So how much will it cost?

[Abaris]

Hey guys, Im new to the 4x4 world.

Ive done a fair bit of homework, and have decided that a '97 or '98 TDi disco is the 4by for me... if i can afford to run it!!!

I am on a university scholarship; hence funding is limited. Purchasing a vehicle is no probs, due to savings and the like, but I'm a little curious as to the weekly running costs. Factoring in everything (tires, services, fuel, etc) what it gonna cost me to keep such a machine turning? I average approx 350km / week.

i know it will vary depending on the vehicle, driving style, number of km's travelled, etc., but (for say 350km / week) are we talking $100? $200? $700? (ok thats getting a bit silly but you get my point)

Just after a bit of honest feedback if its not too personal a question?

Cheers everyone

[incisor]

you will get 2 weeks from a tank full at 350 per week..

change oil and filter every 5000k is not so bad if you buy filters x 5 at a time and oil in 20l drums.. dont get much cheaper for a capable 4wd...

[one_iota]

Good question.

So here are a couple of more questions before the answers:

Do you want to factor in regular overheads such as Insurance and Rego or just the speciic vehicle issues?

Will you do some of the regular servicing yourself (the easy stuff)?

[Abaris]

I know roughly how much rego and insurance will be, so I guess don't worry about those. The things I was interested in were the non-annual costs such as:
- how many km per set of tires (BF Goodrich ATs seem fairly common)
- range off a tank of diesel (thanks incisor)
- service costs (ie. how much does 20L oil and 5 filters cost)

I can do the easy service stuff myself (oil, filters, coolant, and probably belts and hoses when armed with a manual)

Are there any other costs that i should know about?

(out of curiosity, approximately how much does a regular and a major service cost?)

[WOLLAPIT85]

Just after a bit of honest feedback ...

Forget about a 4x4 and get a 3cyl. hatch...:)

[Ace]

Hi abaris, it all depends on how you use it. If you plan to go off road regularly then running costs will be higher as you will wear things out quicker and there is always the possibility of breaking things.

I own a 98Tdi Disco and i service it regularly. Oil will cost you between 70-100bucks for 20L depending on what oil you use, i have been using Dello 400 made by Caltex, at the moment i am using Valvoline cause i couldnt get the dello 400 in a 20L lot so it was to expensive and that cost me $75 which will do 3 oil changes. Filters are about 15-20 bucks for a good one, fuel filters are about $40 but will only need to be changed every 20000km or so, more often if the fuel you get insnt to good, and air fillter will last you quite a while if you dont go on dirt roads often, and when you do you dont follow someone but they are about $20-30.

Every 60000-80000km you will need to change the timing belt which will set you back upwards of 600-800 bucks if a mechanic does it, about $300 if you do it yourself (that then depends on whether or not you replace the pulleys etc the belt runs on or whether you just do the belt, just the belt is around $100) i just did mine and for about $350 bought a kit with the lot, thats the best way to go as you know everything is tip top.

After that you need things like wheel bearings that will need to be done every couple of years if you only do city driving, probably less often than that (normally people wait till they start making sounds) if you plan to use it off road do them at least every 12 months, however on most occassions you will be able to reuse the bearing so all you need is the grease and the time, repacking them every 12 months or 2 years will save you money in the long run.

Radiator hoses i am not sure about i havent done any yet but a call to british 4wd in melbourne will tell you how much a hose kit will cost, a good quality set of hoses will last a few years (keep your old ones, if they arent totally buggered, as spares to keep in the back of the car).

I had some problems with leaking powersteering lines but i pulled the lines out cut the hoses of the metal pipe segments and went to Pirtek and had them cut some oil line to length and fitted them back on with hose clamps instead of the permanent crimping like out of the factory, this is more reliable and cost me $20 instead of $200. Little jobs like that can be done on quite a few things, not only do they save you money but more often than not they are more reliable than the original set up.

The brake vacuum advance pump can cause issues with oil leaks and a replacement is over $400, the pump is supposed to be throw away, but visit my website (www.landroverace.com (http://www.landroverace.com)) and follow the link at the bottom of the menu on the home page to the Saving Money page at the bottom is a link to an instruction list with photos on how to fix this pump for less than $10 worth or bits and pieces. The tech forum on here is a great way to save money, all you need is a basic set of tools and some mechanical knowledge.

You should get at least 60000km out of a set of tyres depending on how you use them, some of the harder compound tyres get in excess of 100000km. Just make sure you rotate them and keep your wheels aligned and make sure they are always running the correct pressure.

Other than that you just need to repair things as they wear out, remember that a 96 model is 10yrs old and things will slowly wear out so have a budget each year for unexpected things that just let go on you.

But remember a well maintained car which is serviced regularly will rarely have unexpected break downs, just make sure you buy a car which comes with a prooven documented service history, and if the timing belt hasnt been done recently with proof get it done when you buy it and know a grand of the price to cover you costs. Matt

[Abaris]

Wow - thanks for the info Ace, it was exactly what i wanted.

Cheers

[stevo68]

Wow - thanks for the info Ace, it was exactly what i wanted.

Cheers He's not just a pretty face :D

Regards

Stevo

[George130]

Definatly factor in extra costs. I'm doing 47,000km a year in my Defender and budget $2200 for maintenance and $6100 for fuel. But mine is a lese so is ex GST. Unexpected costs can burn you. Due to probs I spent my Insurance money on fuel and parts last year. So have had to up my figures.

[discoute]

Your hooked now factor in the cost of panel damage when you go offroad haha.:eek: :eek: :eek:

glen

[Pedro_The_Swift]

Plenty of people and info on here Abaris,,
never fear in asking!!
lots(LOL) of posts in the teck forum on common faults,, timing belts and overheating. these are the two main items that COULD cause you instant grief.
MAKE SURE when you buy one you can tell when the belt was replaced last. ACE is not just a pretty face!.

having said all that--;)

The '98 are a VERY good 4wd. vary capable, very comfortable, and when looked after very reliable.

And Stockton is just down the road!:D