Frugal 2.8TD

[Peter C]

There's been some chat about fuel economy figures and I though I'd share my experiences with you.

I use my 2.8TD LWB as a second car and don't cover huge mileages. However, since buying it I keep getting 35MPG, which I think is bloody amazing, especially as I don't go on motorways and I'm often stuck in traffic on route to work.

Here's my fleet:

The W123 Mercedes is my daily runner. I bought the 5 series BMW new a couple of weeks ago for my wife. And of course, the Frontera!

[jmc]

That is good...um..if you ever think of selling it please bear me in mind.
My 2.3 did 35mpg my 2.5 does 32mpg but only on Shell diesel.
Both do better on long runs.
What s the heater like in yours?

[jmc]

My 2.5 is great heat within minutes.My 2.3 was awful took half an hour to get lukewarm if that. The thermostat on the 2.3 is buried under several belts so never got to do it.

[RatCav]

Great old engines those 2.8's

Did you know the design is over 30 years old and still knocks the pants off a lot of diesels, including modern ones.

[Peter C]

I can believe it. Whilst the engine feels strong, pulls well and is frugal, it sounds like a tractror, especially on a cold morning.

What vehicles was it fitted to, other than the Trooper?

Peter

[Drift]

It was only fitted to the Frontera, Trooper and MU and derivatives.

They all sound rough as chuff on cold mornings for the first mile or so, just keep the oil and filter changes regular

[crashtest]

i'm getting between 32 and 36 out of my 2.8 depending on my route to work some days i have to drive tru town and that means a lot of stop \ start traffic. as already said for the first mile the engine sounds really rough but i just keep the revs down and i change the oil 7 filter every 3k. i've had mine 12 months this weekend and gotta say i'm looking forward to some snow thats what we bought it for last year as a third car for the winter but it's been used all year

[RatCav]

Chevy Brava is another.

[Drift]

I covered myself with derivatives

I just got 215 miles from half a tank and that semi taking it easy and thats a first since its been modded, so I am happy as its normally 170 half a tank

[gregster]

My 2.8lwb still does better mpg than a 2.0i sport, even when its towing an 800kg Ifor with a 2.0i sport on it!!!

[RatCav]

I think it was also used in some trucks ... as in trucks not 4x4's.

Other applications were generators and pumps.

[Dave_RAYNET]

[Drift]

[woodwizzard]

Not sure what differances, other than a few cc's, there are between the 3.1 and 2.8, but i don't notice the clackety-clack with the 3.1 that you get with a 2.8. Perhaps they used up all the spare "bags of spanners" when they made the 2.8

[Drift]

They are ported differently and one is direct injection

[RatCav]

Bigger stroke as well. I have also read confilcting info about bore being different.

Basically the 3.1 is "refined".

If my 2.8 gives out I will be slapping a 3.1 into it. Easier and cheaper to get hold of as well as a lot of breakers confuse them with the 3.0 therefore think they are worthless.

[pacman11]

I want a derv fronty, my (now departed) 2.2 petrol was a right guzzler, 2 days before I got rid I put 20 quid in it, done 28 miles that day, next day did 3 and a bit miles the next day, went for lunch with wife, then started journey home and chug chug out of the car park and conked out on the road! managed to get back into the car park, me and a very helpful fella in the car next to me were kerpuzzled for 20 mins, even on the phone to his mechanic mate and still nothing! Engine rocking like a horse on national day!

Turns out ran out of juice!

And I don't have a heavy right foot either! Jesus it was slooooow... I got overtaken by a pensioner on a battery operated zimmer bike thing! Could'nt even overtake a 20 year old double decker bus! She was reliable though, never failed to start, left nice puddles underneath her wherever she went too, woulda made the beverley hill billies considerably richer than thou!

I know a diseasal will be more torquey but what are they like from the off? One I had was bloody dangerous, could NEVER pull out into traffic, tried it once and nearly got rear ended! gutless in first but once into 2nd and past 30 went like a train.

Sorry for the long posts, in frontera ownerless remission!

[Peter C]

Don't buy a diesel Frontera if you need to go fast.

I drive mine very gently, get an easy 35MPG and always arrive at my destination. Ok, my BMW is much faster and can do almost 60MPG, but you can't compare the two.

I enjoy driving the Frontera, regardless how slow it is.

[pacman11]

That old merc looks the business, guess that was from when they didnt come with rust as a standard option! Nice little fleet you have there, the beemer looks quite mean in that colour, what spec/trim is it?

[Peter C]