3g TL Long Term Reliability - Lifespan?
07-07-2009, 09:17 AM
#1
Drifting
Thread Starter
3g TL Long Term Reliability - Lifespan?
for a well maintained 3G TL - how long should the major components - motor, transmission, etc - last>
what are the highest mileage TLs on this forum? anyone with way way over 100k? 150k? 200k?
also - what kind of maintenance costs shoudl one expect on a TL, aside from regular things like tires, brakes, oil - on a TL-S from 30k up to 100 or 120k?
trying to assess how much the true "cost to own" will be if I buy a used TL-S and hang onto it for about 5-6 years... buy used at about 20-30k and then own it until 100-120k over the next 6 years.
thanks.
what are the highest mileage TLs on this forum? anyone with way way over 100k? 150k? 200k?
also - what kind of maintenance costs shoudl one expect on a TL, aside from regular things like tires, brakes, oil - on a TL-S from 30k up to 100 or 120k?
trying to assess how much the true "cost to own" will be if I buy a used TL-S and hang onto it for about 5-6 years... buy used at about 20-30k and then own it until 100-120k over the next 6 years.
thanks.
07-07-2009, 09:35 AM
#2
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Well, I can't tell you for sure what will happen to a very high mileage TL, but my '04 is going on 80K with no major problems so far, just regular maintenance and such. I did have a steering fluid line crack last winter and leak all over my exhaust (smelly 
) but that was a recall item which got taken care of for free.
As far as transmission issues go, there seems to be a new(ish?) theory going around indicating that the problem is with the 3rd and 4th clutch sensors (don't quote me) and not the transmission itself. Some guys are replacing those as a preventative measure around 50k miles, for pretty cheap.
linky:
https://acurazine.com/forums/3g-tl-2004-2008-93/very-interesting-conversation-my-transmission-builder-tl-721508/
I do know that the type-S is a slightly different animal than older base 3g's so I can't really lend any experience there..
) but that was a recall item which got taken care of for free.As far as transmission issues go, there seems to be a new(ish?) theory going around indicating that the problem is with the 3rd and 4th clutch sensors (don't quote me) and not the transmission itself. Some guys are replacing those as a preventative measure around 50k miles, for pretty cheap.
linky:
https://acurazine.com/forums/3g-tl-2004-2008-93/very-interesting-conversation-my-transmission-builder-tl-721508/
I do know that the type-S is a slightly different animal than older base 3g's so I can't really lend any experience there..
07-07-2009, 10:35 AM
#3
Front Brembos on a TL-S don't last very long, and are expensive to replace. $150 for just the pads, and that is if you buy online. If you buy at the dealer, they are $200+. I have 8,700 miles on mine, and they need to be replaced within 3k miles.
Nobody knows about the rest, the car hasn't been out that long. The 5AT is modified version of the RL's trans, so hopefully it's not as weak as the previous version.
Nobody knows about the rest, the car hasn't been out that long. The 5AT is modified version of the RL's trans, so hopefully it's not as weak as the previous version.
07-07-2009, 11:09 AM
#4
Safety Car
my brembos last me about 35k miles and plenty of people have over 150k on the car without major issues. the brakes are expensive and if you bitch about them you shouldnt own this car..... 150$ for a set of extremely powerful pads is nothing compared to other manufacturers but there are alternatives so i wouldnt make it an issue. tranny issues im more than sure corrected to some degree on the type s. the 3.2 i have almost 100k and no major issues except for the rack n pump...i had them replaced a few times due to stupidity from honda and myself not realizing a few things.
07-07-2009, 12:04 PM
#7
Safety Car
yea it is...the people who dont abuse the cars, its very common.... if ur going very fast n then smashing the brakes dont expect to have them last long... i wouldnt expect the car to last long either at that rate.
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07-07-2009, 12:27 PM
#8
07-07-2009, 12:47 PM
#9
Senior Moderator
I think the TL is very reliable and will definately last well over 100K miles. The biggest maintenance item is the timing belt at 100-110K. Other than that, if you can change the oil, replace the break pads and rotate tires your good to go.
