Mileage on a car.

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Snormossel

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Hi

Just out of interest, what do you think is better.

Getting a petrol car that has done 80000km or getting a diesel car that has done 80000km?

I know that I will never know how the car has been ridden before so that could be a problem but what do you guys think?
 
Snormossel said:
I know that I will never know how the car has been ridden before so that could be a problem but what do you guys think?
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You'll never know because they have never been ridden at all... unless the seller has a horse fixation!
 
Snormossel said:
Hi

Just out of interest, what do you think is better.

Getting a petrol car that has done 80000km or getting a diesel car that has done 80000km?

I know that I will never know how the car has been ridden before so that could be a problem but what do you guys think?
Click to expand...

Depends on the car I guess. I'd rather buy a honda petrol car with 80k on the clock than a VW TDI with 80k. With other manufacturers it's the other way round (I'd prefer a VW TDI to a Tata petrol with 80k on the clock).
 
Snormossel said:
Hi

Just out of interest, what do you think is better.

Getting a petrol car that has done 80000km or getting a diesel car that has done 80000km?

I know that I will never know how the car has been ridden before so that could be a problem but what do you guys think?
Click to expand...

So you should know
1. Efficiency – Diesel engines are considered to be more efficient than petrol engines because they use a higher compression ratio and work at a higher temperature which causes fuel to be burnt completely thus extracting the most out of it without any wastage.

2. Maintenance - Diesel Engines use a higher compression ratio compared to the petrol engines as a result of which the vibrations in a diesel engine are higher and cause the wear and tear of the different parts of the engine. The design and construction of the diesel engine is however much simpler and more robust than the petrol engine. As long as the vibrations are kept in check, the diesel engine is just as reliable as its counterpart. A prime development of late has been the arrival of ’common rail’ diesel technology which offers a more controlled fuel burn. Another advance has been in the area of turbo charging. This also causes a reduction in the ’diesel knock’ caused by the engine’s high compression ratio by effectively absorbing the vibrations.

3. Reliability – The most common grouse against diesel engines has been that they take a long time to start during the winter season because the engine works only at a high temperature. Though the diesel engine takes time to start during winter, it does start.

4. Price and Mileage – Diesel costs more compared to petrol and is therefore costly on the pocket. They also give substantially more mileage as compared to the petrol version. As for those planning to purchase a car in the near future, bear in mind that a diesel car makes sense financially only if the annual mileage is more than 13,000-15,000 Kms. If you feel that your annual mileage will be less than that, close your eyes and opt for a petrol version. The overall maintenance of a diesel car is definitely costlier.
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I hope that this article helps.:rolleyes:
 
Overall the petrol would be the safer bet (if it doesnt have a turbo). The turbo on a diesel is quite often a problem.

I recently got a diesel and I really like it. Got it with 60,000kms and up to 72,000 now. No problems so far. But I knew who drove it before me so that hopefully takes some of the risk out of it.
 
It is expected that diesel and petrol will soon cost about the same price, thus making the economy of a diesel even better.
 
gifs said:
It is expected that diesel and petrol will soon cost about the same price, thus making the economy of a diesel even better.
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The savings on fuel will still not make up for the service cost and maintenance on a diesel, since the service internal is much sooner than a petrol vehicle.
 
Slootvreter said:
The savings on fuel will still not make up for the service cost and maintenance on a diesel, since the service internal is much sooner than a petrol vehicle.
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My intervals are every 15k? and my minor service cost R1080....not that much different from a petrol....

but i would rather get a petrol than diesel when buying second hand car with mileage above 80k....
 
Screw diesel - total nonsense.

People tell you they're saving cash on fuel but they're blowing it on maintenance and in the case of a new car the cost of purchase.

Other than that they are sluggish as hell in the city and if you're a big open road user then enjoy your tractor ;)

Also: the diesel industry is unregulated so the fuel may cost less (for now) but thats not always the case and may not be in the future.

Buying a used diesel? Better be sure the previous owner knew what they were doing, allowing the engine to rest after switching it on before restarting it etc. otherwise its trashed.
Taking your diesel to a mechanic? Just watch his expression droop when he sees hes going to have to work on it... then perk up when he realises how much hes going to bill you!

Of all the misinformed motor car myths the diesel debacle is the most assinine notion ever.
 
SlinkyMike said:
Screw diesel - total nonsense.

People tell you they're saving cash on fuel but they're blowing it on maintenance and in the case of a new car the cost of purchase.

Other than that they are sluggish as hell in the city and if you're a big open road user then enjoy your tractor ;)

Also: the diesel industry is unregulated so the fuel may cost less (for now) but thats not always the case and may not be in the future.

Buying a used diesel? Better be sure the previous owner knew what they were doing, allowing the engine to rest after switching it on before restarting it etc. otherwise its trashed.
Taking your diesel to a mechanic? Just watch his expression droop when he sees hes going to have to work on it... then perk up when he realises how much hes going to bill you!

Of all the misinformed motor car myths the diesel debacle is the most assinine notion ever.
Click to expand...

I gotta disagree with quite a bit of ur post, so far my maintenance has been very little (although i might change my tune after the major service..) I agree a new diesel is damn expensive, but i got mine with 20k on the clock and it was exceptional value for money.

Sluggish? hardly, I never have to gear down on the highway, my aircon makes zero difference, my car eats hills, and its a 1.6tdci.... the 120d is faster than the 120i from what i remember... so no, its nto sluggish at all.

Agree with the used part, the diesels do need to be treated with a little more care, but its the same for any car that has a turbo, so its not just limited to diesels...
 
I drive my 2L diesel very hard - Accelerate and overtake everywhere i go. And I get 8L/100km average. I am currently driving a 1.6 petrol for a bit and the consumption has been 10.5L/100km. I originally bought the diesel for the performance only. But the economy has been welcome despite my driving style. No, diesels are not "cheaper" than petrols due to their economy, but they are "more economical" in terms of relative performance. However, my car has used 2 turbo's in 100 000km (previous owners) so they can be a problem. Use the best oil (manufacturers specs) and only use 50ppm diesel. Always allow the car to idle for 30 seconds before switchoff (no matter what ppl say) and preferably 1 minute after a long trip. You should be just fine then.
 
SlinkyMike said:
Other than that they are sluggish as hell in the city and if you're a big open road user then enjoy your tractor ;)
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My new E90 330d is faster than my previous E46 330i, which itself was freakin' fast.

When it comes to sound: it IS a damn tractor by comparison.
 
My Mazda Drifter 2.5 TDi Double cab is on 320 000km now with original engine. Just done the gearbox though.
 
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