Real world MPG vs running cost (petrol vs Diesel)
Discussion
I am looking at taking a new job which will mean I will need a car to cover 600 miles a week(ish), no company car but I will have an allowance to buy and run my own.
The last time I had a long distance car (2013) the advice was to buy a diesel, is this still the case?
Looking at an example Mercedes B200 which can be had in petrol or diesel and have similar performance and specification but the real world MPG difference from honest John is not that big 48.9MG for the petrol vs 53.4mpg for the diesel. Given that diesel costs more than petrol and you have to add AdBlue is it still worth buying diesels or should I look at petrol?
Other cars are not this close on MPG with the C200 equivalents showing a 10mpg difference between petrol and diesel, any maths wizzes know at what point the running costs swing between petrol and diesel?
Anyone else covering lots of miles have any advice?
Thanks in advance.
The last time I had a long distance car (2013) the advice was to buy a diesel, is this still the case?
Looking at an example Mercedes B200 which can be had in petrol or diesel and have similar performance and specification but the real world MPG difference from honest John is not that big 48.9MG for the petrol vs 53.4mpg for the diesel. Given that diesel costs more than petrol and you have to add AdBlue is it still worth buying diesels or should I look at petrol?
Other cars are not this close on MPG with the C200 equivalents showing a 10mpg difference between petrol and diesel, any maths wizzes know at what point the running costs swing between petrol and diesel?
Anyone else covering lots of miles have any advice?
Thanks in advance.
I always say just run the numbers yourself. I use the below link and find it handy.
http://www.fuel-economy.co.uk/calc.html
Between the Mercs you probably only save £5 a week. Add in the inevitable DPF replacement and it’s a tough case for the diesel.
I’d just buy whichever one you actually prefer to drive in all honesty.
http://www.fuel-economy.co.uk/calc.html
Between the Mercs you probably only save £5 a week. Add in the inevitable DPF replacement and it’s a tough case for the diesel.
I’d just buy whichever one you actually prefer to drive in all honesty.
By looking at fuel consumption only, it assumes that other running costs will be equal. But that is usually not the case for used cars, with diesels tending (but not always obvs) to have higher repair costs. For newer cars it's less clear cut on repair costs, but residuals will be worse for diesel cars.
Petrols are usually more refined and less noisy, which I'd be happy to pay a slight premium for if I was spending 15+ hours a week in it.
I would be looking at petrol hybrids. Maybe a plug-in for a bit of EV range if some of the miles are urban.
Petrols are usually more refined and less noisy, which I'd be happy to pay a slight premium for if I was spending 15+ hours a week in it.
I would be looking at petrol hybrids. Maybe a plug-in for a bit of EV range if some of the miles are urban.
dmsims said:
Dependent on your circumstances (can you have a home charger?) and your journey profile etc - have you considered electric ?
Yep, I think these days that electric is the winner on 'fuel' costs if you can charge at home and have the budget to buy an EV with suitable range.I think one big repair bill, whatever type of car you have, can wipe out a load of fuel savings, so I'm in the camp of 'just buy what you like'.
You mention allowance so I am going to assume new... Most new cars irrespective of "fuel" are pretty efficient and more than likely largely comparable on fuel costs (yes even electric if it's not all at home, again I assume not due to miles per week).
To me given that you do 600ish miles a week likely just shy of 30k a year I'd want something on a 3 year lease or PCP with a 100k warranty not really caring what the fuels is. The reason being reliability, as previously pointed out a big bill will sink any fuel saving. Plus if you are doing 600 miles a week I assume you need to stay mobile for your job.
I don't know what Toyota offer these days but I'd certainly look there for a self charging hybrid to stay mobile. Or maybe a Korean if you were looking for 7 year security, but I am not sure you'd want to own a car with a need for reliability beyond 3 years doing 30k a year.
To me given that you do 600ish miles a week likely just shy of 30k a year I'd want something on a 3 year lease or PCP with a 100k warranty not really caring what the fuels is. The reason being reliability, as previously pointed out a big bill will sink any fuel saving. Plus if you are doing 600 miles a week I assume you need to stay mobile for your job.
I don't know what Toyota offer these days but I'd certainly look there for a self charging hybrid to stay mobile. Or maybe a Korean if you were looking for 7 year security, but I am not sure you'd want to own a car with a need for reliability beyond 3 years doing 30k a year.
Thanks everyone!!!!!
I do have access to another car if I run into problems.
dmsims said:
Dependent on your circumstances (can you have a home charger?) and your journey profile etc - have you considered electric ?
I have looked at electric but its a new job at a new company so I was going to buy something with cash (c.£16-£18k) to start with so I don't end up with a lease or PCP payment if it doesn't work out. Moonpie21 said:
You mention allowance so I am going to assume new... Most new cars irrespective of "fuel" are pretty efficient and more than likely largely comparable on fuel costs (yes even electric if it's not all at home, again I assume not due to miles per week).
