Thread: What is better, diesel or petrol and why?

Diesel. Yes, they can be expensive to fix if you stick bad fuel in it, but in general, much longer lived, more torque, more efficient with their fuel, better economy.

There is a very good reason large trucks use them instead of petrol, and with modern high speed diesels, you don't have to miss out in your car either.

I'd go one better and say electric is better again than diesel, but until we see a quantum leap in battery technology, then it won't become main stream.

They tell me the maintenance regime on a diesel is twice that of a petrol.
True or false?

False. I change the oil and filter on mine every 7,500KM - same as the petrol engines I have. The actual service interval is 12,500KM but I wouldn't let any engine I own go that long on an oil change - petrol or diesel.

You can't beat a good shot of plutonium

Originally Posted by Mick_Marsh

Next thing you know, two stuffed cars with with eight stuffed injectors at $2,000 an injector. Worth more than the cars. "I'd never buy a diesel." says one friend. A discussion then ensued.

Would there be a lot of difference if it was a modern fuel injected V8 - for sure maybe not the fuel pump but what about modern petrol injectors. I don't know.

If petrol injectors have less of an issue than modern diesel injectors - then why?

Garry

Diesel has advantages in hot dry climates (especially during refuelling) and petrol is better in sub zero conditions. In between it's a matter of personal choice as to how much capital you're prepared to put up to save half your fuel bill. Petrol engined vehicles are generally much cheaper so better suited to low usage.

Originally Posted by garrycol

Would there be a lot of difference if it was a modern fuel injected V8 - for sure maybe not the fuel pump but what about modern petrol injectors. I don't know.

If petrol injectors have less of an issue than modern diesel injectors - then why?

Garry

I've had no trouble with the injectors of the Commodore in over 450,000 km. But, I don't use whatever fuel I find on the farm.

Oh, I have killed two fuel pumps. One wore out, the next was suspected rubbish in the bottom of the tank.

Good question with no correct answer in my opinion.

Surely it depends on what the purchaser does with the car and how often.When I bought my V8 Disco it was $10 000 cheaper than the diesel versions with half the km on the clock. Mathematically with the driving I do, I would never have made up the difference in cost by fuel savings.

When I owned a Mazda diesel van the oil changes were every 5000km; the crook fuel pump cost $600 to repair; the alternator with vacuum pump was $1000! Comparison with the petrol engine parts prices was not favourable.

Having said that, my S3 has had a 200tdi put in it because diesels make so much more sense for touring Australia, especially where Opel petrol is used; where fuel is hard to come by; and for the insensitivity of diesels to water splash,

Cheers Charlie