If you purchased a brand new motor....

[Webby the Bear]

.....what would you do to ensure it would be non-problematic for years to come?

So. I have this mental idea that one day I'm just going to say "f!?k it" and beg, steal borrow the money to buy myself a brand new mustang.

And it got me thinking.

Obviously everyone has a list of things that need doing on a recently purchased used vehicle I.e. welding, bodywork, maintenance stuff.

But if you purchased a brand new car what would you do to look after it and reduce the need for future things like the aforementioned welding.

Things that spring to mind for me.....

1.) under seal the living shite out of the underneath, chassis, any bare metal etc.
2.) copperslip every nut n bolt on the suspension, subframe etc (not remove them lol just a coat on the outside)
3.) change all fluids n filters every quarter regardless of mileage. Yes that's f.....g nuts but I am nuts and it's my brand new motor 
4.) obviously observe the break in period to the T.
5.) I haven't looked in to it but I'm sure you can get some paint protection stuff. I'd do this.
6.) seat covers from day one.

What are your thoughts 

[Webby the Bear]

Oh and not let wifey drive it. That's number one of course 

[Doctor Gollum]

Halve the factory intervals and use it

Sod seat covers, buy a spare set of covers, foams and door cards along with any other bits of trim that might wear... six months of ownership will give an idea but get them bought within a year otherwise they become unavailable 

[Webby the Bear]

That's reminded me of another idea I had.

Every time it's used. Get it up to temp at idle every time. Then thrash it. 

[Doctor Gollum]

That's reminded me of another idea I had.

Every time it's used. Get it up to temp at idle every time. Then thrash it. 

Nah, drive it from cold, but keep below 2k rpm until upto temp... assuming it actually has a guage

[Viral_Jim]

Very little until the warranty is up would be my answer. Paint and under seal could affect a claim I think. However I would (and did) use a clear wax treatment that stopped dirt adhering so well to the underside and did regular under car washes while salt was on.

Regular fluid changes are a must I think. The D4 I'm looking at has 18k oil changes - in a diesel that seems too long to me. Paint protection is a bit of snake oil I reckon. Regular waxing and clay baring will do just as good a job.

Long term the nose will need a blow over anyway due to stone chips. Inless you want to be a knob end with a car bra  .

No way I'd cover the seats. If I've paid for heated leather I want my ass on it . Cleaner and leather feed should suffice. Then either pick up a mint drivers seat from a scrapper a few years down the line or pay to have it retrimmed.

[VXL V6]

.....what would you do to ensure it would be non-problematic for years to come?

I think your better waiting until the end of the production run of a model if you can, the last models should have had all the issues from early production ironed out and known weaknesses should be known to the trade so you can do any prevention techniques before the issue arises on your 'late model'

or..... Sell it at the first sign of a problem

On the other side of the discussion, if there was nothing to fix / update / modify then i'd have to sell it and buy something that I can keep doing the odd bit of spanner work on as it's a hobby to me rather than a chore.

[78bex]

How many times have we all spotted very new motors on trade plates trying to break the land speed record 

so  I wouldn`t worry to much about the break-in period.

It`s a shame we can`t buy new cars like we buy new bikes
My bro lashed out on a new Yama R1 & the dealer rang to say the bike had arrived & was still sealed up in it`s shipping crate. Quite a special experince to see it cocooned liked that. 

[biggriffin]

Very little until the warranty is up would be my answer. Paint and under seal could affect a claim I think. However I would (and did) use a clear wax treatment that stopped dirt adhering so well to the underside and did regular under car washes while salt was on.

Regular fluid changes are a must I think. The D4 I'm looking at has  oil changes - in a diesel that seems too long to me. Paint protection is a bit of snake oil I reckon. Regular waxing and clay baring will do just as good a job.

Long term the nose will need a blow over anyway due to stone chips. Inless you want to be a knob end with a car bra  .

No way I'd cover the seats. If I've paid for heated leather I want my ass on it . Cleaner and leather feed should suffice. Then either pick up a mint drivers seat from a scrapper a few years down the line or pay to have it retrimmed.

Good machine them D4 caterpillars.

Most trucks now are 100k service intervals,.

[citroenguy]

I would do pretty much what you listed 

mmm brand new motor

[Lincs Robert]

I've not had one for quite a while now .......

[Webby the Bear]

I've not had one for quite a while now .......

I've never 

[Webby the Bear]

There's some really good points here.

if one was ordered then it would get delivered to the ford shop by truck (right?).. then I'd insist I'd pick it up 

[Webby the Bear]

Re the warranty. That's also a very good point.

And wtf is a car bra? 

[Webby the Bear]

Oh hang on you mean those with black covers on the bonnet.