I have had 8 cars with over 300K, two over 500K, which were VW diesels.

Things start to happen after 300K, for me.  Like the upholstry starts 
wearing out on the driver's side.  Crud collects in doors, fenders and 
rust accelerates.  Periodic (every couple of years) cleaning helps
that, but it's a pain to pull doors and wheel well liners.  

Current fleet has:
284K  (Caravan)
181K  (Caravan)
254K  (99TDI)
248K  (91 IDI)
179K  (03 TDI)
171K  (02 TDI)

Given today's economy, and my needs, it is not likely that a new VW will
grace my fleet in the next couple of years.  I'll let kids move out and 
retire cars to the shreader next town over. 

Off topic: My kids are driving the Caravans, and one had brake noise so 
daughter and I pulled the offending wheel.  I cheaped out on the front brakes, 
and since the rotors were in good shape just kept putting pads on it.
Well it's the 4th set of pads, and she pointed out stress cracks in the 
rotor.  So Wednesday morning, her day off, we put new rotors, new pads, etc.
on the Caravan.  The brake noise appears to be a clip for the pad rubbing 
on some rust at the inner portion of the rotor area.


> 
> Wow, I thought my cars had a lot of miles on them, but not 300K.
> nice job.
> =A0
> 
> Bryan Belman, Pt. Pleasant, NJ
> 04 Jetta Wagon TDI PD, 100hp, 5sp -- running :<)
> 92 Jetta 1.6 Eco-Turbo Diesel, 5sp -- running :<)
> 82 Diesel Westy 1.9NA -- running :<)
> 70 Type 1 stock Elm Green Beetle -- Under Restoration :-)
> 
> 
> ________________________________
> From: Shalyn Shourds <sshourds at flash.net>
> To: vwdiesel at vwfans.com =
> 
> Sent: Monday, May 21, 2012 4:47 PM
> Subject: Re: [Vwdiesel] stranded
> 
> I can only think of two times I've actually been stranded and unable to fix=
>  the car on the road.=A0 Twice, same car ('00 TDI), same problem, 30 miles =
> apart.=A0 Unless you want to carry a spare head and gasket set, though, I d=
> on't think there's much to be done about it :(
> 
> I've been driving these cars since '93 and, knock on wood, no major problem=
> s far from home.=A0 I have, however, gotten to the point to where if the ca=
> r's at all iffy and the trip's long, I rent a car.=A0 I drive from Texas to=
>  Kansas in December, usually, so the cost and genuine danger of having a br=
> eakdown in the middle of that desolate landscape in serious cold makes the =
> expense of a rent car and the ability to call a 1 800 number for a new car =
> seem like a good deal.=A0 All of my cars are 300,000+miles.=A0 I did feel g=
> ood enough to drive it to Kansas this past year.=A0 With a trunk full of to=
> ols, fluids, and a spare alternator.=A0 =
> 
> 
> Of course, Kansas in December will fail to impress the Saskatchewan members=
> ......
> 
> 
> -Shalyn
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