Built like a Mercedes (?)

This particular model wasn't sold in the USA. In any case, 'pattern parts' are
often made locally.

Good. It is true btw. I've been stuggling to recall the parts that *did* need
replacing. Almost nothing under the hood bar the usual service parts. I recall
it needed some fuel hoses replaced and maybe the water pump ( not sure about
that - maybe it was my previous Cavalier ).

Graham

 

Parts travel both ways. The parts for the US built X5 and Mclass I owned
were no different to German built models. Parts for Japanese built vehicles
are no more expensive then British built Japanese brands.
Transport cost is trivial from the US to Europe and vise-versa. A container
will contain many thousands of parts but will cost about $1500 to ship from
store to store which is likely to be less than a Dollar an item. In fact the
manufacturer will charge a percentage for transport so that a filter will
have maybe 10C transport while a $100 part will have maybe $2 added.

So you have doubts. Hmm.

Huw

 

All your writing does not change the fact that 1/2 ton trucks are not common
in Europe and that 1 ton payloads are almost universal. The 1 ton trucks are
very much smaller than yours though and are typified by the Toyota Hi-lux.

Huw

 

in general 10,000 to 12000 mile intervals do not need synthetic oil. It is
true that most intervals longer than that do specify various grades of
synthetic but every vehicle irrispective of change interval have a specified
oil grade which they should use.

Huw

 

Yes I know.

Huw

 

Yes cars of that period were less reliable than today and rotted. Exhausts
and batteries seldom lasted more than a year and new vehicle warranties were
commonly six months only with no warranty for exhausts and stuff. Things
move on.

You have more experience than most here then.



Huw

 

I am not in a position to do anything but it seems to me that the problem is
not one of productivity but one of cost and sales. The cost of pensions and
logistics. The lack of desirable motors that people actually want to buy
without disasterous discounts having to be applied.

Huw

 

I stated somewhere that there were instances where trains were obviously
more efficient and indeed they are used in those applications because that
is what they are good for. Carrying bulk products like coal and ore from
production point to end point.

It is noteworthy that you have changed from comparing passenger carrying
vehicles to heavy freight.
You should note that I don't disagree with you that trains are efficient
freight carriers as long as they load at the production point and unload at
the processing point and the distance is long.

Huw

 

You have lost the passenger arguement and are attempting to change the topic
to freight. Good, you just carry on.

Huw

 

You are falling into the dodge set by Maximus Dodgeus in changing the
subject from passengers to freight. There is no doubt that per ton mile the
train is most efficient with heavy freight but you have to take into account
the logistics at both ends and the timeliness.
No you don't, because we are taliking cars and passengers, not freight.

Huw

 

Wow - you really don't remember the Hitler thing, do you. That's
incredible.

Bill Putney
(To reply by e-mail, replace the last letter of the alphabet in my
address with the letter 'x')

 

I've heard it suggested that the popular 10-30 and 10-40 multigrades sold in
Europe are refined to a higher degree than in the US. Nevertheless I prefer to
use synthetics for oil change intervals of ~ 10,000 mi.

Also, there seems to be more short journeys in the US which probably hammers the
oil worse.

Graham

 

I must have missed this one.

If rail is no less expensive that truck haulage for heavy commodities it begs
the question why anyone uses it !

Graham

 

Hitler never attempted to make German the only language in Europe.

Graham

 

No dip shit, it show's he knows how to use a weapon.

Roy

 

I misunderstood Huw. I thought the point you were making was that little
trucks are not common in europe, but in north america 1/2 tons are very
common but typically only carry fishing tackle.

I was explaining that 1/2 ton truck owners here USE their trucks to WORK.
(and most of us need an 8' box)

rach

 

yes good point -- probably another reason why the cheapest oil will do in an
old block (80's), as long as you change it every 3-5000 mi when you are
travelling dirt roads or breathing in construction dirt -- i think i have an
extra 6 gallons of oil and oil fiters

rach

 

really graham, or i man pooh. it was your idea not mine. hmmm.

 

wow. how relevant. i mean pooh baby, chalk one up for you. geez,
great point.

wow, what an incredible idiot. i am surprised that they let you use
the computer at the "home" graham.

 

Bless you. You provide re-assurance ( should any be needed ) of the fabulously
low intellect so prevalent in the USA. Do you drag your knuckles too ?

Graham