New-ish MG5s going cheap

[silverbullet]

RE motorway driving... sticking to 100 km/hr makes a big difference over 120 km/hr.  Brings the fuel consumption more back to normal.

I like 100KPH. Even when I'm heading back into town on the M1, I turn off my roof sign so that f**king halfwits don't feel like they have to race me.

[watty]

Yeah, it's a nice civilised speed.  Esp if the motorway is not that busy... stick on cruise control and some nice music and it's heaven in such a quiet car     (Oh, and if you have a passenger, tell them to STFU  )

[Rat Catcher]

For yu to say that yur diesel cud compete in the cost of maintenance wit a prius rat is just incorrect.....all the stuff yu mentioned has to be done on both vehicles  wit the exception of the ( health check for the battery)  on the prius .... I wud argue in that case the well established an proven maxim of " let it develope "   ie leave it well enough alone untill it fails as it is far more economically favourable

...

I gave you my figures with a comprehensive breakdown. As you haven't provided a figure for comparison I'm only guessing but I doubt you're getting out for much less than the 1.3c/kilo mine has cost in maintenance since I acquired it ifn you're employing mechanics to cover manufacturer specified servicing in addition to the repairs you mentioned. Service schedules for VAGs are significantly less frequent than Toyota and some items that Toyota's need aren't required for VAGs e.g. engine coolant, transmission oil/fluid except for wet clutch DSGs.

[Rat Catcher]

Finally got through the tank of diesel with Dipetane. No noticeable difference in the numbers and, more importantly, no reduction in regen frequency.





I reckon I'll try the stuff Panel posted at the next service, if no sooner... and reset the Ash Mass to zero before it programmatically fills up.

[Rat Catcher]

It also occurred to me that the now almost non-existent start-stop function is probably responsible for some increased soot/ash through stationary running. I'll have to seriously consider investing in a new battery, I guess. In fact, I had to jump start it after a 10 day vacation so it probably won't survive another winter anyway.

[Octavia1]

For yu to say that yur diesel cud compete in the cost of maintenance wit a prius rat is just incorrect.....all the stuff yu mentioned has to be done on both vehicles  wit the exception of the ( health check for the battery)  on the prius .... I wud argue in that case the well established an proven maxim of " let it develope "   ie leave it well enough alone untill it fails as it is far more economically favourable

...

I gave you my figures with a comprehensive breakdown. As you haven't provided a figure for comparison I'm only guessing but I doubt you're getting out for much less than the 1.3c/kilo mine has cost in maintenance since I acquired it ifn you're employing mechanics to cover manufacturer specified servicing in addition to the repairs you mentioned. Service schedules for VAGs are significantly less frequent than Toyota and some items that Toyota's need aren't required for VAGs e.g. engine coolant, transmission oil/fluid except for wet clutch DSGs.

As I said rat ....I've owned an octavia and a prius .... I can categorically tell you the prius is infinitely cheaper to run ...I havnt had one bulb go in 6 years , not 1 alternator or starter motor ,  not 1 brake pad or brake disc  or
Timing belt or the biggie  flywheel failure ...in 6 years I've had a wiper motor go €400 ...which was an easy 30 minute DIY and a heat exchanger  failure that cost € 20  to fix ....ther is no comparison in reliability or cost of repairs or maintenance

[Rat Catcher]

The most expensive item I've experienced with my MKIII (DSG) Octavia to date is a timing belt replacement which, along with a water pump and all associated bits and pieces, cost less to have professionally fitted than your wiper motor! Aside from brake pads/discs - that I tend to replace well before worn out - and the odd bulb I haven't replaced any of the other bits you mention.

Notwithstanding the fact that you still haven't provided any comprehensive data I really can't see your figure being less than the 1.3c/kilo I've spent on my current yoke which I've owned for almost 5years.

[mercenary for hire]

I don't have any data but the most expensive purchase I made on my Prius was a rusted door sill that needed filling and painting from a previous owners bad repair.I think the lad charged me €350.Everything I bought for the car after that cost less.

