Variable service intervals.

dinky earnshaw

I've been looking around for a 5/6 year old Diesel car. The majority of them I've seen in my price range are UK imports(avensis/Octavia/mondeos) with around 100k miles. All of them seem to be ex fleet and have variable service intervals. Some going over 20k miles between oil services.
Does variable intervals effect the overall reliability of the car ? Would it effect its ability to do another 100k miles ?

frosty90

If a high quality long life oil that has been specified by the manufacturer has been used and if the oil changes fall within the manufacturers limits, then I don't see why this would effect the cars longevity.
Variable service intervals take into account style of driving etc so cars that do mainly motorway miles etc can run for longer periods between oil changes.

CJhaughey

IMHO variable intervals are a big cause of engine problems.
I don't buy the line that oils are good for 20k miles, I just don't believe that any oil is good enough to last that long in an engine without repercussions being felt down the line.
The big reason that VS intervals were introduced was to make the servicing costs more affordable to fleet managers.
They may reduce the cost to the first owner but the can has been kicked down the road.

R.O.R

We run all our cars (except Mazda's) on long life intervals and it doesn't seem to have caused any issues. Had cars run 250,000km to 275,000km without engine issues.

Avensis should be serviced every 10,000miles. Most Mondeo's would be 12,500 miles but Passat/Octavia would be 20,000 miles.

dinky earnshaw

R.O.R wrote: »

Avensis should be serviced every 10,000miles. Most Mondeo's would be 12,500 miles but Passat/Octavia would be 20,000 miles.

So are variable services schedules still capped at maximum milage intervals ?
I've seen an avensis with 82k miles with what the dealer says is fsh but has only 6 services with 20k and 19k between some.

R.O.R

dinky earnshaw wrote: »

So are variable services schedules still capped at maximum milage intervals ?
I've seen an avensis with 82k miles with what the dealer says is fsh but has only 6 services with 20k and 19k between some.

It's not really variable servicing on those models - set intervals. Think it's only BMW that has variable servicing, with Opel's having variable oil change intervals.

Avensis Diesel's are on 15,000km service intervals here, so presume either 9,000 or 10,000 miles on UK cars - about that last mainstream car left with such short intervals and I think newer ones have gone out to 20,000km or 30,000km with the new engines.

Definitely wouldn't touch an Avensis that had done 20,000 miles between services - the 2.0D4d isn't the most reliable engine around even at 15,000km service intervals.

dinky earnshaw

R.O.R wrote: »

It's not really variable servicing on those models - set intervals. Think it's only BMW that has variable servicing, with Opel's having variable oil change intervals.

Avensis Diesel's are on 15,000km service intervals here, so presume either 9,000 or 10,000 miles on UK cars - about that last mainstream car left with such short intervals and I think newer ones have gone out to 20,000km or 30,000km with the new engines.

Definitely wouldn't touch an Avensis that had done 20,000 miles between services - the 2.0D4d isn't the most reliable engine around even at 15,000km service intervals.

Thanks for the info its a great help I'm off to look at a couple of 2ltr Mondeos today.

bazz26

R.O.R wrote: »

We run all our cars (except Mazda's) on long life intervals and it doesn't seem to have caused any issues. Had cars run 250,000km to 275,000km without engine issues.

Avensis should be serviced every 10,000miles. Most Mondeo's would be 12,500 miles but Passat/Octavia would be 20,000 miles.

Slightly off topic but what interval do you run the Mazdas at, presuming they are the SkyActiv-D engines?

R.O.R

bazz26 wrote: »

Slightly off topic but what interval do you run the Mazdas at, presuming they are the SkyActiv-D engines?

Running them on 15k intervals rather than the recommended 20k to try and avoid issues - not working out so well so far.

Think all the older 2.2 have gone from fleet now, so it's all SkyActive diesels now.

bazz26

R.O.R wrote: »

Running them on 15k intervals rather than the recommended 20k to try and avoid issues - not working out so well so far.

Think all the older 2.2 have gone from fleet now, so it's all SkyActive diesels now.

Not good. Was considering a 6 next time round but the vibes ain't good. Shame really as they are a lovely car.

ofcork

Why do you say the toyota 2.0d4d is not very reliable,only asking as i have a 12 avensis nearly a year now with no issues.

frosty90

R.O.R wrote: »

It's not really variable servicing on those models - set intervals. Think it's only BMW that has variable servicing, with Opel's having variable oil change intervals.

Most VAG group cars have the option of being on variable service intervals also.

dinky earnshaw

Off topic but anybody have any opinions on the reliability of dsg gearbox in the 1.6 Octavia. There are few around and usually cheaper than the manual equivalent.