To diesel, or not to diesel...

[IRD05]

I'm sure this has already been done to near death before as no one has a clue what's really going on with diesels at the mo, but after some opinions and advice...

Looking to buy a BMW 1 series, M Sport in the next couple of months so have started shopping around. Have looked at petrols and diesels, but can't decide which is the best bet.

Have been leaning towards petrol for obvious reasons, however diesel prices are so much lower now that they are starting to grab my attention a little. For example i've seen petrol, 15 reg cars for over 15k, but diesel 66 reg cars for 13.5k - same spec, just different fuel.

Factor in the added MPG of a diesel, the fact the car will do motorway miles daily so the DPF issue shouldn't matter so much, and that I will be buying on PCP with guaranteed future value at the end of the three year term, the diesel is a very appealing prospect! I don't live in a major city so the new regs don't matter so much to me and of course the car would be EURO 6 anyway.

What would you all do? Play safe and go petrol, or be a bit risky but potentially reap the financial rewards of the diesel?

Opinions and advice would be lovely!

Thanks

[a4cabrio]

I currently have an 18 month old GTD, if I was buying again I'd have gone for the GTi, I can't help but feel the talk that's been said about diesels are going to hit residuals which in turn I think may then see petrol cars hold value better, just my opinion.

[mr_spock]

With PCP you've covered the depreciation issue. With your motorway miles, and given that Euro6 diesels should be immune from punitive taxation in the term of your PCP deal, I'd go diesel. Petrol prices will be high for a while too until the US comes back on stream after the recent hurricanes.

[Integroo]

If you do go diesel the only thing to keep in mind that if residuals are hit, you might get to the end with no equity (though that might happen anyway) and you won't have anything to roll into a deposit on your next PCP.

[ZX10R NIN]

Go for the diesel as it seems it suits your needs so get the car that suits you.

[IRD05]

Thanks for all the replies so far, nice to get some thoughts on the subject - especially, as like I said, no one can really knows what's best at the moment. Suppose we have to go with whatever we think suits our needs!

I just can't get the difference in purchase price out of my head, it's a big jump between petrol and diesel at the moment! Suppose there's always a risk with PCP and not having an equity at the end of term - especially when the government seen hell bent on hitting drivers hard.

Will keep an eye on the situation, but I don't feel so bad considering the diesel now

[ZX10R NIN]

But they're hell bent on hitting all drivers petrol or diesel, so if your usage suits a diesel then get one

[Jag_NE]

absolutely the diesel especially as its pcp. i think it will be years before euro6 diesels are clobbered, if ever.

[Yipper]

The diesel era is over. So, only buy diesel if you can guarantee the costs and future resale value and the numbers all stack up in its favour. And keep in mind that diesel taxes will grow higher in the next 2 to 5 years.

[ZX10R NIN]

They won't because new diesels are Euro6 so there won't be a problem, OP if the car you buy is a Euro6 petrol or diesel then you will have no problems with resale.

Just so you know Yipper the way the system will work is that they will encourage (air quality tax) you out of your euro4 petrol/diesel & then they'll start on the euro5, which is why I'm having to sell my CLK55 AMG because the Mayor is planing on charging me if I use the South/North circular, so as you can see they're attacking all cars not just 1 form of vehicle.

[IRD05]

ZX10R NIN said:

They won't because new diesels are Euro6 so there won't be a problem, OP if the car you buy is a Euro6 petrol or diesel then you will have no problems with resale.

Just so you know Yipper the way the system will work is that they will encourage (air quality tax) you out of your euro4 petrol/diesel & then they'll start on the euro5, which is why I'm having to sell my CLK55 AMG because the Mayor is planing on charging me if I use the South/North circular, so as you can see they're attacking all cars not just 1 form of vehicle.

Thanks for advice ZX, very helpful! On the basis of them going after EURO4, then 5, should we anticipate action for EURO6 sometime soon too? Would be a typical gov move to promote the idea of EURO6, then hit everyone that buys one!

Sorry to hear about your CLK55, would find it hard to say bye to that!

[ZX10R NIN]

No Euro5 will be a quite a while away from being penalised & Euro6 will be fine for a long while yet, yea not happy about the 55 but it'll be going to a good home I'm looking for a 2006>CLK 500 to replace it with but they're hard to find.

[Pica-Pica]

Jag_NE said:

absolutely the diesel especially as its pcp. i think it will be years before euro6 diesels are clobbered, if ever.

I believe the same. For now Euro 6 diesels and Euro 5 petrols are OK (not much difference between Euro 5&6 petrol).
I just sunk my own money into a 335d, on the basis that I keep cars for 10plus years. I also bought that car, because it will probably be my last big car. That was my personal circumstances.