Yet another Diesel vs Petrol query

CalamariFritti

So since my beloved E39 has to go I've been looking at suitable replacements.

I think I settled on the F31 3 series estate. I love the look, its not too big, it has great reviews, its an RWD BMW which I know drives great. I'd just love one.

But this is where the questions begin. I barely do 11,000 kilometres a year. My daily commute is 15km each, 15 - 20 minutes depending on traffic. R roads, not much stop/start, but still, it isn't very far and the car barely reaches operating temperature. And on auto trader UK out of 100 suitable candidates there are 3 petrol cars. Here we're talking absolutely nothing, only diesels. Budget is say 20k +- 2k or so depending on whats on offer.

Also there is virtually nothing on the petrol models on the VRT calculator. Probably only a handful sold here over the last 5 years. Which has me worried they could bend me over a barrel.

I have no problem with petrol, I kinda prefer it even and I could live with say 390 tax, I believe for my mileage its probably the better choice, but the factors listed make it difficult.

Diesel on the other hand. Well people tell me with modern diesels its safe enough to do lowish mileage and most people in my town drive one. But the F31 320d is a bit of a rattlebox and I imagine the 3 litre 6 cylinder - which is obviously quite a nice machine and the one I'd really want - probably wouldn't like my mileage at all at all.

So what do I do? On the one hand buying a petrol could work out well price wise, niche and not much demand and all that, on the other hand choices are very limited and there is the VRT concern.

Thanks for reading.

Idbatterim

youd need to know what the vrt is to make informed decision... The E390 tax is nothing anyway, even if slightly higher than the diesel...

punisher5112

If you only keep for short diesel but if planning on keeping petrol all the way.

CalamariFritti

Idbatterim wrote: »

youd need to know what the vrt is to make informed decision... The E390 tax is nothing anyway, even if slightly higher than the diesel...

Totally agree on that. The 330d is out the question then you think?

@punisher Yes that would be my car for the next 10 years or so I reckon.

punisher5112

CalamariFritti wrote: »

Totally agree on that. The 330d is out the question then you think?

Yes.

CalamariFritti

On finding out what the VRT may be. This looks like a minefield in a case where such a car isn't listed. And a petrol F31 or F30 even isn't listed. At all.
ROS give you this form and a bit of a guide and it appears if the car sells for similar money to a car they have on the list the VRT should be similar plus minus the co2 rate, but its apparently in no way binding to them. I could land a car here and they could demand anything and then they'd have me over a barrel as I now have bought the car and can hardly bring it back at that point.

bazz26

The reason it's not listed on the VRT calculator site is because nobody probably imported a petrol F31. Unfortunately the only way to find out is by presenting it for VRT and then they will request a figure from Revenue who in turn contact BMW with the car's VIN.

To give you an idea though, the petrol engines (assuming 4 cylinder) will have similar power/emissions to the equivalent diesel variant. So I'd calculate what VRT would be on a similar 320d and then maybe add another €1500 on top of that. That would be an educated guess though.

CalamariFritti

The petrol models have similar power but a little higher emissions. I did eventually find a F30 320 petrol which came up with 6k VRT as opposed to a little over 4k for the diesel. 6k tax for a car that you buy for 12k Sterling! You couldn't make it up.

mythical123

CalamariFritti wrote: »

The petrol models have similar power but a little higher emissions. I did eventually find a F30 320 petrol which came up with 6k VRT as opposed to a little over 4k for the diesel. 6k tax for a car that you buy for 12k Sterling! You couldn't make it up.

The EfficientDynamics versions have lower emissions and so lower tax.

bazz26

CalamariFritti wrote: »

The petrol models have similar power but a little higher emissions. I did eventually find a F30 320 petrol which came up with 6k VRT as opposed to a little over 4k for the diesel. 6k tax for a car that you buy for 12k Sterling! You couldn't make it up.

But how much will you pay for the same car here?

Cheapest F30 petrol I can find is this at just under 24k for a 1.6 petrol:

http://www.driving.ie/used-cars/BMW/3-Series/316i-SE/9180075588813845697/

12k sterling is about €13500 plus 6k VRT is €19,500. Your still saving money and getting a superior powered car. Cannot have it all unfortunately.

CalamariFritti

mythical123 wrote: »

The EfficientDynamics versions have lower emissions and so lower tax.

ED in petrol does not exist for the F31, only for the sedan. And generally speaking there isn't much between the different petrol models in terms of co2 emissions. For example the 316i has 143g/km and the 328i has 152g/km meaning they're in the same tax band. But the 316i is a much much weaker car and even the 328i isn't all that appealing being just a souped up 2 litre 4 cylinder.

But thanks for the suggestion.

CalamariFritti

bazz26 wrote: »

But how much will you pay for the same car here?

Cheapest F30 petrol I can find is this at just under 24k for a 1.6 petrol:

http://www.driving.ie/used-cars/BMW/3-Series/316i-SE/9180075588813845697/

12k sterling is about €13500 plus 6k VRT is €19,500. Your still saving money and getting a superior powered car. Cannot have it all unfortunately.

If you put it that way...I guess you're right its immaterial how much for the car and how much for tax, the bottom line matters and I'd still be cheaper with a way superior car. It hurts though.

Idbatterim

The difference in motor tax is pathetic... Before a band could be costing you several hundred. Now in some cases it's e10...

CalamariFritti

I agree with you and I don't care whether I pay 200 or 280 or 390 even. But I'm talking about VRT which depends on a number of factors, but the biggest is there also emissions. Big difference whether a base rate of 27% or 17% applies. Thats easily a couple of grand.

Btw what do you think? Would a 320d be impossible with my driving? I see loads of people pottering around in 1.8, 1.9 and 2.0 litre diesels in my town and I'd say most would have the same commute as mine.

Seweryn

The thing is, on an average day your new Diesel will not reach its working temperature until you get to work. So, if you are not doing any weekend driving, the engine will never be used at its optimum conditions...

CalamariFritti

I can live with the fact that I don't use the engine to its maximum efficiency. I have little choice with my driving pattern no matter what diesel or petrol. I regularly do longer runs for about 8 months out of 12. My main concern is I don't want to buy a new DPF every year.

punisher5112

CalamariFritti wrote: »

I can live with the fact that I don't use the engine to its maximum efficiency. I have little choice with my driving pattern no matter what diesel or petrol. I regularly do longer runs for about 8 months out of 12. My main concern is I don't want to buy a new DPF every year.

Drive the nuts out of it from time to time and just bring it for a good spin on the motorway. Get it over 2 k revs for 30mins would help it a lot.