You should get "ECO MODE" upon inserting your key only when you have done something that drains the car battery while the car is not started, e.g. switch on the radio, turn on the wiper, or simply lock/unlock the car door many times. If you simply park your car for couple days without touching it, "ECO MODE" should not come so easily. Just be careful as it can be an early sign of battery dying.

Please be reasonable. He is talking about every time going to SC to fix something, not per year.

My 308VTi, 3.5 years old now, 95K mileage.

1. Battery life is ok, can last 1.5 years. Change outside around RM320
2. Gearbox solenoid valves changed under warranty at 30K. (Sport + Snow error)
3. Front brake disc changed at 60K
4. Front door speakers spoilt in less than 3 years. Change to aftermarket speakers
5. Valve cover gasket changed under warranty, just before 3 years warranty ends.
6. Recently, right after 3 years, changed the following within 2 months timeframe:
- Vacuum pump O-ring (engine oil leak)
- O2 Sensor (anti pollution error)
- Oil filter housing gasket (engine oil leak)

What I can say is, the rubber gaskets in our engine are really not that durable. I would expect them to last at least 5 years, not 3 years. And when they fails, engine oil will leak, and my wallet leaks also, because engine oil is very expensive. Each litre is RM60.

308 windscreen replacement is only RM2500, all in. That's the amount that Kurnia reimbursed Nasim when I claim for windscreen 1.5 years ago.

Cost of maintenance for contis will be higher, no doubt about it. For every 10K service, minimum spending for my 308VTi is around RM400, since engine oil itself is already RM300.

But the other point is the reliability of the part. Like what I have mentioned, rubber seals/O-rings in our engine tends to fail very fast, less than 5 years. I am not sure about other makes, but at least for my Kenari, I only changed the valve cover gasket at 8 years at about 150K. But for my 308VTi, I have already changed the following at about 3 years/80K km

1. Valve cover gasket
2. Water chamber O-ring (near thermostat)
3. Vacuum pump O-ring (if you go back SC, they will ask you to change the whole pump, which cost about RM700)
4. Oil filter housing gasket.

1, 3, 4 causes engine oil leak. 2 causes coolant leak. These are not major problems, but just a hassle. For non car enthusiasts, it will be too much.

Never go fast in your spare. Keep the spare as a spare only, fix the punctured tyre, and use it back.

Your spare will have zero wear, while other tyre will have some wear. If your mileage is just a few thousand KM then it should be ok. But more than that, the difference in thread depth will be significant.

For wipers on my 308, I have used the following within 3 years

1. original from SC (super expensive, RM130 per side)
2. Sumo from Mid Valley (din use at all, silicone too hard, scared will scratch windscreen)
3. Bosch multiclip (cheap, around RM130 per pair, but did not last)

In the end, I tool the Bosch multiclip (28" both sides) to an accessory shop, and ask them to swap the rubber to PIAA silicone. Should be able to last for at least couple years.

oh.... I have used Valeo also, (VALEO SILENCIO X-TRM VM480, paid about RM170 per set from a spare part shop in KL. The good wiping action only lasted for less than 6 months. And worst thing is, you cannot change the rubber on Valeo, unlike the original/Bosch. That's because for Valeo wiper, the wind deflector and wiper blade is actually one single piece of rubber,

This post has been edited by victor_hoh: Jun 5 2013, 12:15 PM

small problems la... those are plastic parts. just cleanup the transferred white paint. You will still get scratches on the plastic, but it will be barely visible.

The problem lies with the carbon built-up, not with the timing chain. The carbon built-up on the intake valves stresses the timing chain and causes it to snap.

It is from the door hinge. I have this problem at the front passenger door too. 308.

My front speakers spoiled in less than 3 years. Replaced with a pair of 6.5" Coaxial Pegasus. Sounds much better now, compared to the ori 5.5" speakers in 6.5" casing.

308 BTW.

This post has been edited by victor_hoh: Jun 27 2013, 10:57 AM

I think so.

Until today, 407 still have a special place in my heart. Both exterior and interior design, ride and handling are simply superb. Potholes and road irregularities are well hidden by the exceptional suspension. Some 508 owners who upgrades from 407 even claims that 407 has a better suspension setup.

I strongly disagreed with helping other cars to jump start. Dont want to risk it. Too many electronics in the car already. Any surge in current might kill one or two sensors.

Unless you disconnect the battery from your 408 first.