So.. a diesel or not
So.. a diesel or not
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Discussion

EdT

Original Poster:

5,219 posts

306 months

Tuesday 5th December 2017
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Wife needs a newish caf for her work commute. Very glad to say we no longer need Smax 7 seater type of bus as kids are bigger so no monster baby seats to cope with. As a tester I hired a 118d BMW which she's loving.
If we look at 1.6 / 2.0 diesels will we soon live to regret it? I hear the Govt is rumoured to puich diesel owners some point soon. Looking online tax is £140 for the 118d (2 litre) which is fine. So what's the negative prediction going to be?

IanCress

4,409 posts

188 months

Tuesday 5th December 2017
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There's so many diesel cars out there I can't imagine they're going to punish you too much. If you really need the diesel I wouldn't let it put you off.

Barchettaman

7,076 posts

154 months

Tuesday 5th December 2017
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Will you need to drive it into city centres in the next few years?

The speculation is that Diesel owners will have to pay punitive 'pollution charges' to enter urban areas, as well as any possible VED changes in the budget.

This has already happened to me in DE, I work regularly in Stuttgart and any Diesel with an emission rating below Euro VI is simply not allowed in when they have the particle alert (Feinstaubalarm). It makes no odds to me anyway as my digs are outside the centre and I cycle in, but it obviously effects others.

austinsmirk

5,597 posts

145 months

Tuesday 5th December 2017
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let me just stir the pot by saying, how many miles a day does she commute ?

Because if its less than about 130/140 per day, the current electric Nissan Leaf would give her a much higher spec and slightly bigger car, it'll be far cheaper to run/service than any comparable diesel.

£16 a mth on electric is £85 of diesel at 50 mpg and £15 road tax. yr £88 up a month on that difference alone. That goes a long way into offsetting against a loan/PCP/lease whatever.

the only reason I say 130/140 miles, is she can charge on the driveway each night. Beyond that, yr into public/work charging with could be a massive issue.

the car is no looker though, but having said that, the BMW is as pig ugly too. smile

the next gen leaf, due out shortly, will be about 220/240 miles per charge. and its a lot better looking.



Its an interesting thread though- I could do with replacing my 2.0D car- but what on earth with next ?

EdT

Original Poster:

5,219 posts

306 months

Tuesday 5th December 2017
quotequote all
Barchettaman said:
Will you need to drive it into city centres in the next few years?

The speculation is that Diesel owners will have to pay punitive 'pollution charges' to enter urban areas, as well as any possible VED changes in the budget.

This has already happened to me in DE, I work regularly in Stuttgart and any Diesel with an emission rating below Euro VI is simply not allowed in when they have the particle alert (Feinstaubalarm). It makes no odds to me anyway as my digs are outside the centre and I cycle in, but it obviously effects others.
She works in Basingstoke but not in the centre - uses M4 + the ring road. Good point though

ZX10R NIN

29,903 posts

147 months

Tuesday 5th December 2017
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There will be no extra tax for diesels the government has already said this what they will target are all Euro4 cars then Euro5 etc, so if you want a car & your budget can stretch to it I'd get a Euro6 whatever.

So if you do the miles then yes get a diesel.

ianboom

40 posts

146 months

Wednesday 6th December 2017
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I'm put off by diesels due to the amount of kit fitted to reduce the emissions and to pass Eu6. Hi/low pressure EGR valves, coolers, DPF's, SCR/UREA injection etc.

A guy at work has a 14 plate 2.0D BMW X3 (Eu4 or 5?) and drives 20 miles to work a day in it. 10 miles is dual carriageway.
He's just had to get Terraclean to clean all the intake that is clogged up with EGR crud. The car runs better, but he reckons a couple of injectors are now faulty.

I'm due to replace my car soon, but am tempted to stick with petrols as the resales are better. Shame as I find most diesels are nicer to drive.

GreatGranny

9,519 posts

248 months

Wednesday 6th December 2017
quotequote all
austinsmirk said:
let me just stir the pot by saying, how many miles a day does she commute ?

Because if its less than about 130/140 per day, the current electric Nissan Leaf would give her a much higher spec and slightly bigger car, it'll be far cheaper to run/service than any comparable diesel.

£16 a mth on electric is £85 of diesel at 50 mpg and £15 road tax. yr £88 up a month on that difference alone. That goes a long way into offsetting against a loan/PCP/lease whatever.

the only reason I say 130/140 miles, is she can charge on the driveway each night. Beyond that, yr into public/work charging with could be a massive issue.

the car is no looker though, but having said that, the BMW is as pig ugly too. smile

the next gen leaf, due out shortly, will be about 220/240 miles per charge. and its a lot better looking.



Its an interesting thread though- I could do with replacing my 2.0D car- but what on earth with next ?
I have the latest Leaf and you'll be lucky to do 100+ miles on one charge unless you are taking it very easy.

I average 40 mph on my commute (60 miles each way) and with the cold weather range is showing 34 ish when I arrive at work.

However 45 miles of that is on either D/C or A roads so typical speed is 55-70 mph.

New one out next year that will be a step up in range.

EdT

Original Poster:

5,219 posts

306 months

Thursday 7th December 2017
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Quite liking the look of Audi A3 5 door 1.2 / 1.4 TFSI S Tronic. Been recommended by a work colleague.

I've also heard all the green add-ons on modern diesels can prove costly to fix. My wife's daily round trip is around 45 miles so prob not worth moving away from Petrol anyhow.

ZX10R NIN

29,903 posts

147 months

Thursday 7th December 2017
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They have the same emissions stuff on petrols now to so getting the car decoked every two years is something to budget for & the odd EGR valve but they're not expensive.

Big GT

2,016 posts

114 months

Thursday 7th December 2017
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Golf GTE sounds like the car needed. 25 miles ish on electric, low tax and over 200bhp if she feels frisky .
Great lease deals atm