Fuel pricing - time to take that tough decision?

[sgregory124]

Those numbers don’t add up? £70 vs £124 isn’t the same as £1.50/litre vs £2.00?

And it’s not £2 a litre at the moment, is it? And why would Momentum be an extra 20p/litre?

Seriously though, how many miles PA do you drive - work out that and see *if* fuel was to go up 50p a litre how much extra it will cost you. It may surprise you that even at 18mpg unless you’re doing large mileage (say over 10k PA) it could equate to little more than £100/month - in the grand scheme of costs running newish V8 cars perhaps not the end of the world?

Thats why I said the figures were 'approximate'.

I'd be interested to know what mileages people are actually doing in these cars, because you say 10k PA is 'large', when i'd class that as average or even low figure for me. I've averaged 7500 per year since July 2020 when I bought the car, but that was during pandemic travel restrictions, that number is only going to go up now with things being relaxed.

Maybe I was short sighted buying this as a daily driver, hindsight and all that....

 

[MikeInWimbledon]

 

[Skd884]

Thats why I said the figures were 'approximate'.

I'd be interested to know what mileages people are actually doing in these cars, because you say 10k PA is 'large', when i'd class that as average or even low figure for me. I've averaged 7500 per year since July 2020 when I bought the car, but that was during pandemic travel restrictions, that number is only going to go up now with things being relaxed.

Maybe I was short sighted buying this as a daily driver, hindsight and all that....

£15k cash ready...

 

[del320]

Owning a v8 amg and moaning about fuel £............

It did occur to me but I’m too polite to mention it

And since the good doctor remembers when fags went up to a quid, he must be almost my age!

Back in the day, when I were a lad, a gallon of petrol was round about six bob (30p) - roughly the same as two decent pints or a packet of Benson & Hedges. Try that nowadays! You boys don't know you were born...

My fuel is about 30% of total costs and that's at 26mpg and 3K miles per year. I'll just battle on...

 

[sgregory124]

£15k cash ready...

Is that the transport cost for your giant ego? Seems cheap that.

 

[A.J.]

And since the good doctor remembers when fags went up to a quid, he must be almost my age!

Back in the day, when I were a lad, a gallon of petrol was round about six bob (30p) - roughly the same as two decent pints or a packet of Benson & Hedges. Try that nowadays! You boys don't know you were born...

My fuel is about 30% of total costs and that's at 26mpg and 3K miles per year. I'll just battle on...

Yes, I remember putting 4 gallons in the car and getting change out of a quid too

 

[Rich764089]

I do more things locally and resent the lack of V8 spec luxury but it's not that big a difference.

Big decrease in fuel consumption! What did you move from/ to out of interest?

 

[pillow]

Thats why I said the figures were 'approximate'.

I'd be interested to know what mileages people are actually doing in these cars, because you say 10k PA is 'large', when i'd class that as average or even low figure for me. I've averaged 7500 per year since July 2020 when I bought the car, but that was during pandemic travel restrictions, that number is only going to go up now with things being relaxed.

Maybe I was short sighted buying this as a daily driver, hindsight and all that....

Here is some data on average mileage from ByMiles insurance.

So prior to COVID and lockdowns and the like the average was 7500-7000 since 2010 (I believe it was higher before that). Obviously dropped significantly in 2020 and I assume 2021 would be similar (probably up a bit from 2020).

Regardless, I also would say 10k miles a year is a lot and more than average (I suspect you would have to go back quite a bit to see if 10k ever was the average).

But as the others say, I don't really see how you can buy a V8 daily driver and get surprised that fuel is going to cost you a lot (and make changes in fuel prices all the more significant to you)

 

[MikeInWimbledon]

Big decrease in fuel consumption! What did you move from/ to out of interest?

I nearly halved my mileage and I've gone from doing 20,000 in mainly a 5.5 V8's (E500 and CL500), but also a fuel inefficient early Mx5, to a 320i touring.

I'd like to buy a SWB S class but they're only diesels in the UK, while SWBO says we "need" an estate and the S class is just too big.... so I'm stuck for the moment.

But "change is good."

 

[MikeInWimbledon]

Here is some data on average mileage from ByMiles insurance.

So prior to COVID and lockdowns and the like the average was 7500-7000 since 2010 (I believe it was higher before that). Obviously dropped significantly in 2020 and I assume 2021 would be similar (probably up a bit from 2020).

Regardless, I also would say 10k miles a year is a lot and more than average (I suspect you would have to go back quite a bit to see if 10k ever was the average).

But as the others say, I don't really see how you can buy a V8 daily driver and get surprised that fuel is going to cost you a lot (and make changes in fuel prices all the more significant to you)

There's loads of caveats to "average" mileage. The dispersal is wide.

I must have been a long distance lorry driver in a previous life, as I've spent most of my life finding any excuse to put my personal driving up near 20,000. Anyone commuting or doing "commercial" will be doing similar.

On the other hand, there's a surprising number of vehicles doing sub-3,000. Weekend cars, rail commuter cars, Londoners' cars, second home cars, convertibles, classics.

My neighbour is thinking of replacing her diesel with a hybrid "because it's the green thing to do."

Four years old, her BMW X3 has done 5k. That's, what, two tanks of fuel a year ?

.

