MPG figures RANT!

[jumperjohn]

My father in law commutes to work, 2 miles. He makes the occasional journey oop north from Surrey to see us, a 400 miles round trip. That's all he does in his ML350, around 5k a year. He want's to replace his ML for something different, another Mercedes, but he's preoccupied with MPG figures!

There was NOTHING more boring then walking around MB world wth him over Christmas and he looking at data sheets spouting 'Ooh, this E220 does 55mpg, isn't that good' 'Ooh, this C250 does 150000mpg isn't that good' No, it's boring, look at this SL, E63, CL etc!

Seriously, there is nothing more boring than someone talking about mpg, it's the new 'my house has increased in value by ££££ conversation of the early naughties'.

How do you stop people talking about their 47.6 MPG due to a steady 56 mph for 60 miles downhill with a tailwind experience?

How can I convince him to buy an E63 or similar?

 

[wemorgan]

Maybe, maybe not.

He could well be thinking "why does my son waste money driving a thirsty E500?"

It's often easy to see things from the other perspective, even if you choose not to agree with them.

 

[Deleted member 37751]

Although part of my reason for buying a diesel is mpg, if the car didn't have a computer telling me how much diesel I'm using per yard, I probably couldn't tell you myself.

If I only did 5k a year, I would own an AMG without a doubt.

 

[davidjpowell]

My father in law commutes to work, 2 miles. He makes the occasional journey oop north from Surrey to see us, a 400 miles round trip. That's all he does in his ML350, around 5k a year. He want's to replace his ML for something different, another Mercedes, but he's preoccupied with MPG figures!

There was NOTHING more boring then walking around MB world wth him over Christmas and he looking at data sheets spouting 'Ooh, this E220 does 55mpg, isn't that good' 'Ooh, this C250 does 150000mpg isn't that good' No, it's boring, look at this SL, E63, CL etc!

Seriously, there is nothing more boring than someone talking about mpg, it's the new 'my house has increased in value by ££££ conversation of the early naughties'.

How do you stop people talking about their 47.6 MPG due to a steady 56 mph for 60 miles downhill with a tailwind experience?

How can I convince him to buy an E63 or similar?

Fuel expensive. If you are looking at a declining pot to live on it makes sense to look after.

It may be that his priority is not the same yours!

 

[developer]

Seriously, there is nothing more boring than someone talking about mpg, it's the new 'my house has increased in value by ££££ conversation of the early naughties'.

House price inflation is (was) much more interesting - sit on your ass, earn money - what's not to like?

 

[Shude]

Fuel expensive. If you are looking at a declining pot to live on it makes sense to look after.

It may be that his priority is not the same yours!

Fuel is probably the least expensive part of ownership if you buy new cars and only drive 5k per year. The difference between the worst and best fuel economy of similar cars will only come to a matter of hundreds of pounds.

 

[wemorgan]

Fuel is probably the least expensive part of ownership if you buy new cars and only drive 5k per year. The difference between the worst and best fuel economy of similar cars will only come to a matter of hundreds of pounds.

But a V8 will cost more and depreciate faster than a diesel. So if the OP's father must buy a new car, a diesel will be the cheapest option.

 

[Ted]

I can get over 35mpg in my CLK. Isn't that fantastic?

 

[Charles Morgan]

About the same as my Multivalve Ted, but I bet my house has fallen in value more than yours...

 

[jumperjohn]

Ok, maybe an E63 is too much, how about the new ML63 AMG, that's a sensible car.

 

[gtvlusso]

My father in law commutes to work, 2 miles. He makes the occasional journey oop north from Surrey to see us, a 400 miles round trip. That's all he does in his ML350, around 5k a year. He want's to replace his ML for something different, another Mercedes, but he's preoccupied with MPG figures!

There was NOTHING more boring then walking around MB world wth him over Christmas and he looking at data sheets spouting 'Ooh, this E220 does 55mpg, isn't that good' 'Ooh, this C250 does 150000mpg isn't that good' No, it's boring, look at this SL, E63, CL etc!

Seriously, there is nothing more boring than someone talking about mpg, it's the new 'my house has increased in value by ££££ conversation of the early naughties'.

How do you stop people talking about their 47.6 MPG due to a steady 56 mph for 60 miles downhill with a tailwind experience?

