[1.9SDI]

Thanks for your interest and post Paul, it's always good to hear of others stories about a similar car.

I haven't done anything else to my car since these posts but I am still keen on at least a partial grill block (the lower vents under the bumper – I don't have fog lights in mine) and some sort of flexible dam under the front chin.

I've lowered my car by 5cm and I can honestly say it has improved the aerodynamic performance to the point that I can drive approx 10-15MPH faster for the same fuel usage. Long runs at 70MPH are at around 3.2–4 L/HK (88–70 MPG Imp) depending on route and weather conditions, as calculated by calibrated ScanGauge II. Fitting a front air dam will improve this slightly more. The problem with being so low is that I am affected by speed bumps grounding the car, so I have to be very careful.

I haven't investigated engine mapping or fuel additives but I did a test of the higher grade diesel but (for whatever reason) it didn't work out financially viable for me. Very minimal economy gains of >2% max.

The car is regularly serviced and lubricated and tyre pressures are checked monthly – it's about time I checked them now actually. Free-rolling is effortless to the point of having to apply brakes occasionally.

I did briefly look into more weight reduction a while ago, with a carbon fibre or fibreglass bonnet, racing perspex side window replacements, etc but the cost is prohibitive and would take many years to pay back. Everything I don't need is taken out – spare wheel included, so I carry a can of Holts and an air pump, which I hope will see me to a garage, except in a derimming or catastophic tyre failure. I also run with a half tank which easily returns me approx 400 miles.

Are you a steady accelerator or an instant one? I've been experimenting with both methods – using economic gear changing at minimal accelerator levels to gain speed and also just shooting up to speed limit and cruising. From initial testing (not exhaustive) getting up to the speed limit quickly, if it is 30-40MPH seems to be more economical, but this gain fades slightly if speed limits are higher, and disappears completely if it's to 70MPH. Have you tried this?

Cheers, Steve