100,000 KM in 27 months on my C4
03-29-2013, 04:40 PM
#1
100,000 KM in 27 months on my C4
I have very little mechanical aptitude so I can't offer many solutions on this forum but I do learn a lot and enjoy the site immensely.
Recently I noticed that my 90 964C4 has completed 100,000KM with me at the wheel giving it a total of 265,000KM. I've had the car for 27 months and it's been great.
These aren't easy miles either. Every weekend in the winter, the roof box is loaded with skis, behind my seat are three boot bags and three of us head off to the mountains to ski. By Sunday night the car will have run between 600-1000 KM depending on where we are skiing. It's sees it all. Frozen hardpack snow, dry highway, washboard ice, black ice, etc. etc. My job involves seeing clients all week so through the weekdays it is in town stopping, starting and logging many miles. It regularly runs in -20C (0 F).
If you don't live in a winter climate you may be under the impression snow covered roads are white and pristine. This is not the case, they sand the crap out of the roads, through warming and cooling the roads are dirty. The front of the car looks like it's been sandblasted and in my ownership it has gone through six foglights; this isn't changing them when they crack but when the glass actually breaks. It's been through three headlights and the windshield is cracked, rock chipped and generally marked up. I love it.
I love that on almost every trip someone snaps a picture on the road and generally it's a young kid. I love the pseudo feeling of being a rally driver on the climb up to most ski hills. I love the feeling on dry clear roads as the sun comes up. I love how it goes in snow storms. I love how everyone asks how it is in the snow or how we fit everything into it. I love the sounds it makes. I love that the car wash attendant stalls the car pulling it in because this isn't an anyone car. I smile each time I turn the key.
How has it been reliability and maintenance wise? I think it's been exemplary. Early on the transmission failed and that was a big hit. The suspension needed replacing so I did that as well at the same time. From there it's been usual stuff. The oil is changed every 7000KM so someone is going through it every 2 months. If a window switch fails we change all three so I think/hope I'm preventative. It has the hesitation that has been discussed many times on this site, where it will cut out momentarily coming down a hill when the throttle is off (it still makes my heart jump in panic although I feel it at least once a month).
It doesn't leak (except 2 drips when it sat for 2 weeks) and doesn't burn oil. Maybe 1/2 litre between changes.
I like the new one's and I'm sure I'd love driving one but this little car does it all and I can't imagine not driving it so for now we'll keep going. If I had a new one I'm sure I'd worry when the kids pile in and a boot touches the back seat. With the C4 I don't. It's in good shape for a driver and well maintained but a garage queen it is not. I figure I have two more years before my kids can't be comfortable back there and I'll have to consider something else. Hopefully I can get another 100,000KM in before that day.
Thanks for reading.
Recently I noticed that my 90 964C4 has completed 100,000KM with me at the wheel giving it a total of 265,000KM. I've had the car for 27 months and it's been great.
These aren't easy miles either. Every weekend in the winter, the roof box is loaded with skis, behind my seat are three boot bags and three of us head off to the mountains to ski. By Sunday night the car will have run between 600-1000 KM depending on where we are skiing. It's sees it all. Frozen hardpack snow, dry highway, washboard ice, black ice, etc. etc. My job involves seeing clients all week so through the weekdays it is in town stopping, starting and logging many miles. It regularly runs in -20C (0 F).
If you don't live in a winter climate you may be under the impression snow covered roads are white and pristine. This is not the case, they sand the crap out of the roads, through warming and cooling the roads are dirty. The front of the car looks like it's been sandblasted and in my ownership it has gone through six foglights; this isn't changing them when they crack but when the glass actually breaks. It's been through three headlights and the windshield is cracked, rock chipped and generally marked up. I love it.
I love that on almost every trip someone snaps a picture on the road and generally it's a young kid. I love the pseudo feeling of being a rally driver on the climb up to most ski hills. I love the feeling on dry clear roads as the sun comes up. I love how it goes in snow storms. I love how everyone asks how it is in the snow or how we fit everything into it. I love the sounds it makes. I love that the car wash attendant stalls the car pulling it in because this isn't an anyone car. I smile each time I turn the key.
How has it been reliability and maintenance wise? I think it's been exemplary. Early on the transmission failed and that was a big hit. The suspension needed replacing so I did that as well at the same time. From there it's been usual stuff. The oil is changed every 7000KM so someone is going through it every 2 months. If a window switch fails we change all three so I think/hope I'm preventative. It has the hesitation that has been discussed many times on this site, where it will cut out momentarily coming down a hill when the throttle is off (it still makes my heart jump in panic although I feel it at least once a month).
It doesn't leak (except 2 drips when it sat for 2 weeks) and doesn't burn oil. Maybe 1/2 litre between changes.
I like the new one's and I'm sure I'd love driving one but this little car does it all and I can't imagine not driving it so for now we'll keep going. If I had a new one I'm sure I'd worry when the kids pile in and a boot touches the back seat. With the C4 I don't. It's in good shape for a driver and well maintained but a garage queen it is not. I figure I have two more years before my kids can't be comfortable back there and I'll have to consider something else. Hopefully I can get another 100,000KM in before that day.
Thanks for reading.
03-29-2013, 07:16 PM
#4
Rennlist Member
Nice and thanks for the writeup - picture please...
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03-29-2013, 07:45 PM
#8
Thanks guys. Here a couple pics as we unload in the garage at the end of the day.
As far as the transmission goes. It locked in third one day coming down an on ramp. Took a lot of muscle to get it into neutral. When it got to the shop they dropped it and one of the rings had snapped. It was a $2500 part so we got a refurbished transmission from a '94.
As far as the transmission goes. It locked in third one day coming down an on ramp. Took a lot of muscle to get it into neutral. When it got to the shop they dropped it and one of the rings had snapped. It was a $2500 part so we got a refurbished transmission from a '94.
03-30-2013, 06:35 PM
#9
Rennlist Member
A great story and it's good that you are so passionate about your C4. It just goes to prove that these cars are meant to be driven, not left sitting in the garage. I used to drive mine to work every day in rain, hail, sleet and snow. At the moment due to having retired early, I have to purposely go out for a drive in it! A bit sad I know but it's great when I do drive it!!!! My car has done around 116,000 miles in its 22 years. Brian.
03-31-2013, 04:44 AM
#11
Burning Brakes
Great write-up... I can only imagine the fun it is to drive it in all conditions.
Despite what some ppeople may think, this are true usable driver cars. Working in ALL environments without major problems as long as all is maintained and operational.
Enjoy the drive... Everyday, any day.
Despite what some ppeople may think, this are true usable driver cars. Working in ALL environments without major problems as long as all is maintained and operational.
Enjoy the drive... Everyday, any day.
04-01-2013, 11:47 AM
#12
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+964; they're meant to be used. I told my GF recently that the C4 was designed to haul executives wherever they needed to go in style and comfort, regardless of conditions.
04-01-2013, 04:53 PM
#15
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That´s it! It`s not always about track times or shoe /shine on sunday events ...
Glad to see these (few) pictures and lines written - the winter is slowly fading away over here. Cheers!
Glad to see these (few) pictures and lines written - the winter is slowly fading away over here. Cheers!