Macan - Diesel or Petrol?
Discussion
I very nearly bought a new Macan S earlier this year but got cold feet and decided to wait for a bit.
I have now decided to go ahead with buying one but am torn between a low mileage 2 year old Macan S diesel (OPC sale so with 24 months warranty) or going for either a new or almost new petrol S (this would be the facelifted model so will undoubtedly feel like an improvement over the diesel).
The difference in price is around £20k, so the diesel is obviously far more affordable
I wondered if anyone has owned both a diesel and a petrol Macan and can give me some real world comparison - it is difficult to tell from a fairly short test drive as to whether I would regret getting a diesel rather than a petrol - but the economics are pushing me that way.
I have also got a Boxster as a second car, so have got the "fun" aspect covered
Any comments would be appreciated
I have now decided to go ahead with buying one but am torn between a low mileage 2 year old Macan S diesel (OPC sale so with 24 months warranty) or going for either a new or almost new petrol S (this would be the facelifted model so will undoubtedly feel like an improvement over the diesel).
The difference in price is around £20k, so the diesel is obviously far more affordable
I wondered if anyone has owned both a diesel and a petrol Macan and can give me some real world comparison - it is difficult to tell from a fairly short test drive as to whether I would regret getting a diesel rather than a petrol - but the economics are pushing me that way.
I have also got a Boxster as a second car, so have got the "fun" aspect covered
Any comments would be appreciated
Thanks for the replies
I should clarify that the petrol version I am looking at is the S, so the 3L model, not the 2 L - I drove the latter earlier this year and it left me cold - if I wanted that engine I would buy a Golf GTI and save £20k
I drove the petrol S this weekend. It is a lovely car but I am not convinced that it is worth £20k more than the diesel. Based on finance figures, I would be looking at a brand new petrol S on PCP versus a used diesel or Turbo for the same cost over 4 years - but I would own the latter at the end of the term (deposit plus bank loan or HP) compared to having maybe a bit of equity left in the PCP deal. seems a no brainer to me - buy used and hopefully have a car worth £15k or so at the end or buy new and have pennies in equity at the end.
I am therefore changing the search a bit and capping the budget at £45k. This gets me either a 2017/18 diesel or a 2014/15 Turbo. The heart says turbo but the head says diesel - unless I can arrange a warranty on the turbo.
I should clarify that the petrol version I am looking at is the S, so the 3L model, not the 2 L - I drove the latter earlier this year and it left me cold - if I wanted that engine I would buy a Golf GTI and save £20k
I drove the petrol S this weekend. It is a lovely car but I am not convinced that it is worth £20k more than the diesel. Based on finance figures, I would be looking at a brand new petrol S on PCP versus a used diesel or Turbo for the same cost over 4 years - but I would own the latter at the end of the term (deposit plus bank loan or HP) compared to having maybe a bit of equity left in the PCP deal. seems a no brainer to me - buy used and hopefully have a car worth £15k or so at the end or buy new and have pennies in equity at the end.
I am therefore changing the search a bit and capping the budget at £45k. This gets me either a 2017/18 diesel or a 2014/15 Turbo. The heart says turbo but the head says diesel - unless I can arrange a warranty on the turbo.
Well if it’s Turbo or Diesel it’s really about mileage and running costs. Obviously the Turbo or indeed GTS will be more fun but you’ll pay at the plump. They’re great cars whichever you choose....and when you look at how little changed when they updated the Macan it was a classic “if it ain’t broke”
Don’t know when the PCM with Apple Car Play was introduced but I doubt it’s on a 15 Turbo. If it was a daily I’d want that for being able to use Waze with the traffic and camera alerts
Don’t know when the PCM with Apple Car Play was introduced but I doubt it’s on a 15 Turbo. If it was a daily I’d want that for being able to use Waze with the traffic and camera alerts
Sheepshanks said:
Doesn’t diesel Macan have dpf issues?
Good point, I am looking at a 2nd hand one as second car and I'm thinking of buying from OPC as they offer 2 years warranty. However, I read on specialist forum that the issue is not huge and can be resolved relatively inexpensively.
