It's time to say goodbye to my P38 :-(

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Thor1950 said:
secert; straight flat roads and 2 miles to get to speed
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I had from new a Renault 5 diesel van, the published figure suggested I should get around 50mpg unloaded. I actually rarely got more than 35mpg, it was so gutless it was always peddle to the metal. Loaded it would go down to 30mpg, not really much better than my P38, bloody noisy and uncomfortable to boot:(
 
Datatek said:
I had from new a Renault 5 diesel van, the published figure suggested I should get around 50mpg unloaded. I actually rarely got more than 35mpg, it was so gutless it was always peddle to the metal. Loaded it would go down to 30mpg, not really much better than my P38, bloody noisy and uncomfortable to boot:(
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A perfect example right there... the only way you get 95bhp out of a 1.3 is to squeeze 2 litres worth of air into it.. only prob is, when you're off boost it has no power at all, requiring the foot to be put down quite a long way before it reacts. With a 2 litre engine, that torque would always be there, hence a lighter right foot... and same, if not better, fuel consumption in real-life driving...

BTW, showing your age there, Keith! :D
 
Clarky130 said:
Urrrgh... that dash is gopping :5bpuke:

Besides, I'm very skeptical of the mileage claims of these small diesels... they may well be capable of making their quoted mpg figures... on the flat, in perfect unaccelerated, constant-speed driving... however, in the real world they can't get anywhere near those figures. You don't get 95bhp out of a 1.3 diesel engine without a sh*tload of boost... our Corsa runs 20psi of boost, and the second you even breathe on the throttle to think about accelerating, the mpg drops right off. Figures say it should average 85mpg on the combined cycle... we are lucky, in real life driving, to get 55mpg as an average...
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When my old C5 was off the road for two weeks waiting for an exhaust part (very rare V6 version) the dealer lent me a C3 1.4 HDi, Even pushing around town the mileage refused to drop below 45mpg, on a 70 mph run to Manchester and back (surprisingly long-legged and smooth motorway car) I achieved 62mpg brim to brim figures and I wasn't trying to drive particularly economically - driving with a little less verve around town I got about 53mpg. I was so impressed with it I bought my misses a C3 - very practical small 5 door car. Even better, if you can find a good Berlingo for £2K - snap it up - one of the most practical real world cars on the road.

The FIAT 1.3 Multijet engine also used by Vauxhall is renowned for drinking fuel, strangely one out of five of em is a belter - really fuel efficient - strange! The PSA 1.4 HDi is a much, much more fuel efficient engine in real-world driving.
 
Clarky130 said:
Depends how big the tank is... not averse to getting a van and bolting some seats into the back...
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My brother has a cheap 2004 (Euro IV compliant) Vauxhall Combo 1.7 DTi for sale, it was owned by his company then he bought it while he was doing his house up. It had a new clutch and gearbox about 10K miles ago, then the engine (legendary Isuzu 1.7) finally popped its mortal coil at 262,000 miles (piston crown) we put a 80K mile engine out of an Astra in it, changed the water pump and cambelt at the same time. Should be good for another 200K! £1,300 tax and tested - Bargain! Drives really well.
 
Many moons previous when my first 4.6 P38 was getting to much to bear doing 145 miles to work and back everyday - I sold it and bought a 1997 740iL (M62 4.4) - the Rangie returned 18mpg on the motorway runs round the M25 into Kent whereas the E38 7'er returned 29mpg - much better and I still had Leather, Wood, a V8 and a marvelous machine to get to work in...

(this is why I LOVE my L322 - it is basically an E38 7'er on stilts....can you tell my two fav cars in the world are the E38 7's and the Range Rover....the L322 is a marriage made in heaven for me)
 
Saint.V8 said:
Many moons previous when my first 4.6 P38 was getting to much to bear doing 145 miles to work and back everyday - I sold it and bought a 1997 740iL (M62 4.4) - the Rangie returned 18mpg on the motorway runs round the M25 into Kent whereas the E38 7'er returned 29mpg - much better and I still had Leather, Wood, a V8 and a marvelous machine to get to work in...

(this is why I LOVE my L322 - it is basically an E38 7'er on stilts....can you tell my two fav cars in the world are the E38 7's and the Range Rover....the L322 is a marriage made in heaven for me)
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you cant beat them ah ? with all the trouble they cause for some reason you've still got to love them :rolleyes: lol

we'll convert these P38 boys some day :D
 
2.0_hippo said:
we'll convert these P38 boys some day :D
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If I could justify the outlay (finance because I'm a peasant), I'd get a L322. But it'd have to be specific trim. For starters it'd have to either be or have a facelift conversion. I hate the gormless look of the older L322. It is what put me off even going down the road when I got the P38.

At but I'm going to ride it out with Louise for now. She might be showing her age these days, but I'm not a one night stand kinda guy. I might lust after a facelift L322 when I see one. But Louise is still the lady for me. :D
 
Now interestingly was driving sons Golf the other day miserable cold and wet crap traffic etc and much as I enjoyed the Golf need the Rangie back my advice would be stick with the Rangie if you can
 
Unfortunately I can't... I KNOW I'll be hankering after another as soon as I can afford it, though... :)

And Saint... I know exacty what you mean, having owned an E38 740iL myself :D
 
Clarky130 said:
A perfect example right there... the only way you get 95bhp out of a 1.3 is to squeeze 2 litres worth of air into it.. only prob is, when you're off boost it has no power at all, requiring the foot to be put down quite a long way before it reacts. With a 2 litre engine, that torque would always be there, hence a lighter right foot... and same, if not better, fuel consumption in real-life driving...

BTW, showing your age there, Keith! :D
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No way to hide it I'm afraid:(

Modern small diesels with direct injection and turbo are incredably powerful and economical. IMO the PSA Peugeot Citroen is the class of the field at the moment:)
 
Mini Metro back at Uni. 4 doors, 5 seats, good heat in winter. Bought for £250, sold for I think £ 25 as too much rust to pass MOT :p Got up to 55mpg on the M6 London to Manchester on weekends. Zippy little car around town too, could tune it by hand and ear. I miss simple carbs and dizzys! Once the clutch cable broke. I had start it in gear and then drive by listening to the engine and timing my gear changes. Not perfectly smooth but got me the 150 miles home. Good times!
 
My dad's 2003 Lancia Lybra SW gets an average of 52mpg with its 2.4 JTD engine. It sure sounds as there is something wrong with her (being a 5 cyl. straight) but still has all the bells and whistles - leather interior, biiig lcd, blah blah blah. I just can't get used to the low seating position after the P38 experience :) you just can not look over the traffic in that road dominating way only lorry drivers are used to...

I'd still love the mpg like that though.
 
Thanks rasheed, believe me, it looks much better as a photo compared to reality :p just an old P38 parked in tall grass about 5km of my GF's home. It's a wildlife reserve, but has a lot of unpaved roads, some only for loggers (but i happen to have the gate key, lucky me ;) )

BTW, regarding economy. I've just got a Toy Yaris D-4D. 3.5L/100km. It's scary cheap to drive now. The Range is upset already, it emptied it's battery in two weeks standing. I just fear what will be next, it's probably jealous of the Yota badge parked next to it ;)
 
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