Would you buy a diesel?

[Beedee]

I'm in the market for a nearly new car and have been wondering about getting a diesel. My daily commute is a round trip of about 90 miles, mostly on the motorway. The mpg figures of the cars I'm looking at all favour diesels, but I wondering about the residuals and the possibles congestion charges (I work in north Bristol, and there are few places in the country that hate cars more than Bristol!).

I'm looking at a compact exec (A4, 3 or 4 series), or maybe a medium sized SUV (Q5). And everything I consider will be Euro 6 for emissions.

Any thoughts?

 

[Robster59]

The way things are at the moment, it's a tough call. I think if I was in the market now I would have to be considering a hybrid. I have a company diesel at the moment but I'm not sure what the company will offer when it comes for renewal in a couple of years.

 

[Lord Tyrion]

I'd still get one. Euro 6 should cover you for a while yet and a 90 mile daily round trip screams diesel still. For those cars you are looking at there are not really great alternatives. The changes the gov't are talking about are a very long way off and not to worry about yet, imo.

Robster, what hybrid do you see out there? Not sure I've seen anything yet that can compare.

 

[Bunkermagnet]

I got rid of a perfectly good (if not old) Skoda Superb diesel last year and swapped to a petrol Mazda 3. Yes I miss that massive amount of torque, but I dont trust anyone in power to not hit diesels any further. A real case of mibyism over world consideration.
I also got rid of a 3 yr old VW Transporter van because it wasnt Euro6 and what with ULEZ coming in, some boroughs have stuck a 50% surcharge on meter parking for non EU6 diesels. You cant get away frojm it because of the pay by phone parking systems now. Petrol wasnt a consideration for the van as mpg would have been worse than a 1970's Cadillac with flat tyres, so its a EU6 VW Transporter.
Sadly the only way you wont get stung is if you buy a pedal car and stick a mast and sail on it.

 

[Robster59]

I'd still get one. Euro 6 should cover you for a while yet and a 90 mile daily round trip screams diesel still. For those cars you are looking at there are not really great alternatives. The changes the gov't are talking about are a very long way off and not to worry about yet, imo.

Robster, what hybrid do you see out there? Not sure I've seen anything yet that can compare.

A really good question? I haven't looked yet as it's not on my radar but I haven't done the research for myself personally.
I've the Skoda Superb diesel and and do about 20-25k per annum so it's the logical choice. I'd also need to make sure any alternative would have to have a big enough boot.

Hydrogen fuel-cell technology is the way to go IMHO but that doesn't seem to be moving yet except for buses, taxis and trains.

 

[Lord Tyrion]

A really good question? I haven't looked yet as it's not on my radar but I haven't done the research for myself personally.
I've the Skoda Superb diesel and and do about 20-25k per annum so it's the logical choice. I'd also need to make sure any alternative would have to have a big enough boot.

Hydrogen fuel-cell technology is the way to go IMHO but that doesn't seem to be moving yet except for buses, taxis and trains.

I've also got a Superb and I love it. I'm 18 months into a 3yr lease and I was expecting to see the alternatives popping up by now for when I change. I believe many Mfrs are behind as they have been working on tweaking their engines to meet new tests that have been brought in, real worlds emissions and mpg. Skoda are meant to be bringing out a hybrid Superb in early 2019. I'm pinning my hopes on that as the Superb ticks all of the boxes for me.

 

[Beedee]

The way things are at the moment, it's a tough call. I think if I was in the market now I would have to be considering a hybrid. I have a company diesel at the moment but I'm not sure what the company will offer when it comes for renewal in a couple of years.

I considered a BMW 330e. The battery could get me to and from the motorway at each end, and then use the petrol in the middle on the motorway. However, doing the sums it still looks like it comes behind a 330d in running costs.

Plus the 330e loses a bit of boot space for all those batteries. And I need a decent boot for my golf bag and trolley.

 

[Bigfoot]

I bought a Volvo V90 diesel earlier this year on a 4 year deal with a lump to pay at the end. The reason for this is that the pure electric has not sufficient range for me. I would need a charging point putting in and I aimed move house within a year. I also feel that development of engines will increase, such that, in 4 years, technology and taxation will be completely different to now. My mileage is high enough and the economy of diesel worthwhile. I can then hand the car back after 4 years without a problem and get something that suits the new situation.

 

[Dando]

I had a semi auto diesel Tucson on a 2 year lease and just taken delivery of the petrol version in the new shape. It’s a great car with a decent boot that doesn’t need me to take my driver out to get my golf bag in!

