Following on from the discussion on John's split thread, I got to wondering how much mileage the typical old VW covers in a year these days.
My cars have limited mileage insurance policies, the oval, which is my favourite car to drive has a limit of 3000. In the last year I have taken it to as many shows with a vintage or stock theme as I could and used it regularly on dry days. I have also used it for work on a few occassions, a round trip of 52 miles.
It seems to benefit from being used, the engine and running gear all feel better after a long drive. I also find that the 6 volt electrics work extremely well and the battery remains fully charged provided I give it a good run once every couple of weeks.
My World champion beetle, gets far less use, mostly because I drive the Oval so much, it seems that a consequence of this was the need for it to have pretty major work carried out on it this year for its MOT, the brakes needed a major overhaul including new slave cylinders, shoes and a general freeing off. It needed a new clutch and engine oil seals. The garage who carried out the work and know the car well, insisted that this was because it does so few miles and that I should use it more.
Their case was perhaps bourne out by the fact that when the oval was MOT'd a couple of days later, it flew through its MOT, the garage actually complemented me on its excellant mechanical order. Including the balance and efficiency of the brakes!
My latest aquisition is a late model Cabrio, so the oval might do fewer miles this year if we get a reasonable summer!
So how much do you use your old VW and what is the right balance of use and storage to preserve it for the future?
Mike
July 1957 UK supplied RHD Oval. 1972 World Champion Beetle. 1978 UK supplied RHD 1303LS Cabriolet. 1973 UK supplied RHD 1303s.