Brit music

Posted on by Ian C.

I’ve said before how important is music in my car, and I made sure my new Audi Q5 had satellite radio (as well as the ability to play my iPod).
Sirius satellite radio offers me the chance to hear the British music I grew up with on a number of channels – most importantly on “First Wave” which is almost purely Brit music from the mid 80’s; but also many tracks on “60s on 6”, “70s on 7”, and “80s on 8” … these stations play popular USA music from those years, but much of it had at the time crossed the channel from England, for example:
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For the “true Brit experience”, there’s also “BBC Radio 1” transmitted on a five hour delay so that the program time matches (my) East coast USA time … but sadly, Radio 1 on Sirius satellite in USA is just as awful as it is in England! Wish they transmitted Radio 2 instead 🙂
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Averages

Posted on by Ian C.

I was wondering today what the Audi Q5 average MPG is – recently it’s on-board computer has been showing figures as high as 27mpg for my easy drive home from work (a bit lower to work in the morning, when the engine is cold).

So … on 2,305 miles at 111 gallons, the Q5 averages 20.8mpg. Not great, but comfortable!

And seeing I have spreadsheets for my MINIs too (except GBMINI#1), let’s compare:
GBMINI#2: 28,676 miles, 1058 gallons -> 27.1mpg
GBMINI#3: 23,803 miles, 902 gallons -> 26.4mpg (not so much of a hit, really, for an automatic!)
GBMINI#4: 28,599 miles, 1049 gallons -> 27.3mpg (I always claimed GPMINI was more economical, there’s the proof!)
GBMINI#5: 716 miles, 25.2 gallons -> 28.4mpg (Of course an average on so few miles isn’t very indicative, but 4% better than my GP isn’t close to the claimed improvements of the “Prince” engine, and no way justifies the downsides!)
GBMINI#6: 6,747 miles, 256 gallons -> 26.3mpg (not much of a hit for the convertible, either)

I know other MINI owners get much worse mpg (and doubtless some get better) – but these figures are pretty comparable since it’s the same driver doing largely the same driving on the same routes!

Washer fluid needed

Posted on by Ian C.

My Audi has been displaying a low washer fluid symbol recently … of course I generally forget by the time I get home! Margaret’s BMW re-reminds you of such needs when the car turns off, but my Audi isn’t that clever apparently.
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Anyway, I remembered tonight – and opened the hood (bonnet!) for the very first time … big engine!
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