[Bighvm]

Hi all,
Joined because after months on looking at possible cars to buy, I a, settled on an I 30 auto, can't decide on gas or otherwise.
I'm a pretty good self taught car mechanic and done all major and minor works to all of my cars in the past...head gas kits, gearbox rebuilds, carbs, servicing etc.
By trade I am an electrician and light builder, partition walls, kitchens etc.
I'm here to find out as much as possible and take any advice on ownership to make my new car more enjoyable and be prepared for any issues I may have.
Thanks for having me, I look forward to getting to know you!

[~ Angel ~]

Hi there, Bighvm

to the forum.

[Dazzler]

Welcome Bighvm,

Have a good browse around the site and some searches regarding key areas of interest. Huge archives of info on here.

Feel free to ask about anything you can't easily find answers to though.

The 6 speed auto in the series 2 (GD) model is more efficient and trouble free than the 4 speed in the earlier FD which did have issues for some.

EDIT: It might be a good idea to add you country at least as some model features are location specific.

[The Gonz]

 

[John B]

 Hi Bighvm &

[mickd]

G'Day BIGhvm ,

 

[eye30]

welcome

[Smokeyr67]

G'day mate,

My neighbour is an accountant, when he bought an I30 a couple of years ago he did what accountants do and worked out to the last cent if it would be cheaper in the long run to buy a diesel or petrol model - he worked out it would take over 200,000k for the diesel to be the cheaper option.

I just said a lot, and all I needed to say was, my neighbor is very happy with his i30

Smokey

[Dazzler]

G'day mate,

My neighbour is an accountant, when he bought an I30 a couple of years ago he did what accountants do and worked out to the last cent if it would be cheaper in the long run to buy a diesel or petrol model - he worked out it would take over 200,000k for the diesel to be the cheaper option.

I just said a lot, and all I needed to say was, my neighbor is very happy with his i30

Smokey

You should drive both though as the diesel's torque can be addictive. 

[The Gonz]

I'm paying a lot less for my diesel fuel than my neighbours and workmates are paying for their petrol, so tbe figures might need recalculating.

[Dazzler]

I'm paying a lot less for my diesel fuel than my neighbours and workmates are paying for their petrol, so tbe figures might need recalculating.

And the equation may be better too when you are buying used. The diesel is dearer than the equivalent petrol secondhand but not by as much.

[Bighvm]

Well I come from a Ford Explorer, 4 litre v6 that gave me at best in town, 16 mpg and on motorway a luxury 22!!!
It was supremely comfortable and fully loaded, but sadly in the uk- we get hit hard for emissions in road tax and the cost of fuel both types is heavy to say the least, so I'm thinking....
Diesel based on lower road tax and maybe cheaper insurance, I'm likely to find it very expensive as I've not driven for 4 years due to ill health and dodgy blood pressure mainly.
However, now all this is under control and I'm looking at the i30, could any uk owners get in touch please, I'd like to hear your experience with dealers. Services etc, if it's outside of warranty, I am very likely to service it myself as I've looked after all my cars all my life that way.
But I plan to buy a 13-14 plate premium model, be it petrol or diesel, I'm leaning towards diesel for now for the reported low end torque, can anyone say how the petrol models drive depending on engine size?
I don't see a lot on petrol models here, all the reviews on you tube point to the 1.6 diesel being the most wanted version of engine.
If the petrol source pucker and with some grunt, I'd love that!
So excited I plan to buy in the next 3 months and am searching the Internet like a fetishist looking for niche porn!!
( reminds me- I must clear my cookies)!!
Thanks all 🙃

[Dazzler]

The 2.0 Petrol we get in Australia is quite a strong engine. The 1.6 Ltr Petrol which you get in the UK is frugal and adequate but I think you would find it underpowered compared to what you last drove. Obviously the 1.4 petrol is even more leasurely.

The 1.6 GDi in the later GD models 2012+ is a little stronger (reasonable torque once on the highway/motorway) but not that quick or strong off the mark. I think when you drive both you will see why the Diesel is the hero model in both the Series 1 (FD) and Series 2 (GD) models.

Pity you prefer or need an auto. Many of us reckon the Diesel Manual makes better use of the CRDi's torque and gives much better fuel economy in most circumstances (In the order of 20% better)

[beerman]

G'day mate,

My neighbour is an accountant, when he bought an I30 a couple of years ago he did what accountants do and worked out to the last cent if it would be cheaper in the long run to buy a diesel or petrol model - he worked out it would take over 200,000k for the diesel to be the cheaper option.

I just said a lot, and all I needed to say was, my neighbor is very happy with his i30

Smokey

I reckon I'm ahead on the Wife's FD at 98,000 though I did get it for 20k drive away. Will be ahead on the i40 too but again got it for cheap 

[eye30]

Reading re preference for auto, is it the same in oz that if you pass test in auto you can only drive auto but pass in manual you can drive both?

Sent from my GT-P3110 using Tapatalk

[CraigB]

Reading re preference for auto, is it the same in oz that if you pass test in auto you can only drive auto but pass in manual you can drive both?

Yes, it's the same here Lester.

[Bighvm]

I passed my test on a manual so I can drive both, just have driven Auto for so long, I guess for the extra 20% mileage it's well worth reconsidering eh?!
Will have to look deep into this... I really want a full spec model.. so what is the designation for that guys?

