HELP! 850R Daily Commuter?

**Rogo1806** · Thursday 6th August 2015, 18:18

Hi All,

As some of you know, I bought foammanmark's V70R last year, did some work to it then he wanted it back! Well, I had to sell as I got a new job. So I bought myself an Audi A4 Avant 1.9 TDI. In short, I don't like it, its my third diesel, and the older diesel engines are just not so great to drive imo.

Shortly after buying my Audi, I found an 850R which I bought and is getting some attention slowly by myself and my dad.

I am thinking tho, as I miss the Volvo drive so much.. that I will sell the Audi, put a good £700-1000 into the 850R and use it as my daily. My commute is 50miles a day.. Anyone use theirs for such a journey. Its an Auto too

I don't like having two cars as one gets neglected, and the running costs yearly are higher.

What do you guys think of this proposal? It means I'll enjoy driving again, look forward to my journeys but compromise on economy, which at this stage of my life I am not too concerned with.

HELP!

Rohit

**The Flying Moose** · Thursday 6th August 2015, 18:29

I did try commuting in a T5 for quite some time, in the end I gave up (90 mile round trip) as it was costing almost £100 a week in fuel.

If you can swallow the fuel cost I say go for it, however these cars are getting old now too.

I found the best solution was as you are now, I run a V70 TDi as my daily hack and the T5-R for fun.

**500tie** · Thursday 6th August 2015, 18:40

I know mine isn't an R but the fuel economy isn't much better and I do 66 miles a day. It costs me £65 a week in petrol tesco 99.

**Biff** · Thursday 6th August 2015, 21:40

One of the reasons I had to sell mine was a change in job & a 60 mile round trip. Oh & another baby on the way. On a cruise I was getting about 24mpg but my problem was not playing with the cars that tried it on.
I know exactly how you felt, I would do anything to have her back but some days it was costing me £20 to get to work. Nearly £30 the day I met an rs4. Lol

**martin_r_smith** · Thursday 6th August 2015, 22:06

I think I solved this problem. T5 power (and some) and tdi economy, it really is the best of both worlds!

**Rogo1806** · Thursday 6th August 2015, 22:07

I seeeeee.. But if you were able to control your right foot and restrain from beating the opposition, what sort of mpg would you get or how much would it cost you a week. I'm trying to justify a decision I pretty much already made I think :s

**Nealevo** · Thursday 6th August 2015, 22:12

I used to use my as a daily, over 18k per annum for 2 years running, I had mine LPG converted, it paid for itself after 10 months and it's nice to know you can do the equivalent of 65+mpg with a T5 and to be fair I don't drive with the trucks.
They make great cars on motorway and even before it was converted I used to get 32/34mpg average over my 700mole a week commute.

**martin_r_smith** · Thursday 6th August 2015, 22:15

My mpg never goes below 35 really. My average is a shade over 40 and I don't particularly drive slowly!

**Rogo1806** · Thursday 6th August 2015, 22:22

Originally Posted by Nealevo

I used to use my as a daily, over 18k per annum for 2 years running, I had mine LPG converted, it paid for itself after 10 months and it's nice to know you can do the equivalent of 65+mpg with a T5 and to be fair I don't drive with the trucks.
They make great cars on motorway and even before it was converted I used to get 32/34mpg average over my 700mole a week commute.

Is yours an Auto Neal? I really would like to see yours. Do you bring it to Gaydon often?

Appreciate all the comments. I don't know why I find driving a diesel + audi so horrible!!!!

**Ettienne** · Thursday 6th August 2015, 22:31

My sonic's a daily driver and mostly in school traffic, just have to put up with the economy 18-20 around town and 35 at 70mph

**Saaamon** · Thursday 6th August 2015, 23:05

I use to have an 850R as my daily few years back doing that kind of mileage. My T5 is used daily by my missus but doesn't go far. We still average 20k miles a year in it though. On a trip it averages 450miles per tank.

**Shinsplintz 101** · Friday 7th August 2015, 07:48

If your serious about using it for the daily the LPG conversion seems a sensible solution. Personally fuel consumption has never bothered me but I could see it being an issue if I had do a lot of regular mileage in the car & since your looking to invest I the car this would be my first stop to bringing it back to its best. Once the fuel savings have paid for the system then you have no excuse not to keep spending money on the car to keep it in tip top condition as your saving money with every mile! Neal runs plenty of power so that's not a worry should you also decide to upgrade in future. Good luck, morgan

**jamesy12345** · Friday 7th August 2015, 08:23

May I recommend, a manual conversion and a Tim Williams map....

...and 36 psi in the tyres. Mind you the petrol prices will probably be heading upwards so maybe LPG not a bad idea.

DISCLAIMER: the MPG shown in this post may be entirely fictional. Your home is at risk if you do not keep up mortgage payments.

**MaxTS** · Friday 7th August 2015, 09:26

I used to drive my S70R to work which is also a 50 mile trip but I didn't feel comfortable about leaving it where the parking is and hated it getting dirty so I have bought a 740 for the commute as I could NEVER get any power down due to traffic. If anyone has been on the M27 from Portsmouth to Southampton in the morning will understand.

The R just comes out at the weekends

**Nealevo** · Friday 7th August 2015, 10:36

Originally Posted by Rogo1806

Is yours an Auto Neal? I really would like to see yours. Do you bring it to Gaydon often?

Appreciate all the comments. I don't know why I find driving a diesel + audi so horrible!!!!

It used to be auto, now it's a manual, It's parked up in Gaydon, hidden away waiting for the summer. Next time I'm home I will give you s shout and you can have a go.

**Doingitsideways** · Friday 7th August 2015, 10:47

Get a dirrrty diesel:

I drive mine like I stole it, with this lot on board:

Although, I did get this out of the T5 the other day.
Through roadworks at 50mph... Downhill

**Doingitsideways** · Friday 7th August 2015, 10:49

Originally Posted by Nealevo

It used to be auto, now it's a manual, It's parked up in Gaydon, hidden away waiting for the summer. Next time I'm home I will give you s shout and you can have a go.

Can I have a go too?

**Nealevo** · Friday 7th August 2015, 12:41

Originally Posted by Doingitsideways

Can I have a go too?

Anyone can have a go, it's only a car

**Rogo1806** · Friday 7th August 2015, 17:52

Guys thanks for all the advice!! As soon as I get my Audi sold I'm going to use it as my daily. Then over the next year or so I may look into the Manual conversion and even the LPG. Neal will be great to see yours as it will probably be something to aspire too. Will definitely let you guys know how it's progressing!