Do I change to diesel??
Discussion
18-months ago traded in my wonderfully unreliable petrol 1.6 X plate mark 4 golf for a 64 plate petrol 1.4 TSI match with all the bells and whistles (currently 34k miles). I enjoy the drive and, while I live in Cornwall, I only average about 7 miles a day so a diesel didn't seem appropriate.
Move on 18-months and in that time I've discovered my traction isn't all that great in snow (had a 'gentle' glide accident 12 months ago and another gentle glide in the snow last week plus a slide down the drive!) also with my job I have to cover a little more rugged terrain, my 1.4 isn't a fan of mud on a road. On top of that and - due to family commitments - I may be having to do a 700 mile trip every 6 - 8 weeks from now on.
I'm thinking of something more reliable to handle and a little more rugged.
My local mechanic is brilliant and always been honest with me if I ask his advice but I'm also aware that he's a very busy man and can't be expected to answer every question when it pops in my head! I've been looking at 2.0 diesel Tiguans he said that repairs will cost more, as will parts but they will enjoy the regular journeys up the motorway but make sure they have excellent service histories and cambelt change histories.
I usually tend to keep my cars until I run them into the ground so this would be a long term purchase. I have a budget of about 15k if I part exchange as well and I don't have a family so don't require a massive car to fill it with children and stuff.
So I wondered if the pistonhead community would be able to give me some sage words on the following:
1. Will a diesel engine fair better than a petrol long term with doing regular short mileage then 7 or 8 long journeys every year?
2. I know we don't get that much snow in Cornwall but there seems to be a lot of 2wd about. Will a 2wd be able to cope with mud and slightly rougher terrain effectively or do I look at a 4wd?
3. Will I just end up spending a lot more money in running costs that I don't need?
4. Is there a better VW (I am a fan) that would tick the boxes?
5. Should I just admit that I distrust the safety of the golf but stick with it!
Thank you community
Move on 18-months and in that time I've discovered my traction isn't all that great in snow (had a 'gentle' glide accident 12 months ago and another gentle glide in the snow last week plus a slide down the drive!) also with my job I have to cover a little more rugged terrain, my 1.4 isn't a fan of mud on a road. On top of that and - due to family commitments - I may be having to do a 700 mile trip every 6 - 8 weeks from now on.
I'm thinking of something more reliable to handle and a little more rugged.
My local mechanic is brilliant and always been honest with me if I ask his advice but I'm also aware that he's a very busy man and can't be expected to answer every question when it pops in my head! I've been looking at 2.0 diesel Tiguans he said that repairs will cost more, as will parts but they will enjoy the regular journeys up the motorway but make sure they have excellent service histories and cambelt change histories.
I usually tend to keep my cars until I run them into the ground so this would be a long term purchase. I have a budget of about 15k if I part exchange as well and I don't have a family so don't require a massive car to fill it with children and stuff.
So I wondered if the pistonhead community would be able to give me some sage words on the following:
1. Will a diesel engine fair better than a petrol long term with doing regular short mileage then 7 or 8 long journeys every year?
2. I know we don't get that much snow in Cornwall but there seems to be a lot of 2wd about. Will a 2wd be able to cope with mud and slightly rougher terrain effectively or do I look at a 4wd?
3. Will I just end up spending a lot more money in running costs that I don't need?
4. Is there a better VW (I am a fan) that would tick the boxes?
5. Should I just admit that I distrust the safety of the golf but stick with it!
Thank you community
It sounds like you’re trying desperately hard to justify changing your car so if you feel so strongly you should just do it.
If you want my opinion, your traction problems can be solved by a simple change of tyres and then if you stop crashing you won’t need something more rugged!
Your TSI Golf is perfectly suited for short daily journeys with occasional long schleps.
To be frank your VW golf 1.4 is not exactly an unwieldy beast which is difficult to handle, is it? You have just tried to use it in the wrong conditions with the wrong tyres…
If you want my opinion, your traction problems can be solved by a simple change of tyres and then if you stop crashing you won’t need something more rugged!
