AU Series the new E-series?

AU Mont · 03-07-2013, 02:13 PM

I think all of us here sometime has praised the AU as a rugged reliable car, that surpasses the e-series which we all know havnt aged very well regarding reliability.

But as the AU gets older, is the "reliability" line wearing thin? Is it getting on in years enough to see many random problems popping up without the right care?

Or is the AU model still tough enough to become a reliable cheap car to own?

**Polyal** · 03-07-2013, 02:41 PM

Its still tough and the best value 2nd car on the market is you need space and practicability.

B series is the new E series, you can keep that rear end.

mikeeman_ford · 03-07-2013, 02:52 PM

I think parts are going to be harder to get, but they are easy cars to fix, the last of the single OHC, so the R&D was at the max.
They just need some TLC regarding servicing the gearbox and components and they will last for a while
They are just orphans becuase people thought they were ugly, so they are neglected in that respect. Bare bones, great car !!!

revcore · 03-07-2013, 02:56 PM

Lately I have noticed a few 6 cylinder AU's popping up with blown head gaskets...Suprises me because they have the MLS head gasket which is far superior than that on the E Series 6 cylinder engines. Poor maintenance for the most part regarding blown head gaskets in a AU.
In the end it all boils down to how you look after your AU. If it is serviced at the correct intervals and is looked after then it should give many more years of excellent motoring.
Like my dad always said "Look after your car and it'll look after you".

Road_Warrior · 03-07-2013, 02:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AU Mont

But as the AU gets older, is the "reliability" line wearing thin? Is it getting on in years enough to see many random problems popping up without the right care?

Yep, our AU wagon that we recently offloaded was a pile of crap, it demonstrated that it was no different to all Falcon generations before it, age and wear take their toll. And as with every Falcon generation before it (and after it no doubt) as they get older and cheaper, clever bastards with the fix-it know how will keep them on the road no matter what.

Maka · 03-07-2013, 03:47 PM

Au's are better looking in my eyes for starters so i take a little exception to the title

Depends on how much money you've got & how much you love them! Maintence is the key, but sourcing parts down the track may become a headache because all of us will be trying to buy em up! Its up to us to look after them properly & not let them run down - Au's have a unique place in automotive history thats for sure.

cheers, Maka

raised by monkeys · 03-07-2013, 05:14 PM

upside to AU is that some parts are compatible with BA/BF as with its wheel offset and IRS prevent it i think from having the e-series (i.e old, last generation) stigma attached to them. Its asthetics are also a little head of its time.

XR6_661 · 03-07-2013, 05:39 PM

Take it back op.

Take it back!

AU Mont · 03-07-2013, 06:49 PM

since selling my AU i havnt had something to repair once a week......... i must be bored because i still miss it haha

AU Mont · 03-07-2013, 06:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Road_Warrior

clever bastards with the fix-it know how will keep them on the road no matter what.

thats the thing, i really like the luxo AU's, but i wouldnt say im an enthusiast.

An enthusiast doesnt mind how often repairs are needed.

The regular guy who spends a heap of money fixing the thing, only to have more things go wrong puts it up on carsales and sells it. The description of the ad usually runs through all the stuff theyve spent repairing it to no avail

portokatsiki · 03-07-2013, 11:06 PM

Au falcons are no different to any other series. If any series falcon is maintained the same and treated right they should last for ages inho

SantoAU · 03-07-2013, 11:26 PM

I've recently been entertaining the idea of going b-series...

I feel dirty

KR1STO · 03-07-2013, 11:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AU Mont

An enthusiast doesnt mind how often repairs are needed.

I can vouch for that..!

KR1STO · 03-07-2013, 11:52 PM

Having just bought another AU LWB. It surprised me how well it was maintained. Being a 'pretty much' one owner car for it's life may have played a big role in it though..
Now, I have changed quite a few things on it, radiator, struts, header tank, thermostat, coil pack, leads, plugs and brakes. But I figured that I will be keeping it for a while so I might as well start with everything done and then keep up the preventative maintenance to minimise any breakdowns.
Sure they're going on 15 years now. But by maintaining the 'up keep' they should be able to go on for another 15.

I would buy another AU and another and another and another..

LeadFoot81 · 04-07-2013, 03:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AU Mont

I think all of us here sometime has praised the AU as a rugged reliable car, that surpasses the e-series which we all know havnt aged very well regarding reliability.

But as the AU gets older, is the "reliability" line wearing thin? Is it getting on in years enough to see many random problems popping up without the right care?

Or is the AU model still tough enough to become a reliable cheap car to own?

Mate, they're rugged and reliable but s*** wears out after hundreds of thousands of KMs. It's called wear and tear. They're not indestructible!

Evgeni · 04-07-2013, 08:56 AM

Another few months and I will be joining the 300K club :o)

**Uncle_Ken** · 04-07-2013, 09:26 AM

I think the BA boys have always looked at us "AU lads" the same way we did the “E series” boys. I always liked you could get E series stuff a lot cheaper than AU and there was so much guys had done with their rides on all levels (hard core rebuilds and plastic surgery like mine). Now time has passed you could say the same about how the “FG series” clan would look at BA’s (remember BA’s started rolling out in over 10 years ago).
I reckon just like the E series, as long as you can get parts at a good price, you are happy with the look and feel of your ride you will stay with it. As soon as it becomes a chore you will upgrade to whatever takes your fancy…
UK

AU Mont · 04-07-2013, 09:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LeadFoot81

Mate, they're rugged and reliable but s*** wears out after hundreds of thousands of KMs. It's called wear and tear. They're not indestructible!

wow 2 smileys........... mustve really hit a chord with you?

Maka · 04-07-2013, 11:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Evgeni

Another few months and I will be joining the 300K club :o)

I'm already there, 307,580 or something, she'll get to a million no prob!

cheers, Maka

FGII-XR6 · 04-07-2013, 11:59 AM

the E series never had the reliability that the AUs have had. the AU will be remembered as the best built / engineered falcon in it's time. sure they are getting old and some poorly maintained ones are having issues but as a whole they are hard to kill. My experience from taxi days was positive and the AU walked all over the BA for reliability.
The AU I mainly drove as a cab is still on the road as a daily runaround and is now over 900 000 Ks and never had the head off it . starts first time every time