Why are "newer" vehicles so hard to work on?

[kenmac]

Just had to have the brake lines & fuel lines replaced on my '03 Silverado 2500, decided not to tackle it myself, cost just over $1100. The darn chemicals they use in the winter here are awful.

Glad I don't live where you live... Never had any brake lines replaced on any vehicle I've ever owned..

 

[SirReal63]

Glad I don't live where you live... Never had any brake lines replaced on any vehicle I've ever owned..

No kidding, me either. Just for fun and to poke a little fun at the Northern People, here is the underside of my old 2001 BMW. This was taken while doing the propshaft rebuild. Notice how clean it is.

One heat shield out of the way, this is from the CV looking towards the center bearing.

Center bearing towards Guibo (flex disk).

Finally center bearing towards CV and differential, no shield on this section.

Pretty clean for 87k miles on all Texas roads in all weather (that we experience).

 

[ultrarunner]

Mine looks like this and it is a 2002 325iT in Oakland CA....

Cars here never rust... really.

 

[ultrarunner]

Mine looks like this and it is a 2002 in Oakland CA....

Cars here never rust... really.

 

[SPIKER]

WISH mine looked that nice, here at 10 years most are rusting thru, bottom of doors & fenders or around any seam... Ohio been using calcium chloride salt concoctions that are bad enough to eat off the concrete surfaces on top of any steel it comes in contact with. Not sure about the new Aluminum cars/trucks how well they will do but the plastic stuff that used metal fasteners would not hold up much either. Most times brake & fuel lines are good for 8 to 12 years if ya keep underside washed thru winter.

I spent time in both Texas and in CA so yes those are nice places to find good iron, my 74 mercury cougar came from TX, it lasted 3 or 4 years in Ohio and rusted thru :/

<Mark>

 

[ultrarunner]

I guess I'm blessed with a mild climate that fostered a car culture that flourished until government regs kicked in.

I've got a 1976 BMW 2002 that is rust free and drive great... interior is shot.

Maybe I should advertise it on Craigslist in the midwest???

 

[SirReal63]

Those 2002's were a great car.

 

[vulcancowboy]

No kidding, me either. Just for fun and to poke a little fun at the Northern People, here is the underside of my old 2001 BMW. This was taken while doing the propshaft rebuild. Notice how clean it is.


Pretty clean for 87k miles on all Texas roads in all weather (that we experience).

You're killin' me!
I really like my truck and hope to get another few years out of it. New ones that are comparably equipped run well over $60K, too rich for my budget!

 

[MacLawn]

This is like the old, "Should we clean house or just move and be done with it" house cleaning talk. I just changed plugs on my '02 F150 5.4 engine! Whew, wha' a nightmare! But, I finally got'er done. 104,000 on them, they were fine, but due for new plugs. Now I'll do my '93 Dakota 3.9 V6. Take me about 20 minutes.

But really, for me, I'd keep me vehicles even longer if they weren't so hard to work on. That's one reason I still have me Dakota, plus, that thing has been an excellent truck!

 

[DarkBlack]

No kidding, me either. Just for fun and to poke a little fun at the Northern People, here is the underside of my old 2001 BMW. This was taken while doing the propshaft rebuild. Notice how clean it is.

One heat shield out of the way, this is from the CV looking towards the center bearing.

Center bearing towards Guibo (flex disk).

Finally center bearing towards CV and differential, no shield on this section.

Pretty clean for 87k miles on all Texas roads in all weather (that we experience).

Brand new silverados on dealer lots have more rust under them than your car! Seriously. Most of them have at least the drive shafts completely rust covered, before you even test drive them!