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[Sir Tigger KC]

A mate is looking to change his car from his current extremely battered Passat TD which has served him well.    Especially as maintenance is a strange concept to him and he thinks my cars are always going wrong as I'm often to be found with my head under the bonnet! 

He said he'll get a petrol this time as it's cheaper than diesel, so of course I pointed out that you get better MPG from diesel cars. So Petrol or diesel? If you had the choice of 2 identical cars except that one is petrol and the other diesel which would you go for? 

[dad1uk]

With my current financial situation it would have to be Diesel for economy, but I do miss the 2.5 for grunt....

[Kevin Wood]

Petrol every time for me, but that's because I find tractors completely uninvolving to drive.

If he happens to use the vehicle in a regime that suits a modern diseasel (high mileage, lots of motorway cruising, etc.) then a diesel might be the right choice. If it's mostly local commuting and pottering around, and certainly if servicing is likely to be neglected, petrol.

[05omegav6]

Petrol

Injectors and fuel pumps are generally cheaper... an Omega engine can be bought new from VX for the price of 4 VW diesel injectors

Choose carefully and lpg also becomes a viable option.

No DPF filter to worry about, again they're stoopid money.

[cem_devecioglu]

if he is going to buy second hand , must buy petrol unless its low mileage..
 
solving problems of old neglected diesels are costly and complex..

[Sir Tigger KC]

His Passat is so neglected that I expect he gets Hummer style MPG from it, so anything will be an improvement!! 

[Entwood]

Petrol every time, then LPG it ...   The power and flexibility of the petrol engine with the economy of the diseasal ... and no horrible smells, very clean oil, much reduced servicing costs ... win-win situation 

[Marks DTM Calib]

The choice is dependent on the type of journey he is regularly doing

[TheBoy]

The choice is dependent on the type of journey he is regularly doing

Not entirely. He may be a prime candidate for a burner, but longs for the power delivery of a petrol. Or just hates smelling of soot

[Crazycarzowner]

I must say, I never thought I'd have a diesel myself being the petrol-head I am, especially after all the V8's & V12's I've had. However, I must be getting on and ready for my pipe & slippers. The current oil-burner I've got is just the 'dogs doodahs' for me at least. Its comfortable, reliable & a real bonus excellent on fuel.

I suppose like Fuse18 says it depends on what journeys he's doing. But for me I have a 60 mile round trip to work and my parents live 20 odd miles away. I'm no longer into performance (not that much  ) anymore and don't want to rocket to 60mph and be a boy racer, but the Skoda can show a clean pair of heels if I want it to with about 160bhp.

I was lucky and got a bargain with my car, only 19k on a 2005 plate and a good service history, which is mandatory with a diesel. With a good friendly Dealer close by servicing is nationally priced and I couldn't fault them when it went in for service & cambelt.

BUT!!!!  There's nowt like the rumble of a big V8 

[Marks DTM Calib]

The choice is dependent on the type of journey he is regularly doing

Not entirely. He may be a prime candidate for a burner, but longs for the power delivery of a petrol. Or just hates smelling of soot

Er no, if he does lots of short journeys then a diesel is not use either way

[TheBoy]

The choice is dependent on the type of journey he is regularly doing

Not entirely. He may be a prime candidate for a burner, but longs for the power delivery of a petrol. Or just hates smelling of soot

Er no, if he does lots of short journeys then a diesel is not use either way

Indeed, (modern) diesels are hopeless on short runs, but what I actually said was he may be a prime candidate for diesel, but other reasons mean he wants petrol.

[Field Marshal Dr. Opti]

Diesel is the fuel of the devil.

Fine if you drive a bus or a lorry.

[Field Marshal Dr. Opti]

I've never understood the attraction of a derv drinker.

They sound like a bag of nails, and run out of revs just as things are becoming interesting.

That nice lump of mid-range torque is about the only good thing.

[YZ250]

......Not entirely. He may be a prime candidate for a burner, but longs for the power delivery of a petrol.....

But what happens when you get yourself a new straight six petrol, because you're a mans man, and you get your wife a straight six diesel because she's a woman, only to find that her diesel is quicker mid-range. Also, after a long run, when you fill your petrol tank, your range goes to around four hundred miles remaining, but when you fill the diesel tank on hers the range goes to nearer seven hundred and fifty miles remaining. 
Both have respectable 0-60mph times and both are limited to 155mph. The only penalty is wearing silly gloves when you fill up. 
I wonder who that person was. 

Just to add, I drive a diesel now.