Testing greases…

Posted on August 7th, 2007 in Economy,Opinion by Julian Edgar

krytox.jpgOver the years I have often seen requests for tests on oils. Which is the best oil? Or, are there in fact any significant differences in oils?

In my opinion the best way of answering that question with a specific engine (eg the engine in your car!) is to have the oil that you are using analysed on a regular basis. That proves clearly whether or not the oil is in fact of sufficient quality for the job it is meant to be doing. (Oil analysis laboratories are as close as the Yellow Pages.) 

An allied subject is the efficacy of greases. In most – but not all – applications, grease quality isn’t as critical. However, there are still massive variations in price – and presumably, quality – of greases.  

Don’t spend the cash now – just wait…

Posted on August 2nd, 2007 in Opinion by Julian Edgar

750il.jpgOne of the weird things about cars is that they depreciate so incredibly fast. We’ve all heard how you lose 10 per cent (or more!) of the value of the new car the moment you drive out of the dealership. That’s bizarre enough, but the fact that sometimes the most expensive cars in the world are nearly worthless 20 years later is also quite amazing.  

I can remember the 1988 BMW 750iL being released; to me it represented a pinnacle of automotive excellence: a dream car of enormous expense. My priorities have changed, but even with my love of efficient hybrid cars, I’d still have a 750iL in my garage, if only just for cruising. But of course the sting in the tail is that, these days, pretty anyone can afford to buy the big BMW. (You’ll need about AUD$8000, probably nearer half that at wholesale auctions.)  

So in my memory of cars, I’ve seen cars drop 90 per cent or more in value: it’s what happens with nearly all cars. And it happens even more so with those cars fundamentally over-priced when they’re released. In Australia, that means the mid-sized and large Europeans. 

Time has a way of stripping away the bullshit and leaving just what is worthy; when a top of the line V6 Camry (Aurion today I guess, but I haven’t driven one) goes as well, stops as well and has similar equipment level to some expensive prestige Euros, well….. time will catch up with the value of the latter.  

But hey, look on the bright side. If you have your heart set on a car, you almost certainly will one day be able to afford it – except for those exotics made in very small numbers, that sentiment applies to any car.