New car, petrol or diesel?

henrygregory

Hi there, I bought a diesel car just over three years ago for commuting to my job in London each week. I do around 95 miles per day. Diesel seemed the best option as I was doing a high mileage, and at the time, diesel was said to be the best for economy and the environment.

How times have changed!

I am doing similar miles now, however I am concerned that the government may impose further sanctions on diesel drivers.

When I purchased my current car, the tax was £120 per year, it is now £130. The BMW 1 Series cars I am considering (2013-2014 automatic) have £30 per year road tax for a diesel. Does anyone think this will dramatically increase in the next five years?

I still think that diesel is going to be the best option for me based on the mileage I am doing. Petrols are becoming more efficient, but diesel does still seem to be coming out on top in terms of mpg.

Any suggestions and ideas would be greatly appreciated.

Iceweasel

I do approx 25K a year and my next car will for sure be another diesel.

The government not knowing it's whatsit from it's elbow when it comes to influencing or manipulating car buying doesn't worry me one bit.

The VED is a small part of the overall cost of running a car anyway.

Nobody has paid Road Tax for some 78 years incidentally.

I like the low-down torque of a diesel and probably won't buy another petrol - ever.

Same goes for auto gear-boxes - they are faster and more economical than manuals these days.

For me it'll be another BMW 320d.

Buy at 2 years old, sell at 5 and then buy another 2 year old seems to be the magic numbers to keep the effects of depreciation to a minimum.

I used to keep cars for 10 years or so - but that is a dead loss these days - unless you are happy to drive old technology.

I spend several hours a day on the road and I want it to be a pleasant experience rather then something to be endured.

Life is too short to drive old bangers.

henrygregory

Iceweasel wrote: »

I do approx 25K a year and my next car will for sure be another diesel.

The government not knowing it's whatsit from it's elbow when it comes to influencing or manipulating car buying doesn't worry me one bit.

The VED is a small part of the overall cost of running a car anyway.

Nobody has paid Road Tax for some 78 years incidentally.

I like the low-down torque of a diesel and probably won't buy another petrol - ever.

Same goes for auto gear-boxes - they are faster and more economical than manuals these days.

For me it'll be another BMW 320d.

Buy at 2 years old, sell at 5 and then buy another 2 year old seems to be the magic numbers to keep the effects of depreciation to a minimum.

I used to keep cars for 10 years or so - but that is a dead loss these days - unless you are happy to drive old technology.

I spend several hours a day on the road and I want it to be a pleasant experience rather then something to be endured.

Life is too short to drive old bangers.

Thank you for your very useful post.
It all makes sense and I agree. Would LOVE a 320d, however working in London means parking is very tight. A 1 series would fit in easy and would allow me to get away at the end of the day easier without playing the shuffle game, whilst cars are moved out of the way so I can squeeze out.

My only concern with diesel (and something I don't have with my current one) is the dreaded DPF. They are really costly to get replaced. My current Ford, doesn't have one which is good for me, not so great for the environment. I was surprised when I called into BMW to be told that the average DPF life on their cars is 120k, as on a Ford like mine, it is 65-75k.

Shimrod

henrygregory wrote: »

My only concern with diesel (and something I don't have with my current one) is the dreaded DPF. They are really costly to get replaced. My current Ford, doesn't have one which is good for me, not so great for the environment. I was surprised when I called into BMW to be told that the average DPF life on their cars is 120k, as on a Ford like mine, it is 65-75k.

The life of the DPF will depend on the type of driving you do - you can read on the internet of people having to replace them in BMWs at 65-70K as well, if they do mostly town driving. I've just had to replace mine at 165K (at a scary cost of £1700).

I'm sure I've read somewhere that in the latest variants of the car (LCI) the DPF is now not a consumable item.

missile

I wonder if Terraclean could "clean" the DPF?


http://www.terracleanshrewsbury.co.uk/terraclean-reviews/