Is diesel really more economical............

[cpt slow]

Looking at the prices on diesel compared to petrol is it really more beneficial on the pocket to run a derv . Prices here are 83p for unleaded while diesel is 97p .

Ok the petrol models such as the 1.8 wont exactly win any land speed records , but given the price between the two fuels , is diesel really that more economical .

I have heard read a few peoples problems with the CDTi compared to the petrol models , just wondered what peoples thoughts are on this ?

[parapaul]

Obviously depends on engine size etc - a 1.3D is going to be cheaper than a 2.8TV6 petrol, but for comparable engine sizes or power, you need to do more than about 30k miles a year to see any real gain.

Couple that with the fact that the 2.0T and the 2.8T are both chain driven and so won't need 4 yearly cambelt changes, running costs are cheaper too.

[mark_w]

i prefer petrol because, as can be seen, diesel is so much more expensive that you're going to have to put the miles in to see real benefit. that, and the fact i can't abide the noise and feel of a diesel engine, and no matter careful i try to be, every fuel fill up makes my hands stink for the rest of the day.

[sb1uk]

Well on a comparison. I have had 2 omega petrols which only done 250 miles on tank around town . I have a 2.2 dti omega that does 500mils around town. speakes for itself.

I f i had a 3.2 V6 vectra running around town you weill be lucky to get 22mpg . My vectra V6 CDTI does 30mpg.

This is why I buy diesel cars.

If you buy a diesel car with low emisions like Corso 1.3 cdti yearly tax is £35 . If you buy a 1.2 petrol its £120. Save mony there as well .

[moorlander]

also, are dervs still £500 or so more expensive than petrol cars ? (£500 is a lot of unleaded!) I think the magic milage is around 20K a year for the derv to come into its own on running costs ?

[moorlander]

If you buy a diesel car with low emisions like Corso 1.3 cdti yearly tax is £35 . If you buy a 1.2 petrol its £120. Save mony there as well .

yes, have to admit thats good!

[signum_1.9]

I do around 14k a year, and do long motorway journeys to Essex and back maye 5 or 6 times a year. To get there an just over 1/3 tank of Diesel is great.
My last petrol car had to be filled up before we arrived, whilst we were there and before we left to come home again.
Now, I can get there, drive around for a week and throw "20 in to get back home again.
Diesel gets my vote!

[big rich]

in my old 2.0l petrol astra round town 50 miles for £10.00...if i was lucky
in my 1.9 cdti 68+ round town for £10.00

[signum_1.9]

only 68 miles? Heavy foot!!!

[Ste]

At the end of the it is a full ownership cost analysis that is required, looking at initial purchase, running costs (mpg and price of fuel) servicing costs and maintenance and also residual costs.

I have a spreadsheet that costs all these, given good estimates, and I have discovered that the biggest driver for deciding is initial purchase price. That is why I purchased the 1.8 when i last changed - the numbers came in for that engine, even though I slightly underestimated the mpg for the petrol - so I am actually gaining even more