Fuel efficient diesel car for long commute

Omaha123

I am starting my new job next month. It is a bit faraway but due to family reason I have no other way but to drive daily for my new job for the first six months. After six months planning to move to the new town with my family.

It is a long commute and talking about 1500 miles per week on motorway. Want to know the advice on:

- Most fuel efficient mid size diesel car available in the market. I have a budget of 12000 euros.

- How often do I need to service the car? (e.g., every six weeks?)

VincePP

Diesel cars these days don't need much servicing.

In that price bracket a 3 year old skoda octavia should be available - decent size and comfort.

Volvo v40 is another option.

Also look at option of staying in a b&b for a night or two a week if you can find one at a decent price.

Trojan

Omaha123 wrote: »

I am starting my new job next month. It is a bit faraway but due to family reason I have no other way but to drive daily for my new job for the first six months. After six months planning to move to the new town with my family.

It is a long commute and talking about 1500 miles per week on motorway. Want to know the advice on:

- Most fuel efficient mid size diesel car available in the market. I have a budget of 12000 euros.

- How often do I need to service the car? (e.g., every six weeks?)

If fuel efficiency (i.e. cost) is an issue, also check out the Bangernomics thread, a cheaper car might work for you and save significant money.

ongarite

+1 for cheap comfortable car.
You are going to be doing stupid mileage a week meaning that the value of the car if you sell it on again will be hit.

kirving

I am a fan of Volvo's, but a 1.6 S40 could be a good bet. Fuel effecient, but far more importantly, its got fantastic seats.

bazz26

Omaha123 wrote: »

I am starting my new job next month. It is a bit faraway but due to family reason I have no other way but to drive daily for my new job for the first six months. After six months planning to move to the new town with my family.

It is a long commute and talking about 1500 miles per week on motorway. Want to know the advice on:

- Most fuel efficient mid size diesel car available in the market. I have a budget of 12000 euros.

- How often do I need to service the car? (e.g., every six weeks?)

What are you driving at the moment? What distance will your commute be once you move to new town in 6 months time?

It might work out cheaper long term to just bear with your current car for the 6 months if your weekly mileage drops substantially when you move towns. Definitely worth doing some maths on how much both would cost you.

VincePP wrote: »

Diesel cars these days don't need much servicing.

They certainly do need servicing especially regular oil and filter changes. With the OP doing 1500 miles per week that amounts to 36,000 miles in just 6 months and imo the car would want an oil and filter service about twice in that mileage. I know a lot of cars come with long service intervals these days but imo those are more designed to appeal to company car drivers and fleet managers when keeping their running costs low. The manufacturers and fleet managers won't care after 3 years when the warranty and lease are finished.

Littlehorny

Fella in work has a Citroen DS, he has never complained about it and he does a decent commute. Always boasting how cheap it is to run.

Trojan

I drove ~200 miles tonight and got out of the car fresh because it's comfortable. I used to do that in a smaller car (which did have better MPG, in fairness), but I'd feel wrecked getting out of the car.

If you're doing that kind of mileage regularly, don't discount the comfort issue.

VincePP

bazz26 wrote: »

They certainly do need servicing especially regular oil and filter changes. With the OP doing 1500 miles per week that amounts to 36,000 miles in just 6 months and imo the car would want an oil and filter service about twice in that mileage. I know a lot of cars come with long service intervals these days but imo those are more designed to appeal to company car drivers and fleet managers when keeping their running costs low. The manufacturers and fleet managers won't care after 3 years when the warranty and lease are finished.

Try putting my reply in the context of the op. He asked if he'd need service every 6 weeks. Answer is no.

About 20 years ago a diesel needed oil change every 10k miles. These days ( and over past few years) its 20-30k miles / 30-45k km and no real difference to a petrol car.

bazz26

VincePP wrote: »

Try putting my reply in the context of the op. He asked if he'd need service every 6 weeks. Answer is no.

About 20 years ago a diesel needed oil change every 10k miles. These days ( and over past few years) its 20-30k miles / 30-45k km and no real difference to a petrol car.

I understand what you are saying now but that's a little different to saying they don't need much servicing. And as I was saying these longer service intervals that are popular these days are probably more to do with appealing to business users than engines becoming more robust.