Maintenance histories/logs and cost per mile(long)

zanzabar

Vendor
Joined
Oct 18, 2002
Location
Petaluma, CA
TDI
2004 Jetta BEW 5spd (dual duty track car and daily driver beater)
When people post a question whether or not to buy a car (eg: This one ) I usually say that it's a good idea to get a maintenance history and see what's been replaced, what kind of oil was used, etc.

I was updating/reviewing my maintenance history after the new t-belt went in, and thought I could post mine as an example. Plus I noticed some funny dealer charges. Newbies: note the rolleyes! These are things you should not have to pay for (or pay AS MUCH for)!!! It seems like a good idea to me to remember what's been replaced, and when other things will need to be.

My car was purchased by first owner 05/2000: Jetta GLS, auto, leather, monsoon (for a bit over $22,000).

Reciept date, Mileage, Parts replaced, Total cost
<ul type="square"> 06/00, 3637, 5k maint-oil change (dealer)-mudflaps-sunroof deflector, $204
09/00, 14992, oil change (Pennzoil bulk /images/graemlins/frown.gif ), $30
10/00, 19931, 20k maint-oil change (dealer)-pollen/fuel filters, free (otherwise $211 /images/graemlins/rolleyes.gif )
04/01, 46047, towed in for bad MAF (replaced), $316parts covered under warranty - $135 labor /images/graemlins/rolleyes.gif
05/01, 50429, oil change (dealer)-door/brake/tire maintenance, $86
07/01, 58572, oil change (Delvac /images/graemlins/grin.gif), $40
08/01, 64577, oil change (Delvac), $40
11/01, 74289, oil change (Delvac), $40
12/01, 79157, wiper inserts, $22
01/02, 81524, oil change (dealer)-glow plugs replaced($190)-heated mirrors cleaned, $401 ($120 labor to change glow plugs, $30 to clean mirror connections /images/graemlins/rolleyes.gif )
06/02, 92567, front rotors replaced, $250 /images/graemlins/rolleyes.gif [/list]
Approx total maintenance costs by prev owner (added missing oil changes and 2 dealer timing belts @ $600): $2300 (div by 90k miles =~ $0.026/mile)

08/02 (I purchased car w/ 90k miles, have done most of my own maintenance-with help from the TDI club!)
<ul type="square"> 09/02, 94376, oil change (dealer)-alignment-tires rotated, $157
09/02, 95000, air filter, $12
10/02, 97000, fuel filter, $33
11/02, 98000, OEM sport springs/shocks-stabilizer bushings, $245
11/02, 99000, engine temp sensor-coolant flush, $17
12/02, 101000, oil change (Amsoil 3000)-cabin filter, $46
01/03, 103000, passenger headlight, $50
01/03, 104000, front and rear brake pads-fluid, $100
02/03, 105000, injector nozzles (OEM 184s), $40
04/03, 109000, oil change (Amsoil 3000), $36
04/03, 109000, ATF fluid/filter, $86
04/03, 109000, drivers headlight, $50
04/03, 109000, rear brake rotors, $40
05/03, 111000, replaced injectors (OEM 184s), $125
06/03, 112000, Upsolute chip, $300
07/03, 118000, oil analysis (Oil Analysers), $23
07/03, 118000, oil change (Pennsoil HD), $14
09/03, 121000, oil analysis (AV lube), $16
09/03, 121000, oil change (PC Duron), $13
10/03, 122000, fuel filter-1.8T foam air filter, $40
10/03, 123000, timing belt replaced, $150
10/03, 123000, TDI Heater, $100
10/03, 123000, oil change (PC Duron), $18 [/list]
Approx total maintenance (not including suspension and power enhancements): $900 (div by 30k miles =~ $0.0284/mile)

Only real problems are some high iron levels in oil analyses, and some brake warping issues. IIRC, the prev owner used a lot of Quaker state non-synthetic oil (probably the reciepts I don't have - he even gave me a 250,000 mile QS engine wear warranty /images/graemlins/rolleyes.gif), and it may have resulted in some ring sticking issues. I’m currently taking steps to alleviate this.

Just thought this could be a good example for new owners. It sure makes me feel better when buying a car to be able to see what happened to it in the past.
 

mrGutWrench

Top Post Dawg
Joined
Aug 29, 2002
Location
Carrboro, NC
TDI
'03 Jetta Wagon, 5-speed, 563K Miles (July '23)
[ QUOTE ]
zanzabar said: (snip) I was updating/reviewing my maintenance history after the new t-belt went in, and thought I could post mine as an example. Plus I noticed some funny dealer charges. (snip)

[/ QUOTE ]

__. Interesting list. And, you're right, there were some odd dealer charges in there (wonder if 1st owner got kissed before the glow plug service). But two things just jump out at me.

1) . No mention of tires. Are you still on the factory tires at 120K?

2) . No mention of brake fluid change (although there is a note of "01/03, 104000, front and rear brake pads-fluid, $100 "). I think that I'd do a complete fluid change/flush pretty soon, unless I knew for sure that it was done at 104K.

__. Good going. Looks as if you have really brought your maintenance up to date -- and good luck on the iron/wear issues. I hope that good oil will get things back on track for you.
 

zanzabar

Vendor
Joined
Oct 18, 2002
Location
Petaluma, CA
TDI
2004 Jetta BEW 5spd (dual duty track car and daily driver beater)
1) . No mention of tires. Are you still on the factory tires at 120K?

Nah, it's on it's third set. 205/65/15s /images/graemlins/smirk.gif


2) . No mention of brake fluid change (although there is a note of "01/03, 104000, front and rear brake pads-fluid, $100 ").


Yup, I flushed the brake fluid at that time.

__. Good going. Looks as if you have really brought your maintenance up to date -- and good luck on the iron/wear issues. I hope that good oil will get things back on track for you.

Yeah, it looks like there have been 30-40 thousand miles on conventional oil early on in the life of the vehicle. The timing was also quite retarded, the new belt is at the top of the graph so I think that will help.
 
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