GENERAL
New forever vehicle
Q Rather than the usual problem issues with cars which your readers ask – I wonder if you could please give me some mechanical/reliability guidance for our next ‘forever’ planned car?
I’ve driven and fixed older cars for years, but as I age my enthusiasm for and physical ability for this stuff is declining. We want to buy either one new or one almost new car to replace both our elderly cars for hopefully long-term hassle-free driving – and as we will both be retired we don’t need two cars anymore. I’m approaching 68 years of age, and whilst my wife is slightly younger, this new car will probably be our last. So, I want it to last for as long as possible as I want to totally avoid the electric car trend – for well-published reasons (forever!) – without mechanical and other problems as long as I reasonably can.
But I’m unsure how to select our single last long-lasting replacement car. Here’s some suggestions/comments I’ve thought off:
New Toyota Corolla self-charging Hybrid Estate (new model). 1.8 indirect injection Atkinson cycle petrol engine – LPG compatible and cheaper than the more powerful direct and indirect gasoline and LPG incompatible engine. Would buy and have the indirect engine converted to run on LPG (currently £0.799ppl). Which can be set to work with the hybrid Stop-Start system. I’m comfortable with LPG as I’ve used it on my Lexus LS430 for five years/35,000 miles with no issue – other than financial savings!
I understand the implications an LPG conversion will have on the Toyota warranty but I’m not worried that a correct conversion will cause any engine issues.
I have a local expert whom I use here in NI who knows what he’s doing.
New Mercedes-Benz B-Class with 2.0 OM 654 Diesel engine and 8-speed DCT transmission. Obviously, diesel only – not hybrid. Questions: have Mercedes fixed the rocker shaft bearing issue and is the SCR/DPF emission control system reliable long-term? What about the 8-speed DCT transmission – reliable and easily rebuildable – after high mileage – plus driveability comments?
Does Mercedes use a steel piston liner installed in each bore on the OM654 engine or does the engine simply use a spray antiwear coating on the cast and machined aluminium cylinder walls? If it does have this coating, is there any information relating to its resistance to early wear? I couldn’t figure out this info from MB online sales stuff. Your comments welcome please!
Skoda Superb 2.0 diesel 150PS DCT. Similar comments to above.
I’d also welcome suggestions on any other super-reliable long-life car going forward. Any other suggestions/welcome!
General observations:
Not going to tow (no caravans but possibly light trailer to take stuff to the dump only). Resistance to rust and irritating component breakdown. Plenty of space inside to accommodate my North American family on their frequent visits.
Fairly low annual mileage once retired – say 6000 per year. Little heavy traffic uses so not much benefit in terms of MPG as opposed to a hybrid petrol-engine Toyota to the diesel Mercedes? Going to use Lanoguard anti-rust treatment every year or so. Ease of entry/exit for an older person – getting older. Any other suggestions gratefully received! I had my heart set on a well-specified Dacia Duster 1.5 dCi but unfortunately my wife can’t apparently change her own gears – even though we could save a lot of money buying one of these very good cars.
Danny Gillis
A Starting with my first thoughts, when you mention the low mileage my immediate reaction would be to say avoid a diesel. Whilst the modern diesel engines are good, efficient and relatively quiet, they like to cover a few miles to regenerate the DPF. You may find that wishing to keep this vehicle for a few years to come the daily use will not be sufficient to ensure the DPF is kept maintained in general use. For this reason, I would be avoiding a diesel. If you are considering that route the answer to your question on the cylinder liners is that the bores on the Mercedes are coated with Nanoslide which is an iron-carbon coating patented by Mercedes. This was first used in 2011 and to date I have no information on the longevity of this coating.
On the Toyota, I would expect the Corolla to be a good purchase and run reliably for many years, but as this is a hybrid you will have the complexity’s that go with the system. Having said that Toyota have been turning out very reliable hybrid vehicles for many years and there are plenty of old Prius’ on the road to prove the point that they do go on.
The Dacia should not be ruled out because they do produce an automatic version of the Duster. This is available in the petrol Journey and Extreme versions, and although a little more expensive than the Essential or Expression versions, still represents good value for money.
The starting point should be to look for a vehicle that appeals visually and is comfortable to drive, personal preference will play a large part in the selection of a vehicle and a bit of legwork looking around showrooms and sitting in a few motors would be a good investment.
As you have mentioned the ease of entry and exit, then the best way to test this is to physically try it. I have a Honda CR-V which my wife and I find very easy to get into and love the driving position, my parents who are of course a little older find getting in and out of the vehicle a little
