₦airaland Forum

@George_D
That's a nice research you have going right there BUT for one thing:

"• Results in a less smooth ride"

I don't know what the hell that is, because my diesel BMW 530D drives smoother and more comfortably than my 2000 Lexus GS300 petrol. The experience one shares here is not about a friend's vehicle or what we read somewhere, its mostly about what we see and do everyday.

I think you should locate a diesel car and try one out for about a week, then you will understand what we are saying. I personally feel cheated having wasted money on petrol vehicles and to make it worse, a recent one.

One needs to understand how simple the engine is by comparing the electrical/electronics components in a diesel with that in a petrol and how reliable one is compared to the other. Its a case where you park two vehicles side by side and open the hoods and one sends you crazy with sensors and wires (both in and out the engine) and the other is simply a well packaged engine with a fuel filter and oil filter and fuse box staring you in the face.

If driving comfort and reliability is what one wants, then I can tell you right now that diesel is it.

These days, petrol is the one that has no stable price and you cant even be sure if there is scarcity or not.

Diesel has been pretty stable.

I wouldn't make a big deal out if a car that was made in the 70s. The fellow doesn't expect it to last forever does he?

I know people with that model petrol that have changes the engine more than twice. All you need is to go to a benz mechanic and stay for a while.

Well I own an 04 BMW diesel and I'm looking for a diesel SUV.

@Coralkola
Its the ultimate driving experience - lets know how you feel about your petrol vehicles after the experience with the diesel 2010 Touareg.

@Siena
Thanks for that quality input. Our importers need to start giving us diesel options.

@ib612, Fhemmmy and Blue Magic
Thanks y'all for the enlightenment

@Blue Majic
Thanks!, that is exactly the point I'm trying to make here.

Advert strikes me more as for the site than the car.

@Siena
That's a very good one right there. Thanks for your input. That's more like the padding in a Silent Diesel Gen's cabin.

The simplicity of the engine and minimal wiring (electronics) makes it very easy to troubleshoot and manage.

@Sultaan
Did you buy locally?

Are they repair manuals or just owners' manuals

I'm sorry George_D we cant be on the same page with this one.

Ive seen things that made me know that some accident rebuilds overseas are way better than your "Tokumbo"; check this;

Apart from VIN - how would you know your tokumbo is not an accident car? Or you think all cars are recorded?, ever heard of factory certified pre-owned?, they sell those for next to brand new price - you know their history?

There is this program called "P.I.M.P my ride" on MTV - watch it and tell me that your "Tokumbo" or even brand new from dealership is better than any of those pimped out roll-outs.

@Mrkoma2012
I personally know that my mechanic is not better than me in detecting an overseas rebuild simply because there are some rebuilds that ONLY records can prove. 90% of mechanics' decisions on cars their customers buy is based on their agreement with the seller (behind your back, pal)

@George_D
Nope, I got it through a guy called Kunle - DBudget Ltd.

Those guys charge very little, I can tell you that right now. You only need to try them out and their quote will amaze you.

@George_D
Its www.perrysolution.com

They are amazing - Only that at times NAHCO gives them a few days' delays - but they make ordering easy.

@George_D
I really cant blame you BUT there is something I would like to share with you;

There is this car workshop on the outskirts of Vienna (close to where you have the Lexus dealership) - the first time I was in there, I knew that[b] ALL CARS ARE SALVAGE[/b].

There was an 08 E-Class a guy just bought (I think it was used briefly for hotel taxi). He brought it there for a total customization, and he says he wants it to be better than the AMG version. They tore this thing down and replaced almost everything - The manager of the workshop confirmed to me that they are changing from the radiator to about 30% of the engine. The dash was removed and ripped apart (he wanted some kind of blue lights in the dash), gear knob, bumpers, trunk, power seats, etc

What I'm trying to tell you is that; out there, you get these replacement parts for next to nothing - You want to change the instrument cluster on your dash to another with all blue lights, you spend just about $40 - In Nigeria here, just the button panel for glass winding for a CL500 costs 17k for a used one. Out there you buy the whole damn door electronics for less than $50 from an average garage.

Most of our importers here know that and I'm sure they know exactly what to do if they decide to buy an accident car and have it sorted before shipping. I'm in love with the idea of them letting us know what it is - even snapping a car as accident and advertising it as is - then giving a buyer an option to have it fixed there or shipped out as is.

Its a beautiful direction we are headed here, We should encourage our importers to keep it real and lets know as is and options of them fixing it or pimping it out there before shipping it out to us.

I hope you understand.

@Jucol
Oh I will get one. Thanks to people like perrysolutions.com, I can stay in my house and order for it and it will be delivered asap.

I only wonder where Otunba-1 got his Kia SUV from.

