Diesel for high mileage on minor roads?
Discussion
Over the next few years it's quite likely that my wife and I will cover 40k+ miles per year, probably two-thirds of which will be B-roads, minor roads and country lanes.
Currently we use a Vauxhall Viva (1-litre petrol town car) for the 25k or so on those minor roads but wonder whether a small diesel would be more suitable (Corsa/Fiesta/Polo etc).
Firstly on grounds of claimed fuel bills. Secondly with all diesels being turbocharged it means a lot less shuffling through the gears than with a weedy small nat-asp petrol. Thirdly the 1-litre engine always seems to be working so hard that I would not be surprised if it doesn't last many years (or the gearbox quickly wears out due to frequent need to change gear to maintain momentum).
So the mileage will be relatively high, most journey times will be more than 45mins and not in stop-start town traffic. My concern is that most of the time the car will be cruising at only moderate speeds - 30-40mph through the villages and often not much more on narrow, twisty lanes with sharp blind bends. It'll be rare to reach 70mph or even 60mph.
My previous diesel experience hasn't been great (blocked DPFs) even though the overwhelming majority of those miles were motorway/dual-carriageway/major A-road at brisk speeds and very little town mileage.
What do you think? Can a modern diesel cope with those long minor-road/low-medium-speed journeys without blocking the DPF or EGR?
Currently we use a Vauxhall Viva (1-litre petrol town car) for the 25k or so on those minor roads but wonder whether a small diesel would be more suitable (Corsa/Fiesta/Polo etc).
Firstly on grounds of claimed fuel bills. Secondly with all diesels being turbocharged it means a lot less shuffling through the gears than with a weedy small nat-asp petrol. Thirdly the 1-litre engine always seems to be working so hard that I would not be surprised if it doesn't last many years (or the gearbox quickly wears out due to frequent need to change gear to maintain momentum).
So the mileage will be relatively high, most journey times will be more than 45mins and not in stop-start town traffic. My concern is that most of the time the car will be cruising at only moderate speeds - 30-40mph through the villages and often not much more on narrow, twisty lanes with sharp blind bends. It'll be rare to reach 70mph or even 60mph.
My previous diesel experience hasn't been great (blocked DPFs) even though the overwhelming majority of those miles were motorway/dual-carriageway/major A-road at brisk speeds and very little town mileage.
What do you think? Can a modern diesel cope with those long minor-road/low-medium-speed journeys without blocking the DPF or EGR?
Edited by Ron99 on Saturday 11th May 11:41
If you're after a small diesel, I would recommend looking at a current shape Yaris with the 1.4 diesel and the current Mazda 2 with the 1.5 SKYACTIV diesel. I have driven both and was impressed. The Mazda is a nicer steer, but the Yaris is available with loads of kit and feels a bit more grown-up.
Both much better than a diesel Fiesta/Polo in my opinion.
Also, try a Yaris hybrid. I've driven a few of these and although they're not my cup of tea, they are undeniably good little cars. Quite expensive to buy though.
Both much better than a diesel Fiesta/Polo in my opinion.
Also, try a Yaris hybrid. I've driven a few of these and although they're not my cup of tea, they are undeniably good little cars. Quite expensive to buy though.
LexyLex said:
No. Get a petrol just for her sanity. Deisels need a constant speed above I think 70km/hr to force regeneration. B Road driving won't do it - it needs highway style driving. Why - because diesel engines are not fit for purpose.
107 posts in 1 month, all anti-diesel!(You could have said ‘not best choice for THAT purpose: any large car is not best choice for B roads).
LexyLex said:
No. Get a petrol just for her sanity. Deisels need a constant speed above I think 70km/hr to force regeneration. B Road driving won't do it - it needs highway style driving. Why - because diesel engines are not fit for purpose.
Not true.Forced regens will happen when the car detects it needs to perform one. Driving speed or revs are irrelevant.
Only advice is, if you notice a regen happening, keep driving until it finishes.
LexyLex said:
No. Get a petrol just for her sanity. Deisels need a constant speed above I think 70km/hr to force regeneration. B Road driving won't do it - it needs highway style driving. Why - because diesel engines are not fit for purpose.
THIS is what really pisses me off right now on PH.Either answer the feckin question or p
s off.Passive regens are more of an older school diesel. They all now actively regen every few hundred miles so you don’t need to drive above 2k revs on a motorway for x number of minutes.
For that miles, get a diesel. Think of the CO2 saving over petrol engined cars. Diesel is local level air pollution (NOX) and you’ll be out in the country where it’s not an issue.
Good luck either way
For that miles, get a diesel. Think of the CO2 saving over petrol engined cars. Diesel is local level air pollution (NOX) and you’ll be out in the country where it’s not an issue.
Good luck either way
Edited by A900ss on Saturday 11th May 12:16
AllyBassman said:
Not true.
Forced regens will happen when the car detects it needs to perform one. Driving speed or revs are irrelevant.
Only advice is, if you notice a regen happening, keep driving until it finishes.
What happens if that regen is happening when she arrives at work - is she supposed to keep on driving until it finishes and rock up late.Forced regens will happen when the car detects it needs to perform one. Driving speed or revs are irrelevant.
Only advice is, if you notice a regen happening, keep driving until it finishes.
As I said - diesel cars are not fit for purpose.
cuprabob said:
I would test drive a couple of petrols and diesels in the environment it's going to used and buy the one that gives you the most pleasure. It's a lot of time in a car for there not to be some pleasure.
I used to do my share of the mileage in a Swift Sport 1.6 (plus some recreational mileage) but the firm suspension made for a harsh ride and the low-profile tyres combined with firm springs frequently meant tyre damage from potholes or debris, sometimes needing tyre replacement (and I hate replacing tyres one at a time).With the modern trend for anything supposedly fun/sporty to sit very low, have rock-hard suspension and low-profile tyres I think if we make a change to our cars it'll have to be something boringly average. Compact dimensions (yet able to fit a big lad like me in) plus reasonably comfortable (for the rough road surfaces) will be major selling points if we change.
AllyBassman said:
Turn it off, it will pick up the regen next time.
Earlier it was said you are meant to keep driving it so it complete's the regeneration. A mechanic told me regeneration's aren't meant to be interrupted. Yet there is no way to enable this in the car yourself, or disable it knowing you are at journeys end. Dreadful things. You'll save a lot of money with a diesel over that mileage, you won't have any DPF issues, and if you have it in the right gear (rather than too high a gear) it'll be less effort to drive than a little NASP petrol. I am not a fan of diesel engines in passenger cars, but that that mileage it makes sense unless you don't care a jot about the running costs.
A lot of the DPF "knowledge" on here is 3rd hand crap, or at best based on DPFs from a decade ago.
A lot of the DPF "knowledge" on here is 3rd hand crap, or at best based on DPFs from a decade ago.
Edited by dme123 on Saturday 11th May 12:59
Jasandjules said:
40k miles pa - diesel makes a bit of sense to me. Nice C Class to do it in comfort (suspension mode 
)
Needs to be as small as possible; easy to squeeze past other vehicles on narrow tracks, avoid other vehicles who can't stay on their side of the road round bends, and small enough to be stored in my garage. ) Also needs to be expendable.
Current Viva ticks those boxes nicely but is hard work up and down the gears.
Edited by Ron99 on Saturday 11th May 13:50
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