Car Talk 6: Best of times and Worst of Times

[golftdibrad1]

Imagine your sports car insulating you from the road surface

but also

also dampers =/= springs.

[Melon2.0]

We all know the pinnacle sports car:

[D Griff]

Kind of at an impasse with this tranny fluid change in the

The model strikes again. One dealer said that they won't do it. One said this 'starts at $399 for transmission service' but refuses to give an actual quote (surely $399 is for a regular 'ol drain and fill gig on a non ZF8). This is after multiple calls in with no answer, VMs left, no return call.

I just talked with Cale's group now, they said they're pretty sure it's sealed for life but will call me back

I'm hesitant to just go to some mom/pop place. I just don't really trust people that much. Not that this is rocket science, but if I'm not willing to do it, I doubt they're really any more able than I. Like, they could just not change it and charge me OR could not torque correctly, under/over fill, you name it, and they the car is fucked.

I think maybe I'll just do the diffs, brake fluid, spark plugs, and coolant at home and call it a day. Reassess the tranny sitch in a couple of years if we still own the car.

55K miles as it sits. It's quite interesting that the manual basically says never change anything but the oil unless you're towing or doing taxi/police work.

[MrH42]

Yeah, it really is.

It's the same with the Elise. They were mid $40k new 20 years ago. They go for the same money or more if they're in good shape. A tiny bumper hit and they're totaled, so a ton of them are salvage titled. The giant fiberglass shells crack with the slightest bump. The whole chassis is fragile. It's a whole lot of bullshit to put up with for that kind of money. You can get a miata new for much cheaper with none of that.

I want Toyota to revive the MR-2. Mid-engine Miata competitor would be awesome.

I have a lot of seat time in Miatas and I've driven an Elise on track and the driving experience is not even the least bit similar. Your points are def valid but comparing it to a Miata just isn't fair, the Elise is the closest thing to a race car I've experienced, it rotates completely differently than anything I've driven, the steering is otherworldly, just a completely different drive versus a Miata that just feels like 'an old friend' to drive.

I haven't driven an Elise, but yeah, mid engine drives totally different. I don't disagree with any of what you said. I really need to drive an Elise, but they're hard to find even for a test drive.

That's why I want a new MR-2. I want mid engine dynamics, but with the benefits of a miata (not fragile, reliable, good inputs, good daily characteristics, and cheap). That's the dream.

[MrH42]

The people without mag ride are arguing again.

[Melon2.0]

Is it a Zf8 unit? If so, maybe some local independent & reputable Euro shop might be willing to take a look at it.
If not, a Jeep or offroad specialist might.

[coogles]

Kind of at an impasse with this tranny fluid change in the

The model strikes again. One dealer said that they won't do it. One said this 'starts at $399 for transmission service' but refuses to give an actual quote (surely $399 is for a regular 'ol drain and fill gig on a non ZF8). This is after multiple calls in with no answer, VMs left, no return call.

I just talked with Cale's group now, they said they're pretty sure it's sealed for life but will call me back

I'm hesitant to just go to some mom/pop place. I just don't really trust people that much. Not that this is rocket science, but if I'm not willing to do it, I doubt they're really any more able than I. Like, they could just not change it and charge me OR could not torque correctly, under/over fill, you name it, and they the car is fucked.

I think maybe I'll just do the diffs, brake fluid, spark plugs, and coolant at home and call it a day. Reassess the tranny sitch in a couple of years if we still own the car.

55K miles as it sits. It's quite interesting that the manual basically says never change anything but the oil unless you're towing or doing taxi/police work.

That's so strange. You really don't have any good indy shops around? Admittedly most of the ones I know of around here specialize in foreign makes, but I'm sure they'd be happy to work on a Heep too.

Haven't watched it but this dude filmed a DIY.

[Melon2.0]

At 55k a pan drop fluid change and new filter should be all it needs.

[golftdibrad1]

Dear Prudence,

I’m a 48 M and I have a sister who has four kids (two boys and two girls). My sister and I have a decent relationship, mostly because we give each other a lot of space to avoid conflict. I’m fairly supportive of the kids (I have none), but I don’t always hold my tongue if I disagree with them. A few years ago, my nephew decided to buy an old dodge charger (think serial killer). I advised him against it, since it looked like it needed a lot of repairs. He bought it anyway. It broke down less than a year later.

