Bora 4 Motion

[Boraboy]

Just a quick word of advice. Make sure that tyres are rotated (front to rear) at least every serivice to maximise tyre life. Also keep an eye on the rear end alignment as if this is not spot on rear tyres will not last long at all.

Boraboy

[Golf Loon]

Bora its a bit of an animal. Sounds like fun, but expensive on tyres.

Did they make a 1995 renault fuego? does it look like a 1985 one?

[imported_brackie]

I think they discontinued in 1985. I'll check with my Froggy car forum friends.

[imported_brackie]

Did they make a 1995 renault fuego? does it look like a 1985 one?

Checked with my Froggy friends and they replied:
"Fuegos did continue in Argentina until the mid 90's with wrap around bumpers and different grille etc..

I believe that Fuegos stopped selling in western Europe at around the same time they stopped here (if not earlier)"

and

"The last imports into Australia were in 1985. But I do remember seeing a new unregistered red Fuego on a Renault yard in early 1988, so there were a few stragglers left over from the unwanteds that were exported to NZ."

[Boraboy]

You are quite correct. Due being a fumble fingered computer laggard it should have read 1985 Feugo!

Silly, silly boy!

The tyre wear with the 4 motion now seems OK since I had the rear alignment checked and reset. It was out by some 9mm both sides combined and virtually equal each side which leads me to believe that it was incorrect from new. I have had the car from new and it has never rubbed a kerb, climbed a kerb or clouted a decent pothole.

Boraboy

[imported_brackie]

Disappointing to think that it would leave the factory like that. VAG and other German manufacturers are legendary fo their excellent quality control.

[JY Dog]

Yea truly it is I, Boraboy, reincarnated as JY Dog due to the fact that I had changed my e mail address and could no longer access this illustrious site! Foolish old curmudgeon!

However that is not the reason for this missive, no, this is to celebrate the mighty Bora 4 Motion clocking up totally reliable 100,000 kilometres. To date the Bora has totalled just over 29,000 km towing the Chalet A type van
(23,000 km) and the car trailer with the clubman for the remainder. Cruising at an indicated 95 - 100 kph the economy towing has been between 11.9 litres/100km to 14.5 litres/100km depending on terrain and the prevailing wind and generally averaging 12.8/100km. This makes the Dog very happy after talking to many people in caravan parks along his way who talk sadly of 19 – 26/100km. Interestingly the economy is better with the van than with the car trailer.

Cruising two up when not towing the economy hovers around 8.5litres/100km and around town (suburban and very little city) the economy averages 10.9/100km. On one trip of 4500 km with mixed towing and sight seeing the average was 11.5/100km. The car is usually cruised at around 110kmh on trips with bursts of higher speed when prudent or required and has seen 220 kph on very deserted stretch of highway in outback NSW. It may well have somewhat faster but Mrs Dog started mouthing threats against the well being of the Dog. In fact the car has never been driven with the intention of fuel economy. Despite being told a number of times that using BP Ultimate can improve the fuel economy a test over 3500 km using Ultimate and the same on BP premium demonstrated that without changing driving habits in any way the economy was almost exactly the same with no noticeable improvement on performance. However a full test when towing is planned as the Dog found that with his previous car (Peugeot MI16) when towing there was a marked improvement in drivability.

The real plus marks for the Bora are (apart from the total reliability – thus far) is driving pleasure, comfort, handling, roadholding and performance all mixed with satisfactory economy. The effortless way that it eats the kilometres on bitumen or unsealed roads is a real plus. The minus marks are ….. um there must be some …. actually I must say that I am unimpressed with the leather on the edge of the driver’s seat bolster padding and... err... that’s it so far. Oh, yes there is one other thing; wiper blades are mind blowingly expensive and last about twenty minutes before they start streaking. I am surprised that VW cannot make a decent set of blades. Sure I have worn out blades on other cars before and I usually replace them twice a year but having fitted a new set purchased at great expense at Pt Macquarie I was exceedingly disappointed to find that they were streaking within three months … and this is in drought! At over $60 a pair one expects to make them last as long as possible.

I was actually wondering if the wiper arm from one of the Golfs would fit and thus enable me to fit cheaper blades. Does anyone know if this is so? If this is possible it would deal with my only beef with the VAG organisation.

It must be said that my ownership has been made even more enjoyable by the attention and service I have received from Burwin Motors from whence I purchased the car and where it has been serviced every time. I have never had a complaint with their work and the attention given to my requirements has been faultless. Sure services cost money but to actually get your money’s worth and never have a problem makes it, in my not so humble opinion, worth every cent. Without fail they have followed up every service with a phone call to make sure I am happy with the work carried out. Should I be in the market for another new car two things are almost certain, one it will be a VW and two I will purchase it from Burwin.

I now look forward to the next 100,000km.

JYD

[Bora Sport]

I have purchased replacement wiper blades from the likes of Supercheap or Car Bitz and installed them on my Bora 4Mo myself. They are no different from any other VW that I have owned. Last time was when Car Bitz had a sale and I purchased 4 pairs at about $6.00 each. One for the Beeza, one for the Bora, one for the Vento and a spare set for next time. They all take the same size and type replacement wiper blades (cut down where needed). I appreciate your loyalty to genuine VW parts but one thing for sure I would not pay $60.00 for wiper blades.

BTW my Bora 4mo has over 130,000k's on it. I too have seen 220 on the dial and as I live away from the city it sees 180 (very briefly and always one up on quiet roads with no intersections or driveways) about once a week. I use the car for work with every day being a little diiferent. Some stop start, some traffic, some highway cruising and some sprited driving and at the end of the day my average fuel consumption is usually around 9.6l/100 over around 160 or so k's per day. Interestingly I used to get roughly the same out of my VR6.

On cruise control with wfe and 2 kids, air on (always) and speed limit plus 6-8% it gets around 7.8 - 8.0 on a trip from here to the northern side of Brisbane. Once when I drove for it for most of the tank I got 724k's on one fill. Mind you according to the bowser it took 64.2 litres to fill. I'm pretty sure that that manual says that it is a 62 litre tank.

Check your thermo fans and make sure they are both running on the slow speed when you have the air on.

[JY Dog]

Believe me it was not loyalty to genuine VW parts that made me pay $60 a pair. Rather it was the fact that my Bora (2003) has wiper blades in a fancy housing which may have, or may not have, been intended to stop wiper lift a high speed. However following your information (many thanks) and the fact that I do not drive at high speed in the rain any more I will look further at alternatives. Including checking the Golf I have become the temporary custodian of.

Later this week we are heading off again with the caravan and I will carry out some more deatiled economy checks and get back with details. Like I have said the car has never been driven with fuel economy in mind although it doen't get thrashed, just driven somewhat briskly when the circumstances permit.

[sim2002]

good to see the bora running well into 100,000kms plus without worries
have to agree with you Jy it is great on long trips when i get a chance!