[marti30]

This is a brief update to my previous post 'Early Days But So Far So Good' (which I've copied below).

The odometer is now showing 82,000 miles, the average speed display 43mph and the fuel consumption 64.6mpg (although by my calculations it's 62.5mpg). However, as I have not adjusted for my under reading odometer the economy is actually slightly better than this.

The 80,000 mile service cost £128.50 and once again the only replacements were oil and oil filter.

Since 74,000 miles the front wheels have been shod with Hankook Kinergyeco tyres (as fitted to some new i30s I believe). After the new tyres were fitted I was told to go for a short drive before the wheel alignment was checked and adjusted. Then I was asked for payment. The tyres were £59.00 each and the tracking £20.00. My hope is that I will now have even front tyre wear. I wonder if the new tyres are quieter as I listen to the radio on lower volume settings than before. The rear tyres are the original Hankooks.


My i30 is a red, UK spec, 2009.5 model year, 5 door, 6 speed, 1.6 u2 crdi comfort. I bought it new at the very end of 2009 with 8.4 miles on the clock. In its first 20 months it covered 60,000 miles and is now showing 63,000 miles. Its provided me with reliable, practical, comfortable transport and I've enjoyed driving it.
I don't drive it every day but the days it is used it goes between 100 and nearly 500 miles. Most of my driving consists of long, gentle journeys with one needle just above 2,000rpm and the other just below 70mph. The average speed display has never been reset and currently shows 42mph.
The day I collected it from the dealer I drove 120 miles and then filled the 53 litre tank with 56 litres of supermarket diesel. Since then its used 4,602.73 litres to go 63,111.5 miles which I calculate to be 62.3mpg. The average fuel consumption display has never been reset and shows 64.3mpg. Usually when I fuel I brim it and reset the trip. My biggest fill so far is 60.5 litres @ 879.8 miles (the low fuel light came on @ 794 miles and the Distance To Empty went from 30 to dashes @ 851 miles).
A tried and trusted independent garage has given it minor services @ 20,000 (£103.02), 40,000 (£108.46) and 60,000 (£124.50) miles. The only replacements being oil and oil filter. The front tyres were changed @ 38,000 miles with Marshal KH35 88s (£47.00 each or £94.01 the pair). Just like the Hankook originals they are wearing unevenly with both inner shoulders going first. When they were fitted the alignment was checked and pronounced perfect. Next time I'll consider having the toe-in adjusted anyway on a trial and error basis.

[Shambles]

Thanks for the feedback marti

I think we'll put your testimonial on the portal page

[Dazzler]

Very interesting Marti 

[jsc2012]

Wow, I have just introduced my 12k miler to its first >1000 mile week. So far so good, but engine is lumpy at 2000rpm....anyone else notice that?

[Doggie 1]

Great feedback, Marti.

[marti30]

Sorry everybody, one of the figures in my update is wrong. The price of the Hankook Kinergyeco front tyres was £54.00 and not £59.00. My total bill for the two tyres and wheel alignment adjustment was £128.00. I currently run the front tyres at high thirties psi (so long as they're much the same as each other I'm not too bothered about the exact pressures) and the rears in the mid thirties.
You may be interested to know that for the first 20,000 miles the car gave me 61.4mpg, between 20,000 and 40,000 miles 62.1mpg, between 40,000 and 60,000 miles 63.0mpg and between 60,000 and 80,000 miles 63.5mpg.
Another thing that may be of interest is that about two thirds of my diesel is bought from supermarkets on the English side of the channel and about one third comes from French supermarkets. The only non supermarket fuel that I've bought was in Luxembourg (three times) and Andorra (four times). There's little difference between them as far as this imperceptive driver is concerned.
The car has been abroad thirteen times. Of the 82,000 miles clocked up, 22,000 have been on the European mainland, mainly in France but also in Belgium, Luxembourg, Germany, Switzerland, Italy, Spain and Andorra.
The only issue with the car that I'm aware of is the split rear wiperblade, which I will replace, but not yet.

[Phil №❶]

Sounds like a well traveled car. Those countries are very pretty. Currently watching the French Bike Race & enjoying the scenery. Pity the French people weren't more friendly, when I was there.

[Dazzler]

I wish we could drive to other countries  Interesting feedback Marti