Swapping to a TDI from a Type-R?

[Conor12321]

Evening all.

I have an FN2 Civic Type R, and as of late have been driving further distances. On a Wednesday I drive to college which is about a 62 mile round-trip, and on a weekend I do a 70 mile round trip to visit a significant other. Although last Saturday I drove 150 miles as we were visiting a few places, all motorway or nicely flowing country roads.

From the 150 mile day trip, the civic used half a tank of super unleaded, considering I was cruising at 60 for the majority, I averaged around 32mpg supposedly.

Although I don’t do many miles annually, ( I walk to work during the week) would I benefit from having a diesel such as an octavia vrs mk2 or seat leon fr, where I could possibly see 500 miles to a tank? I would miss the civic but in the hopes that a relatively boring old coal roller might refrain me from driving like a lunatic if I get the urge.

Petrol price was around 126.9ppl and diesel would be 122.6 (Costco Prices), and insurance prices are similar across this band as being 22 certain cars are well out of reach insurance-wise. Any advice welcome, hope you’re all close to getting sorted for Christmas!

[996TT02]

Different propositions, very personal choice, but don't forget to factor in depreciation if it's all about the money. Personally I would go shed-money if I wanted a diesel and would make sure that it was a reliable one as any repairs would very easily eclipse fuel savings.

[Weekendrebuild]

The only diesel I’ve owned an liked in a car is the 535d great car an reasonable on insurance your type r should do better than that on 150 miles how bigs your fuel tank ?

[Krikkit]

I wouldn't go to diesel - I had the same thoughts about money-saving, and even a 6-cylinder diesel wasn't enough.

Why are you filling an FN2 with super unleaded rather than regular?

[Conor12321]

996TT02 said:

Different propositions, very personal choice, but don't forget to factor in depreciation if it's all about the money. Personally I would go shed-money if I wanted a diesel and would make sure that it was a reliable one as any repairs would very easily eclipse fuel savings.

I should add that I’m an apprentice mechanic (late starter) and have access to parts at cost price which is a massive help in terms of the reliability department. I can sell my car for roughly 4.2k at a push, Leon I believe was 4850 with room for bargaining, I don’t expect my civic to fetch much as it’s surpassed the 100k mileage mark, although mechanically perfect it scares the normies.

[Conor12321]

Weekendrebuild said:

The only diesel I’ve owned an liked in a car is the 535d great car an reasonable on insurance your type r should do better than that on 150 miles how bigs your fuel tank ?

I must admit a 335d was on the cards, 5 series may be a tad too big for myself. How is it if you get stuck in slow moving traffic? Always a possibility for me having to traverse the M27.

Fuel tank is 55 litres, would be 300 miles to red light approx but that’s very granny-like driving, I often used to empty out at 200 - 220 miles but unfortunately not viable to do often now!

The 150 miles was in horrible weather with strong wind blowing right at me which didn’t help, but today after a relatively good drive to college my average is now 35mpg, and no matter what it will not go any higher, this was with 50mph average checks all the way along on cruise control.

Edited by Conor12321 on Wednesday 18th December 17:29

[Conor12321]

Krikkit said:

I wouldn't go to diesel - I had the same thoughts about money-saving, and even a 6-cylinder diesel wasn't enough.

Why are you filling an FN2 with super unleaded rather than regular?

Is that in terms that you were always missing the petrol performance or that the savings weren’t enough to justify?

I only use it as it’s about 3-4p more expensive at the Costco station, and I do find it actually removed a niggling flat-spot my car had around 2.5k revs, most likely a placebo effect but I noticed it enough to justify a couple extra pennies at the time. Will be trying regular to see if there’s a reverse effect though!

[Slow]

Dont overthink the size of a 5 series. You will get used to the size really quick and will wonder why you ever farted around with hatches.


Infact most of my cars are barges. Im 25 and bargewise had Merc S430, Bmw 520d, Bmw 730i, Bmw 745i, 3x Range Rover compared to 3 hatchbacks in total since passing at 17.

[Conor12321]

Slow said:

Dont overthink the size of a 5 series. You will get used to the size really quick and will wonder why you ever farted around with hatches.


Infact most of my cars are barges. Im 25 and bargewise had Merc S430, Bmw 520d, Bmw 730i, Bmw 745i, 3x Range Rover compared to 3 hatchbacks in total since passing at 17.

That is a fair point, most cars I drive at work are larger saloons which I do enjoy driving but have never owned anything but a hatch.

I will never go smaller than the civic now, so your post is most definitely food for thought!

[Craig W]

Keep the civic and get a 300 quid mot failure and fix it or get a 700 quid diesel for long trips?

[dirty doug]

I made the very same swap from the above to the blue VW Jetta 2.0TDi in the background.

Loved the Honda but a 75 mile round trip commute meant filling up about 5 times in 2 weeks - iirc I used to get about 31mpg
I had the Flashpro Group N map on which meant v-tec kicked in about 4500rpm i.e. about 75mph.
This meant oil consumption went up a fair bit as well.

The Jetta was, well a bit 'beige' but struggled to get under 50mpg and if drifting hgv's is your thing 80mpg is possible.
Was pretty reliable as well.

Would have the Honda back in a heartbeat though...

[Conor12321]

Craig W said:

Keep the civic and get a 300 quid mot failure and fix it or get a 700 quid diesel for long trips?

