Diesel fuel consumption?

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Dryden

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Hi

I drive 105kms to work every day and 105 back. About 75% of this is highway; 20% rural road and 5% city. I drive a 1.3 petrol Bantam. I use about 2 tanks of fuel a week. If I swop the 1.3 petrol Bantam for a 1.5 diesel version, or maybe a 1.7 Corsa diesel, diesel polo/renault/kruiwa etc, would there be a great improvement in my fuel consumption?

Also with diesel being more expensive than petrol, is it really worth it getting a diesel?
 
You will definitely see an improvement. Right now you doing just over 1000km's and using 2 tanks. Must diesels can do 1000km's (or close) on one tank.

Diesel might be more expensive but you'll find yourself at the station much less than with a petrol powered car.

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Go find out what your insurance payment will be on the new bakkie.
And remember that diesel vehicle services are generally more expensive than petrol ones.
 
Don't Diesel services cost more?
and if there is a turbo involved..
 
Bantam 1.3i Petrol - Consumption Average 8.4 - about 650 km/tank
Bantam 1.4 TDCi - Consumption Average 6.6 - about 820 km/tank

That's annual average, so if you're generally driving on the highway you'll get above 1000km as Leimie said.
 
You will definitely see a difference.

My Tdi gets my on average 700 - 900 KM per tank.

AND remember diesel is coming down this month I think by about 50c +-
 
A few tricks with diesels, but nothing too bad.

The most dangerous is probably the cam belt: you have to replace this at the given intervals, no questions asked. Do not try to extend the live on it. Not 100% sure, but afaik the torque is so high on diesels, that if your cam belt breaks you are screwed --> new engine.

Then, yes: turbo's. Most turbo's do have a limited life on them, but if you treat them well they can easily do a 100k km's+. If you need to replace a turbo out of warranty period, look for a scrap yard and reliable mechanic, and you can usually get them replaced for a fraction of the cost. Other than that, I generally just make sure my car has a few minutes of warming up before I run the turbo, and I make sure that the turbo has spinned down for a few minutes before I switch her off.

On my Opel 1.7 TDi I dislike going over 600km's on a tank.

It only has a 35l tank.
 
Joker said:
Bantam 1.3i Petrol - Consumption Average 8.4 - about 650 km/tank
Bantam 1.4 TDCi - Consumption Average 6.6 - about 820 km/tank

That's annual average, so if you're generally driving on the highway you'll get above 1000km as Leimie said.
Click to expand...

210km a day. Yoh!

I'm on about 50km a day, and have been considering a diesel:

80% highway @ ~135
15% urban @~40-60
5% stop start

See there are 1.8 Bantam Diesels with ~100k on clock going for ~R55k, which I could stretch to...


bin3 said:
On my Opel 1.7 TDi I dislike going over 600km's on a tank.

It only has a 35l tank.
Click to expand...

:D
 
Remember a diesel engine will also give you a longer life span if you look after it.

It is not unreasonable to expect at least 500 000 - 700 000 KM out of it.
 
You should just calculate your current cost per kilometre and your likely cost for whichever diesel model you consider and then calculate how long it would take to cover the added expenses.


bin3 said:
The most dangerous is probably the cam belt: you have to replace this at the given intervals, no questions asked. Do not try to extend the live on it. Not 100% sure, but afaik the torque is so high on diesels, that if your cam belt breaks you are screwed --> new engine.
Click to expand...

No different to a petrol engine. If the cambelt snaps on a non-interference engine there won't be any damage, but it's not a chance worth taking.
 
Grimspoon said:
Well my Tdi has 253 000 KM on the clock and the car is pristine and runs like a beaut. :)
Click to expand...

Well, you give me hope for my TDI then, thnx :) I nurse my vehicle, idle before switch-off, use 50PPM diesel only, never rev her over 3000 Rpm... Original turbo still on yours?
 
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