[ches]

Hello and happy new year's everyone. I've been off the board for a few weeks, and I hope all's well with everyone. Things are just great here, and what better way to ring in the new year than to "go five digits" and turn over 10,000 miles on my MCS?

Rereading my thoughts at 2500 miles not all that much has changed. I'm still as crazy about this car as the day I got it. I have had only the most minor of troubles (knock on wood):
* assorted dashboard rattles
* cold start problem
* leaking coolant tank
* brake pedal falls off (even after being glued)

So far (knock on wood again) no dings! Just a few stone chips on the front bumper, and a couple tiny windshield nicks.

Anyway, I've been going through my receipts and you may or may not be amused to know over these 10,000 miles I've tanked up 39 times at a total cost of US$781. Some numbers for you:

average per-tank fuel economy: 23.4 mpg
best tank: 26.3 mpg (on a trip to Vegas)
worst tank: 21.2 mpg (shortly after break-in, hee hee)
life-of-car fuel economy: 23.4 mpg
average fuel cost: $1.90/gal

All figures are calculated by hand (no OBC, US gallons and US dollars). I guess I would say that I've mainly been doing, uh, exuberant suburban freeway driving, with quite a few city and open road miles also, and I'd say that the A/C is on about 90% of the time.

No repairs! I paid $65 for an early oil change at 4,000 miles, and that was it. So when you crunch the numbers it comes out to a little under 8.5 cents per mile. (Not including the cost of the car, registration, tax, and insurance).

According to the speedo, I'm still not due for an oil service for another 1700 miles, and and at that time I'll get the cold start fixed, the coolant tank replaced, and I also want to see if they can program the doors to lock when first starting out.

I might also see how much they want to retrofit a MFSW. It's the only "missing" option I wished I'd had.

Cheers and Happy New Year!

Dave

[3GGG]

average fuel cost: $1.90/gal



You don't know you are born over there!

[chiph]

Quote:

Originally posted by 3GGG
average fuel cost: $1.90/gal



You don't know you are born over there!

$1.55/gal in North Carolina this week for premium grade. Higher than South Carolina ($1.50/gal last week while I was there), but we've got cheaper cigarette prices than they do.

I think that works out to 27p/liter for you.

But don't get mad at us - blame the Tories/Labour/Conservatives that have caused 70% of your petrol costs to go to Inland Revenue. Our real costs (cost to deliver a gallon to the station) are actually slightly higher than yours due to increased transportation costs.

There's some concern here about gasoline prices -- what with the strike in Venezuela, and the potential of war in the Gulf. Predictions are that it'll hit $2.25/gallon in places.

Chip H.

[sdmidget]

I’ve driven 9890 miles and I've tanked up 35 times (318.4 US gallons at a total cost of US$469).

Some numbers for you:

average per-tank fuel economy: 31.06 mpg
best tank: 38.07mpg (on a trip to Watkins Glen)
worst tank: 28.11 mpg (temps in the teens – extensive
heater use)
life-of-car fuel economy: 31.06 mpg
average fuel cost: $1.47/gal (92-93 octane)

[Gas is cheaper in central Pennsylvania ]

[ches]

Sdmidget,

Thanks for posting those comparison numbers. I guess it shouldn't be too surprising that the S's extra horses require extra fuel.

Cheers,

Dave

[cordial]

Quote:

Originally posted by ches
[b]

I might also see how much they want to retrofit a MFSW. It's the only "missing" option I wished I'd had.

/B]

Thanks for your report and DO NOT HESITATE to go for the MFSW. I now couldn't live without it and really miss those buttons whenever I'm in the family jalopy (ML 270 CDI - Mercedes Benz don't offer the retrofit)...

[stokey]

Sorry folks but i'm in brain dead mode today, so whats MFSW??

[chiph]

Quote:

Originally posted by stokey
Sorry folks but i'm in brain dead mode today, so whats MFSW??

Multi-Function Steering Wheel. It has the cruise control buttons on it, plus the buttons on the back to control the MINI radio.

Chip H.

[AlanB]

FYI-
I have a 5/02 MCS I picked up in July 2002. I have only 4K miles and didn't want to wait 6 more months for the cold start fix. I went to my dealer and had it done! AMAZING difference in car! 1st is much better and it starts on first key turn EVERY TIME! I am glad I did not wait!