07-07-2009, 12:52 PM
#10
anyways my TL has 80k on it and I am not planning on getting rid of it anytime soon. I take care of it so im hoping itll make it to 250k 
Right now the car is my daily driver but ill prob replace it with a m3 in a year or so. I will never get rid of the TL tho. Same thing with my accord, it has 230k on it and I swear the thing runs like its new
Right now the car is my daily driver but ill prob replace it with a m3 in a year or so. I will never get rid of the TL tho. Same thing with my accord, it has 230k on it and I swear the thing runs like its new
07-07-2009, 01:03 PM
#11
You can do them yourself for much cheaper. In fact, there are a lot of members here opting for Duralast pads from Autozone for about $60. Easiest brake job ever especially since you don't have to take the calipers of. Just punch out 2 pins, remove the spring and pads. Installation is the reverse of removal. Most times, it will take you longer to jack up the car and remove the wheel than to replace the pads.
07-07-2009, 01:04 PM
#12
07-07-2009, 01:12 PM
#13
07-07-2009, 01:18 PM
#14
Safety Car
oh no? it has nothing to do with abuse?? Go slam ur gas a few hundred times then go smash ur brakes right after, then tell me how abuse doesnt ruin the brakes on the car so fast.
ive been around enough cars my whole life to know whats done to brakes and how to determine the driving style of a person based on how trashed the brakes are(usually a lot more than JUST brakes are shot when you really look at the big picture).
Ill tell u one thing, the trannies on these cars, they dont break because people are gentle on them..they break because they are abused... u know what....theres really no 100% way to determine abuse but i can tell you its about 98% of the reason as to why it breaks. but its a good thing because then the trannies wouldnt be improved otherwise and honda wouldnt revise them.
The same thing goes for the motor mounts....if it wasnt for abusive or wait lets use a nicer word...spirited driving then we'd never know how shitty the OEM mounts really are. Therefore Innovative would have no reason to make replacements and we wouldnt need them.
ive been around enough cars my whole life to know whats done to brakes and how to determine the driving style of a person based on how trashed the brakes are(usually a lot more than JUST brakes are shot when you really look at the big picture).
Ill tell u one thing, the trannies on these cars, they dont break because people are gentle on them..they break because they are abused... u know what....theres really no 100% way to determine abuse but i can tell you its about 98% of the reason as to why it breaks. but its a good thing because then the trannies wouldnt be improved otherwise and honda wouldnt revise them.
The same thing goes for the motor mounts....if it wasnt for abusive or wait lets use a nicer word...spirited driving then we'd never know how shitty the OEM mounts really are. Therefore Innovative would have no reason to make replacements and we wouldnt need them.
07-07-2009, 01:51 PM
#15
I just hit the 135k marker this week. Car is still riding like a champ. just motor got a little louder then when i first bought it. Wear and tears on the seat thats all and always the front bumper but motor seems to be good and will probably last me another 100k or so if i don't keep abusing it everyday
07-07-2009, 02:58 PM
#16
To the OP the TL should last well into the 150k range or higher if it is maintained well. If you search around I think there was a post a while ago with members posting there mileage.
Not to make this thread about brakes but I agree with tripnbeats your driving style will determine the longevity of you rotors and pads plus the realibilty of the car. I have 22k on my stock pads and rotors with a good ammount of pad left on each side.
Not to make this thread about brakes but I agree with tripnbeats your driving style will determine the longevity of you rotors and pads plus the realibilty of the car. I have 22k on my stock pads and rotors with a good ammount of pad left on each side.
07-07-2009, 03:01 PM
#17
But I'm much happier with the innovative mounts..much... I'm very far from an abusive driver, but I also didn't get a Type S to drive it like a 1980 Cadillac.
PS In regards to the brakes, I did change my front pads at 20K like a retard, just to realize I could of squeezed at least 5K on them.. I'm at 23K now with my original rear pads still on... and trust me when I say I use my brakes a lot, BUT efficiently.. I don't drag them, I used them to brake. stop.
Last edited by TeknoKing; 07-07-2009 at 03:04 PM.
