PREMIUM PITFALLS
The choice is yours when it comes to motoring pleasure of pain in the hip pocket
WHY PAY MORE?
I’ve owned a Porsche 911, BMWs and two Mercedes in the past but will never again buy a so-called premium European car. The letter regarding the Mercedes $15,000 injector repair is a case in point, as was the Porsche Cayman GTS costing more than
Mini Cooper S.
$200,000 in Australia when it’s half that in the UK. Pathetic warranties, too, compared to the Korean brands. Wake up Australia and stop being badge snobs.
Ernie McNally, email
I’m with you on the warranties, Ernie, but the fact remains that car buyers have a huge choice and if you want to and are able to buy a premium European, it’s a free country. Just prepare for premium service costs and parts prices to go with the luxury. The $200K Cayman GTS was chock full of cost options, by the way, but its $172K base price is still hefty compared to the UK.
FUEL CRISIS
Re octane ratings. You recommend using various grades of petrol but “never E10”. I run my 2011 Mini Cooper S on Liberty 100RON E10. The owner’s manual says this is fine, so could you please expand on your comment?
Richard Davies, email
Most modern cars get the nod from manufacturers to run E10 fuel, as you and many others do. It’s my personal choice and opinion but I won’t use it. I have friends who are gun engine mechanics and they’ve mentioned fuel system dramas and poor performance due to the ethanol. So I’m happy to pay a few cents extra for Premium and enjoy better fuel economy too.
TOW BOAT
Re towball downloads. I tow a two-tonne boat rig with a heavy-duty set-up on a Ford FG Falcon. I vary the tow ball weight by moving the boat forward or backward on the trailer. Is it better for stability to have the car support near its maximum weight of 230kg or keep the bulk of the load on the trailer axles?
Michael Carroll, email