[Adamss]

Why do diesels pull better when in the right gear but go flat after a certain amount of revs but petrol start to pull later in the revs?

Im looking for a new car but dont know whether the economy of a diesel is better than the enjoyment of a petrol?

Any help appreciated.

[MickeyLove]

Originally Posted by Adamss

Why do diesels pull better when in the right gear but go flat after a certain amount of revs but petrol start to pull later in the revs?

Im looking for a new car but dont know whether the economy of a diesel is better than the enjoyment of a petrol?

Any help appreciated.

There's not much difference in costs these days. The cost of diesel has soared over recent years and diesel cars cost more....

http://www.whatcar.com/car-news/petr...heaper-/248139

[UnkleBob]

the first bit is they (denzels) have more torque at the driven wheel and often a turbo which will naturally run out of boost sooner or later. Petrols usually rev higher. HTH.

[simonj]

Originally Posted by Adamss

Why do diesels pull better when in the right gear but go flat after a certain amount of revs but petrol start to pull later in the revs?

Im looking for a new car but dont know whether the economy of a diesel is better than the enjoyment of a petrol?

Any help appreciated.

If you've got the money then go for the enjoyment of a petrol. On the other hand, if you've got the money go for the economy of a diesel.

Swings and roundabouts

[*_ash_*]

Originally Posted by Adamss

Why do diesels pull better when in the right gear but go flat after a certain amount of revs but petrol start to pull later in the revs?

Im looking for a new car but dont know whether the economy of a diesel is better than the enjoyment of a petrol?

Any help appreciated.

I think unless you do serious mileage there isn't a massive difference economy wise these days, as someone else said.

If you enjoy petrol cars more, then go for that. I prefer [turbo] diesels regardless of costs. Though when younger I preferred petrol's.

[savs79]

Generally much less to go wrong on a diesel, so they would always be my preferred choice.
Since switching to diesels about 6 years back i've not had a single breakdown.

Saying that i'll probably blow my engine tomorrow now.

[emperor_ming]

Originally Posted by *_ash_*

I think unless you do serious mileage there isn't a massive difference economy wise these days, as someone else said.

Although true, you could get a diesel with over 180bhp that has similar economy to a 3 door small petrol engined car with 80bhp.

Which would you rather have

[mc55]

could just be coincidence but the maintenance of my petrol car was far higher than my diesel - ie new exhausts etc - my diesel which is around 60,000miles now hasn't yet had a new exhaust. However, I do a lot more mileage in my diesel. Overall I prefer my diesel, but my petrol had more ooomf when pulling away from traffic lights.

Don't forget too that many engine suppliers are downsizing in a big way now, using turbos or other technology, giving really efficient engines, whether you go for diesel or petrol/gasoline. Then of course it's down to individual driver and their style !

[alchresearch]

Diesels are not good choices for small local runabouts. No matter how efficient and cleaner they burn they still get clogged up with soot and "treacle". I've seen loads with diesel particulate filter, EGR valve and MAF sensor issues and I think it will get worse when these new 1.3L sized diesels become more prevalent in the second hand market.

I love my diesels but if my place of work was close (ie just a few miles away) then I'd think twice.

[emperor_ming]

Originally Posted by alchresearch

Diesels are not good choices for small local runabouts. No matter how efficient and cleaner they burn they still get clogged up with soot and "treacle". I've seen loads with diesel particulate filter, EGR valve and MAF sensor issues and I think it will get worse when these new 1.3L sized diesels become more prevalent in the second hand market.

I love my diesels but if my place of work was close (ie just a few miles away) then I'd think twice.

Indeed, wouldn't consider a diesel with a DPF as a run around. It's not like EGRs give enough grief, but at least they don't cost a fortune to clean / replace (unless they do in the swirl flaps in a BMW / Vauxhall)

[Obelix]

Originally Posted by UnkleBob

the first bit is they (denzels) have more torque at the driven wheel and often a turbo which will naturally run out of boost sooner or later. Petrols usually rev higher. HTH.

