Lamborghini owner loads his car on plane and send it 6,500 miles for an oil change

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Old 07-31-2008 | 09:16 AM
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Lamborghini owner loads his car on plane and send it 6,500 miles for an oil change

Sheikh flies Lamborghini 6,500 miles to Britain for oil change

A RICH Arab sent his Lamborghini on a 6,500-mile round trip to Britain for a service. The £190,000 supercar was put on a scheduled flight from Qatar to Heathrow – then flown BACK after the oil check.

Money was no object as the flight would have cost the owner – thought to be a Sheikh – around £20,000. The move sparked fury from green campaigners.

An airport worker said: “This car doesn’t have a carbon footprint – more of a crater.” The overall cost of sending the Lamborghini to London for the oil change would have cost more than £23,000.

His black-and-gold supercar costs £3,552 to service at an approved dealer – on top of the £20,000 to freight from Qatar to Britain. The Murciélago LP640 – driven by Batman in movie The Dark Knight – arrived from the Middle Eastern country on Friday.

It cleared customs and was trucked to specialist mechanics in London for the service. On Monday it was flown back 3,250 miles to the oil-rich state where it was collected by the owner.

A cargo handler at Heathrow blasted the car’s environmental damage. He said: “It would have been far more efficient to fly mechanics out there.”

And Jenny Evans, of pressure group Plane Stupid, said: “This horrifies me. It is another example of how rich people exploit and pollute the planet because of their money.”

She said the role of the super-wealthy in climate change was not properly recognised – while poor people were rapped for going on holiday. Friends of the Earth’s transport campaigner Richard Dyer said: “Flying a car thousands of miles for a service is ludicrous when planes are one of the most polluting ways to transport goods. We urge the individual to get their car serviced closer to home.”

But David Price, of Lamborghini Club UK, said: “If an owner wants to service his car in that way, it is his choice. “I’m not surprised. Thankfully the age of excess in some areas continues.”

Lamborghini UK spokeswoman Juliet Jarvis said there could be “kudos” for a Middle Eastern owner in servicing a car in London. She said the exclusive Italian brand had a network of authorised dealers around the world – and most cars were looked after in the country where they were bought.

But she added: “This sort of thing is not unheard of.”

Qatar Airways confirmed it carried the Lamborghini. The cars are popular with celebs including Rod Stewart and David Beckham.

http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage...cle1493291.ece
Wouldn't it be cheaper and easier to just fly the mechanic to Qatar to do the oil change there?
Old 07-31-2008 | 09:24 AM
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Environmentalists are wackos.
Old 07-31-2008 | 09:27 AM
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It was on a scheduled flight... what's the big deal, the plane was going there anyways!
Old 07-31-2008 | 09:28 AM
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Originally Posted by 65 Fury Convert
Wouldn't it be cheaper and easier to just fly the mechanic to Qatar to do the oil change there?
ROFL ... One would think
Old 07-31-2008 | 09:40 AM
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Exactly what I was thinking:

“It would have been far more efficient to fly mechanics out there.”
Old 07-31-2008 | 09:51 AM
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Originally Posted by Bdog
It was on a scheduled flight... what's the big deal, the plane was going there anyways!
That said they still added roughly 3500lbs of extra cargo weight which burned extra fuel. Its not my money, and I think the tree huggers have a very skewed version of reality, but this does seem a little irresponsible. Then again it is not my money, so who am I to say
Old 07-31-2008 | 10:34 AM
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Oh boy, an article from The Sun .....the British equivalent of the Enquirer, and I'm being nice.

I have some spare time this morning, so I'm going to blow a bunch of holes in this sensationalized article for pure fun and learning. All calculations below are general at best, and cliff notes are at the bottom.

As Bdog noted, this was not a charter flight, and nobody knows what kind of arrangement the guy may have had with Qatar Airlines as far as usage is concerned. Perhaps a monthly leasing or cargospace agreement?

