Which diesel engines can handle short journeys?

[Emeye]

My wife really likes driving turbo diesels, but most of the journeys will be short apart from long journeys to my bro's and I'm hoping to drive into Europe. I know modern diesels don't like short journeys, but I'm thinking some of the older generation may be up to the job.

How about the older VAG 1.9TDi as they put in the MK4/5 Golf, VW Touran and SEATs and Skoda during the late 90s/earlier 00s? Are the similar generation Ford ones OK?

Yes I know a petrol may be a better option, but she would like a diesel!

[Motorrad]

No turbo, no dpf no st. My 306 non turbo diesel seems to do pretty well while being abused.

You'd be better with a simple petrol for short journeys considering the premium for diesel in the UK.

Given the preference for a diesel however illogical my vote would be with a 2003 VAG 130PD.

[Dactub]

I've got a pd130 and it's ok with short journeys but not great on mpg a petrol turbo would be what I'd have for short journeys. If she likes the low down power like I do with a tdi a simple petrol car would feel terrible and I've drove a few.

[the-photographer]

You could go one better and buy a lovely Golf MK5 SDI...

[StottyZr]

If she wants a newish car get a dpf delete... It can't clog if it isn't there.

[fangio]

Pre 2006 PD engines have no dpf, I believe?

[Emeye]

Ta. She used to have an SDi Polo which she loved. I hated it. I think something with a 1.9 tdi VAG engine would be a good bet.

[cuprabob]

Anything without a DPF will be fine.

If you get one with a DPF just give it a blast every couple of weeks to allow DPF to regenerate

[kambites]

As above, I think it's just the DPF that really objects to short trips.

If the mileage isn't huge, you could try her in a modern low-pressure turbocharged petrol? She might like them just as much, since they behave quite similarly.

[to3m]

Nobody ever told me you weren't allowed to drive your diesel car short distances when I bought it, so my 2001 BMW 320d rarely went on any trip longer than about 6-7 miles. Nothing in particular ever went wrong with it in the 4.5 years I owned it. I've been trying the same with my 2001 BMW 330d, which I bought 1.5 years ago, and nothing has gone wrong with it yet either. This didn't require any special care and attention on my part, aside from just not revving the engine too high when it was cold, which is presumably a good idea no matter what sort of car you drive.

Average fuel economy on these short trips: 34mpg for the 320d, and 32mpg for the 330d. Unlike the pie-in-the-sky consumption figures provided for motorway driving, these are in line with the manufacturer's suggestions.

[kambites]

Neither of them will have a DPF, though.

[okie592]

theres nothing wrong with using a derv for short journies, if its new it just needs a blast now and then to clear out the dpf, although if its not going far, how long is it gonna take you too regain the cost of the same car but a petrol.Unless you like the power delivery of derv, i dont see much point since your only going around town mostly.

[FamilyDub]

Emeye said:

I know a petrol may be a better option

Said it yourself. Small, simple petrol would be my choice.

[Bezza1969]

for short journey id say a lower powered 1.9 TDI would be best. The higher powered ones are too "boosty" IMO, too much lag and then whip crack acceleration. Something like a 1.9TDI (100 or 105 BHP) golf Mk4 or 5 would be best! One of these engined cars will give you a smoother journey in town with less wheelspinning out of junctions in the wet! They also last foreve! The cabbies use these in Octavias for a reason!

[Matthen]

Dont forget the EGR valve can/will clog - the dpf isn't the only thing that objects to short journeys. Get her to try a twin air or eco boost.. just forget to tell her it was petrol until after the test drive.

[Emeye]

FamilyDub said:

Emeye said:

I know a petrol may be a better option

Said it yourself. Small, simple petrol would be my choice.

We have a 1.6 petrol Zafira and it's depressing to drive. Under-powered around town and noisy on a motorway journey.

[V88Dicky]

Emeye said:

We have a 1.6 petrol Zafira and it's depressing to drive. Under-powered around town and noisy on a motorway journey.

Of course it's depressing to drive, it's a fking people carrier. An underpowered one at that.

Tell your missus to STFU and get a peppy little petrol. Just think of the advantages; cheaper to fill-up, car warms up quickly, in all probability cheaper to run overall, no gloves or stinky pump handles when refuelling, no comedy smoke screens when accelerating, no waking the neighbours, no scaring cattle (they hear a diesel and think the farmer's coming to take them to the abbatoir)

Ps, what's the budget?

[dowahdiddyman]

Sit her down and show her how much it will cost HER to fill up the car with petrol, then the same with diesel and how much more it will cost HER to run over 12 months.
Do you need it to carry you and the other half or do you need it to carry kids,dogs,kitchen sink etc.

[D1bram]

Why on earth would anyone choose a diesel if they didn't have to do high mileages?

That said, I know several people who do circa 5k per annum and drive a diesel because it's 'saving them loads on fuel'.

[cuprabob]

D1bram said:

Why on earth would anyone choose a diesel if they didn't have to do high mileages?

That said, I know several people who do circa 5k per annum and drive a diesel because it's 'saving them loads on fuel'.

There are also people out there who pay a few thousand extra for the eco version (eg. bluemotion) so they don't need to pay £30 VED every year :-)