"I don't do enough miles to justify buying a diesel"
Discussion
Excuse my ignorance on things, but why do folk say this? I'm looking to change my aging Golf with something a bit more grown up. With the pump cost of diesel coming down to not much more than petrol these days I'm thinking the replacement might end up being something like a PD engined A4 estate or similar, but then I keep on hearing people say the above. My daily commute is going to be barely anything (5 miles each way) but after having lived with a rather expensive to run Mercedes previously it'd be nice to have something which doesn't drink like a fish on longer drives. That said I don't want to end up buying something that doesn't suit my needs.
So why do people often advise against a diesel if you're not doing high miles? In my layman's understanding of things, 2x cars next to each other; same spec, age, miles and price I'd go for the oil burner if low running costs are high on the list. Can someone set me straight?
So why do people often advise against a diesel if you're not doing high miles? In my layman's understanding of things, 2x cars next to each other; same spec, age, miles and price I'd go for the oil burner if low running costs are high on the list. Can someone set me straight?
Aye - all this talk of DPFs is why I'm thinking if I go diesel it'd be an old PD engined Audi (pre DPF). I wouldn't touch a modern diesel with a barge pole. Too many horror stories about blocked injectors, dual mass flywheels, particulate filters.
So take it for a run every now and then and give it a good boot to clear the crap out and it should stay good, but don't expect mega-economy on town runs?
So take it for a run every now and then and give it a good boot to clear the crap out and it should stay good, but don't expect mega-economy on town runs?
Efbe said:
rockandrollmark said:
Aye - all this talk of DPFs is why I'm thinking if I go diesel it'd be an old PD engined Audi (pre DPF). I wouldn't touch a modern diesel with a barge pole. Too many horror stories about blocked injectors, dual mass flywheels, particulate filters.
So take it for a run every now and then and give it a good boot to clear the crap out and it should stay good, but don't expect mega-economy on town runs?
as is particularly tyical on PH.So take it for a run every now and then and give it a good boot to clear the crap out and it should stay good, but don't expect mega-economy on town runs?
I assume you are ignoring 90% of the advice on here, and only reading what you want to read.
quite simply at 5 miles per commute; diesel is pointless.
no point explaning why as many others have already
Whats coming out here is that I'd be unrealistic to expect 60mpg on a short run (I figured that would be the case) and if I get a modern-witchcraft diesel I should expect the potential of a big bill.
Some good advice on here, thank you chaps. I know some of you will think that my response here is a case of selective reading but it's useful to be able to unpick internet myths vs real life experiences. What's been posted here kinda affirms my understanding that the only downside of running a derv as a daily for my commute will (as long as the car stretches it's legs every now and then, which it will) be the less than book economy and higher potential for bills given the more complicated tech, but steering away from snazzy modern diesels with super low emissions should reduce this risk somewhat.
With regard to the driver engagement, at the moment that's long way down my list. Whilst I'm ploughing 1/2 my earnings into house saving that's a long way down my list. Once the new house, and subsequent reduced mortgage repayments have been achieved, I can re-asses life priorities and put something with multiple cylinders at >3000cc displacement on the driveway.
With regard to the driver engagement, at the moment that's long way down my list. Whilst I'm ploughing 1/2 my earnings into house saving that's a long way down my list. Once the new house, and subsequent reduced mortgage repayments have been achieved, I can re-asses life priorities and put something with multiple cylinders at >3000cc displacement on the driveway.
J4CKO said:
For 5 miles, it shouldn't be petrol vs diesel, should be a bike when the weather isn't horrendous and something petrol that does 18 mpg the rest of the time or you fancy a change from cycling.
In theory yes, a lovely idea, and I acknowledge how I must be coming across as a lard arse for not just hopping on the bike for a 5 mile commute, but the occasional need to get out and see clients means the need to have a car in the car park for when the pool car's being used.I'm still not totally sold on a diesel, hence asking the question. If after running the numbers something like a 320i comes out cheaper that would be the preferred option in all honesty, as I know where I stand with a simple 4 pot petrol.
ETA: Just curious as to where all this talk of having to do big miles to justify a diesel comes from. I didn't know about the heater thing, so that alone has been something I've learnt. It's worth noting though that I live in Milton Keynes, so 2/3rds of my 5 mile commute will be quarter mile blasts of 50 / 60mph, braking, then back up to speed again.
Edited by rockandrollmark on Monday 27th October 18:02
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