Buying advice, petrol or diesel?

[adburns]

Hi,

Just looking for buying advice from the experts

I'm looking to get a 02/03 B5 but I'm unsure of whether to go for a diesel or petrol engine?

The car will only be doing around 10k a year so my main concern is cheap maintenance and running costs.

I had my mind set on a TDI but a friend of mine told me that unless you are doing a lot of mileage that a petrol would be cheaper to run, is this true?

Thanks

[towcestervag]

not a lot in it if your milage is so low

[hongkongstuey]

depends on your right foot, anyone can make a car do ace mpg, its just how you drive it, im going from diesel soon, although very reluctant to sell it as its costing nothing to run.

[UltraViolet]

At that sort of mileage, there will be little difference either way.

Fuel costs will be a little lower with Diesel.
Service costs will be a little lower with petrol.
Depreciation likely to be lower with deisel.

However they do drive very differently, so why not get a test drive of both and decide which suits your driving style better?

[½cwt]

Just sold my 1.8 turbo petrol which did about 33mpg with my driving profile. Diesel would have got me more like 45mpg. Would have prefered a diesel, but if you are at all 'sporty' make sure you get a 130 diesel. Biggest problem with a diesel is any problem in the fuel pump or injector are can be mega money although these are quite rare. Just make sure you service history is pukka for either fuel type when you buy the car.

[UltraViolet]

Mine is the 130 Sport (6-speed) and I average 49.6mpg (fuel computer shows just over 50mpg, but I calculate it over months of fuel receipts).

I've owned mine since it had only 8,800 miles on it. Full VW history. Cambelt done December '08, just had al brake fluid changed, aircon regassed, 2 new tyres and service ..... pukka enough history?

Tis a '53 so above the age you are wanting, but if you are interested in diesel - I will be selling soon.

[Max-Power]

I've got the TDI 130 SE model (5-speed) and wished I got the sport for the 6 speed gearbox. I'd recommend getting a TDI 130 Sport as it's more economical than mine!

Like others have mentioned, it depends on how you drive it. Heavy footing and lots of traffic, it'll make no difference which one you go for. If you plan to keep the car for long, go diesel, otherwise petrol one will do

[deluna]

I bought a TDi 130 a few months ago and it's a great engine, lots of power and still very economical.

[Danesgate]

Ditto above - 2003 130TDI Sport Estates (2 of them!!) - Ave 49mpg for the car that gets mixed use, 44mpg for the car that spends its time in traffic.

Thoroughly recommended.