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Hi there

I was looking at getting an AWD wagon, and aside from a Legacy, the only options seem to be Audi A4s, Volkswagen Passat, Skoda Octavia and BMW.

The years I’m looking at are 2010 upwards and NZ new.
I am however concerned. I am a believer in “oil is relatively cheap, engines are not”, and have never really gone more than 8000kms between an oil change, I know I could probably go 10,000. However the manufactures of a lot of European cars seem to make outrageous claims on their service intervals. I.e: Skoda 2 year 30,000km and BMWs often 20,000 or more. Should I be concerned about buying a 5 year old one that I intend to keep long term?

Thanks heaps

Hi there,
I have not heard of any stats to say that long term engine life is compromised by extra long service intervals. I would imagine the oil they use is specially designed to last that long and the level would most certainly require a check or top-up inside those 20-30k.
It may also be that a change to regular yearly/10k service intervals would be something you could revert back to after purchase.