On the risks of oversized (and jacked up) vehicles.

[Mr Purple]

Looking at the M140i forums (and now I need to wash my eyes) the poms seem to think Eco mode improves economy from 40mpg to 35mpg or so.

Having said that 40mpg is 6L/100km so they're either simply using it on highways only or are full of absolute BS, I've never seen anything close to that.

And half of them refuse to use eco mode because it makes the car feel broken and dangerously slow. Which is my thought as well!

[g-boaf]

Mind you dangerously slow in a car like that is probably crazy fast for the person in a regular 100hp car.

While the person in an M760Li probably thinks the 140i in its full power modes is sluggish because the puny inline-6 turbo can't match the 6.6L V12 twin-turbo torque monster doing 0-100km/h in less than 4 seconds, completely in second gear.

All relative.

[am50em]

With the 3.0l turbo diesel, I prefer eco mode to take the edge off 620Nm around town.

[g-boaf]

With the 3.0l turbo diesel, I prefer eco mode to take the edge off 620Nm around town.

G30 or G31?

[am50em]

GO1

[Mr Purple]

With the 3.0l turbo diesel, I prefer eco mode to take the edge off 620Nm around town.

I only have a relatively piddling 500Nm. Though it is of course directed through tiny little 235's on the rear on an open diff in a car weighing not much over 1500kg so it's all relative.

However strangely enough that's relevant to this thread because honestly like a lot of the 4WDs I'd see I wouldn't trust one in the hands of a P-plater! Turn the traction control off in that thing and it's a matter of choosing what hedge you'd like it parked in.

[g-boaf]

With the 3.0l turbo diesel, I prefer eco mode to take the edge off 620Nm around town.

I only have a relatively piddling 500Nm. Though it is of course directed through tiny little 235's on the rear on an open diff in a car weighing not much over 1500kg so it's all relative.

However strangely enough that's relevant to this thread because honestly like a lot of the 4WDs I'd see I wouldn't trust one in the hands of a P-plater! Turn the traction control off in that thing and it's a matter of choosing what hedge you'd like it parked in.

You should see the B57D30S0 - that thing is 394hp and 760Nm (2000-3000rpm) - crazy for 2993cc. Effortless and still pretty decent economy as well. Mind you it's in an xDrive 5 series wagon which is 2000kg.

Alpina puts it in the XD3 as well, but not for this market. I suspect not possible to do in RHD.

This is that engine: https://youtu.be/80YAxZniVAc?si=Yev1sVLUt7RbuxwV

That's not bad for an almost 5m long station wagon, and with a lack of noise which is also nice. As soon as it hits 2000rpm it goes like an express train. The rolling acceleration is excellent.

[am50em]

Apart from 9 months when I had a company car, I have never commuted by car to work (well maybe a handful of days per year when I needed to transport something heavy). My vehicle selection is for long distance driving so fuel economy is a priority. I loathe driving in city and suburbs in any car. I pick the smallest vehicle I can fit in comfortably (not always easy at 195cm ) with room to transport gear and only want 1 car. Driving a tall 4wd while living in suburbs is not for me. Could make sense if living on a rural property.

Interestingly our cars have identical 0-50 km/hr times, then the weight and aerodynamics take effect.
https://fastestlaps.com/comparisons/dkkhvzl3z42b

[am50em]

I was riding behind an X5 50d yesterday, it was just cruising along through the suburbs. Only the massive tyres to indicate its potential.

[g-boaf]

I was riding behind an X5 50d yesterday, it was just cruising along through the suburbs. Only the massive tyres to indicate its potential.

Same engine. One of my relatives had one for a while. Even with his heavy foot it had respectable economy for what it was.

[fat and old]

I can understand 4x4 Iveco utes, those are real work vehicles, also the VW cab-chassis with a tray on the back (back in 2021 around $65K) or some of the Japanese alternatives. But those get no cred on the weekend. The others are BS fashion accessories.

Name removed from quote as it's irrelevant. Quote used as a typical.

This sort of remark is bothersome. Made by someone who's not a user and doesn't really think the whole issue through. Lets look at a few options, and we'll compare them to a Ford Ranger...the de facto vehicle of choice.

