Maintenance Records...

[quietguy_imp]

[LongRanger_imp]

Indeed. I forgot to mention that I also record the cost of each service line item, so when I'm feeling especially anal, I can quickly calculate the service cost per mile of operation. My BMW's are expensive on a cost/mile basis. It's interesting to see how my maintenance costs decrease over time (which might be counter-intuitive) but explained by the fact that I'm reluctant to continue to pour money into a vehicle after a certain point -- good money after bad, I suppose. At a certain point, I just let it die a nice, gradual death.

To the Sears lifetime warranty topic, it's true. My dad bought a new Sears battery for our '56 Jag XK140 in April 1965. The car has a weak generator (alternator) and has a tough time keeping the battery charged. We trot down to Sears every few years and demand a replacement. We pull out the receipt and they can't believe it, but they honor it. We've been doing this for 50 years.

[the Ferret]

Longranger I've always had this theory..

pick one of your cars and one of your motorcycles and give me the cost per mile of operation

[Motogeezer1949_imp]

I ride. Life is too short.

[flynrider]

I just keep a strip of paper for each bike magnetically attached to the refrigerator. Whenever I do maintenance or replace consumable parts, I just make a note of the date and mileage on the list.

Since it's on the refrigerator, I see it often and it reminds me when things like oil changes and air filter cleanings are due.

Low tech, but it works for me.

[LongRanger_imp]

Longranger I've always had this theory..

pick one of your cars and one of your motorcycles and give me the cost per mile of operation

1998 BMW K1200RS vs 1999 VW Passat, both purchased new and both relatively expensive to maintain:

At 100k miles:
BMW: $0.114/mile ($11,428)
VW: $0.057/mile ($5,702)

At 130k miles:
BMW: $0.116/mile ($15,100)
VW: $0.079/mile ($10,200)

The BMW has expensive 12k valve inspections and eats tires every 5-6k miles. The amount above includes a $575 extended warranty that more than paid for itself. I've since reduced the frequency of the valve inspections and they have been fine. Early in the bike's life, I had the dealer perform much of the service, but now I do most of it myself. Doubtful I'll ever sell it.

The VW was always dealer-serviced -- even oil changes. I replaced the car at 195k miles.

[the Ferret]

My maintenance logs hang behind my tool box on little hooks and there's a pen in the toolbox so do the work write it down and put tools away

My mileage calendar sits on the dining room table and mileage is recorded before I even climb out of my riding gear (cause my memory stinks so I write it down as soon as I get off the bike lol)

[Cormanus]

30/31 in December is pretty danged good in your part of the world, Ferret. Well done!

[the Ferret]

Thanks Cormanus, we've had a pretty mild winter so far.

Just for grins I just looked up last years record and I think you will find this amazing... I did


Dec 2015 30/31 2185 miles
Dec 2014 28/31 2180 miles

[Cormanus]

Two mild winters then!