In terms of future legislation, I think the latest petrol and diesel engines will be penalised similarly.
In terms of day-to-day use, for an SUV, I actually prefer the power delivery and economy of good turbo-diesel engine.
In the Macan I thought it was very well suited, oodles of performance, sounded really nice (pse) and averaged 35-40 mpg. Couldn't fault it.
In terms of day-to-day use, for an SUV, I actually prefer the power delivery and economy of good turbo-diesel engine.
In the Macan I thought it was very well suited, oodles of performance, sounded really nice (pse) and averaged 35-40 mpg. Couldn't fault it.
Didn’t say it was lacking power...said it was ordinary! Just don’t think you pay Porsche money to have an engine that sounds like that/has pretty much been lifted out of a Golf.
Also think the great thing about the Macan is that it’s hugely capable....great at wafting on motorways but can really press on when the roads are fun and I don’t think the 2.0 lets you exploit the latter.
Also think the great thing about the Macan is that it’s hugely capable....great at wafting on motorways but can really press on when the roads are fun and I don’t think the 2.0 lets you exploit the latter.
Well - head has won out over heart and I have put the deposit down on the diesel. Pick it up next weekend andtrading in the 987 against it.
That means I will have the Discovery 4 and the Macan.....so expect a few posts about what to change the D4 against in the next few months when I decide I need something a bit more fun!!
That means I will have the Discovery 4 and the Macan.....so expect a few posts about what to change the D4 against in the next few months when I decide I need something a bit more fun!!
Cheib said:
Didn’t say it was lacking power...said it was ordinary! Just don’t think you pay Porsche money to have an engine that sounds like that/has pretty much been lifted out of a Golf.
Also think the great thing about the Macan is that it’s hugely capable....great at wafting on motorways but can really press on when the roads are fun and I don’t think the 2.0 lets you exploit the latter.
My journeys are narrow/ish lanes and rarely do I see a duel carriageway, so as I say-2lt suites me.Also think the great thing about the Macan is that it’s hugely capable....great at wafting on motorways but can really press on when the roads are fun and I don’t think the 2.0 lets you exploit the latter.
The Gen 1 Diesel I had didn't seem all that different to the Gen 1 2lt at lower speed range, however yes @ 70mph putting your foot down their would be a good difference
The Gen 2 2lt engine seems smother.
Apologies if you took offence that wasn't meant
Cheib said:
It’s a bit like the diesels that we’re in the Cayenne...I really didn’t like the 3.0d but think the V8 4.0 d is a great lump
I know what you mean, the V6 diesel engine was one of the reasons I opted to buy a X5 40d instead of the Cayenne at the end of 2016, thinking that the X5 would be the better option for next 3/4 years in anticipation of the next gen Cayenne having a better V6 diesel by time I'd be next changing.........That worked out well
And with BMW having dropped the 40d engine for the new G05 X5 as well (as well as other issues I have with the new G05) it now looks like I will be keeping my current X5 for many years to come, and effectively running it into the ground........as with no Porsche option as well as no BMW option, there really isn't anything to replace it with now
I've driven most of them:
The 3.0 Diesel is great and isn't lacking in power. Sounds ok too (for a diesel).
The 3.0 S is a hoot to drive. Again, plenty of power, only with a better soundtrack.
The NEW 2.0 petrol was... ok. It just about has enough power but I'd hardly call it exciting. Interestingly, the real world fuel economy is only marginally better than the 3.0 petrol so I wouldn't buy it under the premise of saving a fortune in fuel costs.
In the end, I opted for a fully loaded 3.0 GTS with sports exhaust. It sounds the nuts and the soundtrack adds to the excitement. It doesn't feel any quicker then the standard 3.0 S but feels slightly better connected to the road through the twisty stuff.
I opted for the GTS as I expect the total ownership cost to be the least. OK - the fuel economy isn't great (I'm averaging 275 miles out of £90 from mixed driving), but the resell values on the GTS will hold best which makes it the cheapest if you look at total cost of ownership.