Your TSI Golf is perfectly suited for short daily journeys with occasional long schleps.
To be frank your VW golf 1.4 is not exactly an unwieldy beast which is difficult to handle, is it? You have just tried to use it in the wrong conditions with the wrong tyres…
so 20% of the time you will be on a long run, the other 80% 7 miles per day ... looks like petrol is still the fuel of choice. On a run a tiguan is going to be no better than the Golf given its shaped like a brick. if you assume the cost to change is £7500 that will also buy you a lot of fuel.
As above stay with what you have but get better tyres, or buy a Kuga or Mini countryman
As above stay with what you have but get better tyres, or buy a Kuga or Mini countryman
4wd may only help you to accelerate. You won't crash into anything in the snow due to lack of acceleration, only the inability to stop!
As above, your main problem sounds likely to be related to the choice of tyres on your existing car, changing to a different car (or engine type) is not going to give you more grip in itself.
FWIW I wouldn't recommend changing a diesel for your vehicle use pattern, as you don't do longer trips frequently enough to mitigate the risk of DPF issues from your daily shorter commute.
Chris
As above, your main problem sounds likely to be related to the choice of tyres on your existing car, changing to a different car (or engine type) is not going to give you more grip in itself.
FWIW I wouldn't recommend changing a diesel for your vehicle use pattern, as you don't do longer trips frequently enough to mitigate the risk of DPF issues from your daily shorter commute.
Chris
chrisch77 said:
4wd may only help you to accelerate. You won't crash into anything in the snow due to lack of acceleration, only the inability to stop!
It won't even help with acceleration:https://youtu.be/atayHQYqA3g
dmsims said:
chrisch77 said:
4wd may only help you to accelerate. You won't crash into anything in the snow due to lack of acceleration, only the inability to stop!
It won't even help with acceleration:https://youtu.be/atayHQYqA3g
I wonder if the 4WD on summers would have stopped quicker without ABS (because of building up a wedge of snow in front of them).
In 2009 I hired a 1.6 petrol Golf on a one way basis, to drive from Yorkshire to Kent, to collect my new Skoda Octavia Scout. I drove through the worst blizzard the South East had seen in donkeys years and the Golf was one of the best cars I've ever driven in snow. It was actually better than the AWD Scout on its fat tyres.
It may be your driving style, or it may be down to the tyres. I fitted All Seasons to my wife's Panda and would take it anywhere. There are so many reasons not to buy a diesel, and they are well known, especially if you do many short trips
It may be your driving style, or it may be down to the tyres. I fitted All Seasons to my wife's Panda and would take it anywhere. There are so many reasons not to buy a diesel, and they are well known, especially if you do many short trips
Thank you for your comments.
Originally coming from up country - with considerably more snow! - I was well used to driving in snow. The glides that have happened have been on ice where steering into the glide has made no difference.
You advice on petrol vs diesel for the usage has been invaluable and has rested my mind (the golf stays) as has tyre recommendations. I'll investigate your recommendations, it'll be a lot cheaper than a new car!
Thank you again
Originally coming from up country - with considerably more snow! - I was well used to driving in snow. The glides that have happened have been on ice where steering into the glide has made no difference.
You advice on petrol vs diesel for the usage has been invaluable and has rested my mind (the golf stays) as has tyre recommendations. I'll investigate your recommendations, it'll be a lot cheaper than a new car!
Thank you again
Edited by dieselchoice on Wednesday 6th February 20:55
dieselchoice said:
Originally coming from up country - with considerably more snow! - I was well used to driving in snow. The glides that have happened have been on ice where steering into the glide has made no difference.
For a while I have been suspicious that sometimes, in 'ordinary' cars, the electronic stability control intervenes too much and too soon, ending up with the driver and stability control system antagonising each other, hugely increasing the time taken to get the car back under control.In 'sportier' cars I've found the ESC doesn't intervene as eagerly, which is a good thing.
Gassing Station | Car Buying | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff