Petrol or Diesel? More miles or fewer?
September 1, 2010 2:21 AM Subscribe
UKCarFilter: Petrol with fewer miles or Diesel with more?
So, we're looking for a small car and have seen two Peugeot 207 that we like. They're both the same price and come with a years' warranty etc.
1. 07 reg, Diesel 1.4 litre. about 44,000 miles on the clock
2. 56 reg, Petrol 1.4 litre, about 22,000 miles.
So, newer car with diesel and more miles, or slightly older car with petrol and fewer miles. Some motorway driving, probably about 10,000 miles a year.
Any thoughts?
So, we're looking for a small car and have seen two Peugeot 207 that we like. They're both the same price and come with a years' warranty etc.
1. 07 reg, Diesel 1.4 litre. about 44,000 miles on the clock
2. 56 reg, Petrol 1.4 litre, about 22,000 miles.
So, newer car with diesel and more miles, or slightly older car with petrol and fewer miles. Some motorway driving, probably about 10,000 miles a year.
Any thoughts?
Best answer: For the same engine size, a recent-ish diesel will be noticeably more economical, even given the marginally higher cost of diesel at the moment. The lifespan of a diesel engine tends to be somewhat higher, although whether that's important will depend on how long you plan to keep the car, and how many miles you expect to do. For the same engine size, the petrol engine will probably be a tad more powerful.
One thing you might want to check is what items are recommended for replacement at 50,000 miles, because the diesel will be getting there quite soon. Usually that's the time for replacing the timing belt, and that could cost a few hundred pounds.
posted by le morte de bea arthur at 2:43 AM on September 1, 2010
One thing you might want to check is what items are recommended for replacement at 50,000 miles, because the diesel will be getting there quite soon. Usually that's the time for replacing the timing belt, and that could cost a few hundred pounds.
posted by le morte de bea arthur at 2:43 AM on September 1, 2010
Best answer: Looking on http://www.vcacarfueldata.org.uk it looks like the diesel will be band C (£30/yr) and the petrol is band F or G (£125-£155/yr). I don't know the exact model so that might be a bit off, but there is definitely a saving to be made there.
posted by EndsOfInvention at 2:45 AM on September 1, 2010
posted by EndsOfInvention at 2:45 AM on September 1, 2010
It slightly depends on what the mileage was, and what the mileage is that you want to do.
44,000 miles of motorway driving isn't that taxing on the clutch, steering, brakes etc. 22,000 miles of city driving is.
In addition, modern diesels with particulate filters don't like short journeys. If that's what you plan to use the car for then reconsider if you need a diesel.
Also, bear in mind that diesel is more expensive than petrol. It's not a massive amount, but it counts.
posted by MuffinMan at 2:54 AM on September 1, 2010
44,000 miles of motorway driving isn't that taxing on the clutch, steering, brakes etc. 22,000 miles of city driving is.
In addition, modern diesels with particulate filters don't like short journeys. If that's what you plan to use the car for then reconsider if you need a diesel.
Also, bear in mind that diesel is more expensive than petrol. It's not a massive amount, but it counts.
posted by MuffinMan at 2:54 AM on September 1, 2010
Diesel is by volume slightly more expensive than petrol, but the fuel economy uplift due to diesel's higher heating value is worth about 20% more miles per litre, so the higher cost of diesel is not a negative.
The UK is the only major European country to tax fuels at the same rate per litre. Most other countries tax diesel at a substantially lower rate. In some countries, this difference is recouped through higher road tax on diesels. Operating a UK car on diesel on the continent, if that's in the plans, is much cheaper than operating a petrol car.
posted by sagwalla at 3:13 AM on September 1, 2010
The UK is the only major European country to tax fuels at the same rate per litre. Most other countries tax diesel at a substantially lower rate. In some countries, this difference is recouped through higher road tax on diesels. Operating a UK car on diesel on the continent, if that's in the plans, is much cheaper than operating a petrol car.
posted by sagwalla at 3:13 AM on September 1, 2010
If you assume both were similarly maintained, the diesel engine is probably going to be comparatively "younger" as they generally do last longer.
But in a car, the engine is rarely what fails. So, if all things are equal and maintenance costs were my primary metric, then the gasoline engined car would be the better choice, since the whole car has fewer miles on it. You are 20,000 miles further away (on average) from all your brake, clutch, tires, etc. repairs.
But if you wrap that with the higher fuel economy of diesel, then you probably have to choose the diesel. Plus, a 1.4L diesel is probably more fun to drive than a 1.4 gasoline engine. That is what I'd choose.
posted by gjc at 4:53 AM on September 1, 2010
But in a car, the engine is rarely what fails. So, if all things are equal and maintenance costs were my primary metric, then the gasoline engined car would be the better choice, since the whole car has fewer miles on it. You are 20,000 miles further away (on average) from all your brake, clutch, tires, etc. repairs.
But if you wrap that with the higher fuel economy of diesel, then you probably have to choose the diesel. Plus, a 1.4L diesel is probably more fun to drive than a 1.4 gasoline engine. That is what I'd choose.
posted by gjc at 4:53 AM on September 1, 2010
Are you just looking for a financial answer? If so, go for the diesel, you'll save a few pounds.
I had a 306 Diesel Turbo a while back, and it was massively economical. I could get to London and back (~250 mile round trip) for about £15.
However, i'd never own another diesel now. They're smelly, sound like a tractor, don't rev at all, and the huge heavy engine at the front makes them no fun to drive.
posted by derbs at 6:38 AM on September 1, 2010
I had a 306 Diesel Turbo a while back, and it was massively economical. I could get to London and back (~250 mile round trip) for about £15.
However, i'd never own another diesel now. They're smelly, sound like a tractor, don't rev at all, and the huge heavy engine at the front makes them no fun to drive.
posted by derbs at 6:38 AM on September 1, 2010
My brother says that the little metal "diesel" tag attached to the back of his car is the greatest anti-theft device ever invented.
posted by StickyCarpet at 6:46 AM on September 1, 2010
posted by StickyCarpet at 6:46 AM on September 1, 2010
Derbs, if you've not driven a diesel in that long, I really, really think you should try one again - they've changed incredibly in the past 10 years.
GKHewitt, I'd also consider insurance groups, if you've not done so already. But personally if all other things were equal I'd buy the diesel version.
posted by Nice Guy Mike at 9:18 AM on September 1, 2010
GKHewitt, I'd also consider insurance groups, if you've not done so already. But personally if all other things were equal I'd buy the diesel version.
posted by Nice Guy Mike at 9:18 AM on September 1, 2010
I'd lean towards the diesel based on tax and MPG, but I'd want to check the service history and any owner mods. 207s have a well-deserved reputation as boy-racer cars (even the diesels) and a 1.4 that's been tinkered with in an attempt to show off like a GTi might cause problems.
posted by holgate at 1:29 PM on September 1, 2010
posted by holgate at 1:29 PM on September 1, 2010
Response by poster: Thanks folks, all good advice - opted for the diesel as recommended!
posted by gkhewitt at 2:56 PM on September 1, 2010
posted by gkhewitt at 2:56 PM on September 1, 2010
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by EndsOfInvention at 2:42 AM on September 1, 2010