To me given that you do 600ish miles a week likely just shy of 30k a year I'd want something on a 3 year lease or PCP with a 100k warranty not really caring what the fuels is. The reason being reliability, as previously pointed out a big bill will sink any fuel saving. Plus if you are doing 600 miles a week I assume you need to stay mobile for your job.
I don't know what Toyota offer these days but I'd certainly look there for a self charging hybrid to stay mobile. Or maybe a Korean if you were looking for 7 year security, but I am not sure you'd want to own a car with a need for reliability beyond 3 years doing 30k a year.
I can charge at home on the drive but I am likely to need to charge on the road or at least at hotels once or twice a week, from what I've read that makes electric as expensive as petrol or diesel? I hadn't thought about hybrids, will take a look at Toyota Corolla / Prius they seem dull but must be reliable as they are used as taxis so are probably cheap to run..........To me given that you do 600ish miles a week likely just shy of 30k a year I'd want something on a 3 year lease or PCP with a 100k warranty not really caring what the fuels is. The reason being reliability, as previously pointed out a big bill will sink any fuel saving. Plus if you are doing 600 miles a week I assume you need to stay mobile for your job.
I don't know what Toyota offer these days but I'd certainly look there for a self charging hybrid to stay mobile. Or maybe a Korean if you were looking for 7 year security, but I am not sure you'd want to own a car with a need for reliability beyond 3 years doing 30k a year.
I do have access to another car if I run into problems.
LeeM135i said:
I can charge at home on the drive but I am likely to need to charge on the road or at least at hotels once or twice a week, from what I've read that makes electric as expensive as petrol or diesel? I hadn't thought about hybrids, will take a look at Toyota Corolla / Prius they seem dull but must be reliable as they are used as taxis so are probably cheap to run..........
I do have access to another car if I run into problems.
Given what you just said about new job and budget you can easily get a 22 plate or newer Corolla with around 30,000 miles on the clock within your budget. Nice and new from a safety perspective with a proven brand, OK maybe not fun but certainly does the day to day comfortably I am sure.I do have access to another car if I run into problems.
Not a lot a car like this doesn't do:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202402086...
edited to add: you could put 15,000 miles on this and probably not lose any money if circumstances changed.
Edited by Moonpie21 on Wednesday 13th March 14:44
What it comes down to is what is the traffic like and what roads you are going to be on mostly.
If you are mostly on the motorway then a diesel is the best option as you can get one with mediocre power like 150bhp and 230lbs torque, which would be perfect for your journey.
Or
You can get the same sort of thing with a newish petrol 1.5 3cyclinder engine and get nearly the same sort of MPG as a diesel.
I went with a diesel as the roads I use at 90% motorway and 8% Dual carriage way, 2% city roads. I get around 50mph if not more if there isn't any traffic and a tiny bit under if there is. When I use the car around city roads the mpg drops but that's why we use our smaller petrol car for those journeys as its more fuel efficient.
If you are mostly on the motorway then a diesel is the best option as you can get one with mediocre power like 150bhp and 230lbs torque, which would be perfect for your journey.
Or
You can get the same sort of thing with a newish petrol 1.5 3cyclinder engine and get nearly the same sort of MPG as a diesel.
I went with a diesel as the roads I use at 90% motorway and 8% Dual carriage way, 2% city roads. I get around 50mph if not more if there isn't any traffic and a tiny bit under if there is. When I use the car around city roads the mpg drops but that's why we use our smaller petrol car for those journeys as its more fuel efficient.
As lots of people say its not cut and dry and varies especially on what work pay you for mileage.
In my recent experience getting the recommended HMRC fuel rate I have found a 3.0 diesel much better than a 1.2 petrol on all counts, cars for comparison was a petrol 5008 (new) and a 2010 330d.
I get 45 to 50mpg in the BMW and have been claiming 20p per mile, when I had the Peugeot I was lucky to get 40mpg and could claim only 13p.
In my recent experience getting the recommended HMRC fuel rate I have found a 3.0 diesel much better than a 1.2 petrol on all counts, cars for comparison was a petrol 5008 (new) and a 2010 330d.
I get 45 to 50mpg in the BMW and have been claiming 20p per mile, when I had the Peugeot I was lucky to get 40mpg and could claim only 13p.
Depending on how you drive (and miles per day) I'd consider electric.
If not then doing that kind of mileage there will be no DPF or AdBlu crystallisation issues the doom mongers spout on about with diesels.
Ive never seen a DPF light in the 9 odd years ive driven diesels with a DPF.
A petrol will often do good mpg on paper (and if you drive carefully) but where diesels come in to their own is that they still do good mpg at "less eco" speeds.
