Originally Posted by
Lagonda
IMHO, petrol is dead for daily driving. In Europe, that is.
Sure high revving petrol engines are great fun but not in the traffic conditions we face these days.
Look at the next generation BMW 35d engine: 306bhp. Just like the 35i engine. 600nm of torque at 1500 rpm... (400nm at 1200 rpm for the petrol) And a fuel consumption that's probably half of what the petrol engine needs.
The only reason I can think of to get the 35i would be the sound.
These engines are obviously two extreme examples. Rarely seen on the road. But the same is true for more "normal" engines. Almost every time the diesel is the more sensible choice. Financially petrol engines are the worst choice you can make unless you do very little miles.
Noise, smoke, slow turbo etc. are non issues these days. Keep in mind that most (found in most normal cars) petrol engines are "all or nothing" as well. Sure it's linear but you need to get into the high revs before it really starts going, everything below is a snoozefest.
Hybrid diesels will even widen that gap. Hybrid petrol is a joke, just about any modern diesel uses less fuel.
That said my next car will be a little diesel. I'll miss hitting 6500rpm but my wallet won't.
It hurts to say this, being a car nut, but petrol is really for the rich or for a weekend car over here.
I agree, my next car will most likely be a diesel or a factory prepared LPG. In terms of economy there is no comparing, all in all you just have to do the math. Gasoline can only have a future in europe if an engine revolution happens like it did in the diesels.
Maybe a weekend car, a used MX-5 1.6 or a Smart Roadster, but thats it.
In a month i'll be doing about 60kms every day, if the road where flat i'd opt for an LPG, as it's hilly i'll be searching for a diesel in the 100bhp + category, Wich will be more economical than my 1.2 80bhp petrol, sad.
Note: i will only buy a new/used car when the current one really falls apart, as it is, i save more by keeping this running than buying a new car.
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