Economy

[Splasher]

Hi,
Just a quick question what MPG can be expected out of a standard series 2/3 . Is 25-27 unrelisistic? cheers luke

[ian_s]

my swb series3 diesel gets about 25
a petrol would get more like 12

[Litch]

A bit more info would be handy, only slight things like the type of engine, SWB or LWB etc!

From experience I think a SWB should average get around 14MPG(P) or 24MPG(D) but a whole lot depends on the condition of the engine, driving style, tyres, vehicle weight & wind resistance etc etc.

[MisterC]

My 72 SWB Petrol 2.25 averages between 22 and 25 mpg all the time.  I use it daily on a 30 mile round trip to work, covering estate roads, and mainly B roads,  I cruise at 45-50 mph most of the time, slowing to dead stop at usual traffic snarl ups.  To get to this magical figure you have to make a lot of incremental changes,  I have: 750R16 tyres, kenlowe fan, freewheel hubs, weber carb, maplins diy ignition amplifier and an overdrive.  Sad git that I am, I calculated back from my current mpg and removing the percentages for each item and it equated to around 16 mpg, so (sort of) logically you should expect around that figure without any modifications.  The overdrive didn't make that much difference to the economy, I just drive faster.  Ever the dreamer I have a SU carb and electronic dizzy in the garage awaiting fitment, in a vain attempt to reach 30mpg.

[Splasher]

Many thanks for the replies, I am considering buying in the next few months a 2.25 diesel swb hardtop.

[ian_s]

25 is possible, BUT bear in mind that these things are DEAD slow.
dont think you'll ever hit 60mph in one, (unless its modified)

[rustprooflandyracer]

Can be done, 70mph with a hill advantage, but that is with a recon engine in though. I have never worked ona 2.25 P before or driven one but I think the diesel is a cracking engine, only had to get mine reconed as it has to be probed at MOT time and failed on emissions.

[Devon-Rover]

On the run to the LRW show the MPG worked out as

Me: SWB 2.25 petrol. 3MB. Zenith carb, K&N, FWH, OD, 235/70R16 Mud tyres. Average of 22 MPG.

My mate: 2.25 Diesel, 5MB 7.50's x-plies, FWH, OD. Average 35 MPG

My little Bro: 2.25 Petrol. 5MB. Zenith carb. K&N, FWH, OD, 205 road tyres. Average 19MPG.

And i have the heavier one and a roof rack too. as the other two have rag tops. A lot of economy figures have a lot to do with the set up and also how it is driven.

[James.Harwood]

Depends on how you drive them, doing 70 mph with canoe on roof i got 18MPG.  Will do less about town or if I push it.

Also depends on how badly your carb leaks!

[James.Harwood]

if you are worried by running costs buy a nissan prius!!!!

[Devon-Rover]

But they aren't environmentally friendly due to the the pollution caused to make it!  :roll:  

[Rhys and Lilly]

I improoved my economy by junking that underpowered 2.25 and fitting a 3.5 L aluminium engine with a few mods to that thrown in like improoving gas flow and a better bump stick. Add 7.50 tyres and an overdrive for maximum effect.

I know this sounds daft, but, if you can resist the temptation to gun down the GTi's the V8 is less stressed and therfore more efficitne for a given speed.

Long trips undertaken at a steady 60 could yield car level economy.

Trouble is that V8 boom does encourage the right boot and make such undertakings erh dificult.

Rhys

[dew1911]

if you are worried by running costs buy a nissan prius!!!!

Or a Toyota Primera :lol:

It's Toyota Prius Mate ;)

I can't comment on S3s, but I know that the 110 2.5 TD Averages about 28-33mpg, so surley the S3s should be able to get very close to that being a lighter vehicle and a smaller engine.

[James.Harwood]

Ya see - I knew you knew what I was talking about  :oops:

But they aren't environmentally friendly due to the the pollution caused to make it!

Very true, the same can be said for all new cars.

[Rich_P]

Experiances of people I know of, is that a good 2.25 Diesel shall return approximately 27mpg on day to day usage while it can also return up to 32mpg @ 50mph on the motorway.

The 2.25 Petrol usually returns around 15-20mpg, normally 15mpg around town and will do the best at 22ish on a run of 50mph.  If you gun it then you can actually watch the fuel gauge slowly drop on a 2.25 Petrol!