07-07-2009, 03:07 PM
#18
BradE..... 8K and you are replacing your pads?? Unless you live on a steep hill and constantly mash your brakes pedal...this is nearly impossible... Do you track every week?
07-07-2009, 03:23 PM
#19
No track driving, and I don't drive the car hard either. The only real hard stop I've ever had to do was when a dumb bitch talking on her phone decided to slam on her brakes in the middle of the street.
07-07-2009, 03:26 PM
#20
I drive a Subata.
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my 05 TL is at 80K. no problems at all so far.
07-07-2009, 03:29 PM
#21
It's at 8700, I haven't replaced them yet. Like I said in my first post, they'll need to be replaced in about 3k miles.
No track driving, and I don't drive the car hard either. The only real hard stop I've ever had to do was when a dumb bitch talking on her phone decided to slam on her brakes in the middle of the street.
No track driving, and I don't drive the car hard either. The only real hard stop I've ever had to do was when a dumb bitch talking on her phone decided to slam on her brakes in the middle of the street.
Do they squeak? How are your rotors?
07-07-2009, 03:37 PM
#22
Errm, I brake like that every day as I live in NYC... still can't understand how at 11K you are changing your pads..but it's ok.. Can you at least measure the pad's thickness? Just to be sure... You can save the $$$ for a little while longer..
Do they squeak? How are your rotors?
Do they squeak? How are your rotors?
I think I can get away with just a pad change this time, the rotors appear and perform fine.
07-07-2009, 03:51 PM
#24
No squeaking, they do grunt quite a bit though. The rotors appear to be fine, the car stops straight and true, and there aren't any gouges or anything. When I swap out the pads, I'll post pictures of them.
I think I can get away with just a pad change this time, the rotors appear and perform fine.
I think I can get away with just a pad change this time, the rotors appear and perform fine.
07-07-2009, 05:18 PM
#27
Senior Moderator
Keep it cool guys....
The regular brakes seem to last far past 50k pad wise, however it is the factory rotors that need to be replaced/cut due to warping before that.
The Brembo's of course require brake changes at more frequent intervals due to their sporty nature. Get some new pads from a good dealership on the cheap and you'll be set!
Car wise, the only expensive repairs you may come across is the transmission, mainly in the 04 and early 05 TL's (Auto only). The reason for this is that the channels for lubrication were a little smaller than they should have been. Running to the 60K interval will surely destroy the trans since the fluid's heat dissipation and lubrication properties fade very quickly with extreme temps. Change the Automatic Transmission fluid every 30K and you'll be fine.
Other than that, not much to spend other than the 105K timing belt service and valve adjustment...
The regular brakes seem to last far past 50k pad wise, however it is the factory rotors that need to be replaced/cut due to warping before that.
The Brembo's of course require brake changes at more frequent intervals due to their sporty nature. Get some new pads from a good dealership on the cheap and you'll be set!
Car wise, the only expensive repairs you may come across is the transmission, mainly in the 04 and early 05 TL's (Auto only). The reason for this is that the channels for lubrication were a little smaller than they should have been. Running to the 60K interval will surely destroy the trans since the fluid's heat dissipation and lubrication properties fade very quickly with extreme temps. Change the Automatic Transmission fluid every 30K and you'll be fine.
Other than that, not much to spend other than the 105K timing belt service and valve adjustment...
07-07-2009, 07:46 PM
#29
Three Wheelin'
by no means am i attempting to hijack this thread- but its along the same lines, hope its valuable. I have an 08 TL-S, and it has 21K on her, and the past month I have noticed a "ticking, a high speed quick ticking, extreme high speed tick" from the front left wheel ONLY when I apply the brake. Was hoping you guys can perhaps point me to what it is, and what I can do to fix. TIA.
07-07-2009, 07:51 PM
#30
Three Wheelin'
90K on factory rotors and pads here...
then again I do all highway driving, and rarely have to touch the brakes. I literally drive down one side street to the highway and take it all the way into work. The brakes do need replaced now, and I'm actually having them done Thursday (SS lines, fluid, pads, and rotors.)
