MPG figures RANT!

[kth286]

You could easily make the argument on a single piece of paper that the cost to change cars will never pay off in savings made on petrol cost for him.

As an accountant he should see that.

 

[BillyW124]

Your Farther in law sounds like my old man!

Proper MPG NUT! and value for cash sort of bloke. But by no means tight! . Where there is a need to dish out, if it makes sense then yes.

Eg, ditch the w124 E200 saloon which had some minor common rust and a few very minor issues, and replace with W211 V6 320 CDI. He hardly does the millage. Bought it in 2010 with 75k on the clock, it now reads 77k!

He does agree with me that i should take it for a long stretch every now and again because of its lack of use.

Tesco friday morning and a 6 mile round trip to golf on the weekends. thats it!

But yes, we dont want to listen to them at times because we think they just aren't on the same level. But if you really, and i mean really think about what they say and why, in all honesty they talk much sense.

My problem is i realise afterwards. Maybe days, months or even years!

They are wise people really.

 

[jumperjohn]

Is is a wise old owl really, sometimes.

Previously he had an E320 estate. He bought new and picked it up from Stuttgart in 2005, he loved that car. When we had snow two years ago he got so fed up slipping about in a hurry he bought an M class. Since then he regularly sees this as a mistake, he really doesn't like the M and wishes he fitted winter tyres to his E class.

So jump forward he's looking for a replacement but I think he needs to buy something he loves to drive, get back the E class feeling. He's 65 and after working hard all his life I think he should worry less and buy something special.

Surely everyone, given the chance, should do that once in their lives. He doesn't have to think about running costs, he's quite a wealthy chap so his MPG concerns are quite unfounded especially with his mileage.

 

[Mr E]

I appreciate where you're coming from...

Mr E Snr is an ex-F1 engineer and had a fantastic M5 for a number of years that he and others back at base used to "play" around with. Not that he ever used it - stuck to the speed limits, etc - and on "retirement" sold it (I was hoping it was coming my way, but not to be). Constantly blathers on about how economical his C2 is, and how it would be much better if I got a smaller car. Still shines all his tools on a regular basis (which I was due to inherit but now that Jnr is working with cars the will has been changed) and is easy to goad into a rant at the mention of Clarkson, convertible, 2-seater, sports bike, or any other form of automotive fun. He won't come on a track day, but he does go and watch racing (cars and bikes)

The thing is, although I find it very annoying, it's what he likes. He's never been a speed freak, but takes delight in doing a good job and keeping his tools clean. As long as he's happy (and Mum's happy) then I'm happy (ish) too.

 

[tombadino]

Guilty in not reading all the posts but one thing I really cant get my head around.......Why spend umpteen thousands on a vehicle and worry about mpg when averaging less than 50 miles a week??? In fact why have a car at all , must be cheaper and less worry using the bus or taxi over the course of a year.
Reminds me a bit of the rolls royce salesmans reply to a guy asking the mpg " if u have to ask sir then u cant really afford it"