Fast forward several years later: This rusty car still doesn’t work. I periodically remind him and his mom that they need to get rid of that car. They aren’t concerned. I recently purchased a luxury SUV and every time I’m home, I have to park on the street because of that car. It’s not even fully parked up the driveway. My mom avoids conflict, so she won’t force the issue. I’ve thought about reporting it to the HOA, but I’m pretty sure the family will know who reported it. I’ve thought about having it towed myself, but that feels wrong. I’m just not sure what to do about this.

—Sick of this Hooptie!

Dear Sick of This,

Political organizing. Volunteering. A fitness challenge. A cooking class. Arts and crafts. Bingeing Netflix shows. This is a list of possible places to redirect your attention and energy as you pull it away from an old car that is not at your home, is not costing you any money, and has absolutely nothing to do with you. You may have been totally right about the misguided purchase of the charger, but the reward for that is that you get to say to yourself, “I knew it,” not that you get to enforce your rules for someone else’s driveway. Parking on the street will not hurt you. Pissing off your sister and nephew by criticizing them and making their life hard ultimately will.

I love it when the advice column advice giver very politely tells the person writing in they are a cunt

[Melon2.0]

Buy it
Tear it apart
Paint it orange
Profit

[D Griff]

Is it a Zf8 unit? If so, maybe some local independent & reputable Euro shop might be willing to take a look at it.
If not, a Jeep or offroad specialist might.

Yep.

I am also mulling over the idea that maybe the OEM knows better than me and a bunch of forum bros and it actually just doesn't need to be changed. I've yet to heard of one going bad.

[D Griff]

Buy it
Tear it apart
Paint it orange
Profit

[Melon2.0]

Is it a Zf8 unit? If so, maybe some local independent & reputable Euro shop might be willing to take a look at it.
If not, a Jeep or offroad specialist might.

Yep.

I am also mulling over the idea that maybe the OEM knows better than me and a bunch of forum bros and it actually just doesn't need to be changed. I've yet to heard of one going bad.

If you're planning on selling it before 100k miles. #YOLO.
As long as you're not towing or putting a lot of strain on it, it should be fine.

[Desertbreh]

Kind of at an impasse with this tranny fluid change in the

The model strikes again. One dealer said that they won't do it. One said this 'starts at $399 for transmission service' but refuses to give an actual quote (surely $399 is for a regular 'ol drain and fill gig on a non ZF8). This is after multiple calls in with no answer, VMs left, no return call.

I just talked with Cale's group now, they said they're pretty sure it's sealed for life but will call me back

I'm hesitant to just go to some mom/pop place. I just don't really trust people that much. Not that this is rocket science, but if I'm not willing to do it, I doubt they're really any more able than I. Like, they could just not change it and charge me OR could not torque correctly, under/over fill, you name it, and they the car is fucked.

I think maybe I'll just do the diffs, brake fluid, spark plugs, and coolant at home and call it a day. Reassess the tranny sitch in a couple of years if we still own the car.

55K miles as it sits. It's quite interesting that the manual basically says never change anything but the oil unless you're towing or doing taxi/police work.

On the BMW there was a "lifetime" sticker on the same old removeable drain pan/filter as any other transmission. K brah.

[D Griff]

Kind of at an impasse with this tranny fluid change in the

The model strikes again. One dealer said that they won't do it. One said this 'starts at $399 for transmission service' but refuses to give an actual quote (surely $399 is for a regular 'ol drain and fill gig on a non ZF8). This is after multiple calls in with no answer, VMs left, no return call.

I just talked with Cale's group now, they said they're pretty sure it's sealed for life but will call me back

I'm hesitant to just go to some mom/pop place. I just don't really trust people that much. Not that this is rocket science, but if I'm not willing to do it, I doubt they're really any more able than I. Like, they could just not change it and charge me OR could not torque correctly, under/over fill, you name it, and they the car is fucked.

I think maybe I'll just do the diffs, brake fluid, spark plugs, and coolant at home and call it a day. Reassess the tranny sitch in a couple of years if we still own the car.

55K miles as it sits. It's quite interesting that the manual basically says never change anything but the oil unless you're towing or doing taxi/police work.

That's so strange. You really don't have any good indy shops around? Admittedly most of the ones I know of around here specialize in foreign makes, but I'm sure they'd be happy to work on a Heep too.

Haven't watched it but this dude filmed a DIY.

Looks a little messy but not like rocket science. Maybe I'll just DIY it at 75K if we still have the car.

