Discussion
Should I be worried about DPF issues?
I'm looking to get my other half a run around car and she's narrowed it down to either a 3 Series Touring (E90) or a circa 2012 XF Sportbrake. (Having read up a bit, it seems the Jaguars suffer less DPF issues?)
Driving will be in numerous chunks of approximately 10-mile bursts throughout the week, with other tiny trips of 2 to 5 miles scattered about too. She does a fair few miles but the car will rarely, if ever, do more than 10 miles at once.
DPF implosion?
Close coupled DPFs tend to have fewer issues than those tacked halfway along the exhaust as an afterthought but yes, petrol/hybrid a much better choice.
I ditched diesel back in 2011 because of the increasing complexity/cost of emission control systems. Not too happy with GDI petrol either for not too dissimilar reasons.
Wish I could afford/justify an equivalent EV.
I ditched diesel back in 2011 because of the increasing complexity/cost of emission control systems. Not too happy with GDI petrol either for not too dissimilar reasons.
Wish I could afford/justify an equivalent EV.
Petrol versus diesel vague beermat maths looks like this:
Circa 15,000 miles @ (for example) 55mpg in a diesel (at average diesel price) = 1559
Circa 15,000 miles @ (for example) 35mpg in a petrol (at average petrol price) = 2404
EV isn't an option - firstly she doesn't want one and secondly, the backwaters of Cornwall have only had running water for a few years, EV charging points are expected around 2050...
I would prefer petrol because the Cooper S she currently has is absolutely hilarious to scoot about in. I was hoping to convince her to get another.
Circa 15,000 miles @ (for example) 55mpg in a diesel (at average diesel price) = 1559
Circa 15,000 miles @ (for example) 35mpg in a petrol (at average petrol price) = 2404
EV isn't an option - firstly she doesn't want one and secondly, the backwaters of Cornwall have only had running water for a few years, EV charging points are expected around 2050...
I would prefer petrol because the Cooper S she currently has is absolutely hilarious to scoot about in. I was hoping to convince her to get another.
For those miles and diesel wont be warmed up.
I do a 5 mile trip to shops in my VAG TDI and its just about 70c by time I get there.
Many have active regeneration so a monthly trip of 50-60 miles on a regular basis will help.
Generally DPF worries are give more credence than needed, but for your mileage and use case I would go a different route. The economy on a diesel will be wiped out by the engine being too cold to operate efficiently.
I do a 5 mile trip to shops in my VAG TDI and its just about 70c by time I get there.
Many have active regeneration so a monthly trip of 50-60 miles on a regular basis will help.
Generally DPF worries are give more credence than needed, but for your mileage and use case I would go a different route. The economy on a diesel will be wiped out by the engine being too cold to operate efficiently.
Sterillium said:
Petrol versus diesel vague beermat maths looks like this:
Circa 15,000 miles @ (for example) 55mpg in a diesel (at average diesel price) = 1559
Circa 15,000 miles @ (for example) 35mpg in a petrol (at average petrol price) = 2404
EV isn't an option - firstly she doesn't want one and secondly, the backwaters of Cornwall have only had running water for a few years, EV charging points are expected around 2050...
I would prefer petrol because the Cooper S she currently has is absolutely hilarious to scoot about in. I was hoping to convince her to get another.
And factor in the repair/replacement costs if the DPR blocks.Circa 15,000 miles @ (for example) 55mpg in a diesel (at average diesel price) = 1559
Circa 15,000 miles @ (for example) 35mpg in a petrol (at average petrol price) = 2404
EV isn't an option - firstly she doesn't want one and secondly, the backwaters of Cornwall have only had running water for a few years, EV charging points are expected around 2050...
I would prefer petrol because the Cooper S she currently has is absolutely hilarious to scoot about in. I was hoping to convince her to get another.
Petrol is best for the use you are suggesting.
I think DPF issues are overplayed. Decent DERV and a long trip now and again will resolve DPF issues. The financial issue is questionable. I don’t do the miles to ‘financially justify’ a diesel, but I love the torque delivery (I am sure an EV will be best for me too - when the market has matured and developed sufficiently).
The question for OP is do you need a small car for narrow lanes and access issues? In which case a small turbo petrol (they are all mostly turbo now) would be fine.
The question for OP is do you need a small car for narrow lanes and access issues? In which case a small turbo petrol (they are all mostly turbo now) would be fine.
Sterillium said:
Monkeylegend said:
If you want to frighten yourself research oil dilution issues with the Jag engines.
My daily drive is an XKR, I am permanently frightened... 
Petrol it is!charltjr said:
Very much doubt you'll get close to 55mpg out of any diesel with that use case, the engine will never get up to an efficient working temperature. Oddly, in this case petrol being the less thermally efficient fuel actually helps it.
A friend has a MB GLA 220D. Her driving pattern is similar to the OP's request. She doesn't know how to use the trip computer so has never touched it. I checked the trip comp and she manages 37mpg compared to the spec which is something like 55mpg.I borrow her car to do long trips which helps the DPF to regenerate but that's only a couple times a year so she still has to take the car out for some long drives now and then.
As said above, you wont be getting anywhere near 55mpg on short trips.
Combined with the possible DPF issues (unlikely but possible), I would be going petrol.
Our Cooper S 2018 plate did 30-35mpg on short journeys and my Wife's dad 320D 2015 does about the same, there is very little it. Diesels are really only worth the MPG increase if doing decent length journeys so 20+ miles.
I do 25 miles each way which is 90% motorway and get 45mpg in the 430D, would be nearer 55mpg in the 420D I would imagine but round town its no better than the Cooper S was
Combined with the possible DPF issues (unlikely but possible), I would be going petrol.
Our Cooper S 2018 plate did 30-35mpg on short journeys and my Wife's dad 320D 2015 does about the same, there is very little it. Diesels are really only worth the MPG increase if doing decent length journeys so 20+ miles.
I do 25 miles each way which is 90% motorway and get 45mpg in the 430D, would be nearer 55mpg in the 420D I would imagine but round town its no better than the Cooper S was
I've got diesels and whilst the DPF issue is now unlikely to give you grief you won't get decent fuel economy - i'd estimate 32-35 on those trips somewhere hilly like Cornwall.
I've got the 3.0 V6 in a Discovery and my long term average is 29.5. This consists of short trips and bi weekly longer trips. Read about the crankshaft issue if considering the engine. Some are fine some are not and there is nothing you can do to prevent it. £6k+ for a reputable rebuild or £8-10k for a replacement engine. Put some dosh aside if buying one would be my recommendation.
I've got the 3.0 V6 in a Discovery and my long term average is 29.5. This consists of short trips and bi weekly longer trips. Read about the crankshaft issue if considering the engine. Some are fine some are not and there is nothing you can do to prevent it. £6k+ for a reputable rebuild or £8-10k for a replacement engine. Put some dosh aside if buying one would be my recommendation.
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