Welcome aboard and a really good question there. In short I believe the answer is "if only doing short trips, but a petrol as you won't have potential DPF issues".
As you say - most brands suffer from DPF issues, and with the diesel you also need to fill up your "adblue". While adblue isn't the end of the world - it's just another thing that you need to remember to do.
I myself have had mixed results with modern diesel vehicles. I had a VW Tiguan that at $150K had DPF issues, and cost $5k to fix because it was an engine out job.
However I have done 185k so far in my diesel Skoda without any issues (boy I hope that I don't jinx myself).
My normal daily commute is 75 minutes each way at a minimum, so in theory 10 times a week I should be driving enough to prevent any DPF issues - but that didn't make a difference with the VW. (And arguably they are most likely either identical engines or very similar).
One other thing that I have heard said is: "If you want to tow heavy loads, definitely go the diesel, otherwise stick with the petrol"
I am considering a new Defender myself and can honestly say - I don't tow, so am seriously considering the petrol.. But that's down to my personal choice.
It's going to be a brilliant car whatever you decide you lucky bugger!
Cheers,
GG.
PS - Living in Melbourne and not being able to drive more than 5 kms at the moment, I do wonder how many diesel vehicles might have issues in 6 months time...
54 Series 1 86
61 Series 2 109 - Club Rego
76 2 Door Range Rover
78 101 Forward Control - Club Rego
88 Perentie FFR - Club Rego
90 4 Door Range Rover - Club Rego
93 Discovery 1 200 Tdi - Club Rego
98 Freelander 1 - Full Rego
22 Defedner 90 - Full rego
Bookmarks