If it hadn't been for the price of diesel cars dropping through the floor, I would have gone for the diesel.
Please note the Macan appears to be very spec sensitive. In no particular order: Bose, upgraded seats, pan roof, reverse camera, nav, heated seats, sport plus, air suspension & wheel upgrade really help with the resale. I've noticed cars with all these options get sold very quickly. If any of the above are missing, the cars tend to hang around.
The 3.0 Diesel is great and isn't lacking in power. Sounds ok too (for a diesel).
The 3.0 S is a hoot to drive. Again, plenty of power, only with a better soundtrack.
The NEW 2.0 petrol was... ok. It just about has enough power but I'd hardly call it exciting. Interestingly, the real world fuel economy is only marginally better than the 3.0 petrol so I wouldn't buy it under the premise of saving a fortune in fuel costs.
In the end, I opted for a fully loaded 3.0 GTS with sports exhaust. It sounds the nuts and the soundtrack adds to the excitement. It doesn't feel any quicker then the standard 3.0 S but feels slightly better connected to the road through the twisty stuff.
I opted for the GTS as I expect the total ownership cost to be the least. OK - the fuel economy isn't great (I'm averaging 275 miles out of £90 from mixed driving), but the resell values on the GTS will hold best which makes it the cheapest if you look at total cost of ownership.
If it hadn't been for the price of diesel cars dropping through the floor, I would have gone for the diesel.
Please note the Macan appears to be very spec sensitive. In no particular order: Bose, upgraded seats, pan roof, reverse camera, nav, heated seats, sport plus, air suspension & wheel upgrade really help with the resale. I've noticed cars with all these options get sold very quickly. If any of the above are missing, the cars tend to hang around.
aeropilot said:
Cheib said:
It’s a bit like the diesels that we’re in the Cayenne...I really didn’t like the 3.0d but think the V8 4.0 d is a great lump
I know what you mean, the V6 diesel engine was one of the reasons I opted to buy a X5 40d instead of the Cayenne at the end of 2016, thinking that the X5 would be the better option for next 3/4 years in anticipation of the next gen Cayenne having a better V6 diesel by time I'd be next changing.........That worked out well
And with BMW having dropped the 40d engine for the new G05 X5 as well (as well as other issues I have with the new G05) it now looks like I will be keeping my current X5 for many years to come, and effectively running it into the ground........as with no Porsche option as well as no BMW option, there really isn't anything to replace it with now
A bit late to the party since OP seems to have made the decision, but just a little balancing vote for the 3l petrol S! 
I was in a similar quandary this time last year. My Uncle has had two diesel Macans and whilst they drove brilliantly and enjoyed great fuel economy, a little bit of the excitement was missing from it being a Porky. Purists will always say that a proper Porsche can't be an SUV, but the 3l V6 petrol certainly goes some way to making it sound every bit the sports car.
There are times when I'm back at the pumps.......again(!), that I wish I'd gone diesel. But in fairness those are few and far between. Every time I start the car - particularly cold, in the garage, it sends a tingle down my spine and puts a smile on my face before I've even gone anywhere.
I'm getting 21mpg over 8k miles, but regularly see 26-27mpg on a run. But my mileage is heavily skewed towards shorter journeys on b-roads (read: fun)
I was in a similar quandary this time last year. My Uncle has had two diesel Macans and whilst they drove brilliantly and enjoyed great fuel economy, a little bit of the excitement was missing from it being a Porky. Purists will always say that a proper Porsche can't be an SUV, but the 3l V6 petrol certainly goes some way to making it sound every bit the sports car.
There are times when I'm back at the pumps.......again(!), that I wish I'd gone diesel. But in fairness those are few and far between. Every time I start the car - particularly cold, in the garage, it sends a tingle down my spine and puts a smile on my face before I've even gone anywhere.
I'm getting 21mpg over 8k miles, but regularly see 26-27mpg on a run. But my mileage is heavily skewed towards shorter journeys on b-roads (read: fun)
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