320touring gets an eco-car at last! VW GOLF 1.9 TD- The Golf 4L??

[320touring]

I've just swapped the 318iS (which had no MOT/cracked windscreen and rust in the roof) for this 1996 Mk3 VW Golf TD.

its got the 1.9 TD AAZ lump- mechanical fuel pump with no intercooler.

Stock rated at 75bhp/110ft/lb torque, but that can be increased




all the specs can be found here
Volkswagen Golf Umwelt 1.9 CL, 1991 Typ 330 (A3) technical specifications 25454

but quick synopsis is:

1022kg/2253lbs

Cd 0.30

Frontal area 2.03m2

Cda 0.61


Its going to get some 195/50/15's fitted, a full service then a full tank to baseline it.

from the 55l tank and 5 speed manual, I'll be aiming for 500 miles to start

The EPA fuel economy for the 1.9TD Jetta (closest model in America) is 34/44 with combined 38.

UK seems to be about mid 50's on a run, 40+ round town.

We'll see!

now to get used to 4 cyl turbos that dont like to rev, and drive the wrong wheels!

[JethroBodine]

Nice new Eco-ride! That one should give you some really good numbers. If my MK2 ever gets destroyed, I'll be looking for a MK3. I like your Cd also. Mine started at .36. YKYAEM when you have Cd envy.

[320touring]

Originally Posted by JethroBodine

Nice new Eco-ride! That one should give you some really good numbers. If my MK2 ever gets destroyed, I'll be looking for a MK3. I like your Cd also. Mine started at .36. YKYAEM when you have Cd envy.

Wish I'd placed a bet on you being the first person to post

She's just been fuelled up, and tyres set to 42psi.

Currently the 328i LPG gets the cost equivalent of 45 imp MPG, this car probably has approx 50 L before the fuel light comes on

for it to be cheaper to run than the 328i I need to see better than 495 miles from the 11 imp gallons..


She'll be receiving an oil/oil filter/air filter service, and 4x 15"Bbs with 195/50/15 tyres on them shortly.

If I can get 550miles out her I'll be ecstatic! it'll certainly take some time to alter my driving style to suit the torque based nature, but I'll get there!

[HypermilerAX]

I would 't have think the Cd was so good.
With some of the latest LRR tires (Nokian eLine 185/65), that should give you really nice consumptions, like 65 mpg at 56 mph.

[320touring]

Originally Posted by HypermilerAX

I would 't have think the Cd was so good.
With some of the latest LRR tires (Nokian eLine 185/65), that should give you really nice consumptions, like 65 mpg at 56 mph.

The Cd was pulled from Carfolio- so I can only guess it should be accurate..

I'll not be fitting anything expensive like new tyres until it needs them- reckon there's 20000 miles left on them currently- although thanks for the recommendations!

I'll probably be sitting at 55-60mph on the motorway, so aero mods may be my most beneficial.

[320touring]

First impressions on the trip to work this morning..

I'd forgotten about having to wait for gaps in traffic, being 120bhp down on the 328i means you have to wait for a good sized gap.

It doesnt like 5th at 30mph- 4th is much nicer.

Its quite light, and easy to place on the road, however the steering is overly light and I think the front shocks are slightly soft.

Very relaxing to drive- no opportunity to be "urgent"- It simply does not allow it! However I reckon it can be pepped up easily enough- especially as the turbo seems to boost cleanly.

Eco-mod considerations:

It'd benefit from some new Glowplugs and a full service

Temperature drops to 80 deg on the gauge at a steady 50mph, and rises to 90 in traffic- a sure indication that a grill block would raise under bonnet temps during normal driving- possibly helping the engine be more efficient? I.e. Hot engine, cold air intake?

Tyres feel fine a 42psi, and car rolls freely on the longest stretch of downhill I have on the commute. so no dragging brakes/wheelbearings etc.


All in all, it's looking promising- the needle has not moved as yet, and we're 34 miles into the tank..

[JethroBodine]

Originally Posted by 320touring

Wish I'd placed a bet on you being the first person to post

Still laughing!

[320touring]

Originally Posted by JethroBodine

Still laughing!

I'm the one laughing.. so far at 1/2 way through day 2, I'm up 100.8 miles, for an indicated 1/8th of a tank. I didnt do the "vent " thing as didnt want to risk the filler leaking, so I know she's only got 55L to start with.

on that basis, looking reasonable for 60ish imp MPG so far

I've been scouting out replacement part prices etc- all very reasonable. this weekend should see some work done to tidy her up.

I'm not going to mod (apart from putting on 4 matching wheels- they're 195/50/15's, less than 0.33% smaller than the stock 185/60/14s..)until the first tank is done- get a nice baseline figure!

At this rate may be two weeks for first fillup! makes a nice change from 3 days on LPG!

[320touring]

Ok, so new car- never even driven it before..

Monday morning- commute to work. All good, slow moving traffic, but nothing major..

Arrived at work and had to do a wee dance in the car as she'd just turned 129k



Come to leave Monday evening, and I'm greeted with this sight:


A good test of battery- which she passed no problem

End of Monday- 67.4 miles, and the needle hadnt moved..


Tuesday:

At work, no problems- gauge has finally moved!


and you can see I was late getting up today

Back home, 133.9 miles on the clock and just over 1/8th (indicated) of a tank used..


I may have high hopes for this wee car yet..

[320touring]

Up this morning at 6.30am, picked up the car share person and trundled into work- nice clear roads! early in means early out,

back home by 5pm, and nice easy steady driving! results as follows:



200.1 miles on an indicated 1/4 tank


Car sat for 50 mins, then it was off out to pick up my gran (she was coming to visit our new house)

Much shorter return trip, but thankfully still lots of motorway and the car was warm to start with..
needle has moved a bit further in the 33.8 mile round trip, but I imagine its just that the tank is oddly shaped




pretty much a 100 mile day- poor car is in at the deep end.


At the weekend I'm going to service it, and have a good poke round to see what it needs- the front shocks feel soft, so I may be replacing them fairly soon. If it goes for another week after the service I may treat it to a cambelt..

then I can get eco-tuning the engine