***** Motors chat - round 12 *****

James Bond Junior

I have half a notion to get a new car to replace the S60 so I called into a few dealers today when I was off. I have an open mind as to replacement once it is auto and 2.0 but most importantly comfy. Test drove a Volvo V40 but the only auto they had was a 1.6 litre. Underpowered and rather unrefined engine wise and cramped. It would be a step down from the S60 even though it was a 142 and mine is an 06. They had no S60 in stock in a 2.0 nor an auto.

Then I priced a brand new focus st line 2.0 auto and it was ok price wise on a PCP but they hadn't a 2.0 in stock so unless I wanted to order unseen it wasn't a runner.

Tipped on again to the next dealer and I looked at an Audi A5 3.0 tdi as it was the only thing that was auto, in my price range and wasn't under a 2.0. I really liked it but I'm trying to get into something a bit newer and more efficient.

Had a think about it and I thought I will continue to soldier the S60 and drive it until it dies.

Harry Palmr

My first NCT with my current car tomorrow. Wish me luck!

OldMrBrennan83

This post has been deleted.

Cantona's Collars

Just watching on BBC news that truckers in Brazil have pretty much shut the country down by blocking roads and highways for the past 5 days over rising fuel prices.

blackbox

JoeA3 wrote: »

I've seen a few people say this - but look at the current weather we're having. Warmer weather definitely improves MPG a tad too. I'd say the weather conditions are as much a factor as any "special" fuel you've used...

Wind direction will also have a significant impact on a single journey.

Supergurrier

ST sold.

Now i need something for 9 months

Has to be
-Comfy as feck
-Auto
-sub 3k
-cheaper to run than ST (not hard)

James Bond Junior

Supergurrier wrote: »

ST sold.

Now i need something for 9 months

Has to be
-Comfy as feck
-Auto
-sub 3k
-cheaper to run than ST (not hard)

Volco S60 or S80 2.0t. You'll have plenty change out of 3k too.

AndyBoBandy

Just my 2 cents on the better mpg on a warmer day discussion.

I come from the power generation industry, specifically gas turbines (which are just huge jet engines), and they perform better in colder temperatures for the simple reason that cold air is more dense/compact than warm (expanded) air, this means that the turbine/engine can take in more air if it’s colder as opposed to warmer air.

I don’t know the exact figures, but I know that there are more air molecules in 1 cubic metre of air at 10 degrees than there are in 1 cubic metre of air at 20 degrees, which results in better/more efficient combustion when the air mixes with gas or diesel (which gas turbines also run on).

I would have assumed the same principle applies to car engines, however the higher ambient temperature could result in better economy elsewhere (like tyres or somewhere else) which negates the loss from running an engine in warmer ambient temperature.

Supergurrier

James Bond Junior wrote: »

Volco S60 or S80 2.0t. You'll have plenty change out of 3k too.

Was looking at newer gen S80 D5's but they are just that bit more than i want to spend and the others are all dogs except one in dublin that was clocked 3-4 times (The benjamin button of cars) and crashed.

Is afew tasty high spec 159 2.4 jtd's around my budget too but not on the same opulant comfort levels of the volvo.

AndyBoBandy

AndyBoBandy wrote: »

Just my 2 cents on the better mpg on a warmer day discussion.

I come from the power generation industry, specifically gas turbines (which are just huge jet engines), and they perform better in colder temperatures for the simple reason that cold air is more dense/compact than warm (expanded) air, this means that the turbine/engine can take in more air if it’s colder as opposed to warmer air.

I don’t know the exact figures, but I know that there are more air molecules in 1 cubic metre of air at 10 degrees than there are in 1 cubic metre of air at 20 degrees, which results in better/more efficient combustion when the air mixes with gas or diesel (which gas turbines also run on).

I would have assumed the same principle applies to car engines, however the higher ambient temperature could result in better economy elsewhere (like tyres or somewhere else) which negates the loss from running an engine in warmer ambient temperature.

When cruising a petrol engine is probably operating at less than half throttle..... cold air makes a difference at full throttle no doubt when accelerating hard.

A diesel loves air but 20 deg C air isn't that hot anyway

Leonard Hofstadter

In theory once a car is warmed up it should use less fuel in colder air because it is denser and has more molecules.

As points against that, engines will warm up faster (especially big engines and/or diesels) in the summer, which can save a lot of fuel, and perhaps there are other benefits like tyres, road conditions etc, but the cooling system will be under more pressure to keep the engine at the right temperature and loads on the engine will be higher due windows being open or else air conditioning being on (although I tend to use air conditioning more in the winter because of its effectiveness at keeping the windows condensation free, in the summer I like the windows down so I can hear the engine more:D).

The water pump is always running..... cooling system won't use more fuel in the summer.

