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EV that does not track my every move (www.mozillafoundation.org)
submitted 10 months ago by to c/privacy@programming.dev
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I am sure this article has been shared before, however I wanted to have a look at this topic.
The articles short summary is this:

All 25 car brands we researched earned our *Privacy Not Included warning label – making cars the worst category of products that we have ever reviewed

I am currently driving a 2014 Ford Fiesta which just has a radio with a CD player and Bluetooth. I do not need more than that in a car.

The reason I am looking at all is that that the Fiesta does not belong to me and the friend owning it will be moving out in a bit, so I kinda need another one.

There seems to be one brand that is not as bad as the other ones (but still bad): Renault; mozilla's review...
Maybe I will have a look at their cars.

What do you guys think? Stick to older used cars and not use an EV or look at which of the manufacturers have the least bad privacy policy?

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[–] 2 points 10 months ago* (1 child)

Ive owned a lot of old diesel Mercedes. Yes, it will run forever but you have to adjust the valves and check the chain stretch annually and no one will do this for you so you will be stained black from diesel engine oil. All the accessories will stop working including the electric windows, except the oil pressure gauge and the speedometer which doesn't matter in a 240 anyway. The drivers seat will lean outboard and the ignition cylinder will break and leave your key stuck in ACC. The subframe bushings will go and you'll be waggling your tail at everyone behind, you hot little diesel tart.

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  • [–] 3 points 10 months ago* (1 child)

    Ive owned a lot of old diesel Mercedes.

    You. I like you. Know any good parts sources besides Pelican?

    Yes, it will run forever but you have to adjust the valves and check the chain stretch annually and no one will do this for you so you will be stained black from diesel engine oil.

    I'm aware. It has nearly 500k miles on the odo already. Valve adjustments are easy. Though I'm curious - does the engine need to come out to change the chain if it's too stretched? There's plenty of room...

    All the accessories will stop working including the electric windows, except the oil pressure gauge and the speedometer which doesn’t matter in a 240 anyway.

    Mine is a base model with crank windows and manual climate controls. The door locks barely work as it is; I'll be replacing them anyway though.

    The oil pressure gauge is also leaking a bit. Any tips on an electric replacement? Or should I just fix what's in there?

    Oh! Believe it or not, the AC still works. Barely. But it works.

    The drivers seat will lean outboard

    Too late.

    and the ignition cylinder will break and leave your key stuck in ACC.

    That's good to know. What should I look for before this happens?

    The subframe bushings will go and you’ll be waggling your tail at everyone behind, you hot little diesel tart.

    This one seems to drive quite nice for its age and miles. Though we shall see how it does

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  • [–] 3 points 10 months ago (1 child)

    AC in a 240 huh...you have to block off time in Outlook for onramps.

    I still have my gasser W116 (also with crank windows lol) but havent ordered parts in forever. I think I used to use Peachparts sometimes? And EBay of course.

    The locks and AC are probably related. Even the manual AC has vacuum pods I think. Buy a Mityvac and start chasing vacuum leaks. Probably cracked runner connectors, but if your trans shifts 1-2 hard too there's a bigger leak.

    Timing chain can be done in the car. Get the manual on CD, shows you everything.

    Keep mechanical oil gauge, electric ones are junk. Bet you anything the flare fitting on the back is just loose. Screw it down, or replace the gauge with another one.

    You'll probably get a keybhang or two resolved by wiggling before your key gets stuck. Keep a light key chain and I think a little graphite lube in the lock helps, but you can preemptively just replace it with a new cylinder from Mercedes, keyed to your code. Or you used to be able to. At any rate a hung key is bad juju.

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  • [–] 1 point 10 months ago (1 child)

    Right on, thanks!

    The locks and AC are probably related. Even the manual AC has vacuum pods I think. Buy a Mityvac and start chasing vacuum leaks.

    Good to know. Already got a mityvac specifically for this car. The system definitely has a few leaks, I can only get maybe two lock cycles in before it's done for (with the locks that still work, anyway)

    Probably cracked runner connectors, but if your trans shifts 1-2 hard too there's a bigger leak.

    Forgot to mention - it's a manual transmission 😅

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  • [–] 2 points 10 months ago (1 child)

    Oh lucky you, those are awesome.

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  • [–] 1 point 10 months ago

    Yeah, it really is. And you're not kidding about this:

    AC in a 240 huh…you have to block off time in Outlook for onramps.

    I don't know the last time it's been on the freeway, to be honest. But she's solid. I drove her to work today. Just hopped in and fired right up (after the glow plugs).

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