I have searched the forum but I think all previous mentions have been about the VRS but please tell me if Im wrong (I dont bite, well, usually).

Anyway, I have a 2000 X reg 1.9 TDI SLX (110 bhp?), not sure what the engine code is as my brother still has the car :(. I drive roughly 16 miles on an A road then carriageway for about 37 miles then the same in reverse. I tend to drive at a constant "legal speed limit" even when running late As I commute 105ish miles daily, I was thinking about upgrading the car to a 6 speed box and then getting it remapped. I am also going to be fitting cruise control once I get the car back, which may now not be for a couple of months.

Only had the car for a few weeks and its a much better car than my previous which was a 99 Corsa sport. Not quite as quick but hell I drove 282 miles and used just over half a tank and I wasnt even driving like a granny

Enough rambling, would a 6 speed box and remap give me better mpg's and if so what would the likely cost be for the upgrade? What would I need to replace/upgrade? I would be getting my mechanic mate to sort it out for me though cheap so labour/tools are not an issue.

PS opinions please, I would say only good ones but I doubt you lot would listen :p

My dad had exactly the same car and we always said it could do with a 6th but I'd have though it would be too much hassle not to mention the insurance implications

I do 120 miles a day of twisty A roads and I can get 60mpg with the standard 5 speed box. I doubt you would use 6th on the A roads, but I guess it should come into its own for the dual carriage way.

However if half the route is done in reverse, then maybe you need some more reverse gears

In reality, I am not sure how much it would cost or how long it would take to recoup the outlay of doing this (and/or how possible it is).

Edited 15 February, 201115 yr by mbames

there are some companies performing Economy remaps but not sure what they are like? might be best to speak to someone like Ben at Shark, I have the 1.8T 4x4 and after the remap it is capable of better consumption figures even though it is more powerful.

Derv Doctor can also remap for economy, my father had his done there and he said it does now return less in town but there is a substantialy large increase in mpg on motorway driving which is what he does most.

I've got an Octavia L&K edition TDI and often wondered if the engine is powerfull enough to accomodate a 6th gear.

I know the superb's now have a 6th gear, but weather the gearing ratio's from 1-5 are slightly shorter to accomodate the loss of power of 6th is something I've questioned. At the moment, I'm unsure. Common sense would say yes, but the way my common sense works, that could be a bit mucked up!!!

A lot of newer deisel cars these days do have a 6th gear, so this would presume that skoda, vw, audi etc would go in the same direction and add another gear.

Even the ol' 02, 52, 03 and 53 reg'd merc sprinters have 6 speeds on their sprintshift boxes, which I believe are one of the best gearboses around, period!!

Mind you, even the DGS's have 5 speeeds now, wehere most auto boxes only used to have 4 speeds before.

Opionions please as to weather it's a good idea to get the upgrade or not??

Edited 16 February, 201115 yr by Tony Wares

One of my mates has a TDi 130 with a 6-speed, and it's near enough the same mph/1000rpm in top as my 5 speed.

You could get a half and half map though.

Final drive is the same on the 5 and 6 speed boxes.

Its not worth the hassle or expense!

You might aswell seel the 110 and buy a 130Pd with a 6 speed in it

Plus the gear ratios are geared to the engine torgue, not saying that it would be not good on a 110 but its probably not worth it

Oh well if the final drive is the same then there's not much point as it wouldn't be anymore economical. Guess I will just have an economy remap done. Thanks guys

Oh well if the final drive is the same then there's not much point as it wouldn't be anymore economical.

Just additional gear changes, and thus an increase in friction plate wear in the clutch, and thus actually it would cost you more money

Sell the 110 and buy a 130....6 speed gear box and a easy 170 when remapped.

Sell the 110 and buy a 130....6 speed gear box and a easy 170 when remapped.

I would but dont really have any spare cash, I'm trying to save up to start my own recovery business so finances are very tight. Unless you know of one going for about £1k that is

pretty sure the 6 speed box wouldn't save you any fuel, there are 2 final drive ratios in them 1 for 1>4 and another 5>6 a very complicated set up which creates more frictional drag than the 5 speed..

you would be better off gearing it up with taller tyres or bigger wheels+tyres.and calibrating the speedo to the correct speed