I like summer

[Butcher]

I did not say diesel engines were not more efficient, I believe diesel engines "burn" the fuel, where as petrol engines explode it, which is why they are better. Its just 12% of the improved miles per gallon are in fact due to the fuel having more energy in it rather than due to the improved efficiency.

Other way round. Petrol engines use a spark to ignite the petrol which then burns. Diesels on the other hand compress the diesel until it explodes.

[BUFF]

I can definitely say my car (SAAB 9-5 Estate) 2 Litre, is much less efficient than your one, getting me 30MPG (petrol). However I am willing to bet you mine was cheaper.

certainly not new it wasn't.

[kalniel]

I did not say diesel engines were not more efficient, I believe diesel engines "burn" the fuel, where as petrol engines explode it, which is why they are better. Its just 12% of the improved miles per gallon are in fact due to the fuel having more energy in it rather than due to the improved efficiency.

Right, which is pretty insignificant compared to the other 88% of improvement

I can definitely say my car (SAAB 9-5 Estate) 2 Litre, is much less efficient than your one, getting me 30MPG (petrol). However I am willing to bet you mine was cheaper.

That would be interesting - I can't think of any stage in the life of your car where it would be cheaper than an Astra. Astra's are cheap new, and depreciate like a stone due to commonness - I even got to pick which colour I liked at the car supermarket because they had so many. I guess when you hit the dregs of depreciation mine might be worth more simply because it's a diesel.

Other way round. Petrol engines use a spark to ignite the petrol which then burns. Diesels on the other hand compress the diesel until it explodes.

Diesels don't explode either - they compress the air then inject the fuel in such a way that it burns smoothly.

[oolon]

That would be interesting - I can't think of any stage in the life of your car where it would be cheaper than an Astra. Astra's are cheap new, and depreciate like a stone due to commonness - I even got to pick which colour I liked at the car supermarket because they had so many. I guess when you hit the dregs of depreciation mine might be worth more simply because it's a diesel.

I was given it when my old car was written off by admiral, its like driving a big comfortable sofa. BTW I did mean it as kind of joke, I wish my car got as many miles to gallon as yours as it is obviously much cheaper to run.

[kalniel]

I was given it when my old car was written off by admiral, its like driving a big comfortable sofa.

Yeah that's the nice thing about Saabs - long journeys are very comfy.

[jonathan_phang]

Ah, the unreachable realms of high MPG. Still coming round to the fact that my Cupra R can only muster 30 MPG on normal driving, compared to my old Ibiza, which did enough miles for me never to have to work out MPG ever... But still, I'll enjoy it while its here and affordable, but I think that I'll go diesel next time for sure, whatever I get.

[Guy]

*cough* did someone mention economy?!

http://forums.hexus.net/hexus-automo...-my-hands.html

[finlay666]

6th gear at 30mph then Guy

Or did you do most of that downhill on a motorway

I struggle to get less than 35-50 depending if it's all town (35) or motorway (50+ usually)

Speed and driving habits are the biggest reasons for loss in fuel economy such as accelerating too hard, heavy braking (as the energy used to speed the car up is then wasted through heat in the brakes) and not having a properly serviced car/tyre pressure

Reminds me I need to get my car serviced soon, seems to get a bit thirsty on the oil, hopefully it wont be too expensive to fix any issues (can even do some of it myself I think as I have the time now)

[Guy]

6th gear at 30mph then Guy

Or did you do most of that downhill on a motorway

6th Gear at 60mph I'll have you know

+ From my office to Sussex Police HQ is FAR from down hill

Considering from mine up to MK that weekend I was still averaging mid 30's I dismiss your claim of Hax

[digit]

I wish I had a sixth gear, I reckon it would make a world of difference

[kalniel]

I wish I had a sixth gear, I reckon it would make a world of difference

Nah five is enough if the engine's flexible enough

[Guy]

I'm not sure what the ratios are like, but I would have thought you should easily be able to get mid 30's out of the 2.5 V6.

It's all about the long runs and being very smooth on the controls

[darkghost]

I wish I had a sixth gear, I reckon it would make a world of difference

Well I have 6 speed but I'm not getting anywhere near 30mpg.




But that might have something to do with the 5.0 V8 under the bonnet.