Running costs - do around 22k a year

B

benlumley

Member
 Bath
Hello ...

Wondering if any of you can help me out here. Am interested in getting a Z4, from what I've read here, ideally a 3.0, but maybe 2.5. Budget means it'll probably be 4-6 yrs old, depending on mileage, engine etc.

I commute about 30 miles each way to work 5 days a week. About half the journey is motorway, and most of the rest is A roads, usually busy A roads, so a steady 50-60mph. End up doing around 22,000 miles per year.

Anyone got any insight into what the fuel cost of this is likely to be? Would also appreciate any guidance on the other costs of doing this sort of mileage in the car - tires, servicing, depreciation etc if anyone has any wisdom to share!

Ta - trying to decide I whether I want it enough - currently drive a diesel Seat Leon, which it'll clearly cost loads more than! (edit: but be loads more fun than).

PS: If anyone is selling within the Bath/Bristol/Wilts area, let me know!
 
Welcome.

I use my car daily.. but i do 12k a year.

I average about 31mpg, and thats with a heavy right foot! On a gentle cruise down the M1 keeping it steady under 70 i can get into the 40mpg realm.

Rear tyres will prob last around 15-20k miles if driven carefully (18" RFT are in the region of £300 a side, so change to non rft and enjoy a better ride and cheaper sub £150 tyres)..... and then the servicing will vary.. factor around an additional £500 pa for that.
 
Ta to you both.

Any thoughts on relative economy of different engines? Read that 2.5 and 3.0 aren't very different?
 
Yeah theres basically no difference in 2.5i vs 3.0i mpg... I'm doing 18k/year in mine and i average 34-36mpg easily (real not computed) on A/B road runs, 40 at night or motorway runs. Tyres as above, fronts seem to last double the rears. Servicing intervals are long, around 17k+ if you drive gently.

If you learn to do bits n bobs yourself like brakes, its a very cheap sports car to run, relatively :thumbsup:
 
Hello and welcome.

I currently I'm doing similar milage, 37 miles each way. On average spend between £300-£400 on fuel a month. So far my cars managed 20K between services (would factor 15-20K). I've put 26000 miles on my bridgestone RFT and only the fronts have started to show signs of ware on the outside edges. Will possibly change them soon as my MOTs due end of next month. In the last year its only cost me an inspection 1 and a brake fluid change.

I'd personally would only consider the 3.0 as they probably better specced and have the 6 gears, where as the 2.5 only has 5 gears and would cost about the same to run as the 3.0.

If your prepared to put up with the extra fuel cost the fun factor will by far make up for it.
 
If you're doing lots of motorway driving then either get the 3.0 or the facelift 2.5Si as they have 6 gears and would probably do better mpg.
 
These replies are really worrying me!

I have a 3.0si Coupe and I only use 95-octane fuel (almost exclusively Shell) and according to the on-board computer I have never ever gone above 27MPG. The highest I've gone is 26.5 on the M1. I use it strictly as a weekend car and sometimes a bit of heavy right foot! My average is between 24MPG and 25MPG. Is this something I should get checked? Or am I not using the on-board computer properly? Should I do the calculations myself?
 
feersum_endjinn said:
These replies are really worrying me!

I have a 3.0si Coupe and I only use 95-octane fuel (almost exclusively Shell) and according to the on-board computer I have never ever gone above 27MPG. The highest I've gone is 26.5 on the M1. I use it strictly as a weekend car and sometimes a bit of heavy right foot! My average is between 24MPG and 25MPG. Is this something I should get checked? Or am I not using the on-board computer properly? Should I do the calculations myself?
Click to expand...
are you sure? i too have a 3.0si coupe and run shell 95 fuel, i've done about 3k since ive had it and the computers showing 34mpg (70 miles each day mainly motorway but still quite brisk driving)
 
feersum Sounds like you need to get your mpg reset. Get your mpg reading up then hold the button down for a few seconds to clear it
Mine stuck at 24 mpg for ages until I reset it
 
LOL don't worry I get 19mpg (actual) with Shell V-Power! :rofl:
That's all through London roads though.
But yeah, does sound like you haven't reset your mpg reading.
 
Change to the Z4, you spend so much time in the car you might as well be happy. I had an A4 2.0 tdi convertible and traded against the Z4, one of the best decisions I have ever made :D

I do about 530 miles per week of which 450 are motorway, set at 70 on cruise and get 37 mpg actual for the week, this compares against 45 mpg from the old A4
 
aquazi said:
Welcome.

