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Author Topic: Acceptable purchase mileage  (Read 11973 times)

Wangswong

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Acceptable purchase mileage
« on: July 17, 2013, 09:44:55 AM »
Morning folks.

I've been watching this site / wanting a 44 Brabus for a while now.
My Mk3 Mondeo's falling apart so now's the time to get one.

I've been scanning ebay / autotrader for the last few months just to see how many are up / mileage / price etc and I'm a bit stumped.

The higher mileage ones are substantially less than the 50 - 60k mile ones. Do you think this is purely because of the mileage? All are saying "full merc / smart history and all receipts" so 3k for a 100k brabus seems pretty good.

The mileage has never bothered me. I had an S type on a V plate with 155k when I bought her. She still drove like new until the day I sold her (with over 200k on)

I also do 20k+ miles a year (all A road) so, even buying a lower mileage one for half the price, it would only take 12 - 18 months to get it over 100k.

So I think what I'm trying to say, with all the info above, is it worth me buying a higher mileage brab?

Ohh, great site btw :)
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Alex

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Re: Acceptable purchase mileage
« Reply #1 on: July 17, 2013, 10:11:42 AM »
Sure, just make sure it's had it's timing belt (with all the tensioners, pulley etc) changed.

Also, make sure it hasn't got a cracked exhaust manifold, most suffer from this.

If a high mileage car is 3K but has to have a new timing belt and manifold, then it makes no sense to buy it over a 5K lower mileage brab.

Other than that, check overall condition of the interior, suspension and engine/gearbox mounts. 
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Wangswong

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Re: Acceptable purchase mileage
« Reply #2 on: July 17, 2013, 10:44:42 AM »
Cheers Alex.

I'm guessing that, even if engine / gearbox mounts are worn, they're easy enough to replace? (Springs / shocks would be swapped out anyway due to the mileage.)

Just replaced them before christmas on my Derv and thats a damn heavy lump.

Another thing, does the brab have the sound package as standard (with the subwoofer under the seat?) My mondeo had it's alternator done 6 months ago and, seeing I don't have the damn radio code, all I listen too now are the worn bearings on the way to work! It would be nice to have half decent audio to listen too.
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Possibly the most modded Forfour Brabus in the country.
My rebuild thread - http://www.forfour.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=4044.0
My parts list thread - http://www.forfour.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=4736.0

Brabs

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Re: Acceptable purchase mileage
« Reply #3 on: July 17, 2013, 11:00:10 AM »
High karlbarclay and welcome. As long as the car has a good full service history I don't think the mileage is anything to worry about. 100k these days is nothing and the Brab is a well built car with proven Mitsubishi engine/Getrag gearbox. Sure there will be mileage/age related wear and tear items as with any car. I have owned my 1.1 forfour Passion for 7 years. It has now done 'only' 63,000 trouble free miles. I have owned my Brab for 4 years. It has now done 'only' 52,000 trouble free miles. Just do a thorough check before buying as you would do on any car. One weakness is the Monoblock alloy wheels. Check that they aren't too 'square'! Then take the leap of faith and ENJOY!  ;)

 :)
« Last Edit: July 17, 2013, 11:43:27 AM by CrazyG »
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Wangswong

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Re: Acceptable purchase mileage
« Reply #4 on: July 17, 2013, 11:44:37 AM »
Those wheels.... yeh :)

I've been doing a lot of research (mainly on this site I might add) relating to general faults. I'm sad enough to produce a check list of what to look out for before buying!

Looking forward to the purchase as I've always loved hot hatches. My 1st car was a fiesta RS which the wife also loved. Since having the kids, we had to get "practical" and owned a Jag S type (damn I miss that car), the current mondeo and a Mitsubishi GTO for a weekend car.

Hope the wife likes the brab! She's currently got postman pat's van. AKA a Vauxhall Agila!
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Possibly the most modded Forfour Brabus in the country.
My rebuild thread - http://www.forfour.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=4044.0
My parts list thread - http://www.forfour.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=4736.0

CrazyG

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Re: Acceptable purchase mileage
« Reply #5 on: July 17, 2013, 11:46:47 AM »
And a warm welcome and a big 'HI' from me...and hope you get your Brab soon.

I agree with everything so far posted, my only addition being that if you do decide
to replace the suspension (shocks and perhaps springs), then seriously consider
the Bilstein option that JJ has fitted to his Brab. A few other owners have been
out in it and can/will confirm the improvement over original.
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454 - Brabus (mapped, Willwood brakes, coilovers etc etc)
454 - Passion CDi 95hp (manual, full Brab body kit, coilovers etc)
454 - Passion 1.3 (manual, Brab body kit, lowered etc) [SORN'd]
451 - Pulse Turbo [my daily drive] (mapped, coilovers etc)
450 - 'Widestar' Passion 700cc [SORN'd]

Wangswong

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Re: Acceptable purchase mileage
« Reply #6 on: July 17, 2013, 12:07:16 PM »
Thanks CrazyG

I assume cost wise that it's around £500 for a full set of shocks?
Got the kit lying around to fit (suitable spring compressors etc) so the shocks are the only outlay.

