I am thinking of buying 1985 gslse with 225k miles. Should i automatically consider a rebuild or replacement? No mechanical issues at this time but
i dont want a beak down. Any suggestions . Thanks

 

If it's the original engine and runs fine, then just normal maintenance. However, I would go into a purchase like this thinking the engine life may not be that much longer.

The hard part will be telling how many engines it might have had in it's life. A compression test is always a good idea. Also, don't buy it thinking it will be a good daily driver without knowing the history as driven by you. At this point, a sellers word doesn't necessarily mean that much.

 

Here's a single data point - my original -SE engine went at 221k miles due to low compression. One day it would start and run just fine, and the next (hot) day, I couldn't get it restarted. The rotors would just spin and spin. As soon as we pull-started it with our Mazda6, it fired right up and I drove it home. In my case, all of the seals were just simply worn out - the oil control seals, the side seals, and it was drinking a fair amount of oil due to blow-by, however - it was REALLY well-lubricated for those last few thousand miles.

Just know that as long as the engine is running well now, you're on borrowed time. When it becomes gradually harder to restart when hot, you're getting near end of life.

A lot of the old timers here (*I consider myself one of them...) would say that once you start to experience symptoms, it's not worth the risk of damaging a rebuildable internal component. It doesn't sound like your cars engine is at that point,... yet. While the S3 13b is known for being nearly bullet-proof with it's 3mm apex seals and larger oil metering pump, it won't live forever. Enjoy it while it's still original, and trust it as much as you can. It'll give you some warning before it goes out.

 

Welcome to the board.

Contingency planning is a part of owning these cars, or at least it should be, especially when you're new to the one you own or even to them in general. It's a mindset. It's not a matter of "if" something is going to go wrong, it is a matter of "when". How prepared will you be for it? Owning it as a toy or piece of nostalgia affords you leeway, but if it's your daily driver, then the situation becomes a little more critical. As time goes by, and you KNOW what's in the car, and how it's being cared for and maintained, you will start to trust it more ... and rightfully so. I would say, if you're in a position to have a rebuild or replacement plan set up for that fateful day, then go for it. If you're not, then be vigilant in looking for signs, but not to the point of obsession or paranoia. Does that make sense? You got the car to enjoy, and you should. For some of us, the process of getting it right is a part of the enjoyment.

This is called imparted wisdom. Take heed to LongDuck's words here.

This is my official laugh for the day.

 

my friends and i regularly used to see GSL-SE's with 300, or even 400k on them.

however they don't get to that kind of mileage by accident, if you want any car to be reliable you need to make sure that it has fluids in it, and the tires and belts are ok, and things like this.