Buy diesel in 2018 or not?

Buy diesel in 2018 or not?

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Discussion

ph-sum

Original Poster:

20 posts

76 months

Friday 19th January 2018
quotequote all
Hi Guys,

I am in the market for a used reliable, economical and low tax car (2015, less than 30k and the budget is around £16 to £18k) for my family and commute. I am looking at Audi A6, Merc 220d. My first thoughts are, should I look at diesel cars or avoid due to the possibility of them being hammered tax and costs wise in a few years?

Also Fuel - diesel or petrol. Can't decide, I suppose I need to get 40-45mpg out of it.

30 miles daily commute to work (city driving), more miles on the weekends.

Currently, I drive Audi A3 1.9tdie, fantastic car, getting 70 odd miles per gallon on the motorway but day to day commute to work (35 to 40 minutes drive in traffic) is around 40mpg. Yes, I am getting DPF error few times in a year but not a massive problem as we do more miles on the weekends. Now looking for a new used car (15 plate) but keeping Audi A3 as a second car.

Planning to keep this new used car for at least 4 to 5 years.

Your help is much appreciated.

Sum

Edited by ph-sum on Friday 19th January 10:46

ph-sum

Original Poster:

20 posts

76 months

Friday 19th January 2018
quotequote all
Dear TinRobot,

Thanks for your time. I am definitely planning to keep this new used car for at least 5 years. Hyundai is nice but I am looking to pick one from Merc, Audi, BMW or JAG.

Yes, I would love to save money, every penny counts. That is whole reason I am here asking for expert advice.

Edited by ph-sum on Friday 19th January 11:20

BoRED S2upid

19,643 posts

239 months

Friday 19th January 2018
quotequote all
New BMW Petrol engines will get 40mpg will they not? 116 Petrol for example? Probably more suitable for your commute.

cholo

1,126 posts

234 months

Friday 19th January 2018
quotequote all
If you want a diesel, but are worried about future tax implications and value then just lease one.

Tax will be paid for you then and you won't have to worry about it;s value.

Dave Hedgehog

14,541 posts

203 months

Friday 19th January 2018
quotequote all
DELETED: Comment made by a member who's account has been deleted.
i wonder if its a mixture of the economy and being diesel, lady at work's bubble is up on here derv A class, the bubble is 2k more than the dealer screen price of the car

ph-sum

Original Poster:

20 posts

76 months

Friday 19th January 2018
quotequote all
BoRED S2upid said:
New BMW Petrol engines will get 40mpg will they not? 116 Petrol for example? Probably more suitable for your commute.
Is it 1 series are you referring to?

ph-sum

Original Poster:

20 posts

76 months

Friday 19th January 2018
quotequote all
cholo said:
If you want a diesel, but are worried about future tax implications and value then just lease one.

Tax will be paid for you then and you won't have to worry about it;s value.
I agree, if I buy used diesel now in 2018, the value will depreciate very quickly because of the way the things are with diesel cars.

ph-sum

Original Poster:

20 posts

76 months

Friday 19th January 2018
quotequote all
The way suggestions are going, it looks diesel is no way forward for my type of journey.

What about Merc 200d? The tax is around 115 per year but mileage figures are not bad at least on papers. Do not know the real mpg?

Urban: 40.9, extra Urban 62.9mpg and combined is 52.3mpg

Camelot1971

2,698 posts

165 months

Friday 19th January 2018
quotequote all
I wouldn't get fixated on the cost of tax. It's just a very small part of the overall cost of running a car - other costs will far outweigh it.

For less than 15k miles a year, I would run a petrol car. Less, generally, to go wrong and given where we are with diesels, likely to be worth more money than the equivalent diesel when you do sell it on.

A4 1.4TFSi would be a good choice

ph-sum

Original Poster:

20 posts

76 months

Friday 19th January 2018
quotequote all
Camelot1971 said:
I wouldn't get fixated on the cost of tax. It's just a very small part of the overall cost of running a car - other costs will far outweigh it.