[Shambles]

Hi Bighvm

Not all members visit the intro section, so you're probably better off asking in here:

ADVICE FOR BUYERS

[Surferdude]

Reading re preference for auto, is it the same in oz that if you pass test in auto you can only drive auto but pass in manual you can drive both?

Yes, it's the same here Lester.

If it is, it's changed.
In NSW up until the late 1990's you could pass on an auto and after 12 months were legally able to drive a manual. Both our middle son and our daughter did this. Later, when they moved back to Qld, they were issued with full licences for manual.
In Qld, if you passed on an auto you had to redo the test to be legally able to drive a manual.

[mickd]

Reading re preference for auto, is it the same in oz that if you pass test in auto you can only drive auto but pass in manual you can drive both?

Yes, it's the same here Lester.

If it is, it's changed.
In NSW up until the late 1990's you could pass on an auto and after 12 months were legally able to drive a manual. Both our middle son and our daughter did this. Later, when they moved back to Qld, they were issued with full licences for manual.
In Qld, if you passed on an auto you had to redo the test to be legally able to drive a manual.

Youngest got her license 4 years ago in her manual,  got extra points for it , allowed to drive both .
Friends who took autos had to wait 2 years or reset before allowed to drive manuals.
Oldest took our manual instead of her auto as she wanted to be able to  drive manual as needed.
She had a part time job on a dairy, farmer asked them who can drive a manual? , only she said yes, (still on "L's" at the time) , farmer says ok you can drive the new $150 k tractor, heres the keys , catch!

[Surferdude]

Reading re preference for auto, is it the same in oz that if you pass test in auto you can only drive auto but pass in manual you can drive both?

Yes, it's the same here Lester.

If it is, it's changed.
In NSW up until the late 1990's you could pass on an auto and after 12 months were legally able to drive a manual. Both our middle son and our daughter did this. Later, when they moved back to Qld, they were issued with full licences for manual.
In Qld, if you passed on an auto you had to redo the test to be legally able to drive a manual.

Youngest got her license 4 years ago in her manual,  got extra points for it , allowed to drive both .
Friends who took autos had to wait 2 years or reset before allowed to drive manuals.
Oldest took our manual instead of her auto as she wanted to be able to  drive manual as needed.
She had a part time job on a dairy, farmer asked them who can drive a manual? , only she said yes, (still on "L's" at the time) , farmer says ok you can drive the new $150 k tractor, heres the keys , catch!

OK thanks.
So they've increased the qualifying period from one year to two.
PS. Love the tractor story. Bet she enjoyed it.

[IDVRI]

I learned to drive in a Manual, specifically so that even though I have not driven anything but an Auto for the last two decades I am still legally allowed to drive a Manual if the need arose. I don't know how it all works these days but I renew my manual licence every year and don't have to sit any tests to be able to drive one, although I would definately need a refresher course after so long!

[NayuluTjuta]

Reading re preference for auto, is it the same in oz that if you pass test in auto you can only drive auto but pass in manual you can drive both?

Yes, it's the same here Lester.

Well, that depends on the state you live in. In SA, once you have your licence, you can drive both an auto or a manual.

Bob

[CraigB]

Reading re preference for auto, is it the same in oz that if you pass test in auto you can only drive auto but pass in manual you can drive both?

Yes, it's the same here Lester.

Well, that depends on the state you live in. In SA, once you have your licence, you can drive both an auto or a manual.

Bob

You can drive both if you've gotten your license in a manual, if only passed in auto then driving a manual would be illegal.

[NayuluTjuta]

In SA, different state, different rules. I don't agree with the SA rules, but that's the state of play.

Bob

[CraigB]

In SA, different state, different rules. I don't agree with the SA rules, but that's the state of play.

Bob

That seems pretty stupid, other than the safety risks they then also wouldn't be able to drive a manual in any other state

[NayuluTjuta]

In SA, different state, different rules. I don't agree with the SA rules, but that's the state of play.

Bob

That seems pretty stupid, other than the safety risks they then also wouldn't be able to drive a manual in any other state

You've got no argument from me on that.

Bob

[eye30]

Reading re preference for auto, is it the same in oz that if you pass test in auto you can only drive auto but pass in manual you can drive both?

Yes, it's the same here Lester.

Well, that depends on the state you live in. In SA, once you have your licence, you can drive both an auto or a manual.

Bob

Is the auto test easier to pass!

Sent from my GT-P3110 using Tapatalk

[Surferdude]

In SA, different state, different rules. I don't agree with the SA rules, but that's the state of play.

Bob

That seems pretty stupid, other than the safety risks they then also wouldn't be able to drive a manual in any other state

That would depend on whether or not there was any endorsement on their licence which said they did their test on an auto. If it doesn't, i can't see how any other state would know.

[Surferdude]

Reading re preference for auto, is it the same in oz that if you pass test in auto you can only drive auto but pass in manual you can drive both?

Yes, it's the same here Lester.

Well, that depends on the state you live in. In SA, once you have your licence, you can drive both an auto or a manual.

Bob

Is the auto test easier to pass!

Sent from my GT-P3110 using Tapatalk

Only in that they don't have to learn how to use a clutch and change gears.
The test itself is the same.
But it's the integration of gear changing into all the other driving requirements which add a degree of difficulty.