Not only that, but who is to say there wasn't something else being looked at, or someone in London wanted to use the car, etc. etc. etc.

Sure, its wasteful on aircraft fuel, but one would have to calculate exactly how much extra fuel it took to move an additional 3,700lbs. on an aircraft that already weighs 17 tons at maximum takeoff weight.

Boeing 767's have a fuel capacity of 24,000 gallons. Assuming $3.00 a gallon (a general estimate for scheduled flight fuel cost), that's $72,000 per fill-up.....or 36,400 British Pounds.

A 747-200 (a plane much larger and with worse fuel consumption than the plane pictured in the photograph) gets approximately 7 gallons to the mile in overall fuel consumption over the duration of flight. That's 45,000 gallons used on the roundtrip flight, so two fillups at $136500 per.; or $273,000 in fuel cost....for the entire 747-200.....a plane much less fuel efficient than the 767 that looks like its pictured.

CLIFFS NOTES: So even if the 767 got fuel mileage as bad as a 747-200 (which it doesn't), would an extra 3,700lbs. (1%) added to a 350,000lb. aircraft cost $39,000 in fuel cost?

The answer is NO. This is how sensational articles are written, and now some crazed environmentalists portray things. The article reads like it cost 20,000 British Pounds in fuel, or carbon footprint, or whatever. Sorry, no chance.

Trucking it back and forth from the airport likely cost as much in fuel as the extra fuel used on that huge aircraft.

Moral of the story here? The REAL crime is the horrifying colors that Murcielago is painted in, that hideous black and gold custom paint scheme.

Boringly yours,
-Mirror

Last edited by TheMirror; 07-31-2008 at 10:39 AM.
Old 07-31-2008 | 11:05 AM
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Originally Posted by iTimmy
That said they still added roughly 3500lbs of extra cargo weight which burned extra fuel. Its not my money, and I think the tree huggers have a very skewed version of reality, but this does seem a little irresponsible. Then again it is not my money, so who am I to say
But who's to say that if the car didn't take up those 3,500lbs of cargo that someone else's 3,500lbs of cargo wouldn't be in it's place?

Seems to me like people are simply a bit jealous.
Old 07-31-2008 | 11:38 AM
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LOL..everytime we pump gas...we pay these people WAYYYYYY too much money.
Old 07-31-2008 | 12:41 PM
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It's his money .
Old 07-31-2008 | 12:58 PM
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Originally Posted by mrsteve
But who's to say that if the car didn't take up those 3,500lbs of cargo that someone else's 3,500lbs of cargo wouldn't be in it's place?
Are you saying some imaginary person cancelled their plans to haul something indefinately because there was a Lamborghini in the way?

Originally Posted by mrsteve
Seems to me like people are simply a bit jealous.
People who care about the environment are jealous? All those people who recycle, plant little trees, drive hybrids, bike to work, install solar cells on their roofs and buy green products are merely expressing resentment towards the rich? Wow I had no idea.
Old 07-31-2008 | 12:59 PM
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Originally Posted by chill_dog
It's his money .
It seems so simple when you put it that way. Why didn't anyone else think of that?
Old 07-31-2008 | 01:08 PM
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I would have gladly drove it there for him.
Old 07-31-2008 | 01:10 PM
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Originally Posted by TheMirror
CLIFFS NOTES: So even if the 767 got fuel mileage as bad as a 747-200 (which it doesn't), would an extra 3,700lbs. (1%) added to a 350,000lb. aircraft cost $39,000 in fuel cost?

The answer is NO. This is how sensational articles are written, and now some crazed environmentalists portray things. The article reads like it cost 20,000 British Pounds in fuel, or carbon footprint, or whatever. Sorry, no chance.
The shock isn't so much over the cost but the fact that he used up any amount of jet fuel for something as seemingly trivial as an oil change. If he had shipped it there for some sort of actual repair this wouldn't have made the news.