For less than 15k miles a year, I would run a petrol car. Less, generally, to go wrong and given where we are with diesels, likely to be worth more money than the equivalent diesel when you do sell it on.

A4 1.4TFSi would be a good choice
True, £115 per year is small compared to other costs which include depreciation value. I think I am being spoilt for paying 30 quid for my Audi a3.

I looked at Audi A3 Saloon TFSI and A4 TFSi but do not want two Audis on my drive. If I am buying new used Audi then I have to trade my old A3 (which is in very nice condition) for peanuts and buy another small car for the wife.

I need two cars one for me and one for the wife. The plan so far is to buy one family car (used one) for me and give Audi A3 to my wife.

S54Love

155 posts

83 months

Friday 19th January 2018
quotequote all
ph-sum said:
True, £115 per year is small compared to other costs which include depreciation value. I think I am being spoilt for paying 30 quid for my Audi a3.

I looked at Audi A3 Saloon TFSI and A4 TFSi but do not want two Audis on my drive. If I am buying new used Audi then I have to trade my old A3 (which is in very nice condition) for peanuts and buy another small car for the wife.

I need two cars one for me and one for the wife. The plan so far is to buy one family car (used one) for me and give Audi A3 to my wife.
Surprised to hear you say that. If it were me, I would be looking at getting an A5 Sportback, maybe even an A7 in petrol guises.

Other than that, with your criteria I would choose a BMW 3GT or 5 Series. It's quite difficult to get a premium-branded petrol family car used, if I am honest, as most are diesels. Hence, I would probably save myself the cash and get a Mazda6.

daemon

35,724 posts

196 months

Friday 19th January 2018
quotequote all
ph-sum said:
I agree, if I buy used diesel now in 2018, the value will depreciate very quickly because of the way the things are with diesel cars.
I dont agree with that. Demand for new diesels is down but i dont think demand for used diesels is.

I tried a few dealers with regards to trading in my 2016 Passat TDI and all were very keen to either retail it or had trade men giving strong money for it. I bought it for £15,250 from a VW main dealer at a year old last April as an Approved Used car and i suspect it'll end up on a dealer forecourt at at least £13,995 when its retailed sometime in February.

My comment RE: diesels would be if you can buy a petrol variant then do - the DPF issues are still there (my Passat needed a new DPF at 14 months old / 17k miles) and that concern would be a big preventer for me buying another.


ph-sum

Original Poster:

20 posts

76 months

Friday 19th January 2018
quotequote all
daemon said:
I dont agree with that. Demand for new diesels is down but i dont think demand for used diesels is.

I tried a few dealers with regards to trading in my 2016 Passat TDI and all were very keen to either retail it or had trade men giving strong money for it. I bought it for £15,250 from a VW main dealer at a year old last April as an Approved Used car and i suspect it'll end up on a dealer forecourt at at least £13,995 when its retailed sometime in February.

My comment RE: diesels would be if you can buy a petrol variant then do - the DPF issues are still there (my Passat needed a new DPF at 14 months old / 17k miles) and that concern would be a big preventer for me buying another.
I agree. I have been looking Merc 220d sport from our local dealer for a while and he is struggling to find a suitable car for me within my budget. Even I spoke to few other dealers across the country and the used diesel ones are selling very quickly. Even they are not giving any good discounts on diesel cars.

daemon

35,724 posts

196 months

Friday 19th January 2018
quotequote all
ph-sum said:
daemon said:
I dont agree with that. Demand for new diesels is down but i dont think demand for used diesels is.

I tried a few dealers with regards to trading in my 2016 Passat TDI and all were very keen to either retail it or had trade men giving strong money for it. I bought it for £15,250 from a VW main dealer at a year old last April as an Approved Used car and i suspect it'll end up on a dealer forecourt at at least £13,995 when its retailed sometime in February.