Nothing stands out as particularly expensive over 11 years of ownership as far as I can remember.Mostly oil and filter changes maybe once or twice a year.Gear oil every 60k.Plugs every 80k.

I repaired the hybrid battery at least two maybe three time after the car was parked up for extended periods.Each repair got faster and the cells cost me about 200 which covered multiple repairs.

If I didn't jump the gun and change early it would still be running until April 25.

[Rat Catcher]

We're penalised for maintaining our vehicles to production standards these days... you get the same scrappage whether it's run into the ground or in showroom condition... easy to see why men might cut corners. In the good old days us taximen had a saying - look after your car...

[Octavia1]

We're penalised for maintaining our vehicles to production standards these days... you get the same scrappage whether it's run into the ground or in showroom condition... easy to see why men might cut corners. In the good old days us taximen had a saying - look after your car...

Yur implying that wer not lookin after our cars ... I don't know wat point yur trying to make .... I'm only telling you mu own experience with both vehicles.... compared to the " my "  prius and " my " octavia .... the octavia cost a fortune and was not a reliable car ... I wud never go near a diesel again anyway ...kens dpf and turbos thread shud be enough for anyone ... anyone  buying diesel over  an electric car nowadays is stuck in the past and masochistic imo. It's less stress we need at our age not more

[silverbullet]

We're penalised for maintaining our vehicles to production standards these days... you get the same scrappage whether it's run into the ground or in showroom condition... easy to see why men might cut corners. In the good old days us taximen had a saying - look after your car...

Yur implying that wer not lookin after our cars ... I don't know wat point yur trying to make .... I'm only telling you mu own experience with both vehicles.... compared to the " my "  prius and " my " octavia .... the octavia cost a fortune and was not a reliable car ... I wud never go near a diesel again anyway ...kens dpf and turbos thread shud be enough for anyone ... anyone  buying diesel over  an electric car nowadays is stuck in the past and masochistic imo. It's less stress we need at our age not more

Buy a diesel, it'll keep you away from "The love of your life". 

[C5]

My last 2 taxis were diesels with no problems , my taxi now is diesel no problems and the replacement for that is a diesel getting ready for the change over and the taxi after that will be another diesel and another diesel. EVs as full time taxis are basically scrap after 6 years.

[Rat Catcher]

I'm not implying anything, Octy. However, it's pretty obvious that a lot of drivers don't maintain their cars to a high standard and the way grant aid is structured they are rewarded for what may amount to endangering the public. Again, without the numbers it's difficult to draw any conclusions from your brand new Prius maintenance experience but, as stated many many times, I'd be rather surprised if your getting out for less that the 1.3c/kilo my second hand Octavia has cost.

I don't dispute that EVs make sense, particularly for drivers doing high kilometreage. The price of cars, be they new EVs or second hand diesels, is what is conspiring against those of us who don't want to work enough hours to cover high kilometreage. I'm not sure who we can blame for the state of the motor market but NTA ought to recognise such constraints and level the playing field by applying extensions to maximum vehicle ages to all drivers equally.

[Octavia1]

I'm probably stating the obvious but ya wudnt buy a second hand electric an yu wudnt buy a brand new diesel ... the reasons bean too many to mention ... so I'm presumin yur contemplating gettin a replacement vehicle.... but even if yar a part time driver wit yur own gaff a new electric wit the grant seems a no brainer wit 20k grand grant if its still on offer ...

[Rat Catcher]

Not 'till 2026 for me. Then it depends on the numbers i.e. what grants are available and what it'd cost to replace the "scrap" which, currently, would be significantly more than the €10,000 "grant". Either way I'll be budgeting for something in the region of double the €11,995 the MKIII Octavia cost me back in 2019. The problem, for me, is that's more than I want to spend and definitely more than I can reasonably justify based on takings in the region of €30k/year.

Ifn I won the lotto - rather unlikely as I don't enter - I'd buy a brand new diesel before they're banned completely!