Diesel Car for Work

chops018

So it is looking like from April onwards I am going to be driving to work rather than using public transport.

It will be about 50km up and back a day, so 100km in total per day, approx 500km per week.

I currently own a lovely Audi A3 1.6 Petrol (2006) which is running grand and an absolute beaut to drive, despite the high mileage on it!!

I am reluctant to sell as per the reasons above, but, I am guess-timating that sticking with my own car and driving will cost around €70-80 per week on petrol.

I guess-timate that a Diesel however, would cost around €30-40 per week.

Firstly, am I right on the above estimations?

Secondly, if it would be better to get a Diesel I would be looking at:

- an Audi A4 1.9: would I find this much different to my own? I would be looking at 2004 upwards.
- a BMW 320D: I had a 2001 BMW 1.9 Petrol before and it was lovely to drive and barely gave trouble, however I have test driven 2003 Diesel BMW's recently and they've have been horrible to drive to be honest, especially in comparison to my Audi. Steering was heavier, clutch was heavier, just not an an enjoyable drive. There was a lot of power in them though.
- finally, a Volkswagen Passat, again 2004 upwards. I don't know anything about these really but I am going to test drive one soon to see how I like it.

My father knows a dealer and he always sorts out the cars with his team of mechanics fully before selling them, full valet, and also NCT's them before letting them out. He told my father that he is reluctant to take in diesels cars and that diesels are very expensive to fix (knew this already) which is why he gets his mechanic to fully check any diesels he takes in before doing so, plus I'd get a warranty, plus he would take my car as a trade in.

I suppose what I am asking is:

1) Should I stick with my own petrol car as I know the car, love driving it etc.

or;

2) Should I switch to a diesel, and if so you what do you think of the above I mentioned?

Thanks in advance.

Idbatterim

what kind of driving will you be doing? N roads or motorway etc?

chops018

chops018 wrote: »

.........approx 500km per week.

I currently own a lovely Audi A3 1.6 Petrol (2006) which is running grand and an absolute beaut to drive, despite the high mileage on it!!

I am reluctant to sell as per the reasons above, but, I am guess-timating that sticking with my own car and driving will cost around €70-80 per week on petrol.

I guess-timate that a Diesel however, would cost around €30-40 per week.

Firstly, am I right on the above estimations?..........

With petrol at say €1.20/litre (to allow for future little rises etc etc) it'd cost €56.75 to fuel your A3 if it averaged 30mpg, I'd safely reckon it'd average better than that.

A diesel that returned 55mpg would cost €28/week to fuel at a diesel cost of €1.10/litre.

So your figures aren't too far off imo.

Considering cost to change & the devil you know etc etc I'd be inclined to keep the A3 for a while to see how you get on. I wouldn't rush into changing.

chops018

Idbatterim wrote: »

what kind of driving will you be doing? N roads or motorway etc?

It will be on Motorway for about 35-40km and then city driving for 10-15km.

Augeo wrote: »

With petrol at say €1.20/litre (to allow for future little rises etc etc) it'd cost €56.75 to fuel your A3 if it averaged 30mpg, I'd safely reckon it'd average better than that.

A diesel that returned 55mpg would cost €28/week to fuel at a diesel cost of €1.10/litre.

So your figures aren't too far off imo.

Considering cost to change & the devil you know etc etc I'd be inclined to keep the A3 for a while to see how you get on. I wouldn't rush into changing.

Thanks.

I didn't think it would be as cheap for petrol.

Yes, could be an idea to see how I get on. As a said nothing wrong with my own yoke so I am not in a rush.

Just thought if I could swap my own or get a very good trade in deal that a Diesel would work out much cheaper driving up and down.


Any more info much appreciated, especially on the cars I mentioned.

GustavoFring

I think Augeo isn't far off with that engine doing low 30s under such conditions tbh.

Look at what you have in 2.0tdi. See how it compares. Also look at a Leon 2.0tdi.

Idbatterim

op i would keep current car,you will know after the first week what the cost in petrol will be and can make an informed decision from there...

chops018

Thanks for the replies guys.

I think it may be prudent to keep my current car, for a while anyway.

Although I would love the benefit of diesel prices and usage I am mindful of the fact that buying a diesel car over 10 years old with over 200k mileage may present a lot of problems that could be costly.

It doesn't seem worth the risk!!

Why are diesels considered so risky and why are they so expensive to fix?