Petrol / Diesel differences....

[Buttons76]

apart from the blantantly obvious of course!

I am open to owning either but there are 2 major things for consideration:

1. how does the MPG differ between the 2 in the real world - i dont beleive what car salesmen tell me full stop!
2. And then there's the residual value to take in to account.....

diesels always seem to hold their value better but is this true with the A4 also?
I dont notice a big difference in price at present but is this because the cars i am looking at are relatively new still? ('11, '60 and '61 looked at so far)

As i said, im keen to hear opinions from the real world!

[theskyfox]

Um..just a few thoughts....

-Diesel is generally lower road tax/lower insurance

-As a rough guide, to get an idea of the real MPG take the Combined cycle figures and knock off 10mpg and it should be about right. Figures in the book are from the rolling roads which don't take into account things like tyre friction and air resistance.

-Things like gearbox type and driving style will affect MPG heavily. Manuals use less fuel than autos, if you take quattro as an option you will lose about 5 MPG.

-Don't consider diesel if you are doing very low mileage, you will lose any benefits as you only get the decent MPGs when the car is fully warmed up (This can take a long time to happen). Constant stop-start driving can screw things
like the Diesel particulate filter (which all diesel cars 2008+ will have).

-The bigger diesels (e.g. 3.0TDi) are superb performance and the newer ones have a quicker 0-60 time than their petrol equivalents, but of course..the MPG gain only becomes "relative" in these engine sizes.

-Although they have a higher initial cost, you get some back in resale value. Try selling big engined petrol cars these days...their appeal is falling.

-Most fuel efficient will be something like a Front wheel drive, manual 2.0TDi in the range. Last time I looked the lowest was 140bhp, but there might be more with lower BHP that give more MPG now...

-From personal experience, I was buying a 3.0TDi. I spent a whole year looking for a used one..and actually found it worked out better value to haggle on a new car and get a good finance deal
since the value on the used ones was only actually about a £3-4000 difference (which was nothing considering you could choose all options new and have the full 3 year warranty).

-Andrew

[Buttons76]

Andrew,

Thank you for your reply, some real good points there.
I currently have (don't shoot me down!) a BMW 330d - it is a great car to be honest, 240bhp and a consistent 39mpg (if you choose to believe on board computer).
The car is getting on now, 55 plate and 120k, so it's time for a change and I fancy an Audi.

Yes... I have considered the 3.0tdi but they seem hard to find second hand and carry pretty hefty price tags new (in my opinion of course).
In a nutshell, I would like something to return mpg in the region of what I'm used to.
My wife will also be using the car so a smaller engine appeals in that respect too.

There are 3 variants I am considering....
A 143bhp TDi, a 170bhp TDi and the 2.0T petrol (as this looks quite respectable on paper but small enough to please my concern of wife!)

Again, the second hand market isnt flooded with 170bhp so that just leaves the 143 and 2.0T really.
I'd expect the 143 to be quite boring but return good MPG - however, the 2.0t would give a slightly wider smile.....

I just need to weigh up if the width of the smile is enough bearing in mind the MPG!

Residual value.... I agree that diesels tend tend to be better but even so with the small engines? (im classing 2litre as small for this example)

hope this makes sense. Decisions decisions!

[John140]

For what its worth, my A4 TDI 143 does about 48 Mpg at high 70's MPH on the motorway. On nice warm days maybe 50 Mpg if you stay below 80.

In the current bout of hideously cold weather however I struggle to get into the 40's until I have done a good few miles from a cold start. Mind you it has been between -2c and -8c every morning for the last week. The new CR engine isnt much if any more economical than my old PD 140 BHP, but it is way more smooth quiet and flexible than the old engine.

[J_B204]

My quattro tdi 170 manual has returned an average of around 45 mgp over 8500 miles.

Mostly motorway miles and easy on the right foot too.

I'm happy with that considering the low mileage. Will say that pick up is great but won't necessarily compare with your 330d.

Agree that there are few on the market though.

On the 2.0t petrol, think they're easier to find but you may be shocked with the real life mpg when compared to your current car, that said very tidy performance and cheaper.

Given the performance of your current car and the fact you look to be after something that'll be keep the juices flowing you may find the 143 disappointing.

I personally think the performance of the 143 to be pretty good BUT I'm not comparing to a 330d!!

My recommendation....

Test drive, test drive, test drive!

Only you know what performance you are willing to accept vs cost etc

Sent from my LT15i using Tapatalk

[Buttons76]

Totally agree - I have spoilt myself with the 330d and replacing it like-for like is out of budget.
I also agree with test driving,.... I am borrowing a 143bhp TDi for the day from my local Audi *******.
It's a lovely looking car with a good spec list but only a good drive will tell me if I could live with it.

I don't know what it is about the 2.0T petrol but I am strangely attracted to it!
Strange as my last 3 cars have been diesel.... (B7 1.9tdi, modeo (!) TDi and the BMW).

I'll be honest, I haven't noticed much price difference between diesel and petrol on the forecourts.... maybe that's my first mistake!

[theskyfox]

I wouldn't shoot you down for having a BMW. I think their engines are better than Audis in that they seem to be able to extract more BHP whilst giving more MPG. The main thing that lets them down for me is the rear-wheel drive, and the fact that you literally have to shell out a bomb for every optional extra.

You're definatley going to notice a drop in power from anything less than the 240bhp...the real equivalent would be the 3.0tdi. Best bet would be like these guys have said..get out there and test drive a few. You're definatley doing the right thing, research is the key thing. Let us know what you choose in the end!

-Andrew

[sparker3000]

Interesting thread. I personally think petrol cars are getting more attractive. One reason is that Diesel is 9p more per litre. Or at least it is where I am.

Also when speccing up my new A4 which is on order I had the choice of:

1. 3.0 TDI quattro, s-tronic. Combined mpg is 47.6 and 0-60 is 6.1

2. 2.0 TFSI quattro, s-tronic. Combined mpg is 39.8 and 0-60 is 6.6

I worked out that on roughly 10,000 miles per year the diesel is around £250 more per year cheaper on fuel. And half a second quicker. But the petrol is nicer to drive.

But, and wait for it, the diesel is £4000 more expensive!

It was a no brainer for me and I ordered the petrol.

[theskyfox]

You've kinda hit it in a nutshell there though. You just said...you were comparing the 2.0T and 3.0Tdi. Why didn't you look at the 3.0 Petrol? :P

-Andrew

[sparker3000]

Why didn't you look at the 3.0 Petrol? :P

I wish!

I did test drive an S4 which was just awesome, gave me goose bumps it was so quick. My heart said yes but my bank balance said no