For an engine with similar power outputs they will have a similar torque at the driving wheels.

[convert]

I'd agree that it's 'Horses for courses'.

We've got a couple of diesel cars, and a couple of petrol ones.

The small diesel (1.4), we've had for 5 years, and does short (<1.5 miles) journeys most of the time. No issues and 50mpg.

The small petrol (1.4), we've had for a few months, mainly town driving <6 miles per journey. No issues but only around 30mpg.

The larger Diesel is also quite new, having downgraded from a 1.9 to a 1.6tdi. Only had this one a couple of months, but in just over 5000 miles i'm averaging 50mpg.

The large petrol (3.5V8 ) I've had around 5 years, only do about 3K miles pa, and average is around 15mpg.

Although diesel vehicles are more expensive to purchase, and diesel fuel costs more, you will get a better residual value when it comes to re-sale time.

I'd argue that modern common rail diesel engines are going to be just as expensive as petrol engines to maintain, especially pumps and injectors.


So in my case it's diesel for the daily grind, and petrol to put a smile on my face when the sun shines.

[iansheff]

When I was looking I was told by a dealer that diesels also cost more for servicing and that for my use I would not be any better off.

[Obelix]

The costs will be higher especially if you have a DPF that needs cleaning and filling every couple of years or so.

I've always serviced my own cars - service cost is about £35 for a major service four times a year. Diesel costs are about the same as petrol all told, the fuel is cheaper in terms of cost per mile. I once did the numbers and the break even point for someone *not* doing their own servicing and buying a year old car from a dealer was 20,000 miles a year.

For someone doing their own servicing buying a secondhand car break even is after 15000 miles (regardless of how many years it takes to get there). As soon as you have done that you have paid back the "diesel premium" that a secondhand car has and after that it's all gravy

[Adamss]

What i dont like of diesels is the noise and turbo lag but the torque is addictive.

[Number Six]

I prefer diesels, regardless of the economy - although that is nice.

I have two cars, one petrol, one diesel. They are similar in weight, size and power. They are similarly quiet and responsive to drive. One has about half as much torque again as the other, and does 35% more miles per gallon. Both are very reliable.

Torque is actually useful in everyday driving - torque means I change gear less often and the car is quick at everyday speeds. Sure, the petrol has more power at the top end, but I never get there. Acceleration beyond 80mph or so I utterly irrelevant. It's torque that flings you out of corners after all, and they're the fun bits

I've not driven this diesel in anger (it's not really the car for that to be honest) but I tool my previous 4 door diesel saloon (2.4 litre) to northern Scotland, and if it is performance and fun you want then I can tell you that there is a bloke somewhere who had a 330ci who will tell you that a diesel is plenty quick enough in the real world - as will my mate who was driving a Chimerea 450 behind us and watching in amusement - although he will admit that it stretched his car more than he'd expected to keep up.

I've had two diesels and not found them expensive to maintain - I replaced the mass air flow meter on the first one and I think this one is on the way out, but they are on petrol cars too. Other than that, and routine belts and stuff, neither engine has put a foot wrong in 150,000 miles or so.

[alchresearch]

Originally Posted by Obelix

The costs will be higher especially if you have a DPF that needs cleaning and filling every couple of years or so.

That really shouldn't be though. Its supposed to last 80,000 miles, although I have heard reports of them requiring attention at 60,000.

[truman]

Originally Posted by alchresearch

That really shouldn't be though. Its supposed to last 80,000 miles, although I have heard reports of them requiring attention at 60,000.

My last diesel had 130000 miles and my current one has 105k at the mo'..no probs with either..

[Obelix]

Originally Posted by alchresearch

That really shouldn't be though. Its supposed to last 80,000 miles, although I have heard reports of them requiring attention at 60,000.

I did 55,000 miles last year though.....

[donkey7159]

Diesel every time for me........................ No one has ever heard of anyone running a motor on RED petrol have they .