That said, expect rattles.... its usually a hit or miss thing. But if you get them, they'll never go away. If you take care of it, it'll last. I'm guessing I'll get well over 250K before I retire my 3G. 40-50K miles a year... shouldn't be that hard. I imagine I'll be at 110K by years end... 160k come the end of 2010. I'll drive the thing till I can't anymore. So long as I maintain my 30mpg+ highway mileage... I'm happy.
then again I do all highway driving, and rarely have to touch the brakes. I literally drive down one side street to the highway and take it all the way into work. The brakes do need replaced now, and I'm actually having them done Thursday (SS lines, fluid, pads, and rotors.)
That said, expect rattles.... its usually a hit or miss thing. But if you get them, they'll never go away. If you take care of it, it'll last. I'm guessing I'll get well over 250K before I retire my 3G. 40-50K miles a year... shouldn't be that hard. I imagine I'll be at 110K by years end... 160k come the end of 2010. I'll drive the thing till I can't anymore. So long as I maintain my 30mpg+ highway mileage... I'm happy.
07-07-2009, 08:23 PM
#31
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by no means am i attempting to hijack this thread- but its along the same lines, hope its valuable. I have an 08 TL-S, and it has 21K on her, and the past month I have noticed a "ticking, a high speed quick ticking, extreme high speed tick" from the front left wheel ONLY when I apply the brake. Was hoping you guys can perhaps point me to what it is, and what I can do to fix. TIA.
I have heard several other newer cars doing the ticking thing since I started listening for it. There was this Altima that I recall being particularly deafening.
07-07-2009, 08:25 PM
#32
ticking.. well.. inspect your tire.. a tiny rocky is wedged in it.. and thus the faster you go the louder the tick....
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07-07-2009, 09:04 PM
#34
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anyways my TL has 80k on it and I am not planning on getting rid of it anytime soon. I take care of it so im hoping itll make it to 250k
Right now the car is my daily driver but ill prob replace it with a m3 in a year or so. I will never get rid of the TL tho. Same thing with my accord, it has 230k on it and I swear the thing runs like its new
Right now the car is my daily driver but ill prob replace it with a m3 in a year or so. I will never get rid of the TL tho. Same thing with my accord, it has 230k on it and I swear the thing runs like its new
07-08-2009, 12:43 AM
#35
Longevity is gonna become an issue with me in the future. My daily driver died so starting this week, I'm driving my TL to work -- 160 miles roundtrip, 5 days a week. Just got it in December and already over 12K. Luckily, all highway miles. I have my MID display on the LANGUAGE SETTING screen just to avoid watching the mileage climb. It's a depressing feeling thinking about all the oil changes. Gotta get a new DD soon.
07-08-2009, 12:51 AM
#36
One on the right for me
I plan on having the TL for as long as possible. I'm at around 100k. Battery finally died on me three days ago.
I'm replacing the brembo pads about once a year. Other than that nothing major...not looking forward to the big service though
I'm replacing the brembo pads about once a year. Other than that nothing major...not looking forward to the big service though
07-08-2009, 03:22 AM
#37
I'm about to hit 120k miles on my '04 AT. The brakes/rotors needed to be fixed early in their life under warranty because they warped. Outside of that, no issues or repairs I can recall other than the usual oil change, tires, timing belt, etc. The biggest expense was the timing belt around the 100k mark. I'm about to replace my brake pads (hopefully not the rotors). They have been my biggest complaint about the car - they've been squealing to holy heck since they were initially replaced thousands of miles ago. I've taken it to the dealer and Firestone, but both said I had plenty of pad left and "de-glazed" the rotors, but the noise starts up again soon after. It's at its worst when it's cold outside or when the brakes are cold.
I've been thinking about replacing her in the next 20k miles or so, but can't find a car I like out there other than an A5, but that thing's overpriced. *sigh*... guess I'll keep driving her.
I've been thinking about replacing her in the next 20k miles or so, but can't find a car I like out there other than an A5, but that thing's overpriced. *sigh*... guess I'll keep driving her.
07-08-2009, 01:38 PM
#40
