Most cars have a maximum amount of mileage they can rack up before the inevitable happens and it breaks down, or becomes so costly to repair it’s no longer worth it. Everyone knows keeping your car well-maintained will extend its lifespan, but one German Opel Zafira owner is a reminder to us all how much of a difference it can make.
Andreas Schild of Frankfurt, Germany bought his 2.2-liter DTi Zafira with Selection Executive trim new in 2002. The 125 horsepower people mover has racked up 500,000 kilometers (over 310,000 mi) since, and Schild has only had to keep up with routine maintenance. Apart from usual wear parts (brakes, air filter etc.), the only components he’s replaced are two suspension struts and a power steering pump.
“Apart from being used as business vehicle on a daily basis, the flexible van is also frequently seen on trips to southern Europe to buy wines and Mediterranean delicacies,” said Schild. “Once I loaded 495 wine bottles and I never had the feeling that I was asking too much of the car.”
Schild was en route to Opel’s headquarters in Russelsheim to meet up with company CEO Dr. Karl-Thomas Neumann when his Zafira’s odometer turned past the 500k mark. Neumann is just as delighted as Schild to see his Zafira last this long with minimal maintenance required.
“Mr. Schild’s Opel Zafira is an example of the core values of our brand: German engineering and precision combined with high user value are essential components of our brand DNA,” said Neumann.
Comments
310000 miles is it ? My dad has a 1993 chevy Silverado with 540,000 miles on it and the motor has never been rebuilt or anything major done to engine. It is his work truck and still drives it every day.
“Only 310,00 miles”? Did the article state this Zafira is on the “fritz” or being put out to pasture?
While the “540,000 miles” on your Father’s Silverado is an impressive testimony to the quality of his GM-made pickup and his desire to maintain it as best as he is able and willing, it’s also 9 years older than the Zafira.
That Zafira will probably continue going strong and racking up the Kilometers.
I thought the article was quite a positive story but, there’s ALWAYS someone who has to put something or someone else down.
Read carefully and diligently and to think about. Only normal maintenance, nor had any repairs. this mileage is decent but definitely propagation usuuremate mileage with these same machines as well as certainly, perhaps, more repairs needed. okay it depends on a lot of different things. However, this machine seems to already decent pictures to a mileage and thus have a very good result. diislitel usually tends to be more problematic, regardless of the make of the car. this machine, it seems that a lot still needs to adopt.
and it is a pretty small diesel also not a big six-liter