My comment RE: diesels would be if you can buy a petrol variant then do - the DPF issues are still there (my Passat needed a new DPF at 14 months old / 17k miles) and that concern would be a big preventer for me buying another.
I agree. I have been looking Merc 220d sport from our local dealer for a while and he is struggling to find a suitable car for me within my budget. Even I spoke to few other dealers across the country and the used diesel ones are selling very quickly. Even they are not giving any good discounts on diesel cars.
You might have to think nationally to get the right car at the right price. A days effort going and getting a car from some distance away could save you £,£££s. If its under manufacturers warranty you can get it serviced / repaired at your local franchise anyway.

Sheepshanks

32,533 posts

118 months

Friday 19th January 2018
quotequote all
Dave Hedgehog said:
i wonder if its a mixture of the economy and being diesel, lady at work's bubble is up on here derv A class, the bubble is 2k more than the dealer screen price of the car
Seen complaints about that on Merc forums, although usually on E Class. Maybe setting the "GFV" high is deliberate - makes the monthlies cheaper and it forces people to hand-back and then they'll probably take a new PCP.

ph-sum

Original Poster:

20 posts

76 months

Friday 19th January 2018
quotequote all
daemon said:
You might have to think nationally to get the right car at the right price. A days effort going and getting a car from some distance away could save you £,£££s. If its under manufacturers warranty you can get it serviced / repaired at your local franchise anyway.
True, been speaking to the dealer regarding Merc 220d which is 108 miles away (saving £,£££) but still indecisive whether to go with diesel or not.

I don't want to be in a situation where I am still paying the loan for a car which very less demand in the market or going to banned or with restricted to some areas.

I did test drive Lexus is300h but the basic things are missing like digital speedometer, etc.

daemon

35,724 posts

196 months

Friday 19th January 2018
quotequote all
ph-sum said:
daemon said:
You might have to think nationally to get the right car at the right price. A days effort going and getting a car from some distance away could save you £,£££s. If its under manufacturers warranty you can get it serviced / repaired at your local franchise anyway.
True, been speaking to the dealer regarding Merc 220d which is 108 miles away (saving £,£££) but still indecisive whether to go with diesel or not.

I don't want to be in a situation where I am still paying the loan for a car which very less demand in the market or going to banned or with restricted to some areas.

I did test drive Lexus is300h but the basic things are missing like digital speedometer, etc.
The C200 petrol Merc is a decent car. Quite a high BHP for the entry level variant but can be got in SE, Sport and AMG Line spec. Might be worth seeking one of those out.


ph-sum

Original Poster:

20 posts

76 months

Friday 19th January 2018
quotequote all
daemon said:
The C200 petrol Merc is a decent car. Quite a high BHP for the entry level variant but can be got in SE, Sport and AMG Line spec. Might be worth seeking one of those out.
I have looked at C200 sport last week, the same car with a petrol engine. Even the price is bit higher than c220d... smile

Anybody here knows the real mpg in city for c200?

daemon

35,724 posts

196 months

Friday 19th January 2018
quotequote all
ph-sum said:
daemon said:
The C200 petrol Merc is a decent car. Quite a high BHP for the entry level variant but can be got in SE, Sport and AMG Line spec. Might be worth seeking one of those out.
I have looked at C200 sport last week, the same car with a petrol engine. Even the price is bit higher than c220d... smile

Anybody here knows the real mpg in city for c200?
Again, you're into the realms of a national search, not a local one to get the right car at the right price. You "should" be able to get one a bit cheaper than a diesel variant.

What was the year, gearbox, miles and price of the one you were looking at?

ph-sum

Original Poster:

20 posts

76 months

Friday 19th January 2018
quotequote all
daemon said:
Again, you're into the realms of a national search, not a local one to get the right car at the right price. You "should" be able to get one a bit cheaper than a diesel variant.

What was the year, gearbox, miles and price of the one you were looking at?
I am looking at 2015, Auto, less than 30k miles and budget is 16k.


Edited by ph-sum on Friday 19th January 16:18