MPG figures RANT!

[steve333]

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?

^ Next time your at brooklands get your father in law to have an amg experience(various packages/v8's)the smile on his face after should lead him straight to the sales desk

 

[bolide]

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

I was about to suggest he walks. Then he can get excited about walking shoes

Nick Froome

 

[Shude]

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

Internal combustion engine in general is a poor choice for a 2 mile trip. He's actually a fine candidate for a plug-in hybrid!

 

[jumperjohn]

Internal combustion engine in general is a poor choice for a 2 mile trip. He's actually a fine candidate for a plug-in hybrid!

That's a good idea! A Tesla!

 

[wemorgan]

That's a good idea! A Tesla!

Tesla Model S £37k-59k

 

[Dieselman]

Tesla Model S £37k-59k

Are they confirmed prices? When I contacted Tesla UK they prices weren't fixed and the conversion rate made them to be more than that.

 

[wemorgan]

Are they confirmed prices? When I contacted Tesla UK they prices weren't fixed and the conversion rate made them to be more than that.

No sadly not...slightly misleading of me to quote those numbers I suppose. Those are the US prices converted to £.

 

[Charles Morgan]

Blimey, an Aston Tesla Mondeo.

 

[jonthetourist]

Internal combustion engine in general is a poor choice for a 2 mile trip. He's actually a fine candidate for a plug-in hybrid!

I have a push bike with an electric motor in the front hub. Perfect for a low effort but healthy 2 mile commute (and justification for owning an SL)

Cheers

Jon

 

[Dieselman]

Blimey, an Aston Tesla Mondeo.

It's a really interesting car, quick, quiet, very spacious, good ride and handling, long range, costs peanuts to run.

 

[John]

I understand where you are coming from JJ.

I started to obsess about MPG myself with my previous car - so I am as guilty as the next person.

Then for a number of reasons, I had a complete change of heart at the beginning of last year.

Now I don't doubt people who do a higher mileage and / or those to whom maybe cars are not be all and end all, have a legitimate interest in MPG but there is a camp of numerous individuals who obsess for obsession's sake it seems...

It does become tedious after a while as well.

I wouldn't necessarily try to shoe-horn people into a fast large V8 auto because that is what I want, but I also couldn't give 2 hoots about MPG now either.

Now, let's talk MPG! I get a massive 18mpg normally but I've managed a fantastic 24mpg once...

 

[gIzzE]

Drove up from Norwich to Liverpool today, managed to get 41mpg by the time I hit the M6, which is 6mpg more than I used to get in my petrol A6 quattro 3.2, means it cost me £35 instead of £39, to make sure I didn't drop 3mpg going through Brum at 5pm I used the toll road, which only cost £5.40.

I'm not stupid!

 

[tasn1]

Just test drive an ML63 with him in the passenger seat...tell him to hold on!

 

[renault12ts]

Drove up from Norwich to Liverpool today, managed to get 41mpg by the time I hit the M6, which is 6mpg more than I used to get in my petrol A6 quattro 3.2, means it cost me £35 instead of £39, to make sure I didn't drop 3mpg going through Brum at 5pm I used the toll road, which only cost £5.40.

I'm not stupid!

The M6 toll...don't get me started...

 

[st4]

John, is your dad best not to keep his current car for a bit longer rather than spend another £20k to save a fiver a week. If his ml has been reliable and of good service it may well be better for him to keep it. If it needs to be changed for another car like a PCP is running out then looking for a more economical model is wise

 

[219]

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?

Point out how many farthings his improved fuel consumption would save him on his two mile commute , against the cost of buying a new vehicle .

Since MPG is largely irrelevant due to his low mileage , he would best reduce his motoring costs by buying a tax exempt classic , which would also qualify for cheap insurance - something nice and 'green' like a W109 300SEL 6.3 perhaps ?

Of course , with only two miles to travel to work , it would be cheapest of all for him just to WALK ( or cycle )

 

[219]

If he is adamant his next vehicle must be a Mercedes , you could draw his attention to the BICYCLES sold by Mercedes .

Not sure who actually makes them ?

 

[10EDD]

Maybe mpg is his thing and a priority over comfort, space, noice, speed etc. Sell him the the latter and loiter around what you would like to see him in whilst bestowing the virtues. He may even thank you for it ;-)
Edd

 

[Benzmanc]

You could always give him a lift to work, he wouldn't use any fuel then

 

[FamilyPack]

Not read everything so apologies if this is a repost.

Like most people I considered running costs before buying a car, but looking at Depreciation, servicing, insurance, road tax and fuel (i.e. ignoring stuff like tyres etc) the difference between 35mpg and 45mpg was very small.

On 5k miles a year, the difference would be about £200 annually if both were diesels.