Sometimes I get over 20mpg When that happens it is a red letter day and I take it as a signal to have some fun and see how long it takes me to get it back to 15mpg average  Geoff

Has anyone done the man maths to justify a 4.4 over a 3.0 factoring in the additional up front expense but the potentially better resale value ? Is there really that much difference in economy?

Autotrader seems to be flooded with 3.0's over 4.4's at present. 405 AB exec seats Baltic and Cirrus
93 RR Classic efi

Remember it's easier to get forgiveness than permission!

Gone in order:
4.4 TDV8 SE - gone to a good home
93 Classic hard dash Plymouth Blue
03 L322 Oslo Blue
2000 Disco TD5 ES Epsom Green
98 P38 Rioja Red
89 Classic Cairngorm Brown

I genuinely don't believe that there will be much of a difference in the resale value of the 3.0 over the 4.4 more a personal preference. MPG is marginally better in the V6 but the V8 isn't bad and at this price point I can't see the fuel consumption playing a major part.
The V8 does give you a more relaxed engine note and you can have a more linear feel to the drive by way of the higher torque. The V6 works hard to push the vehicle and is not the tow car of choice.
I've done 30k miles in a V6 and rate it very highly and for everyday use it's my preference but if you are a V8 fan, need to tow or just have to have the largest engine option then it's not a bad choice at all. Bit of a first world problem in my opinion.

The way man maths works is that you decide what you're heart wants, then you find various arguments to convince yourself that it makes sense.

Therefore, if you want an SDV8, it will clearly have far stronger residuals and only a fool would by the V6

However, if you like the V6, then the depreciation difference is negligible, but the MPG difference is huge etc

I get it. I like the SC there are far less of them around so will hold its value better plus if i don't floor it every where i should get over 20mpg. Yes it the car to buy.

exactly - and you probably plan to do less miles next year - and post the VW emissions thing there will be a huge tax on diesel cars and the bottom will fall out of the market etc etc

Alistair wrote:

exactly - and you probably plan to do less miles next year - and post the VW emissions thing there will be a huge tax on diesel cars and the bottom will fall out of the market etc etc

That was my reasoning to SWMBO, she believes it's true.