Diesel -v- Petrol

I think you would be better of diesel - if you look at the figures for the petrol engine (2.0 vs 2.0 tdci) the torque is way more on the diesel. Cost of use etc I wouldn't know but I think the diesel S-max would be a more driveable car.
 
MrLOL said:
why bother posting that ? if you'd read the thread in any detail whatsoever you can see its usually at least 10p if not more a litre expensive.

and im not just saying that because i said, at least 2 or 3 other people said this before i did ..
Click to expand...

Nothing got to do with diesel cost over here the government tax VRT they put on cars is now lower for diesels, also the yearly road tax which is large over here is now a lot lower on diesels as they have lower emissions than petrol.

So with lower vrt and tax over in Ireland this can save thousands a year on your motor
 
smelf1 said:
Nothing got to do with diesel cost
Click to expand...

why then say

smelf1 said:
diesel will be cheaper to tax and buy .
Click to expand...

Diesel will be cheaper to buy, when it isnt over here ?

And 2ndly what has "its massively cheaper here in ireland" got to do with us. No disrespect or anything, but its no use giving advice to some1 in england, based upon tax conditions in ireland which dont apply to him.
 
Be aware if you go diesel and are thinking of using 'biofuel' (aka chip fat) many modern diesel engines with all electronic fuel injection systems which are manufactured to high tolerances will not be up to the job - injection pumps in particular seem to suffer from premature wear due to the lack of lubrication inherent in standard diesel fuel.
Older diesels like my 300tdi with all mechanical fuel injection systems seem to cope better with varying mixes of diesel and veg oil/chip fat etc.

you do not have to pay tax as long as you produce no more than 2,500 litres a year
Click to expand...

I don't do it myself (yet) so I get plus 30mpg out of mine, and at 118.9ppl that's a shed load considering a full tank is 89L. Mate of mine gets similar figures for a 2.3L petrol galaxy that weighs about half as much as my discovery.

Get something you actually want to drive... one way or another you'll have to pay and pay and pay and pay and pay the stealer's in government for the privilege; so it might as well be for something you enjoy driving.
 
Admiral Huddy said:
How would that be? Most of the Galaxy's and S-Max petrol and diesel second hand we've seen have been pretty much on par. If diesel gets to a point that it's less economic than petrol then surely the price would demise.
Click to expand...

Hi,

Dont forget to look at Tax.

I suppose the main question is if you're buying New or not. If you're buying new, theres a fantastic new diesel engine out which is a 2.2 running around 170bhp which is a brilliant alternative if you were looking at the 2.5T but with better economy. As I said, the difference in tax especially on a new car is a big point .
 
On normal shell unleaded I get 38MPG (125miles per 15 litres on the daily commute, 44miles combined) and I have many times pondered going diesel only to be told that it's not worth the difference and to stick with petrol. makes sense really as the long term costs of a D would be higher than maintaining a Petrol.

I understand that newer petrol models get the same economy too (mine is only 1.9) so I'm going to be looking for a nice coupe to settle in with closer to insurance renewal time as I'll have more NCB and cheaper premium so can make an even bigger saving putting that saving towards a car with more extras :D

But then that saving could also be put toward a well looked after diesel to minimise extra maintenance costs of failed parts!
 
Last edited:
Woa.

Code: 
Petrol Diesel 
Cost to buy  7999 8999 
Miles Per Gallon (MPG)  48 65 
Cost per litre  113 125 
Annual milage  20000 
Fuel cost per year  2138 1746 
Fuel saving per year with diesel car  392  
Break even (years)  2.55

So a diesel Fiat Panda isn't really worth the extra cost to buy it, even with much better mpg.
 
Last edited:
MrLOL said:
why then say



Diesel will be cheaper to buy, when it isnt over here ?

And 2ndly what has "its massively cheaper here in ireland" got to do with us. No disrespect or anything, but its no use giving advice to some1 in england, based upon tax conditions in ireland which dont apply to him.
Click to expand...

As in the car will cost less due to lower tax rates and road tax, and secondly your tax rates etc will change so lower emission cars like diesels will cost a lot less.
 
OK, looking at the OP's requirement of a new S Max, and assuming 3 year ownership, I've taken these figures from Parkers for depreciation/purchase price/mpg/road tax etc. This is based on 10k per annum miles, so nothing huge and obviously more mileage will make the gap bigger, but even at this mileage diesel is noticibly cheaper. The only thing I havent taken into account is servicing, but on a low mileage S Max that should be hugely different between the models.