How can I convince him to buy an E63 or similar?

Some thoughts:

Perhaps in these times of austerity; people strugling to pay mortgages and under threat of redundancy or worse yet; people who have gone bankrupt and had their house repossessed you could be more tolerant of anxiety over financial matters coming up in conversation/being a focus of lives?

Questions/comments:

Perhaps not everyone is as rich as you are.

Is your father in law more aware of current affairs than you are (fuel costs)?

Is your father in law is more enviromentally aware than you are (more fuel = bad for environment)?

Have you suggested that he starts cycling his 2 mile distance to keep him in tip top shape?

Why not listen to him, understand him rather than try and get him to buy something that he does not want.

If your father in law is anything like my dad (who is from Sheffield), he will probably prefer fuel economy than silly amounts of power that he won't use and silly fuel usage that he will bitterly complain about after purchase.

 

[Deleted member 37751]

It's his father-in-law, not his father....

 

[BTB 500]

You're lucky - my dad drives a tiny little 3-cyl Daihatsu Charade!

 

[Palfrem]

Each to his own, each to his own.

 

[gtvlusso]

My mistake - father in law - apologies.

 

[jumperjohn]

Some thoughts:

Perhaps in these times of austerity; people strugling to pay mortgages and under threat of redundancy or worse yet; people who have gone bankrupt and had their house repossessed you could be more tolerant of anxiety over financial matters coming up in conversation/being a focus of lives?

Questions/comments:

Perhaps not everyone is as rich as you are.
Define rich?

Is your father more aware of current affairs than you are?
He probably is, he's an ex accountant.

Is your father is more enviromentally aware than you are?
He discount's climate change, he sees it as governments easy option to tax more.

Have you suggested that he starts cycling his 2 mile distance to keep him in tip top shape?
He has a heart condition, he tried this once, never again he said.

Why not listen to him, understand him rather than try and get him to buy something that he does not want.
I have to listen to him, he won't have a conversation as he's highly strung and quite cantankerous.

If your dad is anything like my dad (who is from Sheffield), he will probably prefer fuel economy than silly amounts of power that he won't use and silly fuel usage that he will bitterly complain about after purchase.
Define silly fuel usage? He complains about alot of things anyway, I thought that a fast powerful car would calm him down a bit.

I don't mean to upset anyone, just saying people who love to talk about mpg figures seem a little sad. I understand fully the advantages of diesel cars for those who do big miles, makes a ot of sense.

 

[davidjpowell]

Fuel is probably the least expensive part of ownership if you buy new cars and only drive 5k per year. The difference between the worst and best fuel economy of similar cars will only come to a matter of hundreds of pounds.

But the fuel comes directly out of your pocket on a daily basis.

 

[jumperjohn]

"But the fuel comes directly out of your pocket on a daily basis."

It does, but the post wasn't about the merits of diesel v petrol, or the costs, or V8 engines. It was simply about how some people hark on about their incredible journey when they achieved x mpg.

Every time I spoke about my car the next question back to me was 'I bet it uses alot of fuel?' and it bored me explaining to them that on a run it will do 30ish and on average 20's, oh my, see how boring a conversation gets!!!!!

 

[gtvlusso]

Is your father more aware of current affairs than you are?
He probably is, he's an ex accountant.

My father in law is an ex actuary - accountants are like F1 drivers compared to actuaries......


Why not listen to him, understand him rather than try and get him to buy something that he does not want.
I have to listen to him, he won't have a conversation as he's highly strung and quite cantankerous.

Bless him! I understand your predicament!

If your dad is anything like my dad (who is from Sheffield), he will probably prefer fuel economy than silly amounts of power that he won't use and silly fuel usage that he will bitterly complain about after purchase.
Define silly fuel usage? He complains about alot of things anyway, I thought that a fast powerful car would calm him down a bit.

Whichever way - sounds like he will analyse and complain about it. However, if you make the decision for him - it becomes 'your fault'!!!! Don't give in - change the conversation and head for the wine cellar!

Good luck!!

 

[steve333]

But a V8 will cost more and depreciate faster than a diesel. So if the OP's father must buy a new car, a diesel will be the cheapest option.

Don't think the 2 mile commute would do a diesel or petrol engine much good,perhaps a push bike would be his best option