 

[Spider10]

The wife's Audi is now on 12k miles and its not a year old yet , (3miles when bought) forget the v8 thing for a minute running any car is now expensive fuel wise

 

[sgregory124]

But as the others say, I don't really see how you can buy a V8 daily driver and get surprised that fuel is going to cost you a lot (and make changes in fuel prices all the more significant to you)

You misunderstand here - I bought the car knowing full well it was going to cost me big in fuel.

I also knew that fuel prices were only ever going to go in one direction, aside from one or two notable exceptions.

But, I would argue that there is a big difference between a natural increase in cost or regular inflation and factoring into your calculations, the possibility of a Russian nut job invading part of Europe, in the process sending the cost of fuel into the stratosphere? Bit of a difference….

So whilst I’m not surprised fuel has gone up post pandemic while the world settles down, I’d argue I can be forgiven for being ‘surprised’ that it’s at silly levels right now…..and needing consider all options.

 

[Wearsthefoxhat]

I was being hypothetical, but its a real possibility if things escalate in the East.

If it all goes badly, there will be little fuel for anyone, except for “the war effort”.. unless the “piggy eyed, short ass” decides to go big… gloomy

 

[MikeInWimbledon]

The wife's Audi is now on 12k miles and its not a year old yet , (3miles when bought) forget the v8 thing for a minute running any car is now expensive fuel wise

Not sure that I agree.

How much has her new car depreciated in that time, compared to the increased cost of fuel ?

The only way to look at cost of motoring is to run a spreadsheet, or fag packet, with the total cost.

 

[Spider10]

I can sell it today for more than I paid work that out

 

[Petrol Pete]

Do it , seriously . If you are concerned about the running costs going forward sell it now. I am not being glib or provocative here but you are seriously thinking of mothballing it selling it would be the best option.

You will be able to buy it back (or similar) for less in a years time. The used car bubble will burst at some point. Especially on 'thirsty' cars that are not 'Exotics'

 

[pillow]

You misunderstand here - I bought the car knowing full well it was going to cost me big in fuel.

I also knew that fuel prices were only ever going to go in one direction, aside from one or two notable exceptions.

But, I would argue that there is a big difference between a natural increase in cost or regular inflation and factoring into your calculations, the possibility of a Russian nut job invading part of Europe, in the process sending the cost of fuel into the stratosphere? Bit of a difference….

So whilst I’m not surprised fuel has gone up post pandemic while the world settles down, I’d argue I can be forgiven for being ‘surprised’ that it’s at silly levels right now…..and needing consider all options.

Yeah, perhaps. But with climate targets as they are I'd argue petrol/diesel prices were only ever going to go in one direction, the timescales and rate of which would be impossible to determine.

Regardless, I understand your situation. I got my motorbike a number of years ago to offset the petrol costs of my then car (BMW 630i). Big saving considering I could squeeze 99mpg out of it.

However with the advent of home working many people are in fortunate positions to not have to rely on filling up their car that often. Those stuck with jobs that cannot be done from home are unfortunately going to suffer the consequences.

On the basis of your mileage I would guess you do motorway/rural driving for the most part. Perhaps a cheap diesel runaround would provide a significant saving for you?

 

[sgregory124]

Do it , seriously . If you are concerned about the running costs going forward sell it now. I am not being glib or provocative here but you are seriously thinking of mothballing it selling it would be the best option.

You will be able to buy it back (or similar) for less in a years time. The used car bubble will burst at some point. Especially on 'thirsty' cars that are not 'Exotics'

I get what you're saying but, its not that simple i'm afraid. I'm midway through a 36-month PCP agreement, so an exit now will incur a huge penalty for me and one which I cannot rely on the increase in the used value of the car to cover the shortfall. Realistically, i'm not going to sell it - I've wanted another AMG since I sold my last one in 2004 and i've wanted a C63 (previously a SL55) since they came out, so i'm in this for the long haul, just need to ride this out I suppose.

 

[Spider10]

Imo the extra cost is worth it you don't get many smiles out of a micra

 

[sgregory124]

Yeah, perhaps. But with climate targets as they are I'd argue petrol/diesel prices were only ever going to go in one direction, the timescales and rate of which would be impossible to determine.

Regardless, I understand your situation. I got my motorbike a number of years ago to offset the petrol costs of my then car (BMW 630i). Big saving considering I could squeeze 99mpg out of it.

However with the advent of home working many people are in fortunate positions to not have to rely on filling up their car that often. Those stuck with jobs that cannot be done from home are unfortunately going to suffer the consequences.

On the basis of your mileage I would guess you do motorway/rural driving for the most part. Perhaps a cheap diesel runaround would provide a significant saving for you?

My position is weird actually. Up until 3 months ago, I was working from home exclusively, due to the pandemic, having been full time office based before then.

I now have to attend the office in Nottingham once a week, doing 8 miles each way, on purely urban roads (now back in heavy traffic for the most part) - so possibly the most uneconomical situation to be in.
Ironically, my last car was a diesel Audi and was a mile eater, never returning less than 40mpg, even when driven with a heavy right foot. Even more ironically, I opted to buy the C63 on the assumption that working from home, would become the new normal - however, it seems my employer hasn't quite grasped this just yet

We may be getting another car (for my wife) before the summer, which may reduce my mileage, that being said though, I'm actually pretty confident that things will go back to full time from home within the next 6 months, whilst the company finds its feet and realises IT people can do their job from just about anywhere with an internet connection. I live in hope!