Saturday 24th December 2011

PH Blog: V8 = v. good

Is there really a case for running a big, thirsty V8 these days? Oh yes there is...

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So I'm enjoying my third V8 in a row, courtesy of a supercharged Range Rover Sport. And enjoying is the operative word.

But, really, why would you? When I booked the car the press office said "You'll be wanting a diesel then..." And I was all geared up to say, "Of course!" what with some fairly burly Christmas miles coming up. But then I thought, sod it, why not go the whole hog.

You'd have to be mental of course. The diesel Range Rover Sport is brilliant, as I discovered earlier in the year when I took one to the 'ring earlier to further my investigations into the goings on there.

30mpg+, plenty of grunt. What on earth would make you want to spend another £8,000 and suffer an mpg figure of half that, on a good day?

Well, because it makes you feel good, that's why. Maybe it's the time of year but I'm thinking it's a bit like whisky. Sure, you can have a nice bottle of Bells and it'll taste warming and all the rest. Or you can spend quite a bit more and have a nice Highland Park. Same effect, similar taste but oh so much more satisfying.

But can you really get to appreciate that V8? I've actually really been enjoying just tickling along with it barely on tickover, relishing that gentle vibration through the seat and the bassy vibration that permeates the Rangie's structure. Oh sure, I guess we're not far off electric cars that'll effect a convincing impression of this via a subwoofer and suchlike without supping a drop of unleaded. But it wouldn't be the same. In the Range Rover the engine is a bit like that in a big ship - distant, barely stretched but massively powerful.

I'm actually driving slower than I have in ages in the Sport. But I'm loving every minute. And as much as the diesel ticked every box the supercharged V8 retains a sense of magic that'll make those fuel bills, for the likes of us, kind of justifiable. Or maybe that's the whisky talking.

Dan

 

[EighteenMPG]

Just bought my first V8, an old 735 E38, on exactly the same reasoning. I have also experienced the same effect on my rather rapid driving style.....unexpected but not unpleasant, I'll admit. Need to release a few more decibels and then I'll be more than happy.

[goron59]

I'm on my second v8. Love them. They'll be gone in a few years, so if you can, enjoy them now.

[sjabrown]

I've yet to own a V8 engined vehicle. Was tempted by this BMW 740 (well inside shed territory: http://www.gumtree.com/p/cars-vans-motorbikes/bmw-... ) but chickened out and gained another peugeot from ebay.

[WeirdNeville]

I'd love a V8 - preferably fitted to an E39 M5 or failing that a 540i Touring (proper 'box though!).

The thing is, when you factor in all the other costs of running a car, unless you do silly miles the petrol bill pales into insignificance. Because my car has a large engine, it was worth nothing. So I bought it for £700. Which means that with zero depreciation, 20p a mile on fuel equates to 30p a mile total running cost!

I worked out that the diesel equivalent of my car, costing £1000 more, only pays for itself somewhere after 21,000 miles. And that's ignoring the added complexity and cost of modern diesels.

Big cpaacity petrols: The educated, frugal, exciting choice.

[Godzilla]

Well I actively hunted down a relatively rare 4.4 V8 petrol XC90 because the Volvo dealer told me the more highly stressed but much less powerful turbo diesel 5 pot would clog up its diesel particulate filter if used exclusively for short school runs (which is the main use of the vehicle) and return a palty 22mpg vs the 17/18mpg of the petrol.

Bearing in mind diesel costs more than unleaded and the low mileage we do, the chances are we could never recoup the microscopic saving in fuel consumption.

And now I get to listen to a lovely woofly Yamaha V8 (as adopted by Noble for the M600) and be able to pull safely and briskly out into school run traffic with 315hp on tap.
The only downside is the painful 460 quid a year road tax (which unfortunately falls due the same day the GT-R's 460 quid needs paying!), something Dan doesn't need to worry about with his endless chain of free press cars.

Now if only Akrapovic would do an exhaust for it to really complete our fleet...

[Animal]

I've just bought my first V8 - how ever did I survive with less?

