Cutting down running costs - shed help

[Shed2021]

Hi all,

Currently running round in a Civic shed after selling my previous car when I decided I'd like to start on a journey to being in less debt.

My thoughts were that the petrol civic would reliably do the 20k per annum I need it to do, and not bring up unexpected costs like some more complex motors with diesel engines.

The thing is, it's doing around 30mpg indicated on average, and I really would like to save some money here where possible. I'd imagine brim to brim is even worse.

Is there a diesel I could upgrade to that would perhaps offer a bit more comfort and poke, potentially nearly double my MPG and even potential repairs factored in be cheaper to own? Keep in mind this could save me up to £150 per month in fuel. Its a lot of cash and there's no guarantees even an uncomplicated NA petrol won't break...

Obviously the usual answer is the cheapest car to own is the one you already have, but the new one could pay for itself in 3 months if it doesn't explode.

I'm thinking a well maintained Mondeo, Focus or Citroen C5 diesel or similar might be a fairly safe bet and free up some money each month, and I'll stick away a bit of the fuel savings incase it needs expensive repairs.

My other half always raves about the Mini One D she used to have and how it did a reliable 61mpg for her and free or cheap tax (csnt remember which) , and thinks I could be better off PCP/financing something like this that's newer for added reliability and isn't so "embarrassing" lol, but I'd only be saving the cost of the tax and maybe 20 quid of overall per month compared to what I'm doing now. Id prefer to run an older car owned outright but of course I can't bbe breaking down all the time with my mileage.

Any help or thoughts appreciated.

[Raymond Reddington]

I'd always go for the shed route but it does make you think if you can finance a much newer car and still be left with £20+ more in your pocket each month than what you're doing now then it might be worth it. 20k is a long time spent in the car and a few of the features you get in a newer car can help it be a nicer experience.

My dad always buys diesel Mondeos and they usually need some work like clutch DMF and injectors, which cost a lot. But he does the mileage and keeps his cars 4-5 years, over which period of time the diesel car definitely pays for itself and makes quite big savings.

Edited by Raymond Reddington on Sunday 4th April 18:40

[samoht]

Yeah, 20k a year at 30mpg is the thick end of £4k in fuel, so there's scope to save.

I had a 2002 C270 CDI as a loan car last week, was impressed with the comfortable 50mpg on the A14 combined with pretty swift, relaxed acceleration.

I imagine pre-2015 diesels may be getting a bit cheaper due to ULEZ and other clean air zones, which could help.

I'd say go for it, you may end up paying a bit more in repairs but the car will be a bit better suited for the driving you're doing.

[ZX10R NIN]

As above a C270CLK270 will easily see mid 40's to low 50's especially with a map, also make sure the gearbox fluid has been changed:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202103130...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202102199...

[Shed2021]

Thanks, that's given me something to think about

I was perhaps thinking of something a touch more modern than the mercs as you can get what would appear to be a reasonable ford/vauxhall/pug/citroen for a couple of grand, but that CLK looks nice and comfortable.. I'm only down the road from a German specialist garage as well which would help with maintenance.

[samoht]

I have a suspicion that with diesel engines, older ones are inherently more reliable. Basically old diesels were fairly simple mechanical devices, no points, no carbs, just an engine driven mechanical fuel pump* forcing diesel into the engine where it spontaneously combusts. Then as time went on and more power, refinement and especially emissions cleanliness was demanded, they became progressively more complicated and there's thus more to go wrong. DPFs (2009 on) and DMFs are particular areas of possible expense, then NOx traps or AdBlue more recently.

• albeit the mechanical fuel pump itself is a fairly complex bit of precision machinery, but self-contained part and mostly fairly reliable AFAIK.

So to some extent you're trading the benefits of the rest of the car being newer and hopefully needing less work, against the engine itself potentially being less robust. Not saying an old Merc is necessarily a better bet, just not necessarily worse either.

[ZX10R NIN]

Shed2021 said:

Thanks, that's given me something to think about

I was perhaps thinking of something a touch more modern than the mercs as you can get what would appear to be a reasonable ford/vauxhall/pug/citroen for a couple of grand, but that CLK looks nice and comfortable.. I'm only down the road from a German specialist garage as well which would help with maintenance.

Your right you can get a newer repmobile & they'll be just as reliable, there's just one thing & that's clutches which are pricey to replace. The Mercs have a pretty much bulletproof 5 speed auto make sure you change the fluid when you buy & you should have no issues.

The engines will just keep running as long as you service them every 10k, that pretty much applies to all engines as they get older.

In terms of being modern buy something like this & you'll have all of the modern connectivity you'll require:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Pioneer-sph-da230dab/19...

You can get a nice Insignia for your budget & they're a good car but you need to make sure you get an oil flush (I'd get a Terraclean or similar done at the same time) done asap as the oil pick up pipe can get clogged up (this is down to the long service intervals) so it recommend that you flush on every third service & change the diesel filter every 2 years.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202103230...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202103019...

For ne if you want to run a shed the more simple Mercedes makes more sense you can also get the CLK in 220 form they're a little worse on fuel but you'll get a newer car:

Ask the seller to MOT this one & you could bag a bargain:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202103130...

Avantgarde 220

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202104010...

[Jasandjules]

Cambelt and pump done https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202104040...

Also belt done https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202101288...

[Collectingbrass]

Why are you doing 20k miles a year and can you change the way you do any of that? If any of it is business mileage are you getting paid the right rate from your employer or from HMRC if the employer isn't paying the HMRC approved rate?

You probably won't see the difference in fuel consumption from a diesel to pay the extra that a replacement car would cost, you need to look at the Total cost of ownership really.

Finally, keep the basics up to scratch on the car; keep the tyre pressures right, keep the engine maintained (doing your own servicing will save a fair bit) and use Shell or BP petrol. I get a 10% improvement using those fuels over a supermarket special.

[samoht]

Collectingbrass said:

You probably won't see the difference in fuel consumption from a diesel to pay the extra that a replacement car would cost, you need to look at the Total cost of ownership really.

20k miles at 30mpg at £1.30 a litre is £3,934 a year in fuel.

For the sake of argument, say OP buys the first C270 CDI that ZX10 posted, up for £1,695. Real world 50mpg in 70-80mph dual carriageway driving, same 20k miles, £2,360 in fuel or £1,574 saving. So in year one it's pretty much paid for itself (and the existing Civic is probably worth something, for the cat if nothing else). For every extra year the Merc lasts, that's £1500 saved over running the Civic.

Unless there are a lot of extra costs with the Merc, it does look like getting a diesel may be cheaper in the long run.

While it's often the case that the cost of buying another car far outweighs any likely fuel saving, in this case the combination of genuinely high mileage and buying a shed-price diesel makes it look worthwhile.

[Shed2021]

Thanks for your thoughts all

I do like the Mercs to be fair. The only thing putting me off slightly is where I live and the winter but I don't want to limit my car choice for just a few days a year when it's overly muddy or snowy.

I've got some mercs, insigs etc on my watch list

I'll keep you posted