Diesel or petrol
greasedscotsman
Posts: 6,962
Looking to replace my diesel Passat, which I've had for about 11 years. Will probably end up with something similar and for a similar amount of time, so is petrol now the way to go or stick with diesel?
0
Posts
Petrol cars, WILL follow suit as they try to get everyone to buy hybrids ..... but the anti diesel wagon is starting to pick up pace, if you are planning on keeping the next car for 11 years, dont get a diesel
I've got a couple of diesels - worst case is I'll keep them a long time and maybe even bite the bullet and fit a petrol engine in one or other if the diesel market disappears.
It may be worth considering a leasing deal for a few years which gives you predictable costs and the ability to walk away so you're not left with a low value vehicle.
If you're looking at holding on to something for a long time I'd go petrol and with fewer complications. As modern car electrics start to fail things will get expensive.
Saying all that if you do a lot of miles diesel might make sense as Stevo says. Your purchase price will be lower if buying used and running costs won't be as high if you regularly go on long runs.
Marin Nail Trail
Cotic Solaris
I'm in the UK. Mileage is very low at the moment. Probably below 5,000, which a big chuck is trips over to France a couple of times a year.
Of course, this could all change if the idea is to do as before and keep for 10 years or so.
Yup, that's what I'm finding. Might have to change plans a bit. Maybe not plan is keep it so long. Maybe get something smaller.
Marin Nail Trail
Cotic Solaris
Petrol. Unless you do regular decent length trips on the motorway, the diesel particulate filter might be a PITA.
There is no secret ingredient - Kung Fu Panda
London Calling on Facebook
Parktools
Can we stop with whataboutism already, does this make it all right?
Also, they got caught because their figures were so wrong when tested by West Virginia University, when a BMW tested in the same way was fine.
If you do very high mileages then a diesel will drink a lot less fuel, but if they decide to increase the fuel duty on diesel to deter it's use that could sink the economic argument.
Diesel cars used to keep their value better than petrol, but I'm guessing that's all gone tits up now too.
And that's without finding yourself banned from or charged for driving anywhere near a city centre, and becoming a social pariah for owning such a filthy, lethally polluting vehicle.
Over a year ago when I was choosing a company car the VW emissions fcukup was in full cry, so the writing was already on the wall for diesels. So I did test drive one with a smart turbo petrol engine that shut down 2 of the cylinders when cruising / slowing down. The fuel economy on paper looked impressive and the BIK tax was close to that of the equivalent diesel but I didn't have it long enough to test it properly. It was a hoot to drive, but in the end went for another diesel purely based on the estimated fuel bill and tax liability, knowing it was the leasing company, not me who was taking the risk on depreciation / maintenance costs.
If I was making a decision now about buying a car for our mainly rural, low mileage existence I think I'd likely go for petrol, or possibly petrol hybrid. But I'd also consider personal contract hire as a way of financing it without the risk and without tying up too much cash.
If I stay in a job long enough to choose another company car I'm sure it will be a petrol hybrid because they'll have changed the tax system to kill diesels once and for all. I can't imagine we'll have the infrastructure to make a fully electric car viable within 3 years...
I currently have a Petrol 3.2 V6 in the highest tax band and a 2.0 Turbo whacking out 310bhp. But they are petrol so I am doing my bit for the planet.....
We do about 18000-20000 a year combined across the two. I actually enjoy driving so the additional cost is not a problem for me.
5-10 year old Diesel. Unless you are doing high miles I would stick to a small engine Turbo car. I have just handed back a A1 1.4T (works car) fantastic engine in it. Never felt wanting on power, reliable, decent on fuel. I can imagine they are a lot cheaper to maintain and fix than a 2.0 TD.
Oops, sorry. Defo a country bumpkin.
Petrol. I wouldn't even bother with hybrid for such low mileage.
I am not sure. You have no chance.
That was what I test drove; An A1 with the 1.4T cod engine. A hoot to drive, but we both went down with flu the weekend we had it so never really gave it a decent run
Ended up with the 1.6 tdci version which is also quite zippy, extremely frugal, but apparently killing the planet.
Currently having a similar conundrum myself.
Modern diesels are far cleaner than ever before, but this comes with its own issues, mainly DPF related. Given the mileage you're putting out, I suspect long journeys are few and far between. Expect a bill (upwards of £1000) to clean your DPF in the first 4 years. If you want to circumvent any kind of issues with DPF/EGR etc, import a Mercedes directly from Germany yourself. Also, on your jaunts to France, don't ever fill it up over there. Their diesel is of a lower quality in terms of the additives and cleaning properties mixed in. As for the VAG issues, they're just the ones that got caught. That's gonna be the gift that just keeps on giving.
Modern petrol engines are far more economical, bridging the mpg gap between the two variants. Personally, I prefer the driveability of a petrol engine, and I have a similar mileage profile to yourself but my father in law who's 50k + annually will always choose diesel for the savings.
If you're set on a large diesel, take a look at Dacia - it's a bulletproof Renault DCi unit without so much as the cost. Resale will be pretty bad but if you're keeping it 10+ years it won't be worth anything anyway. Look at how Kia and Hyundai have become market contenders in the last 5 years. I expect Dacia to be a similar story.
I can't comment on tax issues or clean air/congestion charging, but in 2024 it will all become a 'thing' no matter what city you frequent. High performance cars are already being crippled at first registration.
That said, if you're not doing much mileage and lots of short journeys, don't bother with a diesel.
We have a euro 6 blue hdi which is supposed to be as clean as petrol but if they do put up the duty on diesel it would impact us as well. I think they may do it through VED based on emissions.
Buying privately and doing low miles - go big petrol engine and enjoy yourself
I visualise driving for pleasure being a track day only thing within 15 years.
I am not sure. You have no chance.
A guy at work has one fitted so he can afford his daughter's insurance at 18. Sucks the life out of his driving. He even gets a warning if he drives to the airport past midnight as it is out of normal driving hours! :shock:
I am not sure. You have no chance.