Petrol vs Diesel
Discussion
At what annual mileage do you think a modern diesel bought today becomes more economical than an equivalent petrol engined car?
I drive ~20k per year and currently have diesel, but wondering if it's worth switching back to the green pump next time around? Mostly motorway miles (70 mile round-trip commute down A31/M27/M271 from Bournemouth into Southampton).
I drive ~20k per year and currently have diesel, but wondering if it's worth switching back to the green pump next time around? Mostly motorway miles (70 mile round-trip commute down A31/M27/M271 from Bournemouth into Southampton).
Edited by romeogolf on Tuesday 17th June 14:48
Boxer87 said:
70 mile commute?? Stick to a diesel! Much much better economy!
Smoother drive on motorway with diesel. More torque available to easily overtake. And upward of 40mpg on most diesels.
Well, 35 each way, but yeah 70 miles round-trip. It's been a very long time (6 years) since last owned a petrol ...!Smoother drive on motorway with diesel. More torque available to easily overtake. And upward of 40mpg on most diesels.
There's no 'magic' number. It depends on MPG, fuel prices, servicing and tax costs, difference in price between the petrol and diesel model, depreciation when you come to sell it...
Some petrol models are achieving over 50mpg these days, which along with cheaper fuel prices probably gets pretty close to the running costs of the diesel. And they don't sound like a tractor, which is a bonus.
Some petrol models are achieving over 50mpg these days, which along with cheaper fuel prices probably gets pretty close to the running costs of the diesel. And they don't sound like a tractor, which is a bonus.
Edited by IanCress on Tuesday 17th June 14:54
Boxer87 said:
70 mile commute?? Stick to a diesel! Much much better economy!
Smoother drive on motorway with diesel. More torque available to easily overtake. And upward of 40mpg on most diesels.
Much smoother...doubtful...unless comparing apples (6 cyl diesel) with oranges (4 cyl petrol)and even then not necessarilySmoother drive on motorway with diesel. More torque available to easily overtake. And upward of 40mpg on most diesels.
More torque available not necessarily and would depend on gearing surely
I've driven diesels for years and some great petrols.
aarondbs said:
Much smoother...doubtful...unless comparing apples (6 cyl diesel) with oranges (4 cyl petrol)and even then not necessarily
More torque available not necessarily and would depend on gearing surely
I've driven diesels for years and some great petrols.
Just to give 1 example: More torque available not necessarily and would depend on gearing surely
I've driven diesels for years and some great petrols.
Audi 1.9TDI - 230 lb/ft torque
Bmw 325i petrol - 200 lb/ft torque
Granted the bmw has more horsepower naturally. But diesels have short power bands. Ideal for overtaking. (If in correct gear, same for a petrol though)
gizlaroc said:
A3 1.4tfsi vs 2.0tdi the turbo petrol is the sweeter to drive and cheaper to run.
However, most will compare their 150bhp 4 cyl diesel with their 260bhp 3 litre petrol designed 15 years ago and tell you diesel is far more economical.
A mapped TDI 170 is only just slightly slower than my 2.0 TFSI GTI (decat and intake so probably around 210bhp) . Yet can get 60mpg where as the very best I can manage is 42 and that's driving like a nanny. However, most will compare their 150bhp 4 cyl diesel with their 260bhp 3 litre petrol designed 15 years ago and tell you diesel is far more economical.
Both have pros and cons. I've owned a heavily tuned TDI and would go back to one in a heartbeat.
Boxer87 said:
Just to give 1 example:
Audi 1.9TDI - 230 lb/ft torque
Bmw 325i petrol - 200 lb/ft torque
Granted the bmw has more horsepower naturally. But diesels have short power bands. Ideal for overtaking. (If in correct gear, same for a petrol though)
Not really a fair comparisonAudi 1.9TDI - 230 lb/ft torque
Bmw 325i petrol - 200 lb/ft torque
Granted the bmw has more horsepower naturally. But diesels have short power bands. Ideal for overtaking. (If in correct gear, same for a petrol though)
2.0 TDI makes 237lb ft torque @ let's say 2000rpm
The BMW would make 200lb ft torque @ let's say 3500... so it's making it 50% more often... to get equivalent performance of a petrol/diesel you need to divide the BHP by about 0.75.... that being said mid range (Eg 30-50 etc) the TDIs punch well above their weight.
BoostMonkey said:
This might help or not, but it sounds like a do a similar type of millage at 55 miles a day.
Latest Skoda Octavia 2.0TDI - 61mpg
BMW M235i 3.0ltr - 34mpg
Polo GTi 1.4TSI - 47mpg
Same journey, take your conclusions from that if its helpful.
Wow, quite a difference there.Latest Skoda Octavia 2.0TDI - 61mpg
BMW M235i 3.0ltr - 34mpg
Polo GTi 1.4TSI - 47mpg
Same journey, take your conclusions from that if its helpful.
Boxer87 said:
70 mile commute?? Stick to a diesel! Much much better economy!
Smoother drive on motorway with diesel. More torque available to easily overtake. And upward of 40mpg on most diesels.
Or up to 40mpg if it's a 335d Smoother drive on motorway with diesel. More torque available to easily overtake. And upward of 40mpg on most diesels.
I can think of a couple of comparable petrol vs diesel where it makes little sense to have the petrol:
BMW 330d (or a 335d if you want more thump) vs MK5 Golf R32. 45mpg(35mpg) vs 25mpg (real life averages)
BMW 123d vs MK6 Golf GTI. 50mpg vs 30mpg (").
The BMWs are at least a match performance wise and arguably handle better, but clobber the VWs in terms of mpg.
In terms of real world commuting where it's all about instant punch to get one up on the other toner salesmen, diesel makes the most sense. If it's a long open road where you can wring it out, petrol every time.
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