Example my GTD estate will easily do over 50mpg nudging 80 if you arent jabbing the throttle and keeping the speed fairly steady.
If not then doing that kind of mileage there will be no DPF or AdBlu crystallisation issues the doom mongers spout on about with diesels.
Ive never seen a DPF light in the 9 odd years ive driven diesels with a DPF.
A petrol will often do good mpg on paper (and if you drive carefully) but where diesels come in to their own is that they still do good mpg at "less eco" speeds.
Example my GTD estate will easily do over 50mpg nudging 80 if you arent jabbing the throttle and keeping the speed fairly steady.
Depends on your driving style and the roads you are driving.
My car is quite economical despite being petrol and can give me 50-55mpg if I drive at a leisurely pace on the motorway. But if I’m in more of a hurry this is more like 40mpg.
When I had a diesel, I’d get 60-65mpg at leisurely pace (can get 75-80mpg if trying to get a maximum mpg). But if I increase the pace I’m still looking at a minimum of 50mpg.
(Although cost of diesel is a bit more than petrol so swings and roundabouts I guess)
My car is quite economical despite being petrol and can give me 50-55mpg if I drive at a leisurely pace on the motorway. But if I’m in more of a hurry this is more like 40mpg.
When I had a diesel, I’d get 60-65mpg at leisurely pace (can get 75-80mpg if trying to get a maximum mpg). But if I increase the pace I’m still looking at a minimum of 50mpg.
(Although cost of diesel is a bit more than petrol so swings and roundabouts I guess)
LeeM135i said:
I have looked at electric but its a new job at a new company so I was going to buy something with cash (c.£16-£18k) to start with so I don't end up with a lease or PCP payment if it doesn't work out.
You can get a Tesla Model 3 for that price now, cash. https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202403087...
It will still have four years and nearly 65,000 miles left on the battery warranty, it can be charged up for around £7 overnight at home, it'll do around 300 miles on a charge, top out at 145 mph, do 0-60 in 4.5 seconds and doesn't really need servicing aside from tyres and brakes.
Get one of these & you'll see real world mid to low 50's on a run more with a map:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202403137...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202402166...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202403137...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202402166...
This is going to be my conundrum in 12 months when my ev goes back.
I do 15-17k of mostly motorway miles so typical diesel problems shouldn't be an issue- hopefully?
I need auto , and I'm not sure that reliable Japanese brands are at their best with auto and diesel. So then I start looking at German brands... and then I see that used values for a 5 series (or 7) or an e class or cls is little more than a 3 series/c lclass,and the larger cars ate more suited to my journey profile.
But then these bigger cars will only do 40's mpg on more expensive diesel.. so then I might as well get a more fun m140i with that much nicer power plant.
And round and round I go!
I do 15-17k of mostly motorway miles so typical diesel problems shouldn't be an issue- hopefully?
I need auto , and I'm not sure that reliable Japanese brands are at their best with auto and diesel. So then I start looking at German brands... and then I see that used values for a 5 series (or 7) or an e class or cls is little more than a 3 series/c lclass,and the larger cars ate more suited to my journey profile.
But then these bigger cars will only do 40's mpg on more expensive diesel.. so then I might as well get a more fun m140i with that much nicer power plant.
And round and round I go!
covmutley said:
This is going to be my conundrum in 12 months when my ev goes back.
I do 15-17k of mostly motorway miles so typical diesel problems shouldn't be an issue- hopefully?
I need auto , and I'm not sure that reliable Japanese brands are at their best with auto and diesel. So then I start looking at German brands... and then I see that used values for a 5 series (or 7) or an e class or cls is little more than a 3 series/c lclass,and the larger cars ate more suited to my journey profile.
But then these bigger cars will only do 40's mpg on more expensive diesel.. so then I might as well get a more fun m140i with that much nicer power plant.
And round and round I go!
I could have written this, apart from I don’t have an EV. I have an ageing a3 diesel. It’s done 211k but I get over 50mpg. I don’t know what to replace it with I think about a 530d would be ideal for me. But then I don’t really want a big car. Thought about a fiesta st for a bit of fun. But not really suited to the motorway.I do 15-17k of mostly motorway miles so typical diesel problems shouldn't be an issue- hopefully?
I need auto , and I'm not sure that reliable Japanese brands are at their best with auto and diesel. So then I start looking at German brands... and then I see that used values for a 5 series (or 7) or an e class or cls is little more than a 3 series/c lclass,and the larger cars ate more suited to my journey profile.
But then these bigger cars will only do 40's mpg on more expensive diesel.. so then I might as well get a more fun m140i with that much nicer power plant.
And round and round I go!
I might just get a golf gti/ Audi s3 when the time comes boring but competent I’m guessing. With petrol being cheaper and diesel portrayed as the devil one of these might be a compromise for me?
Gassing Station | Car Buying | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff