Fuel comcumption and performance worse on newer DSEs?

Hi all,
I have had a 95 DSE for a while and have now replaced it with a newer 99 DSE. What I am surprised about initially, is how sluggish the new one is in comparison, and the drop in fuel economy.

I used to regularly see 30 mpg on the old one and now I am lucky to see 24, combined with the fact that the gearchanges seem to be really really early now. Changing into top at 40 mph seems too soon!
Has anyone else found the same?

The other question is around intercooler upgrades and ecu chips. I chipped by early one when I got it, but after blowing the turbo and warping the head within 20k miles decided to remove it. I see people talking about 40+mpg on this forum, and wondered whether people advise the upgraded and if so which ones?

Appreciate your help guys
F_P

does the new one have air con?

Yes, both had aircon, and I (nearly) always kept both aircon units switched off.

I'm wondering if the fact that the gearchanges are earlier, means that I need a little more throttle. I just would expect that once I am on cruise at 70, I'd be up seeing the 30's again and not the 25/26 I am seeing.

I have a 98 DSE auto which only averages about 22 mpg I am sure it used to do more but had a new gearbox in june (from main dealer) and I think the fuel consumption got worse then having seen threads quoting 30+mpg I was begining to think there was a problem with my car, thinking of trying an electric fan to see if that helps

Hi Phil

Don't believe the 40+ MPG, ime if you get an average of between 23 and 27 MPG with a variety of driving that is normal for the rangie. remember it is a huge lump of a car and the same engine does not achieve the 40+ MPG in either the Senator or the BM (when taking an average).

The only time i have seen 40+ MPG is when i have reset the fuel computer while on a gentle run. Then initialy it will show 40 and then gradually drop the more miles you do.

The manual Rangie however can get an average of 30 MPG with a gentle right foot.

I have a 97 DSE, 82K with a Van Aaken chip and i get an average of about 25 MPG with "normal" driving with the odd blast. I find the Van Aaken Chip very smooth with little black smoke, not the cheapest chip around but one my local independant LR mechanic recomended to me. http://www.vanaaken.com/europe/index.asp

Has your car been serviced lately? dirty injectors and air filter can hamper your MPG by quite a bit.

As for changing into top at 40 MPH mine does the same if that is the cruising speed and the engine is not under any strain. If this is not the case with yours maybe you have a problem with your Torque converter.