Personally I think the Arab just wants some bragging rights for his next cocktail party and now he has a news article to prove he actually did it.
Old 07-31-2008 | 01:26 PM
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Originally Posted by mrsteve
Environmentalists are wackos.



Although it is funny how they got all mad about this
Old 07-31-2008 | 01:26 PM
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Originally Posted by RaviNJCLs
I would have gladly drove it there for him.
Than it would have been over the mileage for the oil change.
Old 07-31-2008 | 01:44 PM
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While I don't agree with what he did, there are thousands of planes flying around at any given hour of the day. Adding 3500lbs to one of those multiton cargo planes isn't going to destroy the planet.
Old 07-31-2008 | 02:03 PM
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Originally Posted by Trackruner228



Although it is funny how they got all mad about this
^^^ red necks
Old 07-31-2008 | 02:49 PM
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Originally Posted by wackura
^^^ red necks
Damn I guess even though I was born in Boston I cant understand your fancy city folk talk.
Old 07-31-2008 | 03:07 PM
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I don't see anything wrong with it. Instead of drive the 1.5hrs to New York City, I prefer to drive 40 minutes to the airport near me and fly into NYC and instead of traveling light I take advantage of the 50lbs I'm allowed by checking a bag of rocks.
Old 07-31-2008 | 03:16 PM
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Originally Posted by mrsteve
Environmentalists are wackos.
I am stuck with the damn hippies trying to protect non native trees in berkeley.

Fuck Hippies.
Old 07-31-2008 | 03:18 PM
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Originally Posted by wackura
The shock isn't so much over the cost but the fact that he used up any amount of jet fuel for something as seemingly trivial as an oil change. If he had shipped it there for some sort of actual repair this wouldn't have made the news.

Personally I think the Arab just wants some bragging rights for his next cocktail party and now he has a news article to prove he actually did it.
Ah no, I'm with ya. Its pretty wacky to ship a car anywhere for a basic service. I just wanted to point out that the article makes it seem like he wasted $30,000 on fuel....when in reality changing the weight of a jetliner by 1% would result in a nearly negligible fuel consumption penalty. A stiff headwind would eat up a lot more fuel than that.

Its like throwing 35lbs. of clothes into the trunk of a TSX and trying to calculate the mileage penalty over a 650 mile trip.

I'm also not convinced it was a simple oil change; it could very well have been a scheduled service which can total thousands of dollars. The Sun could easily "forget" to print that part of it.

One thing is for sure, I wholeheartedly agree it was partially done so Sheik dude could have some bragging rights at his next get-together.

Cheers,
-Mirror
Old 07-31-2008 | 03:26 PM
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is there not a lamborghini dealership by where this guy resides?
Old 07-31-2008 | 03:27 PM
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Originally Posted by mrproul
I am stuck with the damn hippies trying to protect non native trees in berkeley.

Fuck Hippies.
I refuse to spend a single dime in Berkeley after this unbelievable ridiculousness:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Berkele...er_controversy

I am definitely no neo-con or even a Republican. But for a city which supposedly stands for freedom of expression for all people, this is hypocracy beyond all measure.

Sorry gang, back to your previously scheduled thread. Hijacking done.

-M
Old 07-31-2008 | 03:33 PM
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Originally Posted by invisiblewar
is there not a lamborghini dealership by where this guy resides?
Yep, in Doha.....the same city where the airport is.

Maybe they got his car dirty last time and made him mad?
Old 07-31-2008 | 03:36 PM
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this rich bastard single handedly ruined the environment. what an inconsiderate prick.
Old 07-31-2008 | 03:42 PM
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Originally Posted by wackura
Are you saying some imaginary person cancelled their plans to haul something indefinately because there was a Lamborghini in the way?
Dude, cargo planes don't like to fly with empty cargo space. This was a scheduled flight with other cargo on the plane. It's not as if this guy chartered a private plane to haul his car to London. It was placed on a plane with presumably hundreds of other people's junk being shipped around the world. And adding ~3,500 pounds to a cargo jet isn't going to burn any measurable amount of additional jet fuel.

