never thought of that one tom.... might be truth in it
was just thinking that if i made the level a bit higher, even if the oil itself was a bit thick, there'd be more of it higher up to lubricate more of the motor from the get-go, and wouldn't have as far to go (and/or extra pressure* to help the motor)
but i dunno
steve, i'd forgotten all about that, til now i'd assumed that my engine must have been just new enough not to have that problem - but of course, it's not long since it passed 75k anyhow (upto 79k by the weekend?) ... might be worth checking out. Sounds like a nasty job, but if it helps.
First port of call with that seems to be checking the air filter for oil staining, so that's an easy lead-in to it at least.
Grooves i'm thinking more like mk4 5-door, an astra, anything around that kind of class of car. Seeing as i'm not going for ultimate performance, and it's rare i encounter a parking space without at least 3ft spare room, having easier access to the back would be a boon.
Oh, and a reasonable 1400cc engine too. (....maaaaybe a 1.3 micra, even though the suspension is like a barely-set jelly). More poke, more torque, but nowhere near the patently insane insurance premiums attracted by a G40. For what I've been quoted, I could insure an Audi Coupe instead
On such a thought, if anyone's seen that odd Esso advert with everyone scrubbing their car**, final scene.... Scirocco (or is it a 'rado? i'm crap with names) equals ultimate shag wagon in their eyes?

(is there the space?)
* P = mgh and all that, as i was taught at college physics yesterday
** a sneaky excuse to charge extra for fuel to cover increasing costs of finding it in odd places and working harder to refine nastier stuff... when it hits home wait for the regular to sell out but the expensive fuel to keep flowing (how are you gonna prove its not the normal stuff?)