How long does the engine last?

cobraman2007 · Mar 8, 2007

Hi all.

I was wondering what the lifetime of a Cupra engine is likely to be. I drive an MX5 and people have gone up to 200,000+ miles without any problems to the engine at all. They are just fed their yearly dose of oil and they are happy to carry on.

So what is the likely lifetime of a Cupra engine. I know it has a turbo attached, so I presume it isn't going to hit 200,000 miles (or is it). I assume they are going to be fairly strong as they are a VAG engine which should mean German reliability.

Also, what is the highest mileage Cupra engine to date?

Cheers - Cobraman

andycupra · Mar 8, 2007

nto sure but there are many on here over 100,000 miles with no issues.
change the oil and change timing belt / water pump and it should be good for a long time.

RobM · Mar 8, 2007

The 1.8T engine is much more complex than the MX5's engine, so there is more to go wrong. BUT, if you treat the car properly - i.e. let it warm up and cool down correctly - get it serviced properly each year and also, if possible, get the oil changed in-between services there is no reason why the engine wont go on for a heck of a long time.

bentaw · Mar 8, 2007

i agree with Rob i think the oil change in between intervals is key to it especially as its a turbo car

Tallpaul · Mar 8, 2007

Plenty of 1.8T Golfs and A3's on 150,000+, they've been about longer than the SEAT 1.8T's. First builds in 1997.

Also lots of 210bhp S3's on 150,000+ as they were bought as flash company cars and piled on loads of miles. They'll be on Audi's long service intervals too as fleet managed.

The engine itself is pretty bullet proof. It's all the electronic sensors that break. Mind you the turbo may give up the ghost too but even that's not a horrendous cost if you can get a second hand/recon one.

I'm plugging away in a 9 year old A3 1.8T and it still feels like new

cobraman2007 · Mar 8, 2007

Thanks guys - that's all I needed to know.

I was contemplating picking up a 50,000 mile engine and was wondering if it would make it to 100,000 without needing a rebuild or replacing. I guess if it is looked after well, it will go on without any trouble.

Incidentally, how long does a turbo last before it needs replacing then?

I was scouring the Mazda RX7 ads before the missus was expecting and they came as a twin turbo but the thing that put me off was the renesis engine which needed rebuilding every 40,000 miles or so. Horrendous prices of £2000 to £3000 for a rebuild put me off as the cars were going for around £5000. The owners also recommended an oil/filter change every 2,500 miles which seemed a bit much. This also put me off the RX8.

Cheers - Cobraman

Tallpaul · Mar 8, 2007

cobraman2007 said:
Incidentally, how long does a turbo last before it needs replacing then?

Not something i'd worry about until perhaps the top end of the mileage you are considering ownership 'til.

andycupra · Mar 8, 2007

only thing with 50,000 miles will be if the cam belt has been done.
most dealers now say 60,000...

RobM · Mar 8, 2007

Tallpaul said:
Not something i'd worry about until perhaps the top end of the mileage you are considering ownership 'til.

If the car is warmed up and cooled down I'd agree with that. However, if you drive the car hard before it's had a chance to get up to the correct operating temp... and you don't let the car cool down before turning the engine off after a good blast, I think you'll have trouble with the turbo much earlier on.

Chris 16v · Mar 8, 2007

Beleive me every car hass a weakness, i bought mine with 21k on it in November, at 33k now and the water pump has failed. One of the only real weaknesses i have heard of - saying that i LOVE my Cupra and wouldnt change it for the world, its fantastic.

Tallpaul · Mar 8, 2007

RobM said:
If the car is warmed up and cooled down I'd agree with that. However, if you drive the car hard before it's had a chance to get up to the correct operating temp... and you don't let the car cool down before turning the engine off after a good blast, I think you'll have trouble with the turbo much earlier on.

Sorry, all my statements were based on properly caring for the car. I'll add this disclaimer in future

RobDon · Mar 8, 2007

There is a Golf 1.8T on Vortex with over 200k miles on it.

cobraman2007 · Mar 8, 2007

Thanks for that guys - most appreciated.

I was thinking about buying a 50,000mile car and then adding perhaps another 50k in 5 years (which is what I did with the MX5).

Incidentally, how much does the water pump and cambelt service cost? Also, should I go through a SEAT dealer or would it be cheaper to go through an enthusiast mechanic's garage. Do only Seat dealers get to put their stamps on the servicebook or can authorised garages also do it?

Thanks.

RobM · Mar 8, 2007

Any garage can put a stamp in the book. If it's not a Seat garage it's worth keeping the receipt from the service too though, just to prove everything has been done according to Seats schedule.

The water pump and cambelt along with a service can be done for £250+ depending on where you go. Seat will generally be more expensive than a decent VAG independent garage, so if you are anywhere near a reputable specialist, check out their prices as well as Seats.

danieltm · Mar 8, 2007

So how often should the oil be changed?

LeedsLeon · Mar 8, 2007

5000 I do mine at myself, then get it done again with a full service at further 5000

Nathanio · Mar 8, 2007

Recommended is 10k with a service interval but obviously some do it earlier which is a good thing

RobM · Mar 9, 2007

A good quality oil will last longer than 10k miles, but you should have the car serviced every 10k miles as Seat suggest. And changing the oil in between services - say, every 5k miles - will go a long way to maintaining the engine and keep it running nicely for longer.

Nathanio · Mar 9, 2007

These 1.8Ts are hardy beasts and do go on and on and on and on like ariston! (Well maybe not ariston as they no longer exist

)

A well maintained engine should easily fo 150k and 200k before any issues arise. These VAG engines are well built and although there are some on here that have turbo issues or similar they are a tiny ickle percentage minority of those of the 1.8T produced.

Cupra Ross · Mar 9, 2007

The 1.8Ts are massively over-engineered for the task they were designed for. They will easily last 200k+ miles if meticulously maintained.

How long does the engine last?

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