I use my car daily.. but i do 12k a year.

I average about 31mpg, and thats with a heavy right foot! On a gentle cruise down the M1 keeping it steady under 70 i can get into the 40mpg realm.

Rear tyres will prob last around 15-20k miles if driven carefully (18" RFT are in the region of £300 a side, so change to non rft and enjoy a better ride and cheaper sub £150 tyres)..... and then the servicing will vary.. factor around an additional £500 pa for that.
Click to expand...

Is that right £500 a year?
Im assuming you could cut that cost considerably by servicing the car yourself or is that not advisable?
 
sars said:
Change to the Z4, you spend so much time in the car you might as well be happy. I had an A4 2.0 tdi convertible and traded against the Z4, one of the best decisions I have ever made :D

I do about 530 miles per week of which 450 are motorway, set at 70 on cruise and get 37 mpg actual for the week, this compares against 45 mpg from the old A4
Click to expand...

That is a large part of my thinking .... :)
 
Anyone be good enough to comment on some ads for me? Want to try and get a handle on whats a good price:

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201028363623675

and

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201029363980391

Any comments appreciated!
 
benlumley said:
Anyone be good enough to comment on some ads for me? Want to try and get a handle on whats a good price:

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201028363623675

and

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201029363980391

Any comments appreciated!
Click to expand...

First one looks at least £1,000+ over book and from what I can see it has no extras at all except MFSW. It has standard not sports seats, so mislabelled.

Second one equally has nothing of note added and is just over book.

Frankly both look like good basic examples of their model and year. Not being harsh but in the current climate you can pay less and get more (18" wheels, xenon lights, sports seats, Sat Nav, etc.) for the same money.
 
feersum_endjinn said:
These replies are really worrying me!

I have a 3.0si Coupe and I only use 95-octane fuel (almost exclusively Shell) and according to the on-board computer I have never ever gone above 27MPG. The highest I've gone is 26.5 on the M1. I use it strictly as a weekend car and sometimes a bit of heavy right foot! My average is between 24MPG and 25MPG. Is this something I should get checked? Or am I not using the on-board computer properly? Should I do the calculations myself?
Click to expand...

Bit of a thread hijack, but my guess is the answer is hidden in your right foot. Your other thread about alternative cars makes me think you may enjoy the performance of the 3.0 :driving:
 
cj10jeeper said:
Frankly both look like good basic examples of their model and year. Not being harsh but in the current climate you can pay less and get more (18" wheels, xenon lights, sports seats, Sat Nav, etc.) for the same money.
Click to expand...

Ta - thanks for the info, much appreciated. Especially spotting the mis-advertised bit!

Presumably if you were able to get something off the price as an alternative to finding a higher spec at the same price, it'd become worth considering?

Edit: Also, whats MFSW?
 
benlumley said:
cj10jeeper said:
Frankly both look like good basic examples of their model and year. Not being harsh but in the current climate you can pay less and get more (18" wheels, xenon lights, sports seats, Sat Nav, etc.) for the same money.
Click to expand...

Ta - thanks for the info, much appreciated. Especially spotting the mis-advertised bit!

Presumably if you were able to get something off the price as an alternative to finding a higher spec at the same price, it'd become worth considering?

Edit: Also, whats MFSW?
Click to expand...

MFSW - multi function steering wheel. It has buttons to control audio, phone, etc. depending upon options fitted.

In terms of price then for sure negotiate down if it's really the car you want, but dealers won't listen much and on resale people expect a certain level of spec. on these cars, so expect to struggle to sell it later or accept the same argument back. Given these are overprived anyway (especially the first) then you'll probably end up paying over the odds for an average example.

I suggest you make a list of colour, engine, year, budget and accessories. Prioritise, then see what you can find. What you'll drop and what you'll accept. Things like cruise are a £50 retrofit, xenon lights very expensice, sports seats expensive, etc. Franly I'd have a top spec 2003 looked after and loved rather than an average 2005/6 car.

Post up on a dedicated thread what you want and you'll be supriesed how many good cars the guys here will find you :thumbsup:
 
Yeah, thought that since - I'd rather wait for what I want than get something thats not quite right for a bit less money!

Will do what you suggest regarding the thread, ta.
 
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