Eurobanger

Post by **dunketh** » Mon Jul 14, 2008 2:55 pm

IIRC you put a 1275cc engine in it though.
The last time I worked it out, my fairly standard 1098cc Traveller was doing about 35mpg on the daily commute going up to 40+ on long runs.

Correct.
But, my 1098 was never that good either. I dont know whether this was because the 1098 had to be driven harder to get the same results or whether it was just way out of tune (though it drove perfectly).
To be honest I was happy with 35mpg. It 'could' do better but at a significantly reduced fun level.

If you want economy - buy a diesel or cycle to work. Driving 10-15 miles a day in stop-start traffic is going to drain even the most frugal of vehicles.

Post by **bmcecosse** » Mon Jul 14, 2008 3:10 pm

Unless electric!

Post by **bmcecosse** » Mon Jul 14, 2008 3:16 pm

Well done wiglaf -for that money with a year's ticket, free road tax and cheap classic insurance you should do well in the 'low cost' motoring stakes. I am assuming you DID get another Minor ???
As for > 40 mpg claims - well I was meaning overall and not just on 'long runs'. My last Punto had trip computer - and would do 47 mpg 'overall' on that - although somehow when it came to the pump it was nearer 44 mpg! Still not a bad figure - but car driven 'sensibly' to and from work through v little traffic.

Post by **Stig** » Mon Jul 14, 2008 3:39 pm

My Traveller has managed 46 mpg over the last 3 or 4 tankfulls, got a bit more on a long trip before that. It does have a better flowing exhaust and an HIF38 carb though so that probably helps.

Post by **bmcecosse** » Mon Jul 14, 2008 3:58 pm

Well done matey! It must be well set up. Do you know what needle is in the HIF 38 ?

Post by **d_harris** » Mon Jul 14, 2008 7:20 pm

What did you get?

Post by **les** » Mon Jul 14, 2008 9:41 pm

Is there an official figure for a Minor fuel consumption?
What sort of speeds are people doing to attain 40+ mpg?

Post by **alex_holden** » Mon Jul 14, 2008 10:08 pm

les wrote:What sort of speeds are people doing to attain 40+ mpg?

Same speed as the HGVs in the left hand lane of the motorway.

Post by **les** » Mon Jul 14, 2008 10:20 pm

I'll pay for the extra fuel then!

Post by **Stig** » Tue Jul 15, 2008 8:00 am

bmcecosse wrote:Well done matey! It must be well set up. Do you know what needle is in the HIF 38 ?

Er, no. It's straight off a 1.0L Metro and I've been meaning to dig out the Haynes manual to look it up.

Yep, I too sit in the left hand lane at 60 on motorways!

Post by **les** » Tue Jul 15, 2008 10:29 pm

40+ mpg @ 60mph well i can live with that!

Post by **alex_holden** » Tue Jul 15, 2008 10:47 pm

les wrote:I'll pay for the extra fuel then!

les wrote:40+ mpg @ 60mph well i can live with that!

Make your mind up!

Incidentally cruising in the wake of a HGV can give you a slight additional saving due to reduced drag. Probably only a few percent but it adds up on a long run.

Post by **chickenjohn** » Wed Jul 16, 2008 7:20 am

alex_holden wrote:
les wrote:What sort of speeds are people doing to attain 40+ mpg?
Same speed as the HGVs in the left hand lane of the motorway.

Same here, 55-60mph, touching 65 on downhil sections. Driving a standard Minor any faster than that will wear the engine out much quicker.

Post by **paulhumphries** » Wed Jul 16, 2008 8:01 am

chickenjohn wrote:Same here, 55-60mph, touching 65 on downhil sections.

Thats the speed I travel even if in a modern car that is capable of far more.
It suits me as long as I'm not infront of a lorry driver who tailgates in which case I tend to slow down so they can overtake.

Paul Humphries

Post by **Stig** » Wed Jul 16, 2008 9:07 am

chickenjohn wrote: Same here, 55-60mph, touching 65 on downhil sections. Driving a standard Minor any faster than that will wear the engine out much quicker.

It's more that it wears me out much quicker on a long trip!

Post by **Kevin** » Wed Jul 16, 2008 10:32 am

Driving a standard Minor any faster than that will wear the engine out much quicker.

Dont forget the noise factor as well at faster speeds.

Post by **wiglaf** » Thu Jul 17, 2008 4:55 pm

Not another minor, no

An ugly thirteen year old Punto...
But capable of delivering large piles of kit, such as would require a traveller, which would be unlikely in the same condition at £350... and doing so a little more rapidly. Receipts for various works, including a recent head gasket, so I'm hopeful to mow it into the floor until the MOT runs out and will happily ditch it after and move on to another heap.

Plus it takes the strain off of Sleipnir while I sort her out a bit - besides all the cosmetics, she's getting less and less happy at "high" speeds and I'm suspecting the way I drive her has had an effect on the valve seats.

Oh, and total insurance for both with Sleipnir as a proper collector's car rather than the daily driver... £30 more than Sleipnir on her own. Both fully comp.

On the basis of running about on local strips, the Punto seems reasonable on fuel... it does need a name though...