Diesel cars - a step too far?

[johnnyBv8]

I've decided that rather than doing 8k miles a year in a car (Maserati 4200) that manages 15 mpg and cant fit a bike in the back, I'm going to get a 'sensible car' for daily use and general abuse, and keep the Maserati for 'fun'.

I realise that for my fairly limited miles a year I probably don't 'need' a diesel, but I found myself looking at them for two reasons.....geeky interest in mpg, and ease of resale.

I've been offered a 75k mile 2004 Audi A3 2.0 TDI 3dr Sport for a pretty good price. I took it out for a drive but had to be very careful as the guy was quite nervous about anyone driving, so couldnt really give it a decent test. On paper the performance is very similar to the petrol equivalent (2.0 FSI), but I was struggling to get used to changing gear at 3,000 rpm!

So, my question is, does anyone drive anything with the same 2.0 TDI engine, and can it be "fun" to drive? Or, should I avoid diesel and get an FSI?

P.S. I don't want an MX5.

[AlpineWhite]

For 8k a year, good God man, get the petrol and the joy that goes with it. Honestly.

[Deva Link]

Is your 8K miles lots of short journeys? Diesels don't like that - they take a quite a lot of warming up. Also older diesels can start to develop all sorts of expensive to find & fix problems. The 2L VAG diesel has porous head issues too.

Having said that, the FSI petrol engines aren't exactly bombproof.

[Fire99]

Personally for 8k per year, I'd go with an S3 or something of that ilk. The 1.8 / 2.0 T engines are pretty economical and you'll enjoy far more than the diesel

[johnnyBv8]

AlpineWhite said:

For 8k a year, good God man, get the petrol and the joy that goes with it. Honestly.

Probably right! It's not just the fuel costs though, it's needing something more practical - I have the 4200 Spyder so only two seats and a small boot (at the moment I have to borrow friend's cars when I want to pick things up, when we have friends so stay etc etc). It's also concern about leaving the Maserati, it picking up damage, never being able to go anywhere un-noticed etc etc.

Edited by johnnyBv8 on Friday 24th June 23:14

[johnnyBv8]

Fire99 said:

Personally for 8k per year, I'd go with an S3 or something of that ilk. The 1.8 / 2.0 T engines are pretty economical and you'll enjoy far more than the diesel

Actually, I had an A4 1.8T Avant a few years back, and did quite like it.

Good point on the short journeys deva Link - hadnt really considered that.

[buzzer]

the 2ltr TDI is quite an unrreliable engine with some big bills posible... Cylinder heads and dual mass flywheels... to name but two...

buy the petrol

[Fire99]

johnnyBv8 said:

Actually, I had an A4 1.8T Avant a few years back, and did quite like it.

I had an S-Line 1.8T Avant on demo and it was a very nice place to be. It's a good compromise engine IMO.

[Tyngwndwn]

Long shot, but what about Mkv golf GTI?

[RobM77]

I've got 320d and the honest answer is it depends where you get your fun. I'm into cornering and handling, and less into engines than many others, and from my own point of view I think it's actually better than a 335i - lower limits, better much initial throttle response (no DBW lag) and the modest wheels give a better ride. It's also quiet and comfortable.

However, whilst I prefer it to a 335i, I wouldn't be happy with either car as my only car, so I have an Elise as well which I drive regularly to remind me what real driving's all about.

It totally depends on your priorities. Give me a 300 mile journey and I know where I'd rather be, and I've saved enough over the journey compared with a petrol car to buy a nice bottle of wine when I get there

[VeeFour]

I've done circa 200k miles in VWs with the 2.0TDI engine.

Never had an issue with the head.

Had 2 clutches and flywheels at around the 100k mark on each one.

Also had a couple of fuel pumps on the first one - but that seems to be sorted now.

I actually prefer the PD version to the common rail version, though.

[snowdude2910]

I have a leon fr which i bought as a compromise between economy and fun but I don't consider it fun to drive, the power band is far too narrow. In a spirited drive you always seem to be just running out of power or waiting for it to kick in you have to put your foot down a few seconds before you want the power but then I don't know if all turbo cars are like that I've only ever had NA

[diddly69]

AlpineWhite said:

For 8k a year, good God man, get the petrol and the joy that goes with it. Honestly.

Indeed

[Frik]

Deva Link said:

Is your 8K miles lots of short journeys? Diesels don't like that - they take a quite a lot of warming up. Also older diesels can start to develop all sorts of expensive to find & fix problems. The 2L VAG diesel has porous head issues too.

This. If it's mostly short journeys you'll be better off not getting a diesel.

[VeeFour]

Lots of short journeys.... <whispers> you want a hybrid, really, if you're serious about saving cash.

[johnnyBv8]

Tyngwndwn said:

Long shot, but what about Mkv golf GTI?

Not long at all. Great call. Just been looking - sub £8k and 35 mpg. Hmmm.

[r129sl]

Is this about money? or practicality? or both?

Because for 8,000miles a year (especially if those miles are accumulated in short journeys) a diesel is not going to save you much money. In fact, nothing is going to save you money: the purchase, depreciation, taxation, insurance and maintenance costs will outweigh any fuel saving. So if it is only about money, don't bother.

If it is only about practicality, go get a nice petrol powered estate car. Petrol power is just nicer (yes, yes, lots of diesel torque, but it is not the same). And the premium which the market attaches to equivalent diesel cars is disproportionate to the economy benefits.

For 8,000miles and lots of smiles I'd recommend a used Merc E500 estate of whatever vintage you can afford. They can't give them away: big petrol engines are bargains for someone with your motoring needs.

[johnnyBv8]

r129sl said:

Is this about money? or practicality? or both?

Because for 8,000miles a year (especially if those miles are accumulated in short journeys) a diesel is not going to save you much money. In fact, nothing is going to save you money: the purchase, depreciation, taxation, insurance and maintenance costs will outweigh any fuel saving. So if it is only about money, don't bother.

If it is only about practicality, go get a nice petrol powered estate car. Petrol power is just nicer (yes, yes, lots of diesel torque, but it is not the same). And the premium which the market attaches to equivalent diesel cars is disproportionate to the economy benefits.

For 8,000miles and lots of smiles I'd recommend a used Merc E500 estate of whatever vintage you can afford. They can't give them away: big petrol engines are bargains for someone with your motoring needs.

No, not just about money - practicality is a major factor. However, I don't expect running two cars to cost me significantly more than running one; it means I can transfer the Spyder to a second car classic policy which halves the premium and will fully cover the cost of insuring the second car (I've checked!), I'm aiming to spend £4-7k max so depreciation wont be huge and probably offset by the mileage-sensitive depreciation of the Spyder - which itself is very low, and tyres etc etc shouldnt be significantly difference as my overall mileage isnt changing.

Thanks for all the comments though - am going to pass on the diesel and rethink on what petrol car to look for. Forerunners are Golf MkV GTI or Audi A4 1.8T, though I have always hankered after an old Merc...!

[Astra Dan]

8k a year is snotter territory. Buy something sub £500 and put a nice lump into your mortgage. If you're lucky enough (!) to have one.

[thinfourth2]

Astra Dan said:

8k a year is snotter territory. Buy something sub £500 and put a nice lump into your mortgage. If you're lucky enough (!) to have one.

You buy a shed

A shed can be way more fun then you would belive. Not from driving pleasure but from sheer couldn't give a fk, park it anywhere, throw anything in it, utterly abuse it.