Whats best for short journeys, petrol or diesel?

longwalks1

As above, am looking to spend up to £8,000 on a car to do the 6 mile commute to work and back each day (12 mile round trip). Not too fussed about fuel economy, and want either a BMW, Mercedes or Audi saloon ideally.
What would be better, petrol or diesel? It will mostly do short work trips with a few longer trips a month (40-60 miles)

I realise will be getting a car up to 8 or 9 years old for that money, just wondered what engine would be more suited to our use

[Deleted User]

Pushbike






Petrol.

worried_jim

Big V8 petrol and a big smile. Enjoy.

uknick

+1 for petrol

forgotmyname

Both. Previous car was petrol 23 - 25mpg around town, but it warmed up quickly.
Current car diesel 38- 42 around town takes longer to warm up but over 10mpg extra.

TELLIT01

Given the current potential for massive tax hikes to drive diesels off the road I would avoid them. Petrol is generally considered better for short journeys anyway.

macman

On a 6 mile commute the engine will never get hot enough to force the DPF to regenerate. Result will soon be a clogged DPF and a very large bill.
Since you are low mileage, (3-4000 a year?), and say you don't care about fuel cost anyway, I can't imagine why you would begin to consider diesel, especially one that is 8/9 years old. Many turbodiesels of that age develop serious issues.

ElefantEd

Electric.

(and another 4 letters)

iolanthe07

For the sort of use you're anticipating, definitely petrol, imho.

thescouselander

macman wrote: »

On a 6 mile commute the engine will never get hot enough to force the DPF to regenerate. Result will soon be a clogged DPF and a very large bill.
Since you are low mileage, (3-4000 a year?), and say you don't care about fuel cost anyway, I can't imagine why you would begin to consider diesel, especially one that is 8/9 years old. Many turbodiesels of that age develop serious issues.

Not entirely true. My diesel car can go straight into regen about a mile or so after a cold start. I've never had any problems anyway.

palgrave

Life is too short with such low mileage get a proper petrol engine with grunt.