Running Costs

Mr Benevolent

Some odd disparities are cropping regarding running costs for various different cars. Here's a few examples based on my situation (29, male, provisional licence, no previous insurance except two month's named driver experience, 9000 miles a year). All the insurance quotes are based on XSDirect and I haven't factored in the €4k excess. I'll be servicing the car myself and there's a bit in the service costs for bigger problems.

Corsa 1L manual (40mpg average)
Tax 172
Insurance 1260
Fuel: 1125
Servicing/parts: 300
Total: €2857

BMW E39 520i auto (32mpg average)
Tax 614
Insurance 1450
Fuel 1404
Servicing/parts 500
Total €3968

BMW E39 525d auto (34mpg average)
Tax 935
Insurance 1450
Fuel 1200
Servicing 500
Total €4085

Not the gigantic difference in running costs the man in the pub would lead you to believe. And contrary to Irish logic, the difference in fuel costs are minimal. Admittedly with a few years NCB the insurance situation would change, but not by a horrific amount.

€500 / annum servicing for a 5 series is conservative unless you are handy with the spanners yourself.