@Otunba-1
Like I said, my car makes that sound for a minute or two, then goes quiet, so quiet that I have to be the one to tell people its diesel. Anyway, its a BMW, they have the engineering at its finest and I guess that's why they are where they are.

Question though - When you are in that vehicle and the AC is on and the glass all up, do you hear any sound? If you do, then you should report it immediately, there is something wrong somewhere.

Well, I cant compare the quality provided by BMW to that by Kia - most these auto people compromise quality for profit.

I did not know that Kia has diesel vehicles - the last time I was at their VI office, I didn't notice any - except those pick-ups

@Jucol
I have not seen any of those manuals here myself; I was thinking of getting from the Bentley Publishers, I hear they also have for a wide range of vehicles.

I think its clearer to me now that the more advanced a car is, the easier it is to troubleshoot and do DIY (Do-It-Yourself).

@BizBooks
Thank you sir.

This is a post confirming that the car only has cosmetic touch up needs; engine, gear system, etc, all in very top shape.

I appreciate this. Please find and post some diesel rides too.

@Jucol
I think Mr Biggs should be the next bus stop for those waste oil - Im sure pretty soon, some smart businessman will start the business.

My diesel car's fuel consumption is calibrated in L/100Km; on conversion from this site: http://calculator-converter.com/l_100km_mpg_convert_mpg_to_l_per_100_km.php

I get an average of 32.74MPG (Miles Per Gallon) - I hear there is a simple tuning chip for about $34.00 I can install to get as much as 46% increase .

I don't think the most basic and simple Toyota Tercel can give that kind of mpg.

Importers; Kunle-A, Inspired, German007, Fhemmmy and other great guys - please flash diesel rides on nairaland.com - Sincerely, people should have at least one diesel engine vehicle in the house.

There was this guy on nairaland that advertised a Touared (Diesel) for sale from the States - shortly after I contacted him and he told me he was not interested in selling any longer - that he numbered it for personal use. Those vehicles just sit there at minimal maintenance.

In Austria I see diesel Mercedes C, E, S Class cars with over 450k Miles on them, still running good and strong.

Once you guys start flashing them, people will buy and appreciate them and parts and expertise will start rolling out - So you will make the greens, we will keep our environment green

Good job Jucol!

@Freshmoney
I spoke with him, he is an OK person, so his credibility is not in question. Ive been there a couple of times and have even spent a night at Igolo once. I think my problem now is that you cant pay me 500k (which is probably the best difference from Lagos cleared) to leave home as early as 5 am, go there and start moving from port to port and discussing with the "Patrons" in the hot sun and end up getting home by 10pm and will be off phone all through (although Glo works in some parts).

I cant do it. And there is no guaranty that this BMW in the picture is still there (I know because Ive gone before in those days for a V.Boot I saw the picture and came back with a BMW 5 Series). It takes my time and gives me anxiety waiting - not very healthy for me personally.

But I'm sure since you know what you want, he will get it for you. Just make sure you test it and drive it very well before committing.

@Freshmoney
How's it going? I'm not buying his 7 Series. Going there, confirming, waiting, the anxiety, I'm not cut out right now for that kind of episode.

I'm sure IF I really want it and have 4M, then I should get something here I can test drive, confirm and get over with in hours.

@Irwindickson
Its nice you have not bought the vehicle yet BUT that doesn't mean it wont be a good buy depending on what I think might help in determining the condition of the engine.

Go with a mechanic

You need to catch the seller at an average use time, like after a while with the AC on, or after the vehicle has been on for a while (You may even test drive - just to have the engine warm and circulated enough);

1. Let your mechanic remove the spark plugs one after the other and carefully inspect (be there too with him) IF any of them has been fouled with oil. IF YES, STAY AWAY FROM THAT CAR, IF NO, LETS GO TO THE NEXT STEP.

2. Observe the Speedometer and the mileage counter while you test drive and make sure it is counting, also confirm that each of the meters (speedometer, revmeter, etc) are all working; including the fuel meter, the temperature meter. IF the gear system has the LED indicators, confirm they all accurately show the gear positions without blinking.

3. If it is automatic, drive this vehicle and confirm that it shifts through ALL gears - no stories

4. For the vibration - Rev this vehicle in park and notice IF you will hear any misfires; IF NO, then tell your mechanic to check under the vehicle for engine seats - to confirm if they are loose or bad (those are cheap to replace - max 2k for one)

5. If there are misfires, then you will buy and have the injector, fuel pump/supply line, air intake filter/sensor and those things overhauled and properly serviced.

6. Let your mechanic have a look at the fan belt (It might be weak), then the timing belt/chain too. Please look out for overheating.

I don't think this is too much considering the amount you will be paying to buy the car. Buying a car to change the engine is not a very good mind-set, it might not be only the engine; it might be the engine plus the complete gear, plus the brain-box  .

