HDI 90 and poor economy

Sounds about right for a HDi 90, or that's what mine does anyway. What sort of figures were you expecting? My old TD 406 couldn't manage anything like that.

What is your average legnth journey? The HDI takes a lot longer to warm up than the XUD.

Remember, the Xsara weighs more than the 405 due to all the modern safety features and crumple zones etc.

I'd be happy with 45-50mpg, but would expect a little more. My C5 HDI 110 averages around 44-45 mpg.

Perhaps an hour or two with the dealer and things will be better?

Have you checked the tyres and are you using best diesel? I prefer Shell Diesel Extra in my HDI.

I think you would find the 110 will get better MPG because you don't have to work it as hard. As another poster pointed out, modern cars are heavier and therefore you are less likely to get better MPG from a similar engine when comparing to an older car.

I'd be pretty happy with 47-50mpg tho! Is that not in-line with what Citroen quote? I doubt they would be concerned about anything being wrong with the figures you are getting.

My XUD engine'd Xantia does about 44 on a run, even when reasonably gentle, which seems to be about the same as everyone else. I'd be amazed to get any more out of it.

Not sure where you are, but we have an excellent Citroen specialist in Bristol - AP Autocare

they were independent, but have now joined the Citroen approved dealers network, but that does not mean they are now as useless as Citroen dealers are!! You could give them a ring, they are very good. I think it is Dave who I have dealt with and he was really helpful, but don't quote me on that name as it is off the top of my head!

Matt.

It is. Most of my driving is in heavy traffic or at 75 on the M62. It does

50 on a good run.

Most of it has been in the region of 100 miles. Motorways and deserted French D roads - dead straight as far as you can see. But at legal speeds. Agreed that the HDI takes longer for the temp guage to register, but I get seem to get warm air from the heater about as soon as with the XUD.

The Xsara unladen weight is 1250Kg, from memory the 405 estate was over

1300. Plus I was comparing a run in the 405, four up plus luggage, whereas I have never had more than one passenger in the Xsara. At constant speed, above 50, wind drag has far more effect than weight and the Xsara is the smaller car.

It's that little bit more I am looking for. The official figure is 51.4 overall, and I know from experience that with my driving style I can normally improve on the "official" figures.

Trying to check all the possible alternatives first. I have never had much faith in dealers. Change everything in sight until it comes good.

Not rapeseed oil then????? ;-) Tyres are new, and I am always careful to check that they are at the correct pressure. I will try an alternative brand of fuel though. I am in Surrey, and a friend who is in the fuel business assures me that all fuel sold around here comes from one depot near Heathrow. He claims that this type of sharing is commonly used in the industry to keep costs down. Whether he is right or not, I couldn't say.

I'm not going to give up yet, thanks for the response. Brian.

Almost exactly what SWMBO gets from her 307 HDi. Dave