Is buying a diesel car still considered sensible
Discussion
I'm looking to buy a used car that will include work mileage and over the last 2 years I've averaged 25k pa.
I've had diesel cars for the past 14 years or so and initially thought that a diesel is the obvious choice.
However, with the changing public perception, increase in ULEZ zones etc and proliferation of smaller turbo petrol engined cars, is it still the right choice?
Looking to spend circa £20k, and whilst I know I'll depreciate it with the mileage, don't want to be faced with a car that is worthless in 2-3 years time because diesel is banned in certain areas or considered to be a terrible fuel.
The 1.4/1.5 turbo petrol engines seems to be capable of decent mpg on long motorway runs (which is where most of my time is spent) and the current offset in petrol/diesel costs also works towards partially offsetting the lower mpg versus a diesel.
However, I'm looking for a comfortable automatic cruiser and a lot are still diesel powered (thinking 320d, 520d, 220cdi, 2.0tdi) with smaller petrol engines only readily available in VAG cars at the kind of size I want (Passat/Superb) that seem to be capable of decent mpg.
So any thoughts on whether a diesel still makes sense, or thoughts of large (size) but frugal auto petrol cars
I've had diesel cars for the past 14 years or so and initially thought that a diesel is the obvious choice.
However, with the changing public perception, increase in ULEZ zones etc and proliferation of smaller turbo petrol engined cars, is it still the right choice?
Looking to spend circa £20k, and whilst I know I'll depreciate it with the mileage, don't want to be faced with a car that is worthless in 2-3 years time because diesel is banned in certain areas or considered to be a terrible fuel.
The 1.4/1.5 turbo petrol engines seems to be capable of decent mpg on long motorway runs (which is where most of my time is spent) and the current offset in petrol/diesel costs also works towards partially offsetting the lower mpg versus a diesel.
However, I'm looking for a comfortable automatic cruiser and a lot are still diesel powered (thinking 320d, 520d, 220cdi, 2.0tdi) with smaller petrol engines only readily available in VAG cars at the kind of size I want (Passat/Superb) that seem to be capable of decent mpg.
So any thoughts on whether a diesel still makes sense, or thoughts of large (size) but frugal auto petrol cars
For big miles on the motorway I'd probably still consider a diesel, EURO 6 of course. I find diesel official mpg stats are less accurate compared to petrol, and petrol is cheaper at the pump so this all closes the gap a little. However, where I do see a considerable difference between diesel and petrol is when you put your foot down, with the latter definitely taking a bigger economy hit.
Personally, if going diesel I would look for one that is Euro 6 without adblue such as a pre-2018 F30/F31 BMW330d.
Personally, if going diesel I would look for one that is Euro 6 without adblue such as a pre-2018 F30/F31 BMW330d.
How many miles a year do you do and what MPG were you achieving?
We have a 2017 Skoda Octavia 1.5 dsg (I can feel the envy).
With largely motorway miles constituting its 110k on the clock.
Its averaged about 47 MPG.
With the cost of diesel being a little more, id say thats equivalent of about 50mpg on a diesel.
In retrospect, I'm glad I got the petrol, used prices have stayed higher on petrol>Diesel engines, its slightly sprightlier than the 1.6 diesel alternative.
And although not amazing MPG, very commendable.
We have a 2017 Skoda Octavia 1.5 dsg (I can feel the envy).
With largely motorway miles constituting its 110k on the clock.
Its averaged about 47 MPG.
With the cost of diesel being a little more, id say thats equivalent of about 50mpg on a diesel.
In retrospect, I'm glad I got the petrol, used prices have stayed higher on petrol>Diesel engines, its slightly sprightlier than the 1.6 diesel alternative.
And although not amazing MPG, very commendable.
I do 25k pa and my current dull as dishwater 1.6 idtec Civic is claiming late 50's. It will indicate over 60mpg sometimes but that's on the computer.
Happy to take a bit of a hit on mpg with petrol if the world is moving away from diesels, but have to say that I wouldn't mind a 3 litre diesel BMW with the 8 speed auto as I imagine that it has a good turn of speed and would do decent mpg.
Happy to take a bit of a hit on mpg with petrol if the world is moving away from diesels, but have to say that I wouldn't mind a 3 litre diesel BMW with the 8 speed auto as I imagine that it has a good turn of speed and would do decent mpg.
Running a large saloon with a 1.7 diesel (Kia Optima), it’s a late 2015 that is ULEZ approved.
Great for munching motorways which is what it’s used for as have a small petrol car for local trips.
Does 51mpg at swift motorway speeds so even with the fuel price difference it’s still cheaper to run than the 1.4 petrol before it.