[Toaster Pilot]

Godzilla said:

be able to pull safely and briskly out into school run traffic with 315hp on tap.

[OwenK]

I recently bought a twin-turbo V6 estate, can I join in too? It's got rubbish fuel consumption and everythingg!

[HD Adam]

I've got 2 supercharged V8 trucks.

Quite economical because I can only drive one at a time.

Or something like that

[Chris944_S2]

I'm also on my 3rd V8 (well technically maybe only two as the current is in W formation), don't think ill change anytime soon. It's also the most common number of cylinder of all the cars I've owned

[tosh.brice]

Still missing my S4 4.2 V8 after 5 years. The extra fuel cost was, as said by others, not huge in the overall figures, but having to fill up on every other commute was irritating; Jerusalem to Tel Aviv - thread-able traffic (treat everything else as stationary, like a hovercraft among shipping) and a good back road hill climb when I felt like it on the way home. They should have offered the option of twin tanks like the old Jags!

Edited by tosh.brice on Sunday 25th December 11:05

[djdestiny]

I must be part of a very rare breed, because I HATE the sound of a V8!
Id rather here a straight 6, inline 5 or V6 over a V8 any day!!

I drive a V6 S4, and would NEVER swap it for a V8 one

[Sideways Rich]

WeirdNeville said:

I'd love a V8 - preferably fitted to an E39 M5 or failing that a 540i Touring (proper 'box though!).

The thing is, when you factor in all the other costs of running a car, unless you do silly miles the petrol bill pales into insignificance. Because my car has a large engine, it was worth nothing. So I bought it for £700. Which means that with zero depreciation, 20p a mile on fuel equates to 30p a mile total running cost!

I worked out that the diesel equivalent of my car, costing £1000 more, only pays for itself somewhere after 21,000 miles. And that's ignoring the added complexity and cost of modern diesels.

Big cpaacity petrols: The educated, frugal, exciting choice.

Do it! Picked up an E39 M5 as my DD in the summer, brilliant car.
Merry Christmas

[nxi20]

Just bought an E55 AMG 5.4 litres of supercharged V8 goodness. If I don't use the throttle too much it gives about the same MPG as the GT3...

[ARAF]

OwenK said:

I recently bought a twin-turbo V6 estate, can I join in too? It's got rubbish fuel consumption and everythingg!

You'll have to stand in the corner, with the ginger kids.

[Redlake27]

I had 2000 miles in the US in a Corvette recently. It was easy to do 32mpg on the motorway at 70, as it was so unstressed. OK, it was less efficient at 185mph...

[Max M4X WW]

540i here, auto but modified exhaust

Keep thinking I should get a 6cyl BMW but what about the noise!

[DaveZT260]

Wouldn't be without my V8.

I only do 5000 miles a year and run a Vespa scooter for the daily commute.

And as others have said they can be economical on a run.

Doesn't really affect me financially at all..

[John the Blind]

I've heard them all of my friends - "what about the cost of the fuel" - "You pay how much tax!" - "It will be worth buttons when you come to sell it". Funny though how they always seem to hang about when I pull off, encouraging me to nail it

It what was funny buying the car though (XKR). I had a 335i BMW, and when discussing the part exchange, the Jaguar dealer said, and I am being completely straight here "Well the problem is that there is no demand for large petrol engined cars at the moment ....."

"Really ...... " I replied, "Like a large V8 for example?"

"Hmmm ..." he said "I have been selling Jags for 15 years and I don't think I have ever said something quite that stupid" Lol

[K666ADM]

In the north east of scotland I have a 3 pot smart roadster - its ideal for the twisty b roads and sips fuel. But when moving to the middle east I had to adapt to a vehicle more fitting to the region - I am not a 4X4 fan, too much wallow in the bends - so opted for the 4.6 mustang - great fun but the cheap interior got too much to look at after a couple of years so moved to a Z4, the in line 6 is a nice note but the burble of the V8 is hard to replace. Not sure a smart roadster will be able to give the same feeling but have to love the light weight and balanced handling even if the engine response is lacking. Might have to go with a twin turbo V8 BMW M when I settle back home to get the best of both worlds.