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Thu 28 Mar 2013 10:03

Diesel or Petrol? - 2005kassandra

I drive for work around 50 miles per night, stopping and starting but not long enough for the engine to get really cold. I then drive around 20 miles during the day, school run etc. In September I will be starting Uni, 11 miles each way on the motorway.

I've been looking at Diesels for the fuel economy but now I'm not sure if I'm doing the right thing.

Do I need a Diesel or Petrol? Any pointers as to which make/model to get considering an estate for boot space?

Thanks to all who take the time to reply.

Kassandra

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Thu 28 Mar 2013 10:34

Diesel or Petrol? - Andrew-T

K - just search this site for answers to this question - it comes up all the time. Simply, the usual answer is that although a diesel car may save a bit on fuel - tho not that much just now as diesel is dearer than petrol - it will cost more to buy, just because it is a diesel. Your type of driving sounds suitable for a petrol, so that's what I (non-expert) would advise.

A modern petrol car should do 35-50 mpg and a diesel 45-60, so the saving won't be huge.

Edited by Andrew-T on 28/03/2013 at 10:35

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Thu 28 Mar 2013 10:51

Diesel or Petrol? - balleballe

Diesels also seem to go through clutches/DMF's and turbo's more often than petrols

If you're planning on keeping a car for a few years i'd also factor this in.

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Thu 28 Mar 2013 15:00

Diesel or Petrol? - unthrottled

Diesels also seem to go through clutches/DMF's and turbo's more often than petrols

Some do. Most don't.

Edited by unthrottled on 28/03/2013 at 15:02

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Sun 31 Mar 2013 19:23

Diesel or Petrol? - balleballe

Diesels also seem to go through clutches/DMF's and turbo's more often than petrols

Some do. Most don't.

Pretty much all diesel's are fitted with turbo's, whereas most petrols are still naturally aspirated - this was my logic.

I thought the difference in torque between a petrol and diesel was the reason for more clutch/DMF failures?

My former colleagues ran company cars. Seems the more 'prestige' brands get through clutches quicker when they are diesel

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Thu 28 Mar 2013 19:10

Diesel or Petrol? - Armitage Shanks {p}

I have just bought a 2.0 focus petrol, which has a DMF to my shock/horror! What are the first symptoms of DMF failure - I need to know! Did I misread the spec? Do any petrols have DMFs

Edited by Armitage Shanks {p} on 28/03/2013 at 19:16

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Thu 28 Mar 2013 19:21

Diesel or Petrol? - unthrottled

Do any petrols have DMFs

Quite a few petrols do. The reason you haven't heard of them is because they rarely fail.

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Thu 28 Mar 2013 18:00

Diesel or Petrol? - Avant

You haven't said how much your budget is, and not being Cassandra I can't foretell it.

If you're buying an old car, bear in mind that diersels, though long-lasting, can go expensively wrong as they get older. Go for petrol power unless your mileage is going to be very high - which it won't be after September by the look of it.

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Thu 28 Mar 2013 21:27

Diesel or Petrol? - gordonbennet

This used to be such an easy question to answer.

For most of us a Diesel was always going to be the most economical overall, provided it was maintained reasonably well, whilst the equivalent petrol engine was often very heavy on fuel.

This is no longer the case, each car and its engine choice now has to be judged on its merits imo.

Ironically when Diesel were at their best the majority of car buyers wouldn't touch one, now they are fragile troublesome things (IMO) they are increasing in popularity, our leader HJ is one of a very small band of motoring writers who warns about Diesel problems as mileage rises.

I've gone over to petrol and LPG conversions in my cars after 25 years of aving at least one Diesel in the stable, i get Diesel economy with petrol refinement and simplicity and the pleasure of proper torque converter auto boxes, i see no reason for the forseeable future to change.

Edited by gordonbennet on 28/03/2013 at 21:29

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Thu 28 Mar 2013 21:36

Diesel or Petrol? - daveyjp

Depending on budget something petrol from a Far East brand will serve you well. Start with a Yaris 1.33.

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Sun 31 Mar 2013 22:57

Diesel or Petrol? - BigJohnD

1,500+ miles a month, go diesel. Your driving profile looks more suited to petrol.

DMFs are no more likely to fail than a regular clutch - my last 3 and current (diesel) cars have DMFs with a total mileage without any worry of over 300K miles.

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