Petrol or diesel? Help please!

davetrousers

Remember to account for servicing and maintenance costs. I might be wrong but I think Diesels generally cost more to service.

GentleGiant_2

That depends where you go - you can now get your car serviced anywhere your warranty will not be void if you do.

I have not had any high bills on servicing a diesel.

Woby_Tide

we switched from a 1.6 petrol to a 1.6 diesel over the summer, same drivers, same distances covered with both pretty much, currently our 'fuel account' averages £50 left over each month, The £1k premium I estimate we paid for the car will be recouped in less than 2 years on current prices assuming the unleaded/diesel prices keep in check. Manufacturers figures on the diesel are mid 50's we get mid 40's as mostly town driving, on teh petrol manufacturers figures were mid 40s but got about 30mph. So I'm glad we switched.

The engine is also more powerful with better acceleration and speed, to the average user I don't think petrol v diesel should make that much difference to sway a sale

Garetha

I have a diesel - Nissan Tino 2.2
Bought is 2nd hand - 6 months old 2.5 yrs ago
Fuel 45 - 50 mpg (or better if I drive with lighter foot)
Servicing only £20 or £30 more a year.
Noise - yes when cold for a few minutes - otherwise same a petrol.
Performance is better than my last 1.8 petrol - tows the caravan easily

Diesel appears to offer all I need

Sadly petrol v diesel tends to polarise people. My experience with diesel is good - but I wouldn't ignore a good deal on a petrol car.

RabbitMad

I'd go diesel personally.

The numbers are very close but I think that once you take into account prospective resale value the diesel wins the day.

mikewebs

Could I suggest you think seriously about getting a Renault? YOu could be in for a very expensive time because they are not the most reliable cars (I know from personal experience - TWICE :mad: )

journ

I'm looking for a new car and I'm thinking of getting a Diesel
My son has just got a Diesel and he said its much better

dollarjon

The renault 1.9 and 1.5 DCI engines are well know for a magnitude of problems from injectors and turbos going to gearboxes completely exploding. The megane suffers from quite a few common faults i would say buyer beware.

inmypocketnottheirs

Diesel, no question. Been driving diesels since 1986. They were pretty awful then, but now any like for like comparison, the diesel drives better than the petrol equivalent.

Servicing costs are pretty much the same, in fact a diesel generally requires less servicing. Always more sought after at resale, resulting in a higher residual value.

Whatever vehicle you decide upon, drive both a petrol and a diesel. I think you will be pleasantly surprised!

Another thing to consider when buying a diesel, is that the running costs come out of your monthly budget. Thus spending a few hundred quid extra at the time of purchase can reflect in the lower running costs. Even more appropriate if you are financing the vehicle. A pal of mine reckons he will save between £70-90 a month at the fuel pump as the result of buying a diesel.

pamperedprincess

I have a Renault Megane 1.5D extreme. It is now 3 years old and I have never had any problems with it. I recently had the 18000 mile service done at a cost of £99 and this was by a Renault dealer/service centre. Road tax is £35 per year and while this is not a huge saving it is a lot less painfull when it is due for renewal! My dad and sister both drive Meganes and neither have had any problems (dad has petrol, sister has diesel).
Hope this helps.