S Max Edge TDCi 5dr
New - £18590
3 yr value - £8988
Depreciation cost - £9602
30000 miles of fuel @ 123p @ 45mpg = £3731
Road Tax - £570

Diesel option Total cost for 3 years ownership = £13903

S Max Edge Petrol 2.0 5dr
New - £17790
3 yr value - £8132
Depreciation cost - £9658
30000 miles of fuel @ 112p @ 34mpg = £4497
Road Tax - £895

Diesel option Total cost for 3 years ownership = £15050

Diesel is therefore £1147 cheaper over the ownership period. Its worth mentioning that the cost for years after that is even more in favour of the diesel due to the petrol road tax going up over £400 in the 3rd year.

Now, some might not consider that much of saving, especially if you dont like diesels, but some people actually like the power delivery (similar a V Twin on a bike but without the awesome sound!) and others just dont care, but all the people saying diesel isnt worth it and is more expensive at lower mileages is just wrong. £400 a year is like getting free road tax, or free servicing compared to the petrol version.
 
Great post Sagalout, Cheers - Thanks everyone.

We're looking at a few more tomorrow. One is a 2.5TD Zetec. We've also a few Galaxy's to look at too. I hadn't thought of the tax implications so thanks for the heads up.
 
Sagalout said:
OK, looking at the OP's requirement of a new S Max, and assuming 3 year ownership, I've taken these figures from Parkers for depreciation/purchase price/mpg/road tax etc. This is based on 10k per annum miles, so nothing huge and obviously more mileage will make the gap bigger, but even at this mileage diesel is noticibly cheaper. The only thing I havent taken into account is servicing, but on a low mileage S Max that should be hugely different between the models.

S Max Edge TDCi 5dr
New - £18590
3 yr value - £8988
Depreciation cost - £9602
30000 miles of fuel @ 123p @ 45mpg = £3731
Road Tax - £570

Diesel option Total cost for 3 years ownership = £13903

S Max Edge Petrol 2.0 5dr
New - £17790
3 yr value - £8132
Depreciation cost - £9658
30000 miles of fuel @ 112p @ 34mpg = £4497
Road Tax - £895

Diesel option Total cost for 3 years ownership = £15050

Diesel is therefore £1147 cheaper over the ownership period. Its worth mentioning that the cost for years after that is even more in favour of the diesel due to the petrol road tax going up over £400 in the 3rd year.

Now, some might not consider that much of saving, especially if you dont like diesels, but some people actually like the power delivery (similar a V Twin on a bike but without the awesome sound!) and others just dont care, but all the people saying diesel isnt worth it and is more expensive at lower mileages is just wrong. £400 a year is like getting free road tax, or free servicing compared to the petrol version.
Click to expand...

Well done that man..

I did the same calcs last time this came up, people just love to spout loads of vague statements around and always over simplify the calculations..
But the only way to know, is to do as above, possibly even add in servicing...
 
[TW]Fox;11699661 said:
A drop in the ocean compared to buying a new SMax.
Click to expand...
if £400 per year is nothing then stop complaining about your road tax going up to that amount.

£400 is £400 - percentage terms mean nothing when you check your bank account at the end of the month.
 
Sagalout said:
if £400 per year is nothing then stop complaining about your road tax going up to that amount.
Click to expand...

a) I have not complained about my road tax going up beyond 'this is a nuisance, how silly, never mind'

b) I am not in the financial position to be blowing £18,000 on a brand new MPV

£400 is £400 - percentage terms mean nothing when you check your bank account at the end of the month.
Click to expand...

If £400 a year is a huge deal to you then you must reconsider whether you really are in the position to afford to spend £18k on an SMax, quite frankly.

Not that I'm going to win in a thread full of people trying to justify their purchase of a ridiculously expensive appliance to themselves, anyway.
 
Last edited:
[TW]Fox;11699863 said:
a) I have not complained about my road tax going up beyond 'this is a nuisance, how silly, never mind'

b) I am not in the financial position to be blowing £18,000 on a brand new MPV



If £400 a year is a huge deal to you then you must reconsider whether you really are in the position to afford to spend £18k on an SMax, quite frankly.

Not that I'm going to win in a thread full of people trying to justify their purchase of a ridiculously expensive appliance to themselves, anyway.
Click to expand...


But all cars are a waste of money, you seem to think that it's ok to waste the amount of money you spend on your car, but if anyone 'wastes' more then this, it's excessive.. You are under the illusion that his choice of car is less justified then your choice of car..
 
The S-Max is the kind of car that warrants a diesel engine - it's much better suited to the type of car. A 4 cylinder naturally aspirated petrol does not suit a mid-sized MPV.

I've driven 2.0 petrol, 1.8 TDCI and 2.0 TDCI. The petrol is by far the worst to drive and doesn't suit the character of the car. Some MPV's suit a petrol engine (previa springs to mind) but not the S-Max.

You'll save some money with the diesel but it won't be anywhere near as much as the people who praise diesel claim and the diesel is a better drive. Get the diesel.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom