All things automotive

Discussion in 'Off-Topic Discussion' started by Fat Controller, Jan 16, 2026 at 9:08 PM.

  1. Emptyheadtime

    Emptyheadtime Gardener

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    Like others have said, I too am not a fan of these 3 cylinder modern engines for the reasons mentioned above (wouldn’t go near another Renault/Peugeot due to my experience of their electrics) and I am not sure how well they will last either if you do get one that doesn’t go pop. Surely they must be put under more stress and strain than an equivalent 4 cylinder during their lifetime,
     
  2. pete

    pete Growing a bit of this and a bit of that....

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    I assume the three cylinder idea is about saving fuel but never could see why you would want an odd number, I think Volvo used to make a five cylinder engine.

    I've got a turbo but I'd really prefer to have just a bigger engine, the turbo drinks petrol when you put your foot down.
     
  3. Fat Controller

    Fat Controller 'Cuddly' Scottish Admin! Staff Member

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    It is about having as much power with as low emissions as possible and yes that also should play in to fuel economy... the reality is, however, that it really doesn't. I've got a colleague who is running a Ford Focus 1.0 Ecoboom that he got from his mum - his prior car was a Focus 1.6 Zetec and the 1.0, 3-cyl turbo is giving him less miles to the gallon than his old 1.6 did. Worse still, when the current one wants a belt job doing it is engine out and around £1500-£1800 if done right (changing oil drive belt, cleaning oilways and oil pump pickups etc).. whereas on the old one, it was a £300 job and an afternoon's work.

    The only manufacturer swimming against the tide, is Mazda. They've seen the arse fall out of reliability for even the likes of Hyundai/Kia and have chosen to trod a different path - generally large displacement engines, normally aspirated (no turbo to go wrong) and ironically, the fuel returns they are getting are almost invariably better.

    My Volvo does 22mpg around the doors.. 32mpg on a real long run. CX60 I am looking at is nearer 35mpg & 45mpg respectively if only using petrol.. lob in electric and a tank of fuel goes even further.
     
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    • KT53

      KT53 Total Gardener

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      Not the version they had out there up to about 2015. There is a class action going on in Europe due to the number of engine failures with the same fault. Renault had been trying to claim there was no pattern to them. Even when a pattern was demonstrated they have refused to budge, and won't even contribute to repairs.
       
    • KT53

      KT53 Total Gardener

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      When my car was in for service on year they lent me a 3 cylinder Micra. Sounded like somebody shaking a bag of spanners on tickover, and like somebody shaking a bad of spanners very hard when driving it.
       
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