Diesel vs Petrol

sebdangerfield

We were arguing over performance and the fact many people still wrongly think many equivalent diesel engines offer more nowadays like they're magically creating some power that wasn't there to start with. The 'under the right circumstances diesels are fine' bit has been done and I agree. I just disagree that diesels are a viable performence option.

newfoundglory

Can someone answer something for me... for those of you who have diesels.... Can you drive the car using the clutch pedal without using any gas?

I used to drive a corsa, and loved the fact it was possible to move the car in traffic with just the clutch but I think it might have been a bit corsa specific. Cars i've driven since just stall without any gas applied.

Someone suggested I try a diesel.... any thoughts?

casper_g

My '03 diesel Astra can certainly be persuaded to move off from rest with just the clutch. Out of idle curiosity, I once got it up to about 20mph and into 2nd gear without touching the accelerator, but then I ran out of car park!

paulrn_2

The answer to the bickering is simple I have a diesel for long haul work and a performance car for weekends and a convertable for the summer. simples

sebdangerfield

Fair point.

You can't come onto a car enthusiasts part of the site and say you've got a performance car but not say what it is! :j

But remember, we'll slag it off if it's rubbish and also if it's better than ours! I learnt the hard way!

stphnstevey

This article is quite interesting:
http://www.petrolprices.com/why-diesel-costs-more-than-petrol.html

I am considering a new car and there is only £1k difference between the petrol and diesel. I would keep the car for 6yrs and was wondering if the extra £1k would pay itself back in saved fuel costs?

I do about 15K miles a year in the first 3yrs and then give the car to my wife who does about 8K a yr for the further 3yrs

sebdangerfield

You seem to have all the figures. Just remember to include other differences like insurance, tax and servicing when you do the sums.

ahillsy

Very difficult to give a definitive answer - it does depend on a lot of variables:

- MPG of the petrol v diesel
- cost of fuel
- service interval of both
- typical service costs of both
- road tax
- insurance
- resale values

I did the maths recently and worked out for the 2 options I was looking at, doing 8K a year with a £1K difference in costs between the diesel and petrol versions, I would be saving money within 3 years. Personally, I'd be surprised if you weren't a fair bit better off with the diesel if you're keeping it for 6 years.

missile

stphnstevey wrote: »

This article is quite interesting:
http://www.petrolprices.com/why-diesel-costs-more-than-petrol.html

I am considering a new car and there is only £1k difference between the petrol and diesel. I would keep the car for 6yrs and was wondering if the extra £1k would pay itself back in saved fuel costs?

I do about 15K miles a year in the first 3yrs and then give the car to my wife who does about 8K a yr for the further 3yrs

84.5p / litre = that must be a very old website. The prices of petrol and diesel at most garages are much closer now. At 15,000 miles per year diesel would probably save you money over three years. However it depends on what you buy. Not all diesels are as ecconomical as you might think :eek:> http://www.carpages.co.uk/guide/volkswagen/volkswagen-touareg-2.5-tdi-se-fuel-consumption.asp

Shifty22

Diesels are good for those who cover alot of mileage but petrol motors are generally more fun to drive, cheaper to maintain and easier to tune if you choose to. Admittedly tho some of the new diesel motors on the market are very good with high bhp and loads of torque.

There are different benefits to either fuel but it has to be based on your own personal circumstances.

Due to driving a diesel most of the week it has left me enough money to buy a weekend toy aswell.