18 replies to this topic

[lrostoke]

We run Merc vans and VW vans at work, service intervals are between 18k and 25k

 

We put approx 110,000 miles per van per year on them, generally no real problems

[Cooperman]

Mercs & BMW modern diesels are a bit like the Mini inasmuch as they need the correct oil and are not 'oil tolerant'.
Daimler-Benz and BMW seem to have got into a fight to see who can have the longest service interval, but they have ended up with a suggestion of engine unreliability. The rear mounted timing chains on the BMW are known to fail and cause the total scrapping of the engine (or the car if it is worth less than about £7000). I have a friend who has a Bosch Service Centre and he attributes this to dirty oil causing tensioner failure. So, as with my Minis, I change the oil often. I had a 730i many years ago which I ran round to 247,000 miles and even after that the engine burned non oil, but I had changed it every 6000 miles.

[miniyellowmini]

Thanks Cooperman, 730d nice car think I'll do the same and change it more regularly last time I changed it was after about 14k. If I do it at about 10k that'll be roughly once a year so ideal. I've heard about the swirl flap mod before, not done it though (yet)

Promise to shut up about BMWs now!

Anyway I had great fun taking my Mini for a drive this afternoon and had a couple of people compliment it which is always good

[Cooperman]

I must say, getting out of a 730d SE and into a Mini is a bit of a culture shock, but still fun.