Decided on S-Max - but diesel or petrol?
Discussion
Need some assistance choosing an engine for my next S-Max please. I currently drive a 2.2 (170 ps) diesel manual S-Max. We're replacing it in March and Mrs CdeG wants an auto next time.
As a serviceman serving overseas, I qualify for a tax-free purchase, so the choice is between either the 163 ps diesel, or the 203 ps petrol. The petrol is 1200 pounds cheaper to buy, but obviously the road fund charge is higher and fuel economy worse.
From next year, we will do about 12000 miles a year (currently do about 180000), and one of those cost comparison charts shows that the diesel works out cheaper overall for us after about 2 years. I think I'll probably keep it a little longer than that, especially as I am always likely to have a fun second car, but do have a track record of getting bored.
With an eye on eventual resale, by which time fuel will inevitably be even more expensive, would I be insane to go for the petrol? For what it's worth, the diesel we have currently is pretty good, although fuel economy is rather poorer than Ford would have you believe.
Any thoughts or words of wisdom? Just trying to ensure I've thought it all through before going firm. Thanks.
As a serviceman serving overseas, I qualify for a tax-free purchase, so the choice is between either the 163 ps diesel, or the 203 ps petrol. The petrol is 1200 pounds cheaper to buy, but obviously the road fund charge is higher and fuel economy worse.
From next year, we will do about 12000 miles a year (currently do about 180000), and one of those cost comparison charts shows that the diesel works out cheaper overall for us after about 2 years. I think I'll probably keep it a little longer than that, especially as I am always likely to have a fun second car, but do have a track record of getting bored.
With an eye on eventual resale, by which time fuel will inevitably be even more expensive, would I be insane to go for the petrol? For what it's worth, the diesel we have currently is pretty good, although fuel economy is rather poorer than Ford would have you believe.
Any thoughts or words of wisdom? Just trying to ensure I've thought it all through before going firm. Thanks.
Depends upon if you 'enjoy' the delivery of the TD I guess.
That extra 40ps is all very well in the petrol, but as has been debated endlessly, the slug of torque can provide an alternative 'thrill' over the top end power...
Personally I think the S-Max is not meant as a machine to hustle, the comfier the better, and a muted, torque heavy derv suits it better...the economics of it would not be that bigger deal to me, in 2 years time god knows what prices will be like comparatively for fuel...
That extra 40ps is all very well in the petrol, but as has been debated endlessly, the slug of torque can provide an alternative 'thrill' over the top end power...
Personally I think the S-Max is not meant as a machine to hustle, the comfier the better, and a muted, torque heavy derv suits it better...the economics of it would not be that bigger deal to me, in 2 years time god knows what prices will be like comparatively for fuel...
HellDiver said:
Petrol every time.
Diesel is more expensive at the pumps, emission controls cripple the engines especially when used for short trips, servicing is more, initial purchase is more. For 12k a year you'd be mad to go diesel.
All true if you're buying at three years old.Diesel is more expensive at the pumps, emission controls cripple the engines especially when used for short trips, servicing is more, initial purchase is more. For 12k a year you'd be mad to go diesel.
But if you're buying tax free and can move on at 12-24 months the depreciation curve is very odd looking - for the diesel it'd be virtually flat in year 1 and accelerating in year 2.
The petrol meanwhile will be much harder to sell into the trade, purely because the market wants diesels on newer, bigger cars so it'll hang around on the forecourt for longer. Servicing will be marginal or zero, the car will probably be moved on before the emissions controls start causing problems, and the initial purchase will be recouped by the lower depreciation.
Some useful responses everyone, many thanks. I think you're mainly - and there are some dissenting voices as I'd hoped - telling me what I think I already know. In order to sell a car like that 'well' in the future - with an eye on the bulk of the market - it will have to be a diesel.
As I said, I actually like the diesel we have at the moment; effortless and with good grunt, but the economy isn't that great. I average 37 with the 2.2 diesel - certainly not bad, but many others beat it (although not many other 7 seaters will I guess).
Just need to get Mrs CdeG to go firm on a colour now...
As I said, I actually like the diesel we have at the moment; effortless and with good grunt, but the economy isn't that great. I average 37 with the 2.2 diesel - certainly not bad, but many others beat it (although not many other 7 seaters will I guess).
Just need to get Mrs CdeG to go firm on a colour now...
Is pistonheads suffering some sort of new year virus (a bit like the iPhone alarm click)??
This is the second thread today where the majority are recommending diesel..... And barely any diseasel comments either
I have to agree though, from a resale point if view it has to be diesel, selling a 3 year old petrol auto S max, I think you'd be struggling with that
This is the second thread today where the majority are recommending diesel..... And barely any diseasel comments either
I have to agree though, from a resale point if view it has to be diesel, selling a 3 year old petrol auto S max, I think you'd be struggling with that
Superhoop said:
Is pistonheads suffering some sort of new year virus (a bit like the iPhone alarm click)??
