Mad_Mike wrote: » I toyed with the idea of a Mini for a while recently, but after a bit of research and following adverts on Donedeal etc, they really don't seem to be a car I'd bank on as a main car One of the huge things that will strike you when trawling through the adverts are the number of them without NCT's and also listed with faults and heating issues etc. Not saying not to, just research them well and know what to watch out for
flexcon wrote: » Went to see this today, it’s spotless. The body is immaculate Engine had plenty of Milk around the oil cap and and dip stick so i walked away. Such a Shame as the car itself is in great condition
Mad_Mike wrote: » If the mileage is genuine on that car, it's doing about 5k a year, which is only about 100 miles a week, so it's quite possible it is only doing short runs and never running long enough to build up decent heat, so that could be just condensation on the cap and dipstick. A mate of mine drove an E46 for over 2 years, and he drove 5 miles to work, on country roads, got there in about 5 or 6 mins. Car sat all day, and then 5 miles home in the evening. He constantly had milk under the cap and in around the top of the engine, and on the dipstick as the car never got a chance to warm up properly, but never had an issue with the car. Having said that, it's always better to be safe than sorry!
Deleted User wrote: » I've never heard of mayonnaise on a dipstick from lack of mileage, a little bit around the oil cap sure.
[Deleted User] wrote: » I've never heard of mayonnaise on a dipstick from lack of mileage, a little bit around the oil cap sure.
Roycropper63 wrote: » Was reading in a classic car magazine briefly that quinton Wilson recently paid 3000 stg for a low mileage 01 mini...food food thought màybe? Often wondered what they would be like but with grandchildren dog and wheelchair could never justify it...
Mad_Mike wrote: » Actually did a bit of Googling as I wasn't 100% sure, but the N46 engine in the 318 uses the BMW CCV system to let the vapours out of the engine block. Most cars just let this back in the inlet manifold with a simple PCV, but BMW's CCV tries to separate the oil from the vapour, and has the oil drain back into the pan, and often when the CCV gets clogged, it lets the vapours drain back into the oil too. A quick Google will show that a badly clogged CCV can be full of yellow gunk where the oil and vapours mix, and it would explain both the cap and dipstick and appears to be very common on the E46
flexcon wrote: » I had a thought it could be this but it was fairly sludgy. Car wasn’t over heating and no smell from air vents etc. A bit of oil at the back of the engine in the catchment area. Problem is if it is a head gasket it defeats the purpose of paying that price for that car. I’d have taken it otherwise as structurally it is an insane condition of that year. Guess i got stung too many times before
flexcon wrote: Engine had plenty of Milk around the oil cap and and dip stick so i walked away. Such a Shame as the car itself is in great condition
Bahanaman wrote: » Absolutely clueless about engine condition etc but like the whole bangernomics idea... What does "milk around the oil cap and dip stick" mean? Not good judging by your reaction to seeing it!
Bahanaman wrote: » flexcon wrote: Engine had plenty of Milk around the oil cap and and dip stick so i walked away. Such a Shame as the car itself is in great condition Absolutely clueless about engine condition etc but like the whole bangernomics idea... What does "milk around the oil cap and dip stick" mean? Not good judging by your reaction to seeing it!
punisher5112 wrote: » Could be head gasket as in water and oil don't mix well. Could well be short drives as I've seen this on say little fiesta with only tiny miles but on in the years.
bazz26 wrote: » That seems like mad money for a 13 year old petrol A3. Ownership also only changed on April 15th and from the text of the advert is sounds like it's been sold by a part time dealer.
flexcon wrote: » https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/audi-a3-1-6-nct-amp-tax-a-must-see-car/21664026 Just above the threshold. Anyone with experience of these? Everything checks out, and the belt has been done. Just looking for something reliable at the weekends
Duke O Smiley wrote: » I’ve never seen an Audi in that colour that wasn’t anything but total base spec.
CharlieCroker wrote: » Really annoys me when an ad says "top spec" and it's far from it. That one is about €750 overpriced and is bog standard SE