Leonard Hofstadter

Augeo wrote: »

The water pump is always running..... cooling system won't use more fuel in the summer.

Some cars have electric water pumps, a lot of newer BMW engines do for sure.

& they are always on.
The water is constantly circulating by being pumped.

CIP4

I have noticed a small improvement in my MPG with the warm weather. But I think with a petrol you don't see as substantial a difference as even in the cold they heat up reasonably quick whereas diesels take an eternity to heat up in cold weather. On a long trip last week got 49.4mpg tank average calculated with the brim method which I thought was fair going as it is a decent enough size car and petrol. Don't take the diesel version in the same car would do massively more.

CIP4

Spotted this on Bargain Alerts. I have this exact socket set for years and it’s excellent think I paid €30 for mine at €18 it is a steal I have used mine a good bit and it stands up well to any abuse ratchet feels very sturdy and well built. Plus it is compact and handy to have in the boot I have one of the bigger 170 piece sets but that’s too big to haul around all the time. Might actually get one as part of a present for my Dads birthday.

http://www.halfords.ie/workshop-tools/tools/socket-sets/halfords-advanced-36-piece-socket-set-1-4

CIP4

CIP4 wrote: »

I have noticed a small improvement in my MPG with the warm weather. But I think with a petrol you don't see as substantial a difference as even in the cold they heat up reasonably quick whereas diesels take an eternity to heat up in cold weather. On a long trip last week got 49.4mpg tank average calculated with the brim method which I thought was fair going as it is a decent enough size car and petrol. Don't take the diesel version in the same car would do massively more.

A friend has a similar A4 to yours..... he never sees under 45mpg from a tank. He's not overly light footed but does lots of long journeys.

Alanstrainor

CIP4 wrote: »

Spotted this on Bargain Alerts. I have this exact socket set for years and it’s excellent think I paid €30 for mine at €18 it is a steal I have used mine a good bit and it stands up well to any abuse ratchet feels very sturdy and well built. Plus it is compact and handy to have in the boot I have one of the bigger 170 piece sets but that’s too big to haul around all the time. Might actually get one as part of a present for my Dads birthday.

http://www.halfords.ie/workshop-tools/tools/socket-sets/halfords-advanced-36-piece-socket-set-1-4

I want it even though I have all those bits in the more advanced kit! Even if you don't have a use for it right now, it's still a great buy. Keep the receipt and you have a life time warranty too. Not that I've ever successfully broken any of the bits in mine over the years.

Asmooh

Wailin wrote: »

Asmooh wrote: »

when i see the MPG above I have nothing to complain with 52-56...

Even at 131mph? Impressive....

average speed including drives ones or twice a week above 120mph and rest of the week just normal with quite fast acceleration gives me 52-56mpg by the end of the week

Asmooh

Augeo wrote: »

Asmooh wrote: »

when i see the MPG above I have nothing to complain with 52-56...

In a 2.0 turbo cabby Astra?
I'd say your calcs are out a tad.

1.9 diesel.

Wailin

Air resistance is a factor too obviously. In warmer weather, with less air molecules compared to cold weather, air has less resistance which would help a little with fuel economy. But the big one, especially for a diesel, is the engine warming up quicker. Im sure its a combination of many things but there is definitely an improvement.

Asmooh

:angel:

Harry Palmr

Re air temps/economy - humidity is important as well, esp in petrol combustion.

As for air density, which rises with lower temps/humidty ,it's important in different ways - in your engine the denser the better but for aerodynamic efficiency it's bad.

frozenfrozen

Got 40mpg driving up and down to the aviva yesterday in the 2.4 petrol Audi on trip computer and ive been getting 60mpg in the superb checking brim to brim

Wailin

frozenfrozen wrote: »

Got 40mpg driving up and down to the aviva yesterday in the 2.4 petrol Audi on trip computer and ive been getting 60mpg in the superb checking brim to brim

That's very good for the petrol. Is the superb the 1.6 litre or 2.0?

frozenfrozen

1.9 pd in an 05 superb

ShadowHearth

My car is officially 1 year old tomorrow and I did 24k km in it so far. Damn time flies!!!
So far, touch wood, had no issues with it. Still loving it.

Kopparberg Strawberry and Lime

Some strong fuel prices out there today

Best I saw so far is topaz/ circle k

152.9 unleaded
142.9 daysul

Wonder how long more we'll have this for !

Kopparberg Strawberry and Lime

Kopparberg Strawberry and Lime wrote: »

Some strong fuel prices out there today

Best I saw so far is topaz/ circle k

152.9 unleaded
142.9 daysul

Wonder how long more we'll have this for !

8/9c lower in Cork at the mo iirc

Kopparberg Strawberry and Lime

Augeo wrote: »

8/9c lower in Cork at the mo iirc

The local Tesco in Wicklow has diesel at 126.9 .... Not quite sure how though