Diesel power is becoming ever more popular in the UK, but is it really worth the extra initial purchase cost over a petrol model. We all know diesel is more expensive at the pump than petrol, but its okay when you get superb fuel economy. Well, the value of a diesel over petrol isn't as black and white as you may think as there are many other factors to consider.
Petrol combustion makes more sense in certain models of car, providing you do your research. Statistically, you would have to travel 60,000 miles on average to break even with the more expensive purchase cost, which is staggering. The best way to dig deeper is to way up the pro's and cons of each, starting with diesel power.
Diesel Pro's:
1. Diesel models are cheaper to tax.
2. Diesel model depreciate slower.
3. Diesel engines have more torque, (pulling power).
4. Diesel engines are capable of higher mileage.
5. Modern diesels produce less CO2 emissions.
Petrol cons:
1. Petrol models are cheaper to buy both new and used.
2. Petrol is cheaper to buy at the pump.
3. Petrol engines characteristically have better acceleration.
4. Petrol is a cleaner fuel.
5. Petrol engines are smoother and quieter.
Diesel cons:
1. Diesel engines clatter like agricultural machinery.
2. Diesels have particulate filters which clog up with soot.
3. Diesel is a dirty fuel.
4. Diesels struggle to start on cold mornings.
5. Diesels have slower acceleration on average.
Petrol cons:
1. Petrol engines are weak so require more gear changes.
2. Petrol depreciates faster.
3. Petrol engines produce more CO2 emissions.
4. Petrol engines are more expensive to run, less miles per gallon.
5. Petrol engines are less robust and reliable.
So, overall there are many factors to consider, each have their benefits and drawbacks, but overall it depends on how you use your vehicle. If you commute long distance, a diesel model would be more cost effective in the long term, however, if you only use you can to drive into town, a petrol model would be more cost efficient.
23 May 2012
TL;DR
Do lots of miles, like more torque, buy diesel.
Do less miles, prefere crisper throttle response, buy petrol.
This forum is dead, don't bother...
18 June 2012
Also diesels use safer fuel
23 May 2012
Also diesels use safer fuel
This is a very sound point, my friends petrol powered car exploded twice last week!
This forum is dead, don't bother...
27 July 2010
Also:
Diesels are heavier which is never desirable.
Diesels are slow to warm up = cold cabins on short winter journeys.
I dispute that petrol engines need more gear changes. If you drive everywhere at 1500 rpm, then yes, but diesels typically have a narrow range of operation, often around half the rev range of an equivalent petrol. If you want a level playing field, you equip a petrol engine with a turbo, like most diesels, then, depending on the set-up, you can have a lot of grunt low down and skipping gears is easy.
Diesels used to have a rep for lasting longer because they were built by Mercedes when Mercedes were the best built cars in the world, they were quasi commercial engines for taxis etc. and they had to be strong because of the much higher compression ratio. Now there's data out there to suggest that diesel engines are less reliable, because of the ancilliary equipment needed to pass emissions test.
A final point which is only of value if you enjoy driving: you never experience the joy of hearing an engine sing unless it's petrol.
28 July 2008
Also diesels use safer fuel
This is a very sound point, my friends petrol powered car exploded twice last week!
Lol!
You know, I do believe that is a 'pec'...
20 November 2009
I much prefer diesels. There are many advantages and there is virtually no difference in terms of refinement nowadays. I drive a 2011 Clio, and the difference between my car (a dCi) and the 1.2 petrol is enormous. The dCi has way more grunt, uses half the fuel and offers very refined motorway cruising for a small car. The turbo TCe petrol closes the gap a little but still only offers about 48-50 mpg, which is no good for me.
18 June 2012
Adam R,
Had you ever seen a car on fire, or helped a driver with a vehicle where a pipe had become disconnected and sprayed fuel over a (luckily) cold engine, you would not have made the comments you did. People, including the odd government minister, are either incredibly ignorant or incredibly blase about the potential hazards of motor spirit.
23 May 2012
Adam R,
Had you ever seen a car on fire, or helped a driver with a vehicle where a pipe had become disconnected and sprayed fuel over a (luckily) cold engine, you would not have made the comments you did. People, including the odd government minister, are either incredibly ignorant or incredibly blase about the potential hazards of motor spirit.
Yes, as I said, my friends car exploded twice, luckily it was more of a flash fire and we soon got it under control. With roughly 50% of cars sold being petrol I am sure we have all seen the countless burnt out cars that litter the hard shoulder each day. Petrol is a ticking time bomb (pardon the pun). The government should ban this crazy fuel that is the blight of modern society. To add some balance, I was out of vegetable oil the other day and used a good slug of diesel to cook my fry up. This ignited after some time and I now only have one eyebrow, so its not all plain sailing on the diesel side. Food for thought indeed.
This forum is dead, don't bother...
6 April 2010
Horses for courses.
Viva la Difference.
If it was not for diesels what would petrol heads have to moan about (....electric ?).
I do 15-20k a year so its diesel for me and it suits my driving style.
19 December 2008
I much prefer diesels. There are many advantages and there is virtually no difference in terms of refinement nowadays. I drive a 2011 Clio, and the difference between my car (a dCi) and the 1.2 petrol is enormous. The dCi has way more grunt, uses half the fuel and offers very refined motorway cruising for a small car. The turbo TCe petrol closes the gap a little but still only offers about 48-50 mpg, which is no good for me.
Are there 2 of you posting under the same username, or are you the same chap who was raving about the Caprice and Falcon last week?