[D Griff]

I guess it's all just really interesting to me... like every in CLT will turn down my money on this job, which begs the question of why do it or not? Would be very interested to hear from an actual SME (like a ZF engineer).

inb4BradisaSME

[D Griff]

We all know the pinnacle sports car:

[golftdibrad1]

Kind of at an impasse with this tranny fluid change in the

The model strikes again. One dealer said that they won't do it. One said this 'starts at $399 for transmission service' but refuses to give an actual quote (surely $399 is for a regular 'ol drain and fill gig on a non ZF8). This is after multiple calls in with no answer, VMs left, no return call.

I just talked with Cale's group now, they said they're pretty sure it's sealed for life but will call me back

I'm hesitant to just go to some mom/pop place. I just don't really trust people that much. Not that this is rocket science, but if I'm not willing to do it, I doubt they're really any more able than I. Like, they could just not change it and charge me OR could not torque correctly, under/over fill, you name it, and they the car is fucked.

I think maybe I'll just do the diffs, brake fluid, spark plugs, and coolant at home and call it a day. Reassess the tranny sitch in a couple of years if we still own the car.

55K miles as it sits. It's quite interesting that the manual basically says never change anything but the oil unless you're towing or doing taxi/police work.

On the BMW there was a "lifetime" sticker on the same old removeable drain pan/filter as any other transmission. K brah.

if you plan on keeping it get it changed. its 'lifetime' so when the transmission shits the bed at 130k you are on the lot looking at new shit waiting for your 8k reman trans quote on your 12k bb heap.

My mom and dad have had transmissions go on the last three vehicles. My dad has said every time 'but its synesthetic lifetime fluid'
At least on the exploder AA (beepx2) mco did the repairs for like 3200, cheap considering awd transverse layout.

[golftdibrad1]

I guess it's all just really interesting to me... like every in CLT will turn down my money on this job, which begs the question of why do it or not? Would be very interested to hear from an actual SME (like a ZF engineer).

inb4BradisaSME

I would not claim to be a subject matter expert in most anything; I am a generalist. Posted my .02 cent above. Lifetime fluid is not real, but unlike the flying spaghetti monster it can hurt you.

[Desertbreh]

That's so strange. You really don't have any good indy shops around? Admittedly most of the ones I know of around here specialize in foreign makes, but I'm sure they'd be happy to work on a Heep too.

Haven't watched it but this dude filmed a DIY.

Looks a little messy but not like rocket science. Maybe I'll just DIY it at 75K if we still have the car.

I don't know if that Mopar fluid is ZF Lifeguard 8, but I would run the ZF branded stuff to be sure. Surely there is a transmission shop in the Charlotte area that knows what they are doing? It is such a fucking mess I would never do it without two dudes and a lift.

[Melon2.0]

I guess it's all just really interesting to me... like every in CLT will turn down my money on this job, which begs the question of why do it or not? Would be very interested to hear from an actual SME (like a ZF engineer).

inb4BradisaSME

Lifetime is dumb.
I'd still do it every 50k for my own peace of mind.

[D Griff]

I guess it's all just really interesting to me... like every in CLT will turn down my money on this job, which begs the question of why do it or not? Would be very interested to hear from an actual SME (like a ZF engineer).

inb4BradisaSME

I would not claim to be a subject matter expert in most anything; I am a generalist. Posted my .02 cent above. Lifetime fluid is not real, but unlike the flying spaghetti monster it can hurt you.

I've always been aligned with you above $0.02.. Interested in the on the manufacturer's part here or if this product is indeed some kind of miracle unit that is different than history indicates with other automatics.

[D Griff]

Looks a little messy but not like rocket science. Maybe I'll just DIY it at 75K if we still have the car.

I don't know if that Mopar fluid is ZF Lifeguard 8, but I would run the ZF branded stuff to be sure. Surely there is a transmission shop in the Charlotte area that knows what they are doing? It is such a fucking mess I would never do it without two dudes and a lift.

FWIW FCA actually manufacturers this trans that was designed by ZFG versus BMW and others I think have ZF build it. how that would change the fluid, but seems of interest.

[Johnny_P]

I’d get it changed. Since it’s the same trans you could call a BMW shop for a quote. Probably more expensive. Maybe better quality work. Although max has some horror stories so idk.

[Melon2.0]

I’d get it changed. Since it’s the same trans you could call a BMW shop for a quote. Probably more expensive. Maybe better quality work. Although max has some horror stories so idk.

All depends on the techs working there.