Petrol- Do they last as long as diesels and resale values?
Discussion
Looking into buying an A3. I'd be doing anything between 15k and 20k miles a year and the 1.4 Petrol TSI seems a decent bet for everyday motoring. 150PS and high MPG due to cylinder deactivation technology.
Its the cheapest A3 with decent performance and torque. Can't help but think most people think a diesel would be a better bet. the 1.6 TDI is only £100 more to buy but really slow and dull.
I'm told diesels always last for ever whereas by 6 digits miles a petrol may feel more tired- is this the case or would people still generally believe this? I'm trying to evaluate it financially when it is time to get rid in say 5ish years.
Would diesel potentially be the enemy by then?? Lots of questions!
Its the cheapest A3 with decent performance and torque. Can't help but think most people think a diesel would be a better bet. the 1.6 TDI is only £100 more to buy but really slow and dull.
I'm told diesels always last for ever whereas by 6 digits miles a petrol may feel more tired- is this the case or would people still generally believe this? I'm trying to evaluate it financially when it is time to get rid in say 5ish years.
Would diesel potentially be the enemy by then?? Lots of questions!
Yes, diesels are the enemy!
just kidding...I think you have to do what's best for you.
Personally, if I was doing anywhere close to 20k miles per year then it would put me potentially into diesel territory. I haven't driven an A3 petrol, my wife has an A3 company car (1.6tdi) so have driven that. Whilst its not a patch on what my daily is, I wouldn't say its any slower than the standard stuff out there...always found diesels to have a fair amount of torque compared to the lower petrol cars (albeit smaller engine petrol cars isn't something I've driven recently).
Didn't know that the 1.4 A3 has cylinder deactivation tech...interesting...my wifes 1.6 tdi avg's over 65mpg on her 40mile commute (90% motorway).
good luck.
just kidding...I think you have to do what's best for you.Personally, if I was doing anywhere close to 20k miles per year then it would put me potentially into diesel territory. I haven't driven an A3 petrol, my wife has an A3 company car (1.6tdi) so have driven that. Whilst its not a patch on what my daily is, I wouldn't say its any slower than the standard stuff out there...always found diesels to have a fair amount of torque compared to the lower petrol cars (albeit smaller engine petrol cars isn't something I've driven recently).
Didn't know that the 1.4 A3 has cylinder deactivation tech...interesting...my wifes 1.6 tdi avg's over 65mpg on her 40mile commute (90% motorway).
good luck.
Really lovely engine that 1.4. Much better than the diesel.
Not sure I would see any difference in long term reliability. The 1.4 has turbo etc and you do enough mileage for diesel dpf to not be an issue I think.
Resale values is where the diesel will do better. I had a 118i and struggled to get rid of it. Took it to some dealers to see what they would give me and some said nothing because it's not a diesel.
Not sure I would see any difference in long term reliability. The 1.4 has turbo etc and you do enough mileage for diesel dpf to not be an issue I think.
Resale values is where the diesel will do better. I had a 118i and struggled to get rid of it. Took it to some dealers to see what they would give me and some said nothing because it's not a diesel.
As others have pointed out this probably comes down to how many miles you will do each year, with mileages over 20K leaning towards a diesel, and less than 20K leaning towards the petrol unit, (if driving a diesel suits what the style of driving you want to do. Otherwise get the petrol.
Diesels tend to last longer because they rev far slower than an equivalent petrol unit. My Passat is only doing a little above idling speed at 70 mph, and gives me 900 - 1000 mile range per tankful. Also diesel oil fuel has some lubricating qualities. Whereas in some (extreme) cases petrol can wash the bores clear of lubricant
The downside is that they can be slow to warm up to operating temperature in the winter, with respective effects on demisting, and heating the interior, but even this is surprising, in that with absolutely no temp shown on the temp, or oil temp gauge, the demister still manages to produce some warm air for the screen after just a mile or so of driving.
Diesels tend to last longer because they rev far slower than an equivalent petrol unit. My Passat is only doing a little above idling speed at 70 mph, and gives me 900 - 1000 mile range per tankful. Also diesel oil fuel has some lubricating qualities. Whereas in some (extreme) cases petrol can wash the bores clear of lubricant
The downside is that they can be slow to warm up to operating temperature in the winter, with respective effects on demisting, and heating the interior, but even this is surprising, in that with absolutely no temp shown on the temp, or oil temp gauge, the demister still manages to produce some warm air for the screen after just a mile or so of driving.
Pan Pan Pan said:
The downside is that they can be slow to warm up to operating temperature in the winter, with respective effects on demisting, and heating the interior, but even this is surprising, in that with absolutely no temp shown on the temp, or oil temp gauge, the demister still manages to produce some warm air for the screen after just a mile or so of driving.
If it's a relatively new Passat, this will be down to the auxiliary heater.My partner had her clutch release bearing go on her ~20 month old, ~20k mile A1 1.6 TDi, which has done a wee bit of town mileage, but in the main it is used on free flowing 50/60/70 limit roads on her commute.
When we talked to the dealership it is not an uncommon failure either, so Audi picked up the complete cost of repair under warranty which I was surprised about as I was all geared up to hear 'the clutch assembly is a wear and tear part and not covered' crap from them.
Cheers,
Grant
When we talked to the dealership it is not an uncommon failure either, so Audi picked up the complete cost of repair under warranty which I was surprised about as I was all geared up to hear 'the clutch assembly is a wear and tear part and not covered' crap from them.
Cheers,
Grant
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