First off is the financial considerations: You're going to invest in a vehicle which will and can only be used for work if you go down that route. Yes, the modern trucks are pretty swish, but I can tell you from experience that they are in no way comparable to a single or dual cab ute of any type. Anyone else drive one from Brisbane or Sydney to Melbourne? ...........crickets! These are trucks! They are built to be loaded up. So yes, they are better for work, but purchasing one means an extra vehicle in the family fleet. The cost?

https://www.westar.com.au/used-trucks/v ... y/28719347 That's a CC. Add on the tray
https://www.westar.com.au/new-trucks/vi ... s/27039412 Kitted out. No extra costs
https://www.westar.com.au/new-trucks/vi ... s/25537791 There you are, it has a tray. Nothing else, but at least a tray
https://www.westar.com.au/new-trucks/vi ... s/25537820 Kitted out, no extra costs.

So, from 63K to 85k there. By the time it's ready for work.

The Ranger (4wd)

https://www.ford.com.au/buy/build-and-p ... iAUS202450

From 63.5k to 93k. Plus on roads.

Second is the size consideration. Sure, the width is close to the Ranger.....Baby NLR Isuzu at 1855mm across rear tyres, or 2150 at mirrors, Ranger at 1850-1900 without mirrors or 2028-2200 at mirrors. But lets add a tray! Traypack Isuzu is now 2,100. Length? Ranger at 5,400 MWB T/B Isuzu at 6,300. Yes, you'll find SWB units, but the chassis length remains.

Now, the important measurement for the owner: HEIGHT. Ranger 4wd (AT) max 1873. Isuzu NLR/NPR 2150-2293. OH NO! How do I park my baby Isuzu in a multi level car park anywhere, or even the majority of apartment carparks? BTW, if you think the Iveco 4wd is lower, so sad too bad. Starts at 2290 for a 2wd and goes up (50C....the baby unit)

So where's our environmentally conscious, socially responsible tradie gonna park his nice new truck? In his drive, so long as he has a house. But what about Mung Bean Michael, who bought an inner city apartment so as to get on board the low emission, high density, socially cohesive neighbourhood bandwagon? Too bad. he's parking it on the street. Alongside his partner's SUV, cos you know....kids.

And that's just the beginning. There are many consequences to be considered when buying a vehicle, more so when it is supposed to do dual duty.

Like the 0-100km/h time which seems to fascinate the majority of EV thread posters.

[Nobody]

...people use them for off-road or towing tasks. occasionally. the question is: do you need to buy such a big vehicle with off-road capability for something you do occasionally? it's not what people in France would do - there's nowhere to park it. but in Australia with more space and a govt offering a 100% tax write off, why not?

Agree. But for those who want to go somewhere where a 4WD may be an advantage on their annual leave, buying seems attractive when one looks into the prices to hire a large 4WD. IIRC a guy at work said it was $5000 for 10 days. Admitedly the depreciation on a large 4WD is going to be that much extra in a year anyway. At least in some cases with newer vehicles. But depreciation costs are more out of immediate sight. So that's another reason 4WDs become city daily drivers 50 weeks a year, then 2 weeks a year country adventurer. Hiring at least makes more environmental and safety sense (for other road users).

Also many farmers have made do over the previous decades with 2WD utes. So maybe it pays financially to know how to drive a 2WD off road. Plenty of people did it before 4WDs and AWDs became cheap enough.

[baabaa]

My vehicle selection is for long distance driving so fuel economy is a priority. I loathe driving in city and suburbs in any car. I pick the smallest vehicle I can fit in comfortably (not always easy at 195cm ) with room to transport gear and only want 1 car. Driving a tall 4wd while living in suburbs is not for me. Could make sense if living on a rural property.

Um 193cm and slim - been happy with a 2012 skoda octavia wagon - the small engine 1.4 l manual - easy to fit inside and quite a large space with the seats down, also have roof racks and a rooftop pod when need to lug more stuff like bikes and camping gear ( oh and a large dog)
Come from 205 and 405 peugeots which are also easy to fit inside but the skoda has been 100% angst free, just hit 120,000 ks and still on original battery, but the list of things done are limited to a new water pump and new set of front discs and pads. Seems to sit on between 5.5 and 6 l /100km. On third set of tyres and just past rego check, so maybe another 10, 15 or 20,000 ks ?
How car tires drive deforestation
https://www.dw.com/en/how-car-tires-dri ... o-69134099
***bike tyres even get a mention from around 21 mins in!!! ***
Anyway, very easy to own and no plans to replace it as it just works and the bloke that does the servicing is also surprised by just how good and very ordinarily vehicle can be.
We did have a mazda metro 121 1.5 which to me was the ideal city car for Sydney and a family of four ( plus two dogs at that time)