Chat Newbie intro

[Oilburner]

Hello all.
Been viewing these forums for many months so I though it was about time I said something by way of thanks for the valuable insights I've gleaned!
Bought a late TDI 90 Sport about 3 months ago. Nice honest, low mileage example. It's my third A2TDI
There was a minor engine fault when I bought it. Information on here suggested minor fault such as split vacuum hose and the chap I was buying from said "absolutely NOT a problem with the Turbo" He seemed a decent enough chap (a solicitor) so I went ahead and bought it.
The problem only materialised when pushing on and since my driving didn't require much of that I drove around it for a couple of months until I got around to taking it to Stealth for a cambelt, service and diagnostics. Turned out the turbo was ******ed after all... BOLLOX!
Long story short, the old turbo I think is just gummed up but whilst it was out, we decided the safest, most reliable bet was new unit.
So new blower, and a stealth remap and good as gold. The map is terrific. No spikey torque, just picks up and keeps going. Genuinely feels like a 2.0l has sneeked under the bonnet. Very, very good. I reccommend it highly. And I can still get 70+mpg on my 150mile daily commute.
Winter tyres (185/60) on very lightweight 15" Audi pepperpots has gone a long way to taming the sport's iffy ride quality.
So thanks for all the good advice and friendly banter. I really happy to be back in another A2.

Bruce

 

[DJ 190]

And I can still get 70+mpg on my 150mile daily commute.

Nice to hear from you, Bruce. I think that all the A2OC members will have something to learn from you, though? Please let us know how you are able to achieve that superb mpg figure from your TDI 90? I have a TDI 75, and I have rarely achieved over 60mpg! Do you cruise continuously at ~60 mph, or do you use "free-wheeling" techniques? There is an A2OC member "MikemarsUK" who is an mpg expert, you will be following in his (much hallowed) footsteps!

David

 

[Oilburner]

David,
Not sure! My drive almost all motorway. I commute from Farnham in Surrey to Laindon in Essex so A3 and M25. I keep to around 60mph but don't employ any hyper-miling techniques as such. Basically, I drive it like I would ride a bike. Steady up the hills, take advantage of the downhills. There's even the odd burst up to 100mph when the mood and traffic allows. I use BP ultimate diesel. That's it. My best average on a tank is 72mpg. That's over 600 miles on a circa £50 fill up.
I reckon I could squeeze 75 if I really tried.
It's a refreshing change from my previous car: Audi Allroad 2.7 twin turbo V6. Huge fun but 25mpg on a good day!

 

[timmus]

Hi Oilburner, welcome to A2OC.

Given that you're on your third A2 TDI and seem to have a soft spot for them, it's taken you a while to join the club. But better late then never!

David, I agree with Bruce; the large amount of motorway driving will probably be what makes the difference between your fuel efficiencies. For all that I've got a 6-speed 'box installed and am pushing the 80mpg mark, I find getting 70mpg from a standard TDI75 fairly easy as long as the roads allow it. Before I heavily modified my A2, it drove from the North West to Cambridge and back averaging 70ish-mpg.
My current tank of fuel is going to be my worst in a long time. I've only used my car for urban driving over the last few weeks and have barely made it into 5th, let alone 6th. However, I'm still looking at 58mpg. And for all that I might be known for my enjoyment of those big mpg figures, I don't really adopt any hypermiling techniques beyond 'smooth and steady'.

Cheers,

Tom

 

[Oilburner]

I was seriously considering the 6 speed 'box and if I hadn't spent the cash on a new turbo I'd probably have one now. Do you thinks it's worth the cost? I don't think it will ever pay for itself in terms of improved economy but a more relaxed cruise does appeal.

 

[DJ 190]

Yes, I think that these better mpg figures are always going to be the result of simply lowering your speed! Recently, I had to return from Holland at a reduced cruising speed (~ 60mph) because the under-tray was loose and was flapping. I achieved 66mpg ! On another occasion, whilst stuck behind a lorry with other cars in front of me, I had to keep to 45-50 mph .... my DIS showed 75mpg! The trouble is, myself (and my Partner, Yanny) just don't feel happy to go along at these reduced speeds! I like a reasonable pace, and just below 70 mph has become the norm. There is one thing that I do seem to be doing, however .... and that is knocking it out of gear and "cruising". It is remarkable how easily the car still travels forward, with so little effort! The DIS will even show an immediate slight drop in overall mpg! But these very high mpg figures just seem to elude me .... we will see what my 6-speed box has to offer, eh?

David

 

[DJ 190]

I was seriously considering the 6 speed 'box

Hey! I might have just the thing for you! I am going down that route, (6-speed box), and guess what? I will have a superb "blue-motion" JDD box, spare! I will also have a highly-practical, 0.681 ratio, 5th gear! Watch this space!

David

 

[timmus]

I was seriously considering the 6 speed 'box ... Do you thinks it's worth the cost? I don't think it will ever pay for itself in terms of improved economy but a more relaxed cruise does appeal.

The 6-speed conversion isn't financially worthwhile. Whilst it definitely improves your economy, the financial savings available are very small when fitted in a car that will do 70mpg from factory. I might now be knocking on the door of 80mpg, but in monetary terms the saving is very small. I'm going to have to do a lot of miles in 6th gear before it's paid for itself; over 100,000.
However, like you say, it's not all about savings. My car is just so quiet once at cruising speed. There's no background roar from the engine, meaning I'm more relaxed, the stereo sounds better, etc. Everybody accepts that leather seats don't have a payback time; you buy them because you want them. The 6-speed conversion demands a similar perspective, I think.

Cheers,

Tom