 

[spongebob59]

Just got rid of HIDs diesel, lots of issues around the dpf. Local garage said seeing lots of these coming in. Back to petrol.

 

[Hobbit]

I have a hybrid. Between 60 and 70mpg. Battery pack is under the back seat, hence no loss of boot space. 3x golf bags in the boot no problem, although 2 of them were carry bags.

It doesn’t blow you away with power but it doesn’t crawl either - 1.6 petrol engine, topped up with a 41bhp electric motor.

 

[Lord Tyrion]

Just got rid of HIDs diesel, lots of issues around the dpf. Local garage said seeing lots of these coming in. Back to petrol.

Most problems with the dpf come about because people have diesels when they shouldn't have. They are not designed for short journeys, they need distance to warm up and clear out. May not have been the case in your instance but I've heard too many cases of people doing 2-5 mile journeys and then having dpf issues and wondering why.

I had a constant battle with my FiL who kept getting diesels for the economy but only ever used his car to go the shops and back, 3 miles each way. Last time I finally persuaded him to get petrol, a Nissan leaf would have been ideal but that was a step too far.

 

[CliveW]

Most problems with the dpf come about because people have diesels when they shouldn't have. They are not designed for short journeys, they need distance to warm up and clear out. May not have been the case in your instance but I've heard too many cases of people doing 2-5 mile journeys and then having dpf issues and wondering why.

I had a constant battle with my FiL who kept getting diesels for the economy but only ever used his car to go the shops and back, 3 miles each way. Last time I finally persuaded him to get petrol, a Nissan leaf would have been ideal but that was a step too far.

This. Every wee while it is good to take the car for a spirited blast, or at least drive it in a lower gear so the exhaust gets hot enough to burn any deposits off the dpf sensor.

 

[spongebob59]

Not in this case, she had a 20 miles commute and then back each day.

 

[USER1999]

I am now diesel free. If they expand ULEZ to the north circular I was previously banjaxxed, but now I am not. I would never buy another one, as you never know where you will get banned from next. Euro 6 has been proved to be garbage, so I don't think compliance to that will last long.

I have gone petrol. I have a 3ltr Z4 for commuting, and a 5.5 AMG for long distances. I am saving the planet with my engine choices!

 

[Khamelion]

This. Every wee while it is good to take the car for a spirited blast, or at least drive it in a lower gear so the exhaust gets hot enough to burn any deposits off the dpf sensor.

Spirited blast, I like that. When I had my diesel I'd take it for a 'spirited blast' around the country lanes, the low end torque meant no changing of gear and could keep it in 3rd or 4th in the twisty bits, great fun.

I miss the low end grunt of a turbo diesel, but my only long runs were my various golfing trips away, so have changed to a petrol car.

 

[Neilds]

I'm in the market for a nearly new car and have been wondering about getting a diesel. My daily commute is a round trip of about 90 miles, mostly on the motorway. The mpg figures of the cars I'm looking at all favour diesels, but I wondering about the residuals and the possibles congestion charges (I work in north Bristol, and there are few places in the country that hate cars more than Bristol!).

I'm looking at a compact exec (A4, 3 or 4 series), or maybe a medium sized SUV (Q5). And everything I consider will be Euro 6 for emissions.

Any thoughts?

When you say North Bristol, is it in a set of large white buildings near UWE? I work there so may be looking to join you for golf sometime

 

[patricks148]

I've also got a Superb and I love it. I'm 18 months into a 3yr lease and I was expecting to see the alternatives popping up by now for when I change. I believe many Mfrs are behind as they have been working on tweaking their engines to meet new tests that have been brought in, real worlds emissions and mpg. Skoda are meant to be bringing out a hybrid Superb in early 2019. I'm pinning my hopes on that as the Superb ticks all of the boxes for me.

interesting. Been thinking of upgrading my car, Currently have 2l tdi passat est. All the new models are still D and they only do petrol in Automatic. This might be just the ticket.

 

[badgb21]

When you look at the future BIK rates for company cars, you can see where the industry is going and at what rate - electric, hybrid and every variation thereof.
Diesels still represent good mpg now, but watch out for residual values if buying.
Jaguar, like many have named the drop in diesel sales as part of their own poor financial performance lately.

 

[patricks148]

with the Governments all trying to phase out Petrol and diesel vehicles, are they all not going to be billions £ shortfall once people stop buying fuel ???