Discussion
Ok I’ve driven this bad boy for 2500+ miles now. It’s very quick in the sense that rather than overtaking one car on one of my favourite twisties, I over take the whole row, ending each gear change with a very pleasing growl from the diesel engine @ 5500+ rpm.
This is definitely not like any diesel I’ve driven. Most are slow, all others are like driving a tractor and definitely sound like a bag of broken chisels.
I’m pleased with the 44-45mpg l’m getting from the straight 6 (46-47 indicated) especially considering I’m on the naughty side of 70 most of the time, switch to Sport+ on the twisties and my bad to/from work journey (lots of big hills, accelerating and braking).
However both the loaner F34 (2.0l diesel) and this car are terrible on my works run – with all other cars, except a Ford Fiesta diesel (consistently 3 mpg off the mark), I have managed to get the combined mpg rating. Regardless of how hard I try, the F30 335D only returns 42-44mpg.
I can only put the mediocre consumption down to the kerb weight (1705kg), the hills and the fact that the engine is only fully warm at the end of the works journey. Eco Pro trys its level best to keep the revs well below 1500 and the aircon virtually off, but its nowhere near the acclaimed 52.3mpg. My previous VAG 4motion Golf would have been close to 60mpg, if I’d driven this way and normally averages 54-56mpg on the same run.
Generally though, the handling, performance, looks and even the sound sells it IMHO. Getting 44-45mpg most of the time is a bonus on a straight 6 with this much power. The inside may only be classed as good (sans merino leather) rather than best in class, but the gadgets more than make up for this. I could play for hours with the electric tow hook (
), and the remote/scheduled heating is a massive bonus on a cold winters morn.
Final thing I need to do is fully test the handling on track once the winters are off – course I’ll do this with my *cough* friends car.
playing with my gadget
This is definitely not like any diesel I’ve driven. Most are slow, all others are like driving a tractor and definitely sound like a bag of broken chisels.
I’m pleased with the 44-45mpg l’m getting from the straight 6 (46-47 indicated) especially considering I’m on the naughty side of 70 most of the time, switch to Sport+ on the twisties and my bad to/from work journey (lots of big hills, accelerating and braking).
However both the loaner F34 (2.0l diesel) and this car are terrible on my works run – with all other cars, except a Ford Fiesta diesel (consistently 3 mpg off the mark), I have managed to get the combined mpg rating. Regardless of how hard I try, the F30 335D only returns 42-44mpg.
I can only put the mediocre consumption down to the kerb weight (1705kg), the hills and the fact that the engine is only fully warm at the end of the works journey. Eco Pro trys its level best to keep the revs well below 1500 and the aircon virtually off, but its nowhere near the acclaimed 52.3mpg. My previous VAG 4motion Golf would have been close to 60mpg, if I’d driven this way and normally averages 54-56mpg on the same run.
Generally though, the handling, performance, looks and even the sound sells it IMHO. Getting 44-45mpg most of the time is a bonus on a straight 6 with this much power. The inside may only be classed as good (sans merino leather) rather than best in class, but the gadgets more than make up for this. I could play for hours with the electric tow hook (
), and the remote/scheduled heating is a massive bonus on a cold winters morn.Final thing I need to do is fully test the handling on track once the winters are off – course I’ll do this with my *cough* friends car.
playing with my gadget
Edited by tjlees on Wednesday 24th December 16:18
yep corrected to a straight 6 - but still sounds good even if it enhanced by the stereo.
The commute is about 25 miles each way and while accepting its not quite run in yet, I can't see it achieving 52mpg+ on the motorway, however Autocar did get 53.6 mpg on their test run with a heavy F31 330D (1735kg) - it even beat a Boxster S round its handling circuit.
The only glimmer of hope is when I drove in the Lincolnshire Wolds, where you spend most of your time on straight-ish roads doing around 60 mph. The mpg jumped to an indicated 50+mpg.
The commute is about 25 miles each way and while accepting its not quite run in yet, I can't see it achieving 52mpg+ on the motorway, however Autocar did get 53.6 mpg on their test run with a heavy F31 330D (1735kg) - it even beat a Boxster S round its handling circuit.
The only glimmer of hope is when I drove in the Lincolnshire Wolds, where you spend most of your time on straight-ish roads doing around 60 mph. The mpg jumped to an indicated 50+mpg.
Yep. Most pocket rockets will do better mpg. The Misses Roadster JCW regularly sees 37+mpg and 46 on a long run - main advantage being the weight.
However you need a car like a 3 series to tow 1.8t and carry four in comfort with lots of luggage - a typical event that occurs at least 15 times a year with me. Additionally one/twice a year its the bikes and roof box - here's the ex-VAG ....
Additionally, the car needs to be either rear wheel or 4 wheel drive to start/stop with trailer on the steep hills nearby.
However you need a car like a 3 series to tow 1.8t and carry four in comfort with lots of luggage - a typical event that occurs at least 15 times a year with me. Additionally one/twice a year its the bikes and roof box - here's the ex-VAG ....
Additionally, the car needs to be either rear wheel or 4 wheel drive to start/stop with trailer on the steep hills nearby.
Fox- said:
No, it's not. I wasn't sure what the legal requirement was (hence the question) but it still doesn't sound ideal. Isn't the recommendation that the trailer not exceed 85% of the towing vehicle curb weight? That figure keeps popping up when reading up.
The 85% recommendation is mainly for newbie towers and/or tows that are liable to snake such as single axled caravans.Modern cars stability controls now allow for trailers/caravans when attached, however there is no substitute for experience and appropriate level of speed.
Personally I'd only ever tow a twin axled trailer because its much more stable, very unlikely to snake and can take a blowout. The golf was very stable when towing 1.6t, providing I've loaded and checked the pressures properly. When I have screwed up the loading and trailer has started to snake/pitch its been relatively easy to bring a twin axled trailer under control.
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