I am looking to import a Delica L300 from Japan and am planning on doing most of the work myself whenever possible. How many miles is too many for buying one used sight unseen? I'm looking at one with 280k km thinking about how for any gas vehicle that would be too many to buy but I know the diesels will go 500k easy. I was planning on limiting myself to 200k but is that necessary? Any other components to look out for on a higher mileage van?
How many miles/km is too many?
- Thread starter cbreece
- Start date
The youngest L300 Delicas are 20 years old, at this stage age is a bigger problem than mileage. A low mileage 20+ year old vehicle will have perished rubber components: coolant hoses, cambelts, oil seals, brake hoses. Sitting around not being used will have formed sludge/rust in the cooling system and brakes. A low mileage vehicle will be in better condition cosmetically, but you'd want to do a thorough mechanical overhaul before putting it into regular use.
A van that's been used regularly will (probably) have been maintained better. One caveat on the 4D56: the oil needs to be changed every 5000km. It's a dirty old engine and messes up its oil quickly, an engine that hasn't seen regular oil changes will start to lose compression, make higher EGTs, leak oil, and smoke around 250,000km. It'll run forever, it just won't be very happy about it.
A van that's been used regularly will (probably) have been maintained better. One caveat on the 4D56: the oil needs to be changed every 5000km. It's a dirty old engine and messes up its oil quickly, an engine that hasn't seen regular oil changes will start to lose compression, make higher EGTs, leak oil, and smoke around 250,000km. It'll run forever, it just won't be very happy about it.
I like the thought process here and obviously I know importing one sight unseen is a bit of a gamble no matter what the mileage is. Is there an ideal range you would say you would aim for in my shoes?
L.G.
Active Member
Two camps on this:
1. go low mileage, budget up front to immediately hit all the fluids/belts/hoses/rad, etc. like growlerbearnz said it's not really about the engine so much as everything else at this point
2. go whatever mileage but used/maintained
Out of sheer impatience I went with option 2, 200,000 km in this case, but it was in my continent and general area of the world and specifically was living in an area with some of the best known delica mechanics and getting serviced by them. So far, so good there.
If importing I'd take option 1 since you get so little mechanical information abt the vehicle prior to bidding. This is how a lot of the importer/resellers roll- they won't touch option 2 vehicles typically and are betting the lesser driven models will run just fine after a go thru on the above, most Japanese made vehicles of this era will after all. Hang tight for a low kays one that tickles you, it'll come up. I saw a lovely looking grade 4 in the last week, for example.
1. go low mileage, budget up front to immediately hit all the fluids/belts/hoses/rad, etc. like growlerbearnz said it's not really about the engine so much as everything else at this point
2. go whatever mileage but used/maintained
Out of sheer impatience I went with option 2, 200,000 km in this case, but it was in my continent and general area of the world and specifically was living in an area with some of the best known delica mechanics and getting serviced by them. So far, so good there.
If importing I'd take option 1 since you get so little mechanical information abt the vehicle prior to bidding. This is how a lot of the importer/resellers roll- they won't touch option 2 vehicles typically and are betting the lesser driven models will run just fine after a go thru on the above, most Japanese made vehicles of this era will after all. Hang tight for a low kays one that tickles you, it'll come up. I saw a lovely looking grade 4 in the last week, for example.
There is a third option. Go for a Delica with a new D4BF engine already installed, that's what I did. (My 1991 Delica currently has 319,000km, but the engine was replaced in May 2016 when it had around 282,000km along with upper and lower ball joints, inner/outer tie rods, brake pads & calipers, and an oil catch can.
Thus, I have a 4 year old engine with 37,000 km on it.
L.G.
Active Member
Nice! This is kind of akin to what folks do with Westys but with a more mechanically worthy platform I'd say. Where would one source such a rig?
How much does it cost to replace the engine? I personally wouldn't mind getting one with higher mileage and expecting to replace the engine in a few years down the line. Would have to be a clean vehicle to go that long though...
Official Hyundai D4BF Engine Purchase Thread (July 2020)
For Future Orders Go to our Website It's official! All 12 engines from our last order have found their forever homes. After a very busy month we can say that our first D4BF group order was a wild success. It's time for round 2! D4BF Engines or D4BHs are also now available for the same price...
delicaforum.com
It's $4000 for a new engine (with new turbo, new alternator, new Injection Pump and Injectors, and new cooling fan)
You really want to ensure that you do not buy a car with a lot of mileage on it. Also before buying a used vehicle, You can also run an online VIN check that provides you with detailed history of any vehicle.
This will ensure that you are not buying a damaged car or a car with defects
This will ensure that you are not buying a damaged car or a car with defects
L.G.
Active Member
To circle back on this, I emphatically recommend buyers stick to #s 1 and 3 above. My option 2 rig immediately needed a new engine and a lot more. Seller colluded w a mechanic shop to grossly misrepresent the vehicle.
Aside from auction NEVER buy sight unseen- sellers can't resist ripping you off in that scenario, it's just too easy.
Doing it again, I'd avoid the Canadian market entirely (not the resellers but individuals) and try and grab one fresh from Japanese auction or from another US owner who has invested in proper care of the van.
Good luck!
Aside from auction NEVER buy sight unseen- sellers can't resist ripping you off in that scenario, it's just too easy.
Doing it again, I'd avoid the Canadian market entirely (not the resellers but individuals) and try and grab one fresh from Japanese auction or from another US owner who has invested in proper care of the van.
Good luck!