Check the engine first and perform these tests with your mechanic - make sure he doesn't get into any kind of negotiation with the sellers so as not to hand you a lemon car. Be involved. Fuel it, drive it and know for yourself. Invest this little time and money so you don't buy a lemon that will cost you 150k just to drive.

@Lum_zy
You have spoken very well sir.

Personally, any accident vehicle rebuilt overseas is as good as tokumbo OR even better simply because an average rebuild overseas do 86% part replacement with next to new parts. In Nigeria on the other hand, our panel beaters mostly compromise quality for the sake of making peanuts - this, unknown to them (or even known to them) will affect the overall usability of the car when sold to a new owner.

In some cases, the sellers themselves are the ones that recommend what the panel-beaters and mechanics should use on the vehicle so as to keep their expenses at the minimum. Its very unfair.

That's why you will buy a "Tokumbo" car and find out that there is a part of the silencer that they used a seat-belt to hold together, or you rewire tells you that while he was trying to change the bulb in your headlamp he found out that the cover from the inside has been made permanent and has to be broken off and glued back.

This is the difference. I will appreciate IF our importers here buy accident vehicles for what they are and have it rebuilt out there and then shipped in ; It makes more sense that way.

When you see a locally rebuilt vehicle, its not the shiny baked paint that is important;

1. its IF the engine seats were actually replaced or patched with rubber bushings,
2. Its IF the chassis was not bent and then they used electric welding to "straighten it" without calibration,
3. its IF the windshield was well sealed so it can withstand the rainy season, its IF the roof was changed completely and not beaten back to shape (This explains some steering vibration and tires wearing out within months)
The list is endless.

We need to face facts and appreciate overseas rebuilt vehicles. You get the real "tokumbo" parts on them, and in the end well optimized for driving.

@Irwindickson
If you don't mind me asking sir;
Why do do you want to change your engine? Its better I ask you this so we can get a solution for whatever the problem is.

You are in the wrong section Pal, take this to Technology Market.

Also, you need to know that VPN (Virtual Private Network) is not country dependent, its an inter-network based utility and so you may find the best secure IP tunneling/channeling in Afghanistan or even Zimbabwe - depending on who configured and ultimately what equipments were used.

Drive this and you are guaranteed to have a 10Mtrs pure space between you and the car behind. Park in front of Governor's office and no one will tow it. Drive one way and the LASMA guys will be waving at you.

I'll buy it IF its diesel

@Jucol
That's a world of knowledge you have right there. I own a diesel engine car and I understand its better than my petrol cars by reality standards.

It gets better, No Spark Plugs.

@George_D
IF I have any of these problems you have mentioned, I will let the house know in this post.

First of all, I live in Nigeria and not Alaska, there was a heavy down pour days back and I started the car the morning after without using  - a boiling ring? Maybe you are talking about use overseas

Secondly; when I start it in the morning OR for the first time in a day, it starts up a little noisy, then after about a minute or two, the sound becomes normal. As in no one would suspect its diesel.

Thirdly; I have never experienced any rough rides at low speed - the only thing is that it takes a bit to pick up speed (compared to my petrol rides), and once its on, its on. By the way, mine is a manual gear.

For the diesel part - I really don't know about clean or dirty diesel, I only buy from filling stations, that's it.

The only time I have had an issue with the vehicle was when it had a hard starting with the DDE light on - on checking up online, they suggested the fuel pump - I did a test and found that when its having a hard time starting, there was no fuel supply, so I had a rewire take out the pre supply pump and I checked for a compatible brand and it turns out that most will work, so I replaced it with a Bosch fuel pump and that was it.

I could check the fuel output easily because the way diesel engines are built, you have very minimal electronics and the fuel filter is simply right in front of you with two pipes (One in and one out - dead simple); so i pulled out the one that supply fuel and had the ignition turned on - then nothing came out.

After replacing with the Bosch pump; the pressure was so much that it pushed off my index finger - That's why its always good to test fuel pressure from the pump whenever there is hard starting.

Really, I would recommend that people should get at least one diesel car or suv - Its an investment you will not regret. Get one George_D, I mean it, you will simply take it for granted.

I was used to the Petrol Gen until I got my first diesel (influenced by the diesel BMW performance) - The petrol gen is dust covered now, just didn't have that thing to even want to use it OR warm it.

Did I mention the fuel consumption part of it? - Its a miracle.

@George_D
I understand your point BUT you still don't get the point I'm making here; The Honda wins because it is a practical, everyday, comfortable, low maintenance ride.

That very C Class is rugged because its German built BUT its not practical as an everyday driver because its overall ownership and running cost is higher.

PLUS, the Honda is way better looking and has its own level of durability.

@MrCrackles
" You mean "a mechanic" " - I like that; at least some people do it for a living, and they have our attention when our rides call out to them, at times they send us to the bank too.

No offense taken though

@Tedanne
I'm 100% in support of that.