Anyone own a 1.8 Vauxhall Zafira?

[wanacoop]

A mate at work has just bought an 07plate, Zafira. He chose the 1.8 petrol engine thinking that it would just enough umph, but also be fairly good on fuel.

He took it on the M5 at the weekend, and was surprised that at 80, it was revving at 4000rpm.

He knew I used Pistonheads and asked if I could try to find out if that was normal?

Any owners out there that can help?

[CampDavid]

It would have to be normal unless the wheels have been changed or the gearbox altered. Can't think of a problem that would alter the gear ratios!

[wanacoop]

CampDavid said:

It would have to be normal unless the wheels have been changed or the gearbox altered. Can't think of a problem that would alter the gear ratios!

I know, but I'm only the messenger!

[neil_bolton]

From my memory that's about right.

Bear in mind that my M5 with a fackin huge 5.0l engine revs at 3,000rpm in 6th at 80mph...

Tis all about gearing deary.

ps, he'll find that doing about 60-70 will be a lot more fuel efficient that trying to do 80, and wierdly I've found, you get there just as quick, and less stressed.

Edited by neil_bolton on Tuesday 16th November 18:46

[wanacoop]

neil_bolton said:

Tis all about gearing deary.

Thanks pumpkin.

[neil_bolton]

wanacoop said:

neil_bolton said:

Tis all about gearing deary.

Thanks pumpkin.

S'alright petal, anytime

[blank]

Sounds about right.

One of our work hack vehicles is a 1.8 Zafira.

Worst engine choice for the car really!

[wanacoop]

neil_bolton said:

wanacoop said:

neil_bolton said:

Tis all about gearing deary.

Thanks pumpkin.

S'alright petal, anytime

[neil_bolton]

blank said:

Sounds about right.

One of our work hack vehicles is a 1.8 Zafira.

Worst engine choice for the car really!

bloody awful - the diesels, and I can't believe I'm saying this, work so much better in the Zafiras. I've spent too much time in hire versions - an Elite was the best I drove, and was actually awesome across the moors I drove it on.

Which is pretty good going for an MPV.

[wanacoop]

neil_bolton said:

ps, he'll find that doing about 60-70 will be a lot more fuel efficient that trying to do 80, and wierdly I've found, you get there just as quick, and less stressed.

Edited by neil_bolton on Tuesday 16th November 18:46

He did say he tried going at 70, but found it hard to do!! He was heading up to Brizle at the time!

[SClarke]

Out of the available engine choices in petrol form the 1.8 is the best by a mile against the 1.6 which is geared even shorter. I think the problem is the aerodynamic disadvantage the shape offers versus the optimum power band of the engine, although it is probably geared to be comfortable at 70mph rather than 80mph.

[JB!]

yeah, we found that 4th and 5th were really close in ratio in our old mk1 1.8 zaf.

the diesel isnt much better.

[Crafty_]

SClarke said:

Out of the available engine choices in petrol form the 1.8 is the best by a mile against the 1.6 which is geared even shorter. I think the problem is the aerodynamic disadvantage the shape offers versus the optimum power band of the engine, although it is probably geared to be comfortable at 70mph rather than 80mph.

GSI or VXR are better, cruise nicely and don't rev too high.

For the "normal" cars the diesels are great, the 16v engine is great.

[SClarke]

Crafty_ said:

SClarke said:

Out of the available engine choices in petrol form the 1.8 is the best by a mile against the 1.6 which is geared even shorter. I think the problem is the aerodynamic disadvantage the shape offers versus the optimum power band of the engine, although it is probably geared to be comfortable at 70mph rather than 80mph.

GSI or VXR are better, cruise nicely and don't rev too high.

For the "normal" cars the diesels are great, the 16v engine is great.

Oh yeah, forgot about the 2.0 turbo. They did a 2.2 in the older shape too but you don't see many about. I guess for most 'family' buyers the choice is between the 1.6 and 1.8 or else a diesel but they are more money (to buy and to fix).

[S1mon.]

We've got a diesel version, and it does around 55 mpg on a run (43ish round town), happy to sit around 70-80. maybe 6 speed helps.

[RJDM3]

wanacoop said:

A mate at work has just bought an 07plate, Zafira. He chose the 1.8 petrol engine thinking that it would just enough umph, but also be fairly good on fuel.

He took it on the M5 at the weekend, and was surprised that at 80, it was revving at 4000rpm.

He knew I used Pistonheads and asked if I could try to find out if that was normal?

Any owners out there that can help?

Yes me and the wife own one for the million kids, yes the engine does sit at 4000rpm at 80. Really should have been fitted with a 6 speed gearbox