MOT repairs are not a problem due to working at the garage, and also all parts I get are trade/cost price and fitted by myself with all equipment required. The only thing really concerning me is that the attendant at the fuel station has learned my name, and the possibility that the long journeys may become more regular with time.

[Conor12321]

dirty doug said:

I made the very same swap from the above to the blue VW Jetta 2.0TDi in the background.

Loved the Honda but a 75 mile round trip commute meant filling up about 5 times in 2 weeks - iirc I used to get about 31mpg
I had the Flashpro Group N map on which meant v-tec kicked in about 4500rpm i.e. about 75mph.
This meant oil consumption went up a fair bit as well.

The Jetta was, well a bit 'beige' but struggled to get under 50mpg and if drifting hgv's is your thing 80mpg is possible.
Was pretty reliable as well.

Would have the Honda back in a heartbeat though...

I think this is the exact sort of situation I’m in, I know for a fact I’m going to miss this car it’s been a right experience and I’ve loved every second.

I don’t do much mileage annually, but for the 2-3 time’s a week I do drive it’s never less than 60 miles for that given day, and there’s always the chance the trips will become more regular given time. Also considering the 150 mile round-trip I did the other day means filling up every other time I go on it, the amounts do add up slowly.

Where I can get diesel for about the same price as petrol, it has me thinking how much I could possibly save over 3 years, not to mention tax and I won’t have as much temptation to go on a screaming drive for no reason!

[Butter Face]

I parked up my EP3 last winter and drive a 407 for 4 months.

I hated it, not doing it this year!

[Glasgowrob]

as above get a nice 535d with some fettling 350bhp and 500 lbs/ft of torque with mucn more comfort and the ability to slap your civic silly in the performance stakes, Yes it wont be as fun to rev the nuts off ot if, but when you can happily pull 50mpg with effort and have that level of performance on tap you will get it


early ones are still sharp looking in Msport guise and did i mention the performance


like most high power twin turbo diesels at the bottom end of the market they do have the abiliity to throw up rather large bills but trade parts and your own tools you'll be fine

alternatives would be a nice Jag XF 3.0d or a nice merc 350 diesel just dont get a rattly 4 pot

[Conor12321]

Butter Face said:

I parked up my EP3 last winter and drive a 407 for 4 months.

I hated it, not doing it this year!

The thought does make me feel physically sick! But with my mileage creeping up consistently and attempting to save for a house it’s looking like a possibility now, it’s a sad day in this household

[Conor12321]

Glasgowrob said:

as above get a nice 535d with some fettling 350bhp and 500 lbs/ft of torque with mucn more comfort and the ability to slap your civic silly in the performance stakes, Yes it wont be as fun to rev the nuts off ot if, but when you can happily pull 50mpg with effort and have that level of performance on tap you will get it


early ones are still sharp looking in Msport guise and did i mention the performance


like most high power twin turbo diesels at the bottom end of the market they do have the abiliity to throw up rather large bills but trade parts and your own tools you'll be fine

alternatives would be a nice Jag XF 3.0d or a nice merc 350 diesel just dont get a rattly 4 pot

I must say I’ve seen a cheapish 535 msport touring, and I have a huge soft spot for the BMW estates... I was worried about not being able to see good mpg with that sort of power but the forums seem that if you do actually try it is possible to make a saving. As you said I’m happy with having to fiddle with a few things to get it right, so it looks like this is a very strong possibility! And I love the 6cyl refinement compared to the tractor rumble of a 4.

Thank you for the input!

[ZX10R NIN]

I'd say go for a 6 pot diesel:

530d M Sport the 535d is obviously faster but you can pick up a good one for a fair price.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

535d

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

CLK320CDI Sport

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

CLS350

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

[largespiced]

Conor12321 said:

I should add that I’m an apprentice mechanic (late starter) and have access to parts at cost price which is a massive help in terms of the reliability department. I can sell my car for roughly 4.2k at a push, Leon I believe was 4850 with room for bargaining, I don’t expect my civic to fetch much as it’s surpassed the 100k mileage mark, although mechanically perfect it scares the normies.

I am after a Type R. If you are selling please let me know. I have tried emailing but it won't allow me :s

[samoht]

Conor12321 said:

Where I can get diesel for about the same price as petrol, it has me thinking how much I could possibly save over 3 years, not to mention tax and I won’t have as much temptation to go on a screaming drive for no reason!

For the two weekly trips you mention, 6,864 miles a year, I make it £639 a year doing 30mpg on petrol, and £370 a year doing 50mpg on diesel, for a total annual saving of £268.

I would expect a diesel Leon to be less reliable than a petrol Honda and to depreciate more heavily.

(it's a normal car that will depreciate to zero, the Honda is a performance car that'll likely always be worth something).

Therefore I would predict that in the long run you'll end up worse off, not better, with the proposed swap.


Now, if you are feeling bored of the Honda and want a diesel for longish trips, then go for it, but I can't see you coming out ahead financially.

If you want a diesel you could also consider seeking out something like a 306 diesel - look like they go for under a grand, really good chassis and pretty comfortable and economical, avoiding depreciation and modern diesel pitfalls like DPF and DMF. That could actually end up being a money-saver I reckon.

Alternatively forget saving money and just go for a different type of performance car with a 330d or similar :-)