I have just bought my first diesel - Saab 9-3 2.2 TID.
There seem to be some 'variants' in diesel fuel - low sulphur, city diesel...
I would appreciate any experiences on which ones are better for fuel consumption, less smoking etc
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Paul,
I fill my 5 month old Volvo V70 D5 up with Safeways diesel(city) once a month to get the 20p discount and top up in the between times at my local ESSO garage(low sulphur). I haven't noticed any significant smoke and I'm getting over 50mpg driving sensibly. I don't think there is much difference between city and low sulphur diesel, but I'm sure some of the other Backroomers will have different ideas.
However I noticed better performance and mpg, but more smoke using French diesel, it's dirtier, smellier but a darn sight cheaper!
Cheers
Andy.
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"but a darn sight cheaper!"
I learned at the weekend, that it pays a small haulage Company in Kent, to send their drivers, during any idle time, to fill their tanks in Calais. Apparently, even with the Shuttle costs and the "time" factor etc, arriving at Calais with an almost empty tank and returning with a full one, makes economic sense.
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I've heard about some of the larger haulage firms fitting bigger tanks and using nothing but French diesel, it works out cheaper even after paying the ferry costs. In fact firms are registering their businesses in France/Holland to get around the punitive VED on heavy goods vehicles.
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"In fact firms are registering their businesses in France/Holland to get around the punitive VED on heavy goods vehicles."
Yep, Eddie Stobart for one, some of whose vehicles are on Belgian and Dutch plates.
YKIMS
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Yes - BUT the government is already making moves to counter this (or rather level the playing field for UK based hauliers). I believe that all foreign registered lorries from next year will "pay as you go" using GPS etc etc. This is the same technology that they are considering installing into cars so that they can charge you (according to reports) up to 10p per kilometer for driving on m-ways/S England.
Also there is a limit to the amount of diesel that you can bring into the country. Not sure what it is though.
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Considering the dismal failure of most government IT projects I wouldn't be surprised if this system is a dismal failure as well!
I think we're off the thread a bit here.
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As you say Andy, there is NO WAY that any government sponsored computer based project is ever going to work properly, or on time or on budget! Think Passport Office, CSA, current rubbish with Criminal Records Bureau - dream on! Anyway, one can disable a GPS simply by putting B*c*foil over the built in aerial - how is anyone going to know that you are out there with your GPS not working?
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It's not just the VED that's causing this. It's a good bet that big haulage companies do a large proportion of their business with continental countries. Many will not convert any Euros they are paid into Sterling. They will buy goods and services they need, such as trucks and fuel, probably also drivers, on the continent, rather than in Britain. There was no point in doing this when there were many curencies, because you'd have to have relatively large amounts of cash in every country to make it pay. It's much easier with just one big currency, and one big trading bloc to shop around in. This is an example of the Euro removing income and tax revenue from the UK, to say nothing of jobs. We're stuffed in the long run if we stay out, because it will only get worse as the years go by.
Chris
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I don't think I will be going to France to fill up!
Any more thoughts on the best diesel in the UK ?
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Why not Simon? HJ's employers offering a day trip on the Tunnel for £1, and there are loads of cheap everything when you get there. One tank full of 50p a litre diesel isn't going to wreck your car IMHO!
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Sorry to throw this in but unless you have bought one of the new 93 diesels (don't think they are available in UK yet but may be wrong!), the old 93 diesel was very agricultural!
I had one from a dealer about 9 month old and 7k on the clock on a days test drive. It was awful. The noise was unbearable and the steering because of the heavier engine block was terrible.
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>>One tank full of 50p alitre diesel isn't going to wreck your car IMHO!
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Agreed. Diesel cars sold in France have the same engines as ours and I don't believe they would sell inferior fuel. My 330d has had many tanks of French hypermarket fuel and I don't notice any difference compared to fuel bought in the UK.
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Anyway, it ain't just the hypermarket fuel that's 50p a litre in France - it all is - Total,Elf, Shell, BP etc and it isn't much more on the motorways
PhilW
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For the potential savings to be made, checkout: www.day-tripper.net
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