May have to consider the dark side

[djthompson]

18 months till 06 Fabia vRS is paid for; then poss look at a replacement. Real world economy is 47.7 mpg for me; and I do at least 650 miles a week.

The next car has to be sub 8 sec 0-60 with at least 150BHP. so maybe a next gen Fabia vRS with say 2.0TDI + 170 BHP would tick the box?

On paper the Golf GT Sport TDI 170PS is 47 MGP on the combined. Which is worse than the current vRS (but there is an extra 40BHP).

But then the new Cooper S (1.6L Turbo) has 175 BHP, a 0-60 of 7.1sec and a combined MPG of 45.6.

Admittedly the Cooper's going to deliver less than that (just like the 2.0 TDI unit) but according to a mini forum I took a look at - people get 350-450 miles from a 50 litre tank. (31.8-40.9)

I get 420 from when I fill up with 40 litres.

So I use less diesel, but the diesel costs more than petrol (1-3 pence/litre). Plus £/£ diesels are more expensive cars. Sure, the Fabia vRS is stonking good value, but I'm not convinced that diesels are really than much better than petrols.

I do have a fancy spreadsheet - and the difference in annual costs (is £500 - £1500) more per year in fuel for the Cooper (with an 35k per annum annual mileage).

I do like the torque of a diesel, and the low rpm cruiseing. But for me, nothing sounds sweeter than a petrol engine.

Interested in people's thoughts on whether a high performance good economy petrol rival really exists - or whether diesel is the one to stick too.

D

ps: the 120D pumps out 170BHP and 7-5sec 0-60 (all with 55ish MPG). But then for 20k you don't even get alloy wheels...

[sharkrider]

the 1.4 tjet in the punto is 120bhp, and 45+mpg.... however I don't think it will be quick enough for you....

it is however designed like the mini engine, to give big performance, while hanging onto fuel economy and low emissions... if you could wait for the 170 bhp arbarth (same engine) then you'd have a cracking car, (or remap the 120) and far better equipped than the mini... remember when costing the mini to include all the basics it doesn't have, like aircon!

[djthompson]

Originally Posted by sharkrider

the 1.4 tjet in the punto is 120bhp, and 45+mpg.... however I don't think it will be quick enough for you....

it is however designed like the mini engine, to give big performance, while hanging onto fuel economy and low emissions... if you could wait for the 170 bhp arbarth (same engine) then you'd have a cracking car, (or remap the 120) and far better equipped than the mini... remember when costing the mini to include all the basics it doesn't have, like aircon!

Do you mean the 500 arbarth? or are Fiat bringing out a Punto Arbrath too? Will have to wait for the MPG figs.

The 'Chilli' pack MINI - Compare Models - Packages* seems to offer pretty much all that you'd want. and puts the price up to just under 18k... would be keen to compaire in gear 50-70 times; as that's a real tester for me.

close your ears little furbie!!!

D

[sharkrider]

Originally Posted by djthompson

Do you mean the 500 arbarth? or are Fiat bringing out a Punto Arbrath too? Will have to wait for the MPG figs.

The 'Chilli' pack seems to offer pretty much all that you'd want. and puts the price up to just under 18k... would be keen to compaire in gear 50-70 times; as that's a real tester for me.

close your ears little furbie!!!

D

mmmm but at 18k you're getting close to the BMW money! most BMW garages will discount for you.... if the mini was going to cost that much , I'd be tempted with the BMW...

I meant the punto (although the 595 SS arbarth will be 200bhp, with the same 1.4 tjet!)
punto arbarth is due soon, and it will be petrol, I got the 1.9mjet deisel and mapped it to 170 bhp (it averages 48 mpg, 60+ on steady runs, 50+ m/way, 40 town) and 261lbs/ft of torque, so I can't see me going for the arbarth when I have as much power, more torque, and better mpg..... the arbath 500, now thats a different matter!

edit: the fiats will be much cheaper, £11k I paid for mine but if you've got £18k to spend, you have more choice........ Tdi vRS octavia perhaps?

[texasjohn]

On the subject of the Mini, the Mini Cooper S is probably one of the best company cars from an income tax perspective if you want a hot hatch.

Mini would cost me £1300 a year in tax, which is the same as most 2.0 diesels

[vindaloo]

a) Does it have to be new?
b) Does it have to be "au naturelle" or would you mod it?

Alternatives in no particular order...

Alfa 1.9 or 2.4...
Vauxhall 1.9 CDTi
Honda 1.9 or 2.2 CDTi
Ford?


Just wondering if you can get hotter versions of the Peugoet or Citroen equivalents...

J.

[ScoobyChris]

If 2nd hand is an option, how about a 6/8 cylinder petrol with LPG conversion?

Chris

[Spanner]

You do lots of miles but looking at your range and mpg seem like its quite a varied drive. I'd be surprised if you get close to the combined figures for the petrol cars. Surely with the petrol cars you'll be driving it gently to help on the economy!

[devonutopia]

Originally Posted by djthompson

I get 420 from when I fill up with 40 litres.

I get at least 550 from a similar amount. Perhaps you need a BFO turbo conversion which means less time on boost which = better economy.

[pittVRS]

So many questions! It seems like you want the holy grail of ultimate performance and ultimate economy. Aint gonna happen just yet.

For petrol try the Golf GT sport 1.4 twin turbo. 170BHP 38.7MPG. £16K

For diesel wait for the BMW 135D but expect to pay £30K +

[anonymouse]

Originally Posted by sharkrider

remember when costing the mini to include all the basics it doesn't have, like aircon!

... and bootspace

[daiking]

Originally Posted by djthompson

ps: the 120D pumps out 170BHP and 7-5sec 0-60 (all with 55ish MPG). But then for 20k you don't even get alloy wheels...

(Was it on here or somewhere else?) I read that you can get 15% off list price on 1s and 3s at the moment

[djthompson]

Originally Posted by devonutopia

I get at least 550 from a similar amount. Perhaps you need a BFO turbo conversion which means less time on boost which = better economy.

I probably need to slow down a bit. Never got anywhere near that kind of Miles per tank - no where near!

D

[djthompson]

Originally Posted by Spanner

You do lots of miles but looking at your range and mpg seem like its quite a varied drive. I'd be surprised if you get close to the combined figures for the petrol cars. Surely with the petrol cars you'll be driving it gently to help on the economy!

30 miles cross country, 35 dual carriageway/motorway.

D

ps: I also suspect I could get better MPG and not have to slow down so much if I had a car the general public respect a bit. you can see people look in there mirrors - and go "it's a skoda; I'll pull out".

Grr!

[MikeW]

Round here (midlands) Diesel and Petrol are now the SAME PRICE at last!

[djthompson]

Originally Posted by pittVRS

So many questions! It seems like you want the holy grail of ultimate performance and ultimate economy. Aint gonna happen just yet.

But we wants it now!

I guess I'm trying to balance up a hit in economy but an increase in perfromance. Not convinced diesels are that cheap overall...

D

[ScoobyChris]

Originally Posted by MikeW

Round here (midlands) Diesel and Petrol are now the SAME PRICE at last!

Was the same here a couple of weeks back. Now petrol is getting cheaper again

Chris