budding ecomodder from Scotland says hi

[320touring]

hello,
I'm Neil. A confirmed petrol head with one or two old bmw e30 3series from the 1980s.
Until recently i'd been running a 320i touring(estate model not available in the US and Canada) as a daily driver, getting 33mpg (uk)from it.
A recent change in job has increased my commute and a need for using the vehicle for business, so i'm looking to buy a car and mod my driving style and the car to maximise mpg.
given that i do between 15000-23000 miles a year, the savings should be good.
I'm looking to take a pragmatic approach and retain the functonality and practicality of the vehicle, whilst aiming to gain mpg from modifications and adopting as many ecodriving techniques as possible.

I'm looking at skoda octavia tdi's about 1998-2001 as a base, given the vw underpinnings and less than sporty nature.

Does anyone have any experience of ecomodding this type of car and engine?

As a last point, to give you fellas an idea, at the moment here, petrol is $6.66 per US gallon, and diesel is $6.89 per US gallon.

I look forward to your advice and opinions-i've had a good look about and the forum seems an ideal place for me to develop my ecomodding skills.

Thanks

Neil

[Piwoslaw]

Welcome to EM, Neil
There are a few TDI owners here, so I'm sure sure you'll find a few do's and don't's for that engine.
For now, start with 100+ Hypermiling Tips and 65+ Efficiency Mods.

[Daox]

Welcome to the site Neil. I'm not sure of the whole selection of diesels over there, but thats where I'd be looking.

[320touring]

thanks for the welcome chaps!
I've had a good look at the driving and mod threads you mention-they are a major reason behind me signing up.

Currently trying to decide what i'm wanting from the car..
So far have decided
80mpg UK on motorway/a road driving and
65mpg UK around town.

I'm also unsure how i'll be able to record impacts of changes.i see a lot about a b a testing-i assume that will relate to mechanical changes or aero mods i make, and 90day and ongoing mpg will include changes to my driving style.

How can i a b a test without cruise?

[Piwoslaw]

Originally Posted by 320touring

How can i a b a test without cruise?

Very carefully.
If you have a daily commute, then try driving 1 week with mods, then 1 without, then 1 week with, etc., on the same route. The more, the better. Record the weather (temp, wind speed & direction, rain, snow), traffic, and fuel consumption. If you don't have a fc device, then fill up at the end of the week. Always write down how much fuel goes into your tank and the odometer reading.

You can also coastdown test the mods. This requires a flat, straight, quiet stretch of road (3-5km), a video camera and few hours of free time, a GPS would also help. Coastdown testing is more scientific - it'll tell more or less how much your aero improved, and that should let you estimate the change in fuel efficiency.

[robchalmers]

Hi Neil,

What kind of budget are you looking at? Aswell as the Octavia, there is also the Seat Cordoba and Polo estate both running the 1.9TDI lump with a decent length top gear. looking outside VW there is things like the 1998-04 Astra estates, go for the 1.7DTi (NOT the TD) as they, like the polo SDi (non-turbo) estates can get 70+MPGuk on the Mway.

I take it this has to be a fairly practical vehicle (hence the list I've given)

let me know if there is anything else i can help with!

[320touring]

Originally Posted by robchalmers

Hi Neil,

What kind of budget are you looking at? Aswell as the Octavia, there is also the Seat Cordoba and Polo estate both running the 1.9TDI lump with a decent length top gear. looking outside VW there is things like the 1998-04 Astra estates, go for the 1.7DTi (NOT the TD) as they, like the polo SDi (non-turbo) estates can get 70+MPGuk on the Mway.

I take it this has to be a fairly practical vehicle (hence the list I've given)

let me know if there is anything else i can help with!

Hi, thanks for the reply!
i'm fairly clued up on the VAG cars, so i reckon a cordoba estate or an octavia estate would suit my needs. I know that the octavia also came with the sdi, but i reckon it'd struggle for such a large car.

Budget is under £1000 as it'll be a daily beater and all round hack.
I'm not bothered about creature comforts as long as it provides safe reliable transport for myself and friends.
Initially i'll want to concentrate on developing the nut behind the wheel
but i'm hoping to start developing the car to maximise aero performance and the efficiency of the engine and drivetrain.

I realisr with my budget i'll probably be looking at ex taxi's-but skoda had a great warrenty for taxis in the uk.

Regarding a b a testing-that's essentially what i was considering.. Or alternatively getting a baseline mpg on a given route (several runs in differing weather, using 1gallon and recording the distances travelled) then fitting mod and re running.
I have a constant commute to work and have been trying the basic driving changes suggested.

My girlfriend has taken my suggestions on board and has seen her weekly costs drop from £40 to £25 for her 250mile weekly commute

Appreciate the help-expect more questions!