Comes with a tank that does about 650miles which is handy as usually would mean a weekly fill up in 25k per year, nice when in a rush in the morning or just want to get home I the evening.
I managed to break the 1.4 turbo petrol at 80k miles (paid to fix it) so hope the diesel will be tougher
Great for munching motorways which is what it’s used for as have a small petrol car for local trips.
Does 51mpg at swift motorway speeds so even with the fuel price difference it’s still cheaper to run than the 1.4 petrol before it.
Comes with a tank that does about 650miles which is handy as usually would mean a weekly fill up in 25k per year, nice when in a rush in the morning or just want to get home I the evening.
I managed to break the 1.4 turbo petrol at 80k miles (paid to fix it) so hope the diesel will be tougher
Slackman99 said:
I do 25k pa and my current dull as dishwater 1.6 idtec Civic is claiming late 50's. It will indicate over 60mpg sometimes but that's on the computer.
Happy to take a bit of a hit on mpg with petrol if the world is moving away from diesels, but have to say that I wouldn't mind a 3 litre diesel BMW with the 8 speed auto as I imagine that it has a good turn of speed and would do decent mpg.
I have a 2015 BMW 535d and it's a very, very good car. On a motorway run it'll return 45 mpg easily (sticking to the speed limit), and the tank range is 650 miles doing that sort of driving. I imagine the 530d is similar. It's whisper quiet, refined and comfortable but with surprising pace when needed. The ZF8 gearbox is sublime and I think the 3 litre BMW diesels are cracking long distance cars. Recommended.Happy to take a bit of a hit on mpg with petrol if the world is moving away from diesels, but have to say that I wouldn't mind a 3 litre diesel BMW with the 8 speed auto as I imagine that it has a good turn of speed and would do decent mpg.
Hope that helps.
Slackman99 said:
Looking to spend circa £20k, and whilst I know I'll depreciate it with the mileage, don't want to be faced with a car that is worthless in 2-3 years time because diesel is banned in certain areas or considered to be a terrible fuel.
If you buy a Euro 6 diesel, it'll likely be fairly safe for three years.My reasoning would be that Euro 6 is still the latest standard level, (albeit there exist 6d-TEMP and 6d which are the same limits but tested more strictly). So it'll likely be quite some time before a Euro 6 diesel will be widely restricted (5 years plus?).
Given that, and given that the appeal of a decent-size diesel car is precisely to those longer-distance motorists who are least well served by EVs, I would guess that there will be a buyer for your car in 2-3 years time.
The adage hasn't changed - if it fits your usage of the car, diesel is still a sensible choice as it always has been.
The gaps are closing in both ways though - petrol cars are growing more efficient, and diesel cars are growing quieter and more refined. It just brings home the fact that it's hard to make a "bad" choice these days. So just buy a car you like and enjoy driving and you won't go wrong whichever fuel it takes.
The gaps are closing in both ways though - petrol cars are growing more efficient, and diesel cars are growing quieter and more refined. It just brings home the fact that it's hard to make a "bad" choice these days. So just buy a car you like and enjoy driving and you won't go wrong whichever fuel it takes.
I bought my 335d F30 BMW about 5.5 years ago, on the expectation of a good 10 years use.
People often talk about cost comparisons between petrol and diesel use, and talk about needing to big miles to make the diesel pay for itself. What they ignore is the torque benefit. Great on motorways and up and down hilly areas. I can recommend the 3 litre BMW 6 pot diesels. Driving frugally, I can get over 620 miles a tank, but never less than 520 miles.
People often talk about cost comparisons between petrol and diesel use, and talk about needing to big miles to make the diesel pay for itself. What they ignore is the torque benefit. Great on motorways and up and down hilly areas. I can recommend the 3 litre BMW 6 pot diesels. Driving frugally, I can get over 620 miles a tank, but never less than 520 miles.
Edited by Pica-Pica on Wednesday 7th September 19:41
Slackman99 said:
The difference in petrol prices is certainly bringing things closer together.
Is there a particular reason for the 330d over 320d suggestion, and would that apply to a 530d Vs 520d?
Just from my own experience really. The BMW 3.0 diesel is an excellent engine, great blend of fast and more importantly usable performance whilst still being very economical. It doesn't really clatter like a diesel either. Is there a particular reason for the 330d over 320d suggestion, and would that apply to a 530d Vs 520d?
Slackman99 said:
I'm looking to buy a used car that will include work mileage and over the last 2 years I've averaged 25k pa.
I've had diesel cars for the past 14 years or so and initially thought that a diesel is the obvious choice.