People who care about the environment are jealous? All those people who recycle, plant little trees, drive hybrids, bike to work, install solar cells on their roofs and buy green products are merely expressing resentment towards the rich? Wow I had no idea.
You're a lunatic.
Old 07-31-2008 | 03:57 PM
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Originally Posted by mrsteve
adding ~3,500 pounds to a cargo jet isn't going to burn any measurable amount of additional jet fuel.
That's the most idiotic statement ever made with a straight face.
Old 07-31-2008 | 04:01 PM
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I'm not an eco freak but some of you clearly discount the signficance of ait polution simply because you can't see it. If only air pollution had a bright neon glow, maybe then it would get through to you.
Old 07-31-2008 | 04:09 PM
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Originally Posted by mrproul
I am stuck with the damn hippies trying to protect non native trees in berkeley.

Fuck Hippies.
Old 07-31-2008 | 04:10 PM
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Originally Posted by sho_nuff1997
this rich bastard single handedly ruined the environment. what an inconsiderate prick.
shewt.. i liked the environment
Old 07-31-2008 | 04:17 PM
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Originally Posted by wackura
That's the most idiotic statement ever made with a straight face.

3,500lbs is less than 9% of the capacity of a 727 cargo jet.

When you increase the weight of your TSX by 9% (driver plus 2 passengers) do you notice a measurable difference in fuel economy versus driving solo?
Old 07-31-2008 | 04:20 PM
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Originally Posted by wackura
I'm not an eco freak but some of you clearly discount the signficance of ait polution simply because you can't see it. If only air pollution had a bright neon glow, maybe then it would get through to you.
Let me guess. Global warming?
Old 07-31-2008 | 04:30 PM
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Originally Posted by mrsteve
3,500lbs is less than 9% of the capacity of a 727 cargo jet.

When you increase the weight of your TSX by 9% (driver plus 2 passengers) do you notice a measurable difference in fuel economy versus driving solo?
Wether you notice it or not is irrelevant, it actualy takes more work (buring fuel) to move more weight (the car) the same distance (airport to airport). Another victory for science!

Which brings us to the heart of your fail, you don't think something can be a problem unless you notice it.
Old 07-31-2008 | 04:35 PM
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Originally Posted by Trackruner228
Let me guess. Global warming?
^^^ red necks
Old 07-31-2008 | 04:36 PM
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Originally Posted by wackura
I'm not an eco freak but some of you clearly discount the signficance of ait polution simply because you can't see it. If only air pollution had a bright neon glow, maybe then it would get through to you.

I drive a 13mpg SUV on the weekends, hope that made you cry.
Old 07-31-2008 | 04:38 PM
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Originally Posted by wackura
^^^ red necks
Is that seriously the only thing you can say to me? First of all I rasied in a town right outside of Boston and second of all I would rather be a redneck than someone with a maturity level of Paris Hilton.
Old 07-31-2008 | 04:41 PM
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Originally Posted by wackura
Wether you notice it or not is irrelevant, it actualy takes more work (buring fuel) to move more weight (the car) the same distance (airport to airport). Another victory for science!

Which brings us to the heart of your fail, you don't think something can be a problem unless you notice it.

If you can't notice it how is it science? It's simply your theory. If it is completely unquantifiable it isn't science.
Old 07-31-2008 | 04:54 PM
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Originally Posted by mrsteve
If you can't notice it how is it science? It's simply your theory. If it is completely unquantifiable it isn't science.
Old 07-31-2008 | 04:59 PM
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I know you all believe that global warming is occuring, but that you can't admit it because you have hang-ups and insecurities about being told what you should or shouldn't do. It's OK, I understand. The ego is a powerful motivator.


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