I also guess that strut bearings are worth swapping out whilst it's all apart?
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Possibly the most modded Forfour Brabus in the country.
My rebuild thread - http://www.forfour.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=4044.0
My parts list thread - http://www.forfour.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=4736.0

CrazyG

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Re: Acceptable purchase mileage
« Reply #7 on: July 17, 2013, 12:10:54 PM »
Re the Bilsteins....it's a full kit....ride height adjustable coilovers. (shocks n springs)..circa £650.
As for strut bearings....only by removal n checking will you be able to say.
But if it was me, I'd do them if I was replacing shocks + springs at the same time.
« Last Edit: July 17, 2013, 12:11:37 PM by CrazyG »
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454 - Brabus (mapped, Willwood brakes, coilovers etc etc)
454 - Passion CDi 95hp (manual, full Brab body kit, coilovers etc)
454 - Passion 1.3 (manual, Brab body kit, lowered etc) [SORN'd]
451 - Pulse Turbo [my daily drive] (mapped, coilovers etc)
450 - 'Widestar' Passion 700cc [SORN'd]

Wangswong

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Re: Acceptable purchase mileage
« Reply #8 on: July 17, 2013, 12:31:19 PM »
That's not a bad price at all.

Think monroe springs / shocks for the mondeo work out about the same!

Bearing wise, thought as much. No point having it apart and not swapping out.

Need to do a bit more reading on the forum to get clued up on these beasties. Plus point, they don't seem to blow hoses all the time like the damn mondeo!

Already been thinking of ways of keeping the weight down. Came up with the ideas that my wife's sister isn't allowed in (she's a big girl!) so problem sorted!
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Possibly the most modded Forfour Brabus in the country.
My rebuild thread - http://www.forfour.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=4044.0
My parts list thread - http://www.forfour.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=4736.0

Wangswong

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Re: Acceptable purchase mileage
« Reply #9 on: July 17, 2013, 01:20:04 PM »
Sorry to post again but service wise, is there anything you would recommend that would be a must to clean / replace on a high miler?

Guessing throttle body clean / MAF clean / usuals like oil, air & fuel filters for piece of mind.

Maybe iridium plugs / bosch flat wipers?
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Possibly the most modded Forfour Brabus in the country.
My rebuild thread - http://www.forfour.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=4044.0
My parts list thread - http://www.forfour.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=4736.0

Brabs

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Re: Acceptable purchase mileage
« Reply #10 on: July 17, 2013, 04:20:49 PM »
Don't apologise! Apart from the items you have mentioned you might want to consider a replacement air filter such as ITG, K&N, Pipercross etc. Personal taste as several owners have different ones.
 :)
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Open Your Mind... to a smart.
I did, to a generation 1 forfour 1.1 with 'Passion', a Silver generation 1 forfour 'Brabus' Xclusive and a fortwo 451 'night orange' edition ;~)

Problemchild

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Re: Acceptable purchase mileage
« Reply #11 on: July 17, 2013, 07:25:40 PM »
hi and welcome....

personally i would aim for lower miles - they are defo available for not too much more than the higher mileage (are there still some for sale on here - forget)

suspension is very crashy (bilsteins seem v easy to fit with no specialist tools as front set up is already a coilover kit and back springs will just fit in if you can jack up high enough) but i still think i need my drop links and ARB bushes done as some knocking still.

wheels are fine really (i have wider ones on front and not damaged one since fitting and i've hit a few big holes)

manifold is something to consider but don't think its as common as people think - but you can check quite easy.

sound system is standard but HU varies (single, double, nav)

pick your colour and spec and wait for it to turn up

JJ
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Problemchild

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Re: Acceptable purchase mileage
« Reply #12 on: July 17, 2013, 07:28:28 PM »
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mr singh

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Re: Acceptable purchase mileage
« Reply #13 on: July 17, 2013, 07:48:21 PM »
my 1.1 petrol forfour was 'high mileage' when i bought it it was 5 years old with 69,000 miles and that was 3 years ago and its now at 102,700 ish miles and its still going strong... saying that i have run it on shell v-power/nitro+ since day 1.

you'll find that the brabus require premium fuel not the normal 95 ron stuff
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Brabs

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Re: Acceptable purchase mileage
« Reply #14 on: July 17, 2013, 07:50:38 PM »
Brab 'will' run on 95 Ron.

 :)
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