Reply to: Good time to buy a diesel car?

[Ticktock]

If find that if you use PCP you don't really care. You can just run wherever you need to go and you don't even care.

[diseasex]

Less that 12k a year and petrol seems a no-brainer.

Think I'll be looking more closely into a personal lease than a PCP for my next one.

its so much cheaper to buy 2 years old on a loan. I will never understand PCP or lease unless its exclusively for a business

[LondonManc]

Less that 12k a year and petrol seems a no-brainer.

Think I'll be looking more closely into a personal lease than a PCP for my next one.

[PurpleGorilla]

Turbo-charged cost of diesel cars | Money | The Guardian



If you commute at least 200 miles a day, mostly on motorways, diesel is the car you want.

200 a day! Stay over dude!

[DimPrawn]

Simpler to draw, but modern common rail diesels are very complicated compared to your average petrol engine. The physical block might be stronger, but the tolerances and pressures involved are huge, making the entire fuel delivery system an absolute ticking time bomb. And, when it does eventually go wrong, the bills are eye watering. That, combined with the standard addition of a turbo, if I was looking for 'bulletproof', or at least something that's reasonably easy to diagnose / fix then I'd be going for a petrol car almost any day of the week. Or an old, diesel I guess!

Turbo-charged cost of diesel cars | Money | The Guardian

Petrol or diesel?

Modern diesel cars have become ever more sophisticated – but at the cost of soaring repair bills if things go wrong.

In the past diesel cars had a reputation for dependability – they were slow but economical – and the engines went on seemingly for ever with basic, regular maintenance. High pressure engine systems, dual mass flywheels and diesel particulate filters have all improved their performance or cleanliness, but the technology has also made them much more expensive to fix when they go wrong. Modern diesels appear to be more problematic if servicing is not carried out exactly as specified, with the correct grade of oil, interval etc … and they don't like a diet of short journeys, which can often be a feature of modern life.

The trouble is that it is almost impossible for a the buyer of a used diesel to tell how it was serviced, or driven, prior to the purchase. Even if it comes from a main dealer, there are no guarantees servicing has been done correctly. Once outside the three-year warranty, manufacturers rarely help, leaving drivers to pick up the bill – which can be more than the car's value.

The Mazda 6 is a perfect case in point. The petrol-engined cars are highly praised by owners for their excellent reliability. The 2.0 litre diesel models though have suffered a spate of expensive problems, including engine failures. Mazda are by no means alone in this issue.

If you commute at least 200 miles a day, mostly on motorways, diesel is the car you want.
If your journeys are short, lots of them, mostly in traffic, lots of city/town driving, petrol is the car you want.

[PurpleGorilla]

Another + for the dirty diesel is their exhausts seem to last much longer than petrol cars. IMHO

[vwdan]

Diesel engines are far simpler than petrol, no ignition system for a start, they are appreciably tougher by necessity of compression ignition.

Simpler to draw, but modern common rail diesels are very complicated compared to your average petrol engine. The physical block might be stronger, but the tolerances and pressures involved are huge, making the entire fuel delivery system an absolute ticking time bomb. And, when it does eventually go wrong, the bills are eye watering. That, combined with the standard addition of a turbo, if I was looking for 'bulletproof', or at least something that's reasonably easy to diagnose / fix then I'd be going for a petrol car almost any day of the week. Or an old, diesel I guess!

[Troll]

This. The E300 Bluetec looks nice.

Not all agree

E300 Bluetec Hybrid HV63GWG

This has got to be the worst car I have ever had the misfortune to have and I've had a few dogs on my time. It has spent more time with the dealer than on the road since I bought it new last year. Drivetrain problems battery problems software problems you name it I've had it. In fact I've had it with this car. The dealership isn't much better 60 days it was in for last time while they tried to locate a fault with the hybrid battery (car wouldn't start on electric power which is the only way to start the car ) I asked them to fix a few other minor niggles while it was there and we forgot was there answer when I picked it up. In for service now and asked again about fixing the interior lights again 4th time of asking to be told we need to order the parts again hang on weren't they ordered last time but you forgot to fit them.

My E220 coupé is up for replacement - but I'm a tad bored with Merc - I pulled into a restaurant in Spain this year and it was kerb to kerb Merc cabriolets saloons and coupés - I've also noticed that around Kent they are soooo common - seems like they have become as ubiquitous as Fords

So contenders for the next car are - in no particular order ( and definately won't be in white - also is it just me that think alloys should only ever be silver - never black?):





Yawn !

[Jog On]

Will our lovely govt hit the owners with revised Road Tax bills, to cover the extra emissions?

Seems "fair"

I'd be disappointed with them if they missed such an opportunity

[Martin Scroatman]

Will our lovely govt hit the owners with revised Road Tax bills, to cover the extra emissions?

Seems "fair"

It was Labour that gave us the tax breaks on diesel vehicles.

"Be careful what you wish for" is what I always used to say to the labour bashers who wanted the Tories back in.

Now do you see?

[DimPrawn]

Will our lovely govt hit the owners with revised Road Tax bills, to cover the extra emissions?

Seems "fair"

[LondonManc]

I'm looking for a new car - waiting to see if Mercs have been fiddling their emissions as well...

This. The E300 Bluetec looks nice.

[Jog On]

I'm looking for a new car - waiting to see if Mercs have been fiddling their emissions as well...

[TykeMerc]

I've read somewhere that diesels sell in ratio 3:1 to petrol cars. they have more efficient engines, live longer but are more complex. I don't see this trend changing anytime soon?

Diesel engines are far simpler than petrol, no ignition system for a start, they are appreciably tougher by necessity of compression ignition.

Diesel sale ratios vary by countries and the trends are published (CBA to track them down), they've sold well in the UK for some years.

Because of the recent scandal the price of the cars may be impacted positively (to us as buyers), but to what extent, take a guess, I doubt anyone can predict that yet, I'd be (pleasantly) surprised if it's as much as 5% though.

[diseasex]

Would a used diesel car be a bargain compared to a petrol one?

I've read somewhere that diesels sell in ratio 3:1 to petrol cars. they have more efficient engines, live longer but are more complex. I don't see this trend changing anytime soon?