1.6 petrol motorway mpg

jase1

andygb wrote: »

The old Mondeo (up until 2001 and maybe later) was the 1.8 Zetec (either black or silver top), and has a cambelt, unlike the Mazda 3 1.6 petrol engine (which is no realation) which has a cam chain.

I was thinking of the newer Mondeo.

Wouldn't have an older belt-cam Ford engined car again that's for sure. What a load of crap.

andygb

jase1 wrote: »

I was thinking of the newer Mondeo.

Wouldn't have an older belt-cam Ford engined car again that's for sure. What a load of crap.

I certainly have no complaints about them, being very reliable (plenty of owners on the Ford forums get well over 200K miles out of them), cheap to maintain, and to be perfectly honest, 550 miles out of a tankful of fuel for an old 1.8 petrol isn't that shabby.

The_Grouch

andygb wrote: »

The old Mondeo (up until 2001 and maybe later) was the 1.8 Zetec (either black or silver top), and has a cambelt, unlike the Mazda 3 1.6 petrol engine (which is no realation) which has a cam chain.
The Mondeo engine is indeed more frugal than the Mazda engine, and this is largely down to the gearing, where the Mondeo is nearly 1000 RPM lower at motorway speeds. The Mazda needs another gear or revised gearing in the 5 speed box IMO.

That about nails it. So I'm in 2 minds whether to keep the Mazda or change it for something else. It will need a couple of minor bits doing for its MOT, and it also needs the rusty wheel arches seeing too:(

I'd love a mk2 Yaris, but sadly I need a bit more load space!

andygb

The_Grouch wrote: »

That about nails it. So I'm in 2 minds whether to keep the Mazda or change it for something else. It will need a couple of minor bits doing for its MOT, and it also needs the rusty wheel arches seeing too:(

I'd love a mk2 Yaris, but sadly I need a bit more load space!

The paint and corrosion resistance is really rubbish on Mazdas I am afraid (loads of references to rust and flaking paint on the forums), and they are too fragile compared to other makes. I think that they have had too much praise from the motoring press, and have "rested on their laurels" so to speak.
Why not think about a solid diesel engined car - Skoda Octavia, Toyota Avensis, Seat Leon - all really well made and put together.
How old is your Mazda as a matter of interest?

daveyjp

Best I ever managed in a 1.8 Focus mk1 was low 40s. B class does similar at high motorway speeds, drop to 60ish and 50mpg is easily achievable. With smaller cc engines rpm is crucial. Our Aygo will do 65mpg at 60mpg, go to 70ish and it drops to low 40s.

jase1

andygb wrote: »

I certainly have no complaints about them, being very reliable (plenty of owners on the Ford forums get well over 200K miles out of them), cheap to maintain, and to be perfectly honest, 550 miles out of a tankful of fuel for an old 1.8 petrol isn't that shabby.

That may well be the case, but the 1.6 wouldn't lift the skin off a rice pudding.

It turns what might have been a fun car into a lumbering borefest. And it isn't very economical despite the high gearing. The 8v 1.6 Mitsubishi in the other car is both more economical and more responsive, despite being lower geared and a significantly older design.

mattyprice4004

I don't follow why you're apologising to people being stuck behind you, as long as you're overtaking something you're allowed in the middle lane.

If you're sat there with nothing to your left... then I'd probably concentrate on your driving rather than your MPG.

forgotmyname

3500rpm at 70mph maybe below the peak torque, So your pushing the throttle down harder to maintain roadspeed.

I get better economy at 60mph and less in 5th gear than i do in 6th gear, Although the revs are higher im actually using less throttle, The torque of the engine is almost enough as not to need to use the throttle.

6th gear give great economy at 80+mph.

As as mentioned we drive on the left in the UK.

grizzly1911

Toyota avensis - 2.0D4D most recent three tank fulls (brim to brim), motorway/ A roads at legal limits and a bit more - 55/55/58. 80=2200 in top:):):) Loads of carry space too.

Must admit these are the best figures over 5 years so whether I am just more conscious now the price has spiraled ever higher I don't know. Usual average 49 over last 15K miles

Anyone know if we are off winter diesel now that usually makes some difference.

The_Grouch

Thanks for all the replies everyone, makes interesting reading!

To answer some questions:

The mazda is a 2004 so a very early 3, these are sadly well known for the rusty wheel arches, and rusty other bits. This is one of the other reasons (besides mpg) that I'm thinking of changing the car.

Obviously I don't sit in the middle lane if the motorway is empty! :rotfl:only when the inside lane is full of lorries doing 55, which is roughly 99% of times I'm on the motorway.

I have thought about getting a diesel, but I'm put off by reports of expensive bills to fix! MPG is the second most important aspect after reliability, and I don't think engines come more reliable than japanese chain-driven petrol? TBH I don't do huge mileage, deffo less than 10k a year.

I'm not looking for anything bigger than the mazda 3, so octavia, avensis etc are out. Like I said I'd love a Yaris, but I need to easily fit 2 mountain bikes in the back!