Petrol vs diesel

[b0redom]

Hi All,
The time has come where I have to accept the fact that I need a people carrier. 3 small kids and a dog just don't comfortably fit in an estate car. I've been looking at Galaxys, and have managed to find a suitable one, but it's the 200bhp petrol engined one. I've had diesel cars for years and years.

Is there still a massive difference in fuel consumption between petrol and diesel engines? I'm only likely to be pootling around on the school run most days (2-3 miles each way) as I work from home, with the very occasional 200-400 mile motorway trip once per month.

[kalniel]

There was never a massive difference, perhaps 10mpg on average in the real world for most people (with engine technology/quality giving almost the same differences). Motorway pounders probably a bit more, city drivers a bit less.

If doing the school run at all then I'd go straight for petrol, and for your usage petrol is definitely preferable as you're going to clog up the DPF on a diesel.

[Spud1]

I'd agree with kalniel - a petrol engine sounds much more sensible for your usage, and thats before my bias

Personally I hate diesels anyway, and the extra up front cost of the engine is usually only clawed back if you do around 15k motorway miles a year, as thats where you can see the saving. even then you are typically only talking 10mpg ish saving on equivalent HP engines (taking note that say a BMW 118d is not the same as a 118i and so are not comparable).

[DanceswithUnix]

The biggest thing I have noticed going last year from 190bhp petrol to 150bhp diesel is the tax is about 100 per year lower on the diesel.

Those motorway trips will sting you though on petrol. Around town, probably nothing in it.

[jim]

I bought a diesel, because I felt that when buying a car with well over 100,000 miles on the clock, a diesel would be in better condition, and because the saving on the road tax and fuel was significant (typically getting 58-60 mpg).

However, when it's gone wrong it's been a real pain in the neck. I don't think it's been a bad buy, but I'm sure most of the economic benefits have been negated.

[Knoxville]

Aside from all the valid points already raised (and yes I prefer a petrol engine over a diesel) I will say that diseasels seem to hold their value better in the second hand market, have done for a while now. So while you might not claw back the extra cost doing more miles to the gallon you may well get a little more back when it's time to sell on

[b0redom]

Interesting food for thought.

I'm not sold on the resale thing. I've owned the same passat estate (04 plate) for about 7 years and I'm only being offered £1200 px for it.

Interesting that the urban fuel consumption is much of a muchness. I think I'll just go for it. The extra 40 bhp will probably make me smile every time I drive it anyway!

[jimborae]

As had been said previously if you're driving a modern diesel engine and it's only on short runs then :
1. The MPG is not likely to be too much better than a petrol engine
2. You're more likely to run in to DPF and other issues. Diesels do not like short journeys

[Butcher]

Don't forget that petrol is cheaper than diesel to buy. I will cast another vote for the petrol; all cars get bad mpg until they warm up, so on a 2-3 mile school run you're going to be getting bad mileage. Petrols warm up quicker and the fuel is cheaper so that helps offset the poor efficiency.

[DanceswithUnix]

Don't forget that petrol is cheaper than diesel to buy. I will cast another vote for the petrol; all cars get bad mpg until they warm up, so on a 2-3 mile school run you're going to be getting bad mileage. Petrols warm up quicker and the fuel is cheaper so that helps offset the poor efficiency.

I think warm up time just depends on the engine either way.

The FIAT design in my Alfa warms up surprisingly fast and certainly as fast as petrol engines I have owned. I gather that is down to use of an exhaust gas recirculation valve, another thing to go wrong Other diesel engines rely on electric heaters which do go wrong but at least don't cripple the engine if they fail.

[DanceswithUnix]

I think warm up time just depends on the engine either way.

The FIAT design in my Alfa warms up surprisingly fast and certainly as fast as petrol engines I have owned. I gather that is down to use of an exhaust gas recirculation valve, another thing to go wrong Other diesel engines rely on electric heaters which do go wrong but at least don't cripple the engine if they fail.

So the Galaxy uses the VW 2.8l VR6 engine as a 200bhp petrol option. Someone here must have experience with one of those?

[b0redom]

Not any more, they use their own 2.0 litre turbo charged one.

[wasabi]

I think warm up time just depends on the engine either way.

The FIAT design in my Alfa warms up surprisingly fast and certainly as fast as petrol engines I have owned. I gather that is down to use of an exhaust gas recirculation valve, another thing to go wrong Other diesel engines rely on electric heaters which do go wrong but at least don't cripple the engine if they fail.

Old drink can, pillar drill and 10 mins bodging gets rid of the blighters.

[pipTheGeek]

Coming from an owner of the GSI Zafira, go petrol. If you don't do many miles then the actual money difference will be small and it is huge fun to leave the boy racers standing at the lights.

[deejayburnout]

This is a good find for me as we are looking at getting a people carrier as well and I was looking at diesel versions as well.

Having never owned a diesel engine car before, I never consider the dpf issue.

We might have to reassess our choice.

I always thought that pulling a heavy vehicle like people carrier with a petrol would be a bad idea, especially around town. Shows you what I know.

Thanks

[jim]

Depends how you drive, I guess. 90% of my journeys are 40 min dual carriageway runs, so I've never had any DPF trouble.

Can imagine if I was nipping to the shops all the time it would be a different situation, but if it's a short journey I'd rather walk.