However, with the changing public perception, increase in ULEZ zones etc and proliferation of smaller turbo petrol engined cars, is it still the right choice?
Looking to spend circa £20k, and whilst I know I'll depreciate it with the mileage, don't want to be faced with a car that is worthless in 2-3 years time because diesel is banned in certain areas or considered to be a terrible fuel.
The 1.4/1.5 turbo petrol engines seems to be capable of decent mpg on long motorway runs (which is where most of my time is spent) and the current offset in petrol/diesel costs also works towards partially offsetting the lower mpg versus a diesel.
However, I'm looking for a comfortable automatic cruiser and a lot are still diesel powered (thinking 320d, 520d, 220cdi, 2.0tdi) with smaller petrol engines only readily available in VAG cars at the kind of size I want (Passat/Superb) that seem to be capable of decent mpg.
So any thoughts on whether a diesel still makes sense, or thoughts of large (size) but frugal auto petrol cars
I'd look for a diesel hybrid if I was going to spend the full 20k.I've had diesel cars for the past 14 years or so and initially thought that a diesel is the obvious choice.
However, with the changing public perception, increase in ULEZ zones etc and proliferation of smaller turbo petrol engined cars, is it still the right choice?
Looking to spend circa £20k, and whilst I know I'll depreciate it with the mileage, don't want to be faced with a car that is worthless in 2-3 years time because diesel is banned in certain areas or considered to be a terrible fuel.
The 1.4/1.5 turbo petrol engines seems to be capable of decent mpg on long motorway runs (which is where most of my time is spent) and the current offset in petrol/diesel costs also works towards partially offsetting the lower mpg versus a diesel.
However, I'm looking for a comfortable automatic cruiser and a lot are still diesel powered (thinking 320d, 520d, 220cdi, 2.0tdi) with smaller petrol engines only readily available in VAG cars at the kind of size I want (Passat/Superb) that seem to be capable of decent mpg.
So any thoughts on whether a diesel still makes sense, or thoughts of large (size) but frugal auto petrol cars
C300dh:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202208249...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202209019...
But in all honesty I'd but the E350cdi it's perfect for your usage:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202208028...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202205115...
The sensible approach is to go for something non German & pocket the price difference & get a four pot diesel.
Infiniti Q70 although this does use a Mercedes drivetrain:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202206237...
Q50:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202203163...
As a compare contrast for you I went from a 2015 520d to 2018 320i.
On a motorway run I get 50mpg out the 320i which is comparable or slightly better than the 520d, which of course was a heavier car.
Power is good and the zf8 great. The 3 series is also lighter which improves the handling a bit.
On a motorway run I get 50mpg out the 320i which is comparable or slightly better than the 520d, which of course was a heavier car.
Power is good and the zf8 great. The 3 series is also lighter which improves the handling a bit.
Slackman99 said:
Ok thanks for the thoughts.
Are the 3l BMW diesels more reliable than the 2l versions which i've heard of a lot of timing chain reports on?
Any thoughts on the 2l Mercedes cars, either C class or E class?
Post 2015 both the BMW 2 and 3 litre diesels are reliable, so nothing to worry about there. Are the 3l BMW diesels more reliable than the 2l versions which i've heard of a lot of timing chain reports on?
Any thoughts on the 2l Mercedes cars, either C class or E class?
The 220d engines in Merc C- and E-classes are also used in a similar form in their Sprinter vans that reliably cover mega mileages, so they are also good reliable units.
I'd consider buying a diesel at even half your annual mileage. As has already been mentioned, just make sure you get a Euro 6 diesel, which you easily can at a £20k budget. The fact it's diesel won't really put people off buying it, more the mileage your car will have on it when you sell it on if you are doing 25k a year.
In terms of cost saving, a diesel will still be better. For example, doing 25,000 miles a year in a 2.0 TDI Audi A4 doing 49 mpg at a cost of £1.80 a litre will cost you around £4200 a year to fuel; a 1.4 TFSI petrol version doing 35 mpg at a cost of £1.65 a litre will cost you £5300 a year to fuel, so that's still a saving of around £900 a year - so not to be sniffed at.
Here's what I'd be looking at
BMW 320d ED Plus for 70+ mpg capability and potential 1000 mile per tank range
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202208198...
At the other end of the scale, here's a 335d. It won't do 1000 miles to a tank, but it can do 0-60 in under 5 seconds
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202107145...
Alfa Romeo 2.2 JTDM-2 Speciale
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202206277...
Mercedes C220d
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202207137...
Audi A4 2.0 TDI
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202203253...
VW Passat 2.0 TDI GT
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202205165...
Volvo S60 D4
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202205045...
Jaguar XE D180
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202208078...
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