I have had my 10 plate manual XS since the first week in February. The average MPG readout has never fallen below 40+ and on a reasonable motorway trip reads 43+ (never above 45 though). Still, for a two ton motor that, in my estimation, is pretty good

Hay its a landrover. If your getting 35 mpg or better dont worry, be happy, its not a bake been can or a tuppawear car like something you can put in your back pocket & get 70 mpg

If your worried about mpg then perhaps you shouldent of baught one

Two things. First; you will find it almost impossible to achieve 49 mpg. Those figures you refer to don't even inlude hills! Nevertheless i often get mid to low 40's which i'm more than happy with. What do expect from such a heavy vehicle? i did once get 47mpg on a trip from Shrewsbury to Stoke; no stop start, 55 mph max and some neutral downhill.
Secondly; Shukers Shrewsbury. I have to agree with you, first class dealer with proper customer sevice. Used them myself and i've nothing but praise. Cleaned mine too inside and out. Stratstone Hanley; used them too. I asked them to fix my rusting locking wheel nuts. All they did was clean up the old ones. Pants! Not the only problem i've had with Hanley either.
Shukers are totally different outfit, professional and well mannered. Stratstone Hanley get nowt from me anymore. Shukers rightfully get my 2011 order.

Nearly done 1000 miles now and the average mpg is sitting at 41mpg...a general trend upwards when sitting at about 50 in 6th (the roads in Norfolk often force this!)

I find it more economical than the non stop start version.

Are you changing gear when it indicates you should?

During running in, it's wise not to let the engine labour so you're more likley to stay in a lower gear. If like me, you live in a rural area and don't come across much traffic, then it's possible stop/start won't improve your mpg. Stop/start spins the motor over at a much higher rpm than a conventional starter motor and doesn't need further enrichment from EMS to raise the rpm to idle. This is where the savings in fuel are made.