Hi all,

I know this debate has been covered and is an age old discussion but my dilemma concerning petrol vs desiel is slightly different in that I already own and love my 2010 Octy II FL VRS CR TDI. My circumstances have just changed.

I brought it around 18months ago when I started my work commute from Birmingham to Rugby but I now work in Birmingham again. Perviously I was doing around 60 miles 4 times a week. Now this has reduced to no more than 4 miles 5 times a week.

I will still do a 200-300 mile round trip once every 3 months but I am concerned of the effect this will have on my desiel engine as I've had bad costly experiences with low mileage desiels in the paste. (Injectors, DPF, EGR valve, inlet manifolds).

I had planned to keep it another 12-18 months until I could afford an Octy III VRS in which case I would likely go for a petrol anyway.

But do I give up on the desiel now and get a petrol version?

My concern here would be the values between them as when I come to sell a petrol will likely be worth less than my desiel. Also I know my current desiel, I've looked after it and spared no expense. There is always a risk I could buy a dudd petrol and the hassle of selling. Although I wouldn't mind the DSG box as I am getting lazy and the extra power would be good.

What would you all recommend? Stick with the desiel for 12-18 months or go for a petrol VRS?

I guess if you are wanting to change anyway then now would be the best time while your car is worth more and before you start putting more miles of shorter journeys on it.

 

And yes a petrol will be worth less come the time to sell but it's also cheaper to buy in the first place.

I guess if you are wanting to change anyway then now would be the best time while your car is worth more and before you start putting more miles of shorter journeys on it.

 

And yes a petrol will be worth less come the time to sell but it's also cheaper to buy in the first place.

Not sure whether a petrol will be cheaper to buy. A good one is so scarce, you might end up paying over book price, I know I did! 

4 Miles? Public transport?

Get a bike!

I probably cover 4 miles a day to my work before i go off delivering parcels

You will get 36-38 mpg with no red lights or traffic, I get this on Saturdays

Or a usual weekday with usual traffic 26-30mpg

This is with my car mapped and good fuel out into it

Thanks for opinions so far...

4 Miles? Public transport?

That's 4 miles to use public transport - to and from the nearest train station. As for the bike, I work long shifts. Last thing I want to do is cycle at silly o'clock in the AM.

There seems to be a suggestion the DPF on the CR isn't that bad. Is this correct?

On auto trader Petrols seem to be cheaper than the equivalent Desiels.

I probably cover 4 miles a day to my work before i go off delivering parcels

You will get 36-38 mpg with no red lights or traffic, I get this on Saturdays

Or a usual weekday with usual traffic 26-30mpg

This is with my car mapped and good fuel out into it

Is this with a petrol?

Yes sorry 2.0 tfsi

Tough one, would you consider getting a non vrs?

There seems to be a suggestion the DPF on the CR isn't that bad. Is this correct?

On auto trader Petrols seem to be cheaper than the equivalent Desiels.

 

Diesels are usually more expensive.

 

I haven't driven PD diesel with DPF but even on CR it's nothing good when driven only such short distances. Sooner or later you will see that annoying DPF warning light and after a few times you'll get mad. Journeys 4 times per year won't help.

It's said that DPF might regenerate every ~300 km (could be different. Probably it depends on driving habits, weather and DPF condition) and without any longer journeys it might be not the best experience. Anyway, you can try to test how it is for a few months and you will see. Maybe it won't be that bad.

I've just done exactly what you want to do in 12mths time

I traded in my 2011 diesel Vrs estate for a 2014 petrol estate and as much as I loved the mk2 the mk3 is so much nicer and the petrol engine is fantastic

My car had 80k on it and I'm sure the DMF was on the way out so that was the deciding factor for me

the other thing to consider is your cars residual value I got 7k part ex for mine

Mine does a lot of stop start work and it's fine. Still gets a good run at the weekends. 

Cheers! For all your advice so far

I am now questioning if it is worth it for the time frame I intend to keep my current car...

See, with the petrol comes the added running costs... So is trading one for the other a false economy in my position? Hmmm. I may enjoy 18 months free from DPF issues.

But on the other hand, is it worth the extra running costs so the DPF issue is not always at the back of my mind. I've only been working in Birmingham 4 weeks and I'm already thinking of it. What will I be like when the light actually comes on or I notice an interrupted regen?

Damn my indecisive mind!

Interrupted regen is not a big deal - world doesn't end there. After a few unsuccesful regens it shows warning, though.

By the way, you haven't told us what kind of car do you need - are you a single driver or car is often used by family too. Do you need that large boot etc.

