Diesel or petrol, you opinions please.

[Darjm]

If you were to buy an Audi Avant, around the 8k mark, would you go for a Petrol, or equivalent sized diesel version. i.e. 1.9tdi or 1.8t.

I might add, you would be doing an average of around 6k miles a year, mostly short trips, with the occasional weekend long run or 2! It would be nice to be quite economical, but also a bit of fun, if taken along some twisties!

Suggestions and reasons why. If youve got the time.

cheers!

[rharris]

If similar purchase money, the diesel (if you don't mind the noise) - I personally think with the extra torque you make better progress on the twisty stuff without having to rev the nuts of it. And of course the better mpg

[DBSK]

Diesel - Take it out for a thrash and you still get 37/38 or take it for a cruise and get 50+ to the gallon, plus torque is the new bhp.

[kite]

Diesel and quattro all the way....

[Darjm]

Thanks for the replies folks. Very helpful.

I can appreciate torque, my other weapon of choice is a Honda Firestorm V-Twin. None of this 12k rpm power band nonsense. Arms out of socket stuff as soon as u twist!

[Dark Horse]

I'm going to bat for the other side here, I prefer petrol, it's smooth, refined and classy. Can't stand the clatter or noise of a diesel, frankly it's embarrassing driving one in a built up area. Even the newer diesel Audi's make a racket.

Having said that, if you're only doing short trips with 6k per year mileage, diesel is prob better as it's more slippery and provides more lubricity from those cold starts. Just need to to peg it down the motorway every now and then to clear the particulate filter thing that can get clogged up if a diesel is not being driven hard enough.

[SWARCUP]

Diesel definately - I have driven a 1.8t petrol a few times and a 1.9tdi 130 also, both very similar but they are no match for my 2.5tdi v6 quattro. i know the 2.5 is bigger and heavier and more expensive to maintain but it still gives me 35 per gallon and loads of fun. the 4 cylinder 1.9 is noisier than a petrol and so is the 2.5 but the 2.5 is so smooth and the torque plants you in your seat properly. the 1.8t is highly moddable unlike the diesels.

This is just my observations and in no way is to disrespect anyone elses motors because its all horses for courses.

definately get a quattro in whatever you choose

[Zeb]

It has to be a Diesel!!! You will save alot of money when it comes to filling up, even though the prices for fuel has gone up.

[mikeybutch]

I agree its diesel whats best and 2.5 over the 1.9 quattro if poss but older ones are rare.I had a 1.8 petrol until 6 mos ago and never driven diesel until my son purchased a i.9 quattro and showed me the advantages of better torque and economy then we found the 2.5 quattro even better and great in bad weather rain snow even ice .The noise needs to be accepted as part of the deal anyway its acceptable when diesel is becoming as common as petrol and seems to be the way forward if prices stay high

[JohnyIre]

I don't think the diesel's are that noisy even. Way better than a lot of other manufactors.