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Best Car for MPG on the Mororway "HELP"

  • 07-04-2012 12:28pm
    #1
    Coolcappa
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 20 ✭


    Looking for a bit of advice? I travel about 88 miles return trip to work each day and petrol is costing me an arm and a leg.

    Currently drive BMW 320SE, 2.2 L Petrol, 10 Years old....... I'm getting about 35-38 Miles per gallon.... so the clock tells me!! (176,000 Miles on the Clock). Most of my journey is at 100-120KPH so I need a car that has a bit of poke.

    Does anyone do a similar journey and have you found a more economical car? Or any other suggestions please. (I'd love to around 55-70 MPG, especially the way fuel is going)

    I have a budget of around €10-€12 K

    Thanks for your help.


Comments

  • #2
    Pacifico
    Closed Accounts Posts: 5,115 ✭✭✭Pacifico


    Accord Diesel...can get 60 M.P.G on the motorway!


  • #3
    johnos1984
    Closed Accounts Posts: 6,096 ✭✭✭johnos1984


    Coolcappa wrote: »
    I need a car that has a bit of poke.

    (I'd love to around 55-70 MPG, especially the way fuel is going)

    You can only have one or the other and no car will do 70mpg at speed regardless of what the maker says

    A diesel 3/520d may be the best compromise


  • #4
    Coolcappa
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 20 ✭Coolcappa


    virtually all of my journey is either at 100kph or 120kph!! I'd want to buy something that was going to be reliable at that speed! Was looking at the Kia Ceed Pro? But not sure if it would be reliable enough doing high mileage
    .


  • #5
    johnos1984
    Closed Accounts Posts: 6,096 ✭✭✭johnos1984


    Coolcappa wrote: »
    Was looking at the Kia Ceed Pro? But not sure if it would be reliable enough doing high mileage
    I've never heard anything negative about them in terms of reliability but don't expect it to be as refined as what you have.

    I do consider them to be very good vallue and you should see 50mpg+ if it is the later model with a 6 speed box


  • #6
    Anan1
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 22,815 ✭✭✭✭Anan1


    Coolcappa wrote: »
    Most of my journey is at 100-120KPH so I need a car that has a bit of poke.
    It's a common misperception that motorway driving needs a powerful car. Any small modern car will cruise happily at that speed, it's driving on smaller roads that requires a bit of poke.


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  • #7
    MuppetCheck
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 11,865 ✭✭✭✭MuppetCheck


    Anan1 wrote: »
    It's a common misperception that motorway driving needs a powerful car. Any small modern car will cruise happily at that speed, it's driving on smaller roads that requires a bit of poke.

    You'd be suprised. Some Irish motorways have steep enough inclines, and many modern cars are highly geared for economy meaning in lower powered cars some extra gear changing is required.

    Although for the most part I agree.


  • #8
    Joe 90
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 916 ✭✭✭Joe 90


    Anan1 wrote: »
    It's a common misperception that motorway driving needs a powerful car. Any small modern car will cruise happily at that speed, it's driving on smaller roads that requires a bit of poke.
    I live in Ilford, just to the east of London. On Thursday I dropped off a neighbour to visit a friend in West Sussex. Distance according to the TomTom was 88 miles and I had probably done about 10 miles since I had filled tha car up. I filled it in West Sussex 8.4 litres. If I call that 98 miles in total it works out at 53mpg. A few miles in traffic, 50 miles or so motorway at a real 70-75 mph, 25 miles country roads and a few miles in traffic. 2001 Ford Ka.


  • #9
    bazz26
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 51,364 ✭✭✭✭bazz26


    OP, i think you are doing great if getting 35-38mpg from a 2.2 litre 6 cylinder petrol car. Diesel cars of similar size will see late 40s or early 50s mpg. My E90 diesel is getting around 52mpg.


  • #10
    James.
    Closed Accounts Posts: 144 ✭✭James.


    10k or 12k would buy alot of petrol.

    you would probably only save about 20 or 30 euro a week by changing, so it would take at least 6 years at current petrol prices before you make a saving by changing

    surely if you are looking to save money then keeping your current car is the most economical solution ?


  • #11
    Gerard93
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 375 ✭✭Gerard93


    Hi OP,
    10k or 12k would buy alot of petrol.

    you would probably only save about 20 or 30 euro a week by changing, so it would take at least 6 years at current petrol prices before you make a saving by changing

    surely if you are looking to save money then keeping your current car is the most economical solution ?

    I would be inclined to agree with the above poster, keeping your present car may be the best option, you are not going to make major savings.

    Ensure tyres are correct pressure and maybe try and keep around 100 kph for most efficient economy!


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  • #12
    Coolcappa
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 20 ✭Coolcappa


    It is still a very nice car, but it is 10 years old and is starting to get on a bit. I had to replace the rear break discs 3 months ago, so it might start costing me if I keep it going a few more years. Also the cost of taxing it each year is about €880 euros. At some point i'm going to have to buy, so just looking at getting some feedback on cars for good MPG.

    I've also considered looking at something like the Honda Insight? A 2010 model is coming in around 14K


  • #13
    bazz26
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 51,364 ✭✭✭✭bazz26


    Coolcappa wrote: »
    It is still a very nice car, but it is 10 years old and is starting to get on a bit. I had to replace the rear break discs 3 months ago, so it might start costing me if I keep it going a few more years. Also the cost of taxing it each year is about €880 euros. At some point i'm going to have to buy, so just looking at getting some feedback on cars for good MPG.

    I've also considered looking at something like the Honda Insight? A 2010 model is coming in around 14K

    Brake discs are wear and tear items, a newer car will have to have them replaced at some time too. Also the tax system is being changed in this years budget. The days from cheap motor tax are coming to an end. Just do the maths before you decide.


  • #14
    cgarrad
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,611 ✭✭✭cgarrad


    If mpg is the main concern:

    http://www.spritmonitor.de/en/evaluation/economic_models.html


  • #15
    Idbatterim
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 18,127 ✭✭✭✭Idbatterim


    e90 320d?


  • #16
    Marcusm
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 10,633 ✭✭✭✭Marcusm


    Coolcappa wrote: »
    It is still a very nice car, but it is 10 years old and is starting to get on a bit. I had to replace the rear break discs 3 months ago, so it might start costing me if I keep it going a few more years. Also the cost of taxing it each year is about €880 euros. At some point i'm going to have to buy, so just looking at getting some feedback on cars for good MPG.

    I've also considered looking at something like the Honda Insight? A 2010 model is coming in around 14K

    If all you are doing is motorway driving then you are unlikely to get the benefits of a hybrid like the Insight which provides better fuel economy by regenerative braking (i.e. capturing the energy lost by normal cars when braking). You shouldn't be braking much on motorways and will have a penalty from carrying around the electric motors and battery.


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