This is the second thread today where the majority are recommending diesel..... And barely any diseasel comments either
I have to agree though, from a resale point if view it has to be diesel, selling a 3 year old petrol auto S max, I think you'd be struggling with that
Its called perspectivitus. He's buying an MPV, if this thread were about a convertible for the weekend it would look very different.This is the second thread today where the majority are recommending diesel..... And barely any diseasel comments either
I have to agree though, from a resale point if view it has to be diesel, selling a 3 year old petrol auto S max, I think you'd be struggling with that
rallycross said:
We recently took a top spec diesel S-Max to italy and back and I struggled to average 25 mpg at speed, I hate to think what a petrol one would return.
Try taking the handbrake off !How fast were you going ? we have a 2.0 tdci Galaxy and I struggle to get it below 35 on a run (can get nearly 50 if being very gentle), I can only think you were hammering it or there was something up with it.
In answer to the OP, diesel every time in these as they are heavy, you don't get a sportier drive with the petrols as most of the fun is the chassis and the diesel delivery suits the car, the petrols apart from the 2.5 (which is mental on fuel) aren't that exciting.
I am no Ford Fanboy, MPV's are about as far from my idea as fun as is possible, I am not trying to justify having one as if there was a choice, we wouldnt, but I have been really impressed with the Galaxy, it drives better than a lot of the prestige stuff I have driven, and for a huge lump handles amazingly, if I had to nit pick, some of the trim is a bit crap and the seats show water marks on the Ghia we have.
How about the new 240 2.0 T with powershift or you can wait for the 2.2 TDCI 200 with powershift:
We’re testing the new 2.2-litre TDCi Duratorq turbodiesel with its piezo-electric, vibrating-crystal injectors, enlarged turbocharger, startling 197bhp and massive 310lb ft of torque (332 on transient overboost). It's mated to a six-speed manual; a double-clutcher arrives later.
We’re testing the new 2.2-litre TDCi Duratorq turbodiesel with its piezo-electric, vibrating-crystal injectors, enlarged turbocharger, startling 197bhp and massive 310lb ft of torque (332 on transient overboost). It's mated to a six-speed manual; a double-clutcher arrives later.
Zoki said:
How about the new 240 2.0 T with powershift or you can wait for the 2.2 TDCI 200 with powershift:
We’re testing the new 2.2-litre TDCi Duratorq turbodiesel with its piezo-electric, vibrating-crystal injectors, enlarged turbocharger, startling 197bhp and massive 310lb ft of torque (332 on transient overboost). It's mated to a six-speed manual; a double-clutcher arrives later.
I need to order now, and suspect that the more 'exotic' (it's relative of course - it's an MPV we're talking about) the model, the more limited the potential market. The ones I'm looking at have enough zizz for a family car.We’re testing the new 2.2-litre TDCi Duratorq turbodiesel with its piezo-electric, vibrating-crystal injectors, enlarged turbocharger, startling 197bhp and massive 310lb ft of torque (332 on transient overboost). It's mated to a six-speed manual; a double-clutcher arrives later.
Some interesting comments - thanks everyone.
CharlesdeGaulle said:
Need some assistance choosing an engine for my next S-Max please. I currently drive a 2.2 (170 ps) diesel manual S-Max. We're replacing it in March and Mrs CdeG wants an auto next time.
As a serviceman serving overseas, I qualify for a tax-free purchase, so the choice is between either the 163 ps diesel, or the 203 ps petrol. The petrol is 1200 pounds cheaper to buy, but obviously the road fund charge is higher and fuel economy worse.
From next year, we will do about 12000 miles a year (currently do about 180000), and one of those cost comparison charts shows that the diesel works out cheaper overall for us after about 2 years. I think I'll probably keep it a little longer than that, especially as I am always likely to have a fun second car, but do have a track record of getting bored.
With an eye on eventual resale, by which time fuel will inevitably be even more expensive, would I be insane to go for the petrol? For what it's worth, the diesel we have currently is pretty good, although fuel economy is rather poorer than Ford would have you believe.
Any thoughts or words of wisdom? Just trying to ensure I've thought it all through before going firm. Thanks.
You currently do 180K a year? 500 miles EVERY day?As a serviceman serving overseas, I qualify for a tax-free purchase, so the choice is between either the 163 ps diesel, or the 203 ps petrol. The petrol is 1200 pounds cheaper to buy, but obviously the road fund charge is higher and fuel economy worse.
From next year, we will do about 12000 miles a year (currently do about 180000), and one of those cost comparison charts shows that the diesel works out cheaper overall for us after about 2 years. I think I'll probably keep it a little longer than that, especially as I am always likely to have a fun second car, but do have a track record of getting bored.
With an eye on eventual resale, by which time fuel will inevitably be even more expensive, would I be insane to go for the petrol? For what it's worth, the diesel we have currently is pretty good, although fuel economy is rather poorer than Ford would have you believe.
Any thoughts or words of wisdom? Just trying to ensure I've thought it all through before going firm. Thanks.
rallycross said:
We recently took a top spec diesel S-Max to italy and back and I struggled to average 25 mpg at speed, I hate to think what a petrol one would return.
What speed were you doing? We get 35 mpg with a roof box at 85 ish.For the OP: As people have said a petrol auto will be very hard to shift and I suspect the torqier diesel will suit auto more anyway.
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