Keeping cool....

[Norretal]

Well I never, I didn't realise the S8 had an ancillary radiator, now I do.

Starting from the beginning, which is always the best way in my opinion, I've had the car for two years and four months now and had my fair share of troubles. Inlet manifold flap failure, steering fluid hose failure, EPB failure, there's been a few and most seem "common" looking at the experiences of other owners.

I had a new one this week, and can't find others sharing their experience of similar, so here goes. I had a trip last month and did around 400 miles, during which I had the low coolant alarm for the first time in my ownership. I topped up and drove home and then the EPB motor failed, but I've spoke of that in another thread. So, to continue, a week or so later I notice a leak from under the car, check it's not oily and confirm it's water and anti-freeze by tasting it. Top it up again for an important engagement then once used I book it in with my guy for investigation............a week passes until he can look at it but I drop her off and hope it's a split hose at most. A call the next day confirms it's the ancillary radiator, leaking all over it appears. A few calls later and none available second hand and TPS say new ones are on back order from Germany and cost £270.....so not many options available.

I once had my motorbike radiator repaired by a local company called Advanced Radiators so I phone them, they'll take a look. Collect it from the garage and drop it off, a phone call confirms it's goosed as it's leaking from several places, my options lessen. They suggest a new core, I agree as I don't have any other option. Two days later I collect it, they've built a brand new radiator based on the dimensions of the old one, and the cost is almost identical. The tanks either side are steel, whereas the OEM ones are plastic, buts it's a lovely job.

I dropped it off at the garage Friday lunchtime and left him to fit it and flush the system and refill with new coolant..........collected Saturday morning and paid a bill of £95 for labour, job done

They're a lovely car to own and drive, but as well as being expensive to run they're expensive to maintain. That's £600 recently in unforeseen repairs, which is nothing compared to what I've spent overall, but it's made me realise what a money pit these beasts can be

[Joe2.0E]

Such cars can be real money pits every now and again but it's nothing compared to the monthly payments or depreciation on a new one. Thats my logic anyway.

[briang9]

Great result Ron, and thats a good way of thinking too Joe, must remember that next time a big bill is looming

[David's8]

Originally Posted by briang9

Great result Ron, and thats a good way of thinking too Joe, must remember that next time a big bill is looming

Thats the way I managed to make the case for running a car like an S8. I looked at keeping the car for a certain number of years. Therefore the Annual Cost of ownership (AC) = (Price of car at start"a" - value at end of 5 years "b") + servicing costs "s" + estimated repair/maintenance costs "r" + fuel costs"f" + tax "t" divided by period of ownership "x"

AC = (a-b) + s + r + f +t
__________________
x

Let x = 5years, so taking a recent S8 seen for sale @£4.2k estimated to be worth £1.5 at end of 5 yrs, servicing costs, say, £250p.a, and a repair/maintenance bill of around £1k p.a, fuel £2k pa (@10k miles p.a), tax =£295;

AC = (4200 - 1500) +1250 +5000+10000+1475

= 20,425
5

AC = £4,085

Now, much of those costs wont change too dramatically (well, maybe the fuel but I gloss over that ) with another car (unless you buy a Tesla and then the values of "a" and "b" will dominate the equation. Everyone here can, of course, argue about the assumptions (and of course I may well be talking out my hat ) so feel free to argue. Future costs of fuel etc dont really impact as its supposed to used as a comparison with other cars.

I would advise BrianG NOT to attempt this exercise with your RS6 as I would like you to enjoy your holiday.

[Norretal]

Originally Posted by David's8

Thats the way I managed to make the case for running a car like an S8. I looked at keeping the car for a certain number of years. Therefore the Annual Cost of ownership (AC) = (Price of car at start"a" - value at end of 5 years "b") + servicing costs "s" + estimated repair/maintenance costs "r" + fuel costs"f" + tax "t" divided by period of ownership "x"

AC = (a-b) + s + r + f +t
__________________
x

Let x = 5years, so taking a recent S8 seen for sale @£4.2k estimated to be worth £1.5 at end of 5 yrs, servicing costs, say, £250p.a, and a repair/maintenance bill of around £1k p.a, fuel £2k pa (@10k miles p.a), tax =£295;

AC = (4200 - 1500) +1250 +5000+10000+1475

= 20,425
5

AC = £4,085

Now, much of those costs wont change too dramatically (well, maybe the fuel but I gloss over that ) with another car (unless you buy a Tesla and then the values of "a" and "b" will dominate the equation. Everyone here can, of course, argue about the assumptions (and of course I may well be talking out my hat ) so feel free to argue. Future costs of fuel etc dont really impact as its supposed to used as a comparison with other cars.

I would advise BrianG NOT to attempt this exercise with your RS6 as I would like you to enjoy your holiday.

Well, as you've made the case so clearly David I feel much better now....

Don't get me wrong, I wasn't ranting, merely stating that these cars have associated costs with running them, get a few "unexpected" costs and it takes the shine off, at least till you've enjoyed a few drives out again.......then the love is soon rekindled

I drove home on Saturday and my next door neighbour said "Is that her fixed again?" and I replied "Yeah, till next time" to which he swiftly responded "Get a Nissan like we both have, they're never any bother". "No thanks, I'll stick with my Audi, cheers"

I've driven her tonight, caught some pigeons, her recent misbehaviours are already forgotten

[briang9]

Originally Posted by David's8

Thats the way I managed to make the case for running a car like an S8. I looked at keeping the car for a certain number of years. Therefore the Annual Cost of ownership (AC) = (Price of car at start"a" - value at end of 5 years "b") + servicing costs "s" + estimated repair/maintenance costs "r" + fuel costs"f" + tax "t" divided by period of ownership "x"

AC = (a-b) + s + r + f +t
__________________
x

Let x = 5years, so taking a recent S8 seen for sale @£4.2k estimated to be worth £1.5 at end of 5 yrs, servicing costs, say, £250p.a, and a repair/maintenance bill of around £1k p.a, fuel £2k pa (@10k miles p.a), tax =£295;

AC = (4200 - 1500) +1250 +5000+10000+1475




= 20,425
5

AC = £4,085

Now, much of those costs wont change too dramatically (well, maybe the fuel but I gloss over that ) with another car (unless you buy a Tesla and then the values of "a" and "b" will dominate the equation. Everyone here can, of course, argue about the assumptions (and of course I may well be talking out my hat ) so feel free to argue. Future costs of fuel etc dont really impact as its supposed to used as a comparison with other cars.

I would advise BrianG NOT to attempt this exercise with your RS6 as I would like you to enjoy your holiday.

Must be the local Riocha but that lost me very early on, apart from the part about not trying to justify any man maths with the RS6, bloody good job SWMBO is not a member here

[tonupkid]

There's no logic to buying a high performance car other than enjoyment.

[moltuae]

Originally Posted by tonupkid

There's no logic to buying a high performance car other than enjoyment.

Absolutely!

The enjoyment (e) = priceless

AC = (a-b) + s + r + f + t - e = ~0 (approx. f-all).




Incidentally, David, the formula is easier to remember if you transpose it like this:

AC = f + a + r + t + s - b

Or, including the enjoyment factor:

AC = f + a + r + t + s - (b + e)

[David's8]

I somehow thought that there might be humorous way to lay out the formula. Thanks Mark for finding it.