Thread: Small diesel cars - Amazing fuel economy

Originally Posted by MR LR

No it can't, my Rangie is rated at 4000kg, you've never seen my Rangie off road, and by off road I don't mean a muddy dirt road like you do.

And where do you buy these 4,000kg tow-balls?

You said "off-road" and I showed that. You'll have to forgive us all for not having your specific "super awesome" definition of offroad.

Originally Posted by MR LR

That's probably because you have a strange fetish for 29" tyres, which are pretty well useless in mud, I think my Rangie on 32's with flexy suspension and huge belly clearance would leave your Skoda in it's ruts... there's also this thing called a tyre deflator, when I get the chance I'll calculate the ground pressure from my RR with deflated tyres and your Skoda and report back, I doubt there'd be very much difference.

You do that.
Keep in mind the stock has 225mm wide tyres to start with. 245mm fit and clear everything.
I can't fit 245mm wide tyres in my rangie without clearance issues.

Last I checked 4 tyres at 225mm wide on a 1.4 ton vehicle give less ground pressure than 4 tyres at 225mm wide on a 2.3 ton vehicle.

When you've deflated your 32" tyres to decrease your ground pressure, your ground clearance is now comparable to the car on 27" rubber. But the car has a smooth underbelly that slides very well and doesn't get stuck.
It also has traction control that keeps driving when it picks up a wheel.
But mostly I've just saved 20 minutes in airing down wheels and then pumping them back up. You'd be standing out in the rain letting the tyres down after the tarmac drive out there and then pumping them back up for the tarmac drive home.

BTW, I also own a set of tyres ~32" diameter. But I'm secure enough in life that I can run 29" and still drive to the mall.

Originally Posted by MR LR

If I'm a troll, what are you? , I was merely giving another point of view in the thread with my original post, life is too short to spend it with clenched buttocks in a useless diesel hatch IMO, it doesn't suit me and I wouldn't be smiling as I accelerated off in an appliance. (literally all my first post spoke about, incase you forgot when you got all butthurt about your rattly tractor car).

Cheers
Will

Yes troll, and not even a good one. Entering a topic where you have absolutely no interest just to stir up people.
Your comments above reinforce that.

Originally Posted by MR LR

ADDIT: I really hope you're not suggesting that video shows any decent 4WD capability... on a Land Rover forum, I do heavier offroading with an XE Falcon ute on the farm.

I'll bet you do. Just remember, not everyone can be as "super awesome" as you.
Some of your "super awesome" ness will wear off as you get older. We sure hope so.

Originally Posted by Redback

Was trying to figure out what a VW Scout was, so I Googled it, it's released here as a Scoda.

We are looking into buying a small diesel for to and from work, putting way too many Ks on the D4.

Baz.

Yes it's a Skoda. Part of the VAG empire. The same chassis is used in the Skoda Octavia, Seat Leon, VW Golf and Audi A3. I didn't mean it was literally badged as a VW, just using the golf as the most well known variant.

Sadly they don't make the scout right now. They changed to the new model Octavia (and golf and A3 and leon) early this year and the sub-models like this one always take another year or so to be released.

Originally Posted by Redback

Was trying to figure out what a VW Scout was, so I Googled it, it's released here as a Scoda.

We are looking into buying a small diesel for to and from work, putting way too many Ks on the D4.

Baz.

Friend of mine has one of these Baz. Brilliant little wagon. He doesn't mind putting it through a bit of rough stuff either - and it surprises a lot of people.

On the road - very similar ride to the Passat wagon I had (hire car) in Germany last year (there's probably more similarities than I'm aware of between the two).

My mate's previous ride was a Subaru Forrester - he has been a Subaru owner and big fan of them for as long as I've known him, but says he'd prefer the Skoda over the Forrester any day.

Might post another thread on this, so I don't hi-jack this anymore than I have.

Thanks guys,

Baz.

Originally Posted by MR LR

Sounds like your classic is rooted, according to Wikipedia my '83 had 280Nm when it was new, I have no doubt it still has close to this as it was rebuilt only 20,000kms ago, and it goes nearly as well as a slightly tired td5 (when you give it the stick).

You mean 250NM .... Don't believe me ??

https://sites.google.com/site/tuscan...er---australia

And I've got this theory about power/torque specifications of anything made prior to the 1990's ............. That being take the manufacturers specs, and multiply them by 0.75 and you'll probably be closer to reality. So yes, less torque than a weeny 5year old weeny little 1.6litre diesel engine.

I'm not arguing with you about the sound/enjoyment of driving a big old (very slow) V8 Rangie though. Given I don't drive a car that's younger than 30years old ... yep, I do get it I'm driving a 51year old car today ... bobbing, floating and hissing my way down the roads ... cornering on the doorhandles... weeny little motor breathlessly trying to propel the car with a stupid big grin on my face. Try enjoying tediously boring modern turbo diesels that much.

seeya,
Shane L.

Originally Posted by DoubleChevron

You mean 250NM .... Don't believe me ??

https://sites.google.com/site/tuscan...er---australia

And I've got this theory about power/torque specifications of anything made prior to the 1990's ............. That being take the manufacturers specs, and multiply them by 0.75 and you'll probably be closer to reality. So yes, less torque than a weeny 5year old weeny little 1.6litre diesel engine.

I'm not arguing with you about the sound/enjoyment of driving a big old (very slow) V8 Rangie though. Given I don't drive a car that's younger than 30years old ... yep, I do get it I'm driving a 51year old car today ... bobbing, floating and hissing my way down the roads ... cornering on the doorhandles... weeny little motor breathlessly trying to propel the car with a stupid big grin on my face. Try enjoying tediously boring modern turbo diesels that much.

seeya,
Shane L.

Sounds like you need a Fiat Chroma turbo diesel. It'd be right at home in your fleet.

Originally Posted by DoubleChevron

You mean 250NM .... Don't believe me ??

https://sites.google.com/site/tuscan...er---australia

And I've got this theory about power/torque specifications of anything made prior to the 1990's ............. That being take the manufacturers specs, and multiply them by 0.75 and you'll probably be closer to reality. So yes, less torque than a weeny 5year old weeny little 1.6litre diesel engine.

I'm not arguing with you about the sound/enjoyment of driving a big old (very slow) V8 Rangie though. Given I don't drive a car that's younger than 30years old ... yep, I do get it I'm driving a 51year old car today ... bobbing, floating and hissing my way down the roads ... cornering on the doorhandles... weeny little motor breathlessly trying to propel the car with a stupid big grin on my face. Try enjoying tediously boring modern turbo diesels that much.

seeya,
Shane L.

Maybe mine goes well... I don't know, but I can assure you it goes better than a Tdi Disco which has 264Nm from factory. But I'm never going to claim it's zippier than a small car, just more fun IMO,

We both have interest in historic/special vehicles I see!

Cheers
Will

Damnit guys, you're giving me reasons to sell the D2 and buy something else…


...anyone know a 7 seater with the kind of economy you've been describing?