Petrol V Diesel Ongoing Fuel Running Costs

[TerryO]

There are plenty of threads about why diesel is better than petrol and vice versa, however I don't remember every seeing a thread comparing the running costs of the same model vehicle with the two different fuels.

I roughly worked out and its only rough mind you, that I can expect to pay about $6,000 to maybe $7,000 extra in fuel costs per 100,000 kilometres driving a V8 petrol D4 versus a 3.0 litre diesel D4.

Knowing the maintenance costs of my TDV6 D3 and what one can roughly expect on a petrol V8 D4 given the history of the V8 D3 I reckon the difference in running costs could end up being roughly half or even less on average of the extra fuel it costs to run the petrol D4, making a petrol D4 or D3 even better value given their much cheaper purchase price second hand.

By the way this is comparing Disco's that aren't doing most of their driving towing 3 tons of caravan all around Australia 10 months of the year either.

Now this only really counts once a vehicle is out of warranty, prior to that the diesel kills the petrol dead for running costs in comparison I would bet.

What does everyone else think?

[101RRS]

Based on Canberra prices for LPG and Petrol its costs 28.5c per km to run my 101 on LPG and 33c per km on 91 Ron Petrol.

Garry

[coolum]

When the D3 was new the V8 cost (sometimes way) more than the TDV6.


These V8's are now cheaper (bad for the original purchaser - great for the second hand comsumer - higher depreciation rate).


When you now consider the other bits on the TD that aren't an issue with the V8 - then it seemed the cheaper purchase and the 100K+ maintanence Plus turbo etc IMHO and according to the MPG calcs - The price at the pump was going to take some time to become equal.


My thoughts at the time, was that just when you thought you may be coming out ahead with diesel over petrol (at the pump) you could bet murphy would open the law book and throw some unforseen diesel bank draining unusual (known to all others) 'issue' into the $ game.


I love my V8 - even though I swore I would never have another after my RRC 3.5, Not that it (the V8 engine) ever gave any trouble. I went to the D1 200tdi again second hand - but ran on the smell of 'the mere thought of' an oily rag.


The perception of any 'difference' in the price at the pump I would suggest, (based on the fact that you are filling up more often, but with similar filling cost - No of Litres and Price per litre) would not be as noticeable as a large repair bill thrown into the mix.

[shanegtr]

I haven't owned my D3 long enough to make comment, but I'll add one once I've got a year of records under my belt

[nat_89]

I haven't really taken any notice with regards to fuelling up don't keep a record just top up i guess, but i went with the diesel because i guess the V8 means stopping more often on longer trips to get fuel due to the higher usage. My car is under the corporate programme so i don't pay for servicing until that runs out so i haven't really done all the pluses and minuses of it.

[Meken]

I haven't really taken any notice with regards to fuelling up don't keep a record just top up i guess, but i went with the diesel because i guess the V8 means stopping more often on longer trips to get fuel due to the higher usage. My car is under the corporate programme so i don't pay for servicing until that runs out so i haven't really done all the pluses and minuses of it.

And if you play your card right you replace it with another newy and no maintenance costs again

[Tombie]

And if you play your card right you replace it with another newy and no maintenance costs again

Which is kind of moot.. Because you just replaced your lease with a whole new payment regime

If I look at lease costs then factor in depreciated pay out figure; bank half my original post tax payment then I'm well in front with any engine...

But I don't have a shiny new vehicle

A vehicle is a tool or a toy.. IMO worrying about resale value etc on a depreciating asset is pointless.

Get what ever suits your use - in my case I travel where I could never carry the Petrol required to make it... Diesel I can.. Plus I like the more consistent consumption of a diesel - as opposed to a Petrol on sand etc...

A tank of petrol wouldn't even get my boat to my favourite launch & fishing spot and back! The diesel does it with ease...

Horses for courses and to each their own.

[Meken]

Wouldn't like to see the petrol jerrys you'd need for a Simpson crossing

[TerryO]

I thought someone posted recently about crossing the Simpson in a petrol Disco and it used, from memory, about 160 litres. Add a long ranger tank and your up around the 190 litre mark, so no big deal.

A diesel Disco won't make it either without a long range tank or Jerry's anyway.

Plus another thing how many Simpson crossing is the average punter planning to do in the average ownership life time of any vehicle? Maybe one or two at most, so while it might take some extra planning its not really the deal breaker that some make out.

Go back to when most of these outback vehicle tracks / roads were originally made and from memory most vehicles that did it originally were petrol.

Getting back to the point of comparing the running costs of petrol v diesel, I'm not saying Tombie or anyone else should sell their diesel and buy a petrol Disco or one is better than the other either , I'm just looking at comparing running costs.

[powerd]

I am interested in this thread too.

I had an early D1 and really loved it. I can do standard maintenance myself and the less complex mechanical work. I am now thinking of a vehicle which may also be used in my retirement - a few years off yet though. My current Jackaroo is getting on at 200,000kms (although faultlessly reliable), is very sluggish and not well equipped. It drinks like a sailor on shore leave too, but I have been ok with that because it costs so little to maintain otherwise.

Looking at used D3s, I could buy a V8 HSE, for a lot less than a 2.7 diesel, and most likely with a lot less kms. Better equipped, much better performance (never met a kilowatt I didn't love, and the 2.7 is a bit slow for me) and seemingly more reliable with less maintenance cost according to the forums here and in Blighty. I would be fitting it out with the usual gear, and probably towing an offroad camper.

Yes, I know the fuel consumption will be higher, but it will not be my only vehicle so will do limited kms per year. The shorter range may be an issue, but if it becomes a real problem there are long-range tank options.

It just seems to me a D3 V8 is a fantastic package, at a great price. Those for sale also seem to be more family cars than offroad hacks, or hd towing rigs, so seem to be in top condition. And dealer serviced too.

Interested to hear others' thoughts.