If you don't carry much luggage and usually travel alone then I'd suggest you to look for a smaller petrol car and not Skoda. Why? This brand offers only turbocharged petrols for Octavia and you can't get a simple multipoint injection petrol car. Probably it wouldn't be as powerful as TSI/TFSI, it would consume more fuel but it would be way more reliable and cheaper. The car you need for such short journeys.

For example, some Toyota Corolla 1.8 or something similar.

I cycled 6 miles each way to work and back but after a 12 hour shift.....

Interrupted regen is not a big deal - world doesn't end there. After a few unsuccesful regens it shows warning, though.

By the way, you haven't told us what kind of car do you need - are you a single driver or car is often used by family too. Do you need that large boot etc.

If you don't carry much luggage and usually travel alone then I'd suggest you to look for a smaller petrol car and not Skoda. Why? This brand offers only turbocharged petrols for Octavia and you can't get a simple multipoint injection petrol car. Probably it wouldn't be as powerful as TSI/TFSI, it would consume more fuel but it would be way more reliable and cheaper. The car you need for such short journeys.

For example, some Toyota Corolla 1.8 or something similar.

 

My wife has a 1.6 THP Citroen C4 to get herself to and from work. But we have a toddler and 8 month old baby so we I need the boot of the Octavia to carry round all their kit. Admittedly I don't need that amount of space all the time, but at weekends and family holidays / away days I do.

 

As for the rest do I NEED 170bhp / 200bhp ... No, but does anybody? I don't drink, I don't smoke, I don't gamble and don't see my mates haha, I need some personal joy! I really like my Octy hence why I am only considering getting the petrol equivalent to what I currently have and not another car. Likewise, when affordability allows in 12-18 months its the Octy VRS III (will be petrol then).

 

 

I cycled 6 miles each way to work and back but after a 12 hour shift...

 

You're a better man than me.

I did it for a year and gave up in December due to weather and other personal issues. Now I've got a nice big comfy Superb to float to work in though the bike hasn't had a look in. 

I also could have saved money in running costs in having a diesel, but it's not just about the money you're saving. I love how quiet my petrol car is and the power delivery is much better than my old PD diesel. Buy what you want to enjoy it!

Why not just get the diesel remapped, get the DPF delete done while your there?

Why not just get the diesel remapped, get the DPF delete done while your there?

It's a good point but perhaps he wants to keep it factory state

Edited 30 May, 201610 yr by lDanl

Not sure if this is the best advice or since the last post, your mind has changed, again. Personally, being an owner of a CR TDI my circumstances changed in that the car is doing a few more let's say, semi short journeys. However, as per previous post, the DPF on mine has never give me any trouble (fingers crossed).

What's more, of a weekend I tend to give her a good burn and a mixture of motorway A/B roads help to build up it's efficiency and keep regens at bay.

My advice? Ask yourself and seriously consider if you really do want a petrol. It would be a shame to get rid of such a wonderful car. I thoroughly enjoy mine and would do my best to avoid having to trade. I'd have the derv over the peccy anyday.

Edited 30 May, 201610 yr by LordRaiden84

Why not just get the diesel remapped, get the DPF delete done while your there?

Looked in to a remap before and don't like the idea of my ECU being removed and opened to do it. Plus if the rumours are still floating about DFP being part of an MOT wouldn't want to take it on and off every time.

Edited 4 June, 201610 yr by SP36

Not sure if this is the best advice or since the last post, your mind has changed, again.

I am a bit indecisive if you can't tell. Takes me ages to decided between a Mars Bar or Snickers haha.

I have still been looking, but in typical fashion the petrols available of equivalent ages miles etc don't seem that cheap now I am more seriously looking. Do quite like the idea of a DSG petrol. Just again, would this be a false economy if I found one.

My circumstances have changed slightly and the car will be doing around 8 miles a day now as I have a different position working elsewhere coming up. Also the new shift pattern gives me a 4 day weekend every other week so I may be able to factor in decent runs with the family more often for my diesel.

Edited 4 June, 201610 yr by SP36

I am a bit indecisive if you can't tell. Takes me ages to decided between a Mars Bar or Snickers haha.

I have still been looking, but in typical fashion the petrols available of equivalent ages miles etc don't seem that cheap now I am more seriously looking. Do quite like the idea of a DSG petrol. Just again, would this be a false economy if I found one.

My circumstances have changed slightly and the car will be doing around 8 miles a day now as I have a different position working elsewhere coming up. Also the new shift pattern gives me a 4 day weekend every other week so I may be able to factor in decent runs with the family more often for my diesel.

Just as I mentioned in an earlier post, a good petrol is hard to find and you will probably have to pay over book price.Mind you, I was a bit fussy when I was looking for mine. It was worth it though.