[Hyper Active]

Quote: Originally Posted by MINIMAT (original)

Where in this is 'Mini' mentioned?

A diesel car costs on average £1,400 more to buy than its petrol equivalent. A driver must now clock up over 46,000 miles before the benefits of fuel efficiency can be seen. At the start of this year, to break even with a petrol-engined car, the distance was 45,000 miles.

So which diesel Mini are we comparing with which petrol Mini? Can it be any more vague? Doesn't prove anything unless you can compare actual running costs of each variant with others.

This isn't specifically about MINI's , it's about cars in general . This thread is about how much more the average diesel car costs, over and above it's petrol equivalent. And then how many miles it takes for the better fuel consumption of the diesel, to make back that purchase price difference .

[mister.t]

Quote: Originally Posted by supa-dupa-cooper (original)

At the moment because of dealer allocations they are quoting end August for a new Cooper D.

Your joking!!!

[supa-dupa-cooper]

Quote: Originally Posted by mister.t (original)

Your joking!!!

Thats what they said on Saturday

[mister.t]

Crikey - Can't think of another car at the price of the MINI with that waiting list!!

[JBA]

As MINIMAT says, the AA are extremely vague on this 46,000, because it will depend on a number of factors. Their own 4 year costs, expressed in pence per mile, taking into account depreciation, fuel, maintenance and resale value, are at odds with that number. For generic vehicles in the price band 13,000 - 20,000 diesel is marginally cheaper than petrol whether mileage per annum is, for example, 10,000 (56.1 ppm/57.63) or 20,000 (38.36/40.44). Its all on their site at Motoring Costs : Guide to AA running costs tables - The AA at 2007 prices

For the MINI, the market position with diesel engines may be different for the run of the mill vehicles - a lot is down to demand and reputation.

Enough already: there is not a lot of difference really, I suspect.

[MINIMAT]

Quote: Originally Posted by Hyper Active (original)

This isn't specifically about MINI's , it's about cars in general . This thread is about how much more the average diesel car costs, over and above it's petrol equivalent.

I think this is one of the failings of the arguement for me then. When I got my diesel I typically got about 60mpg. The petrol Minis at the time were bloody awful for mpg. Around just 30mpg. I imagine the average car might be a closer comparison between the two fuels. Certainly I think the new petrol Minis are a bit better regarding economy but for me it was a huge difference.

There's a couple of other factors. Personally I prefer to shell out more upfront on a car and then have cheaper running costs later. I tend to think things might get worse. Maybe it's the pessimist in me but when I bought the car over three years ago the economy was in reasonable shape. Now the economy is getting worse. I'm in a good postion as I have a car with low running costs now. I imagine many buy a new car when they have the money and are flush.

So I'd rather shell out more early on and then have cheap costs later as I don't know what the future holds.

Third my car is currently on 37 000 miles. I expect to pass 46 000 before the years out. My mileage even includes be being away for my three months of army training and six months in Iraq. I had ordered the car in August 2004 I had it just before Christmas in 2004. A long waiting list back then.

[Mejy Poo]

Quote: Originally Posted by Fin (original)

I am not talking about busses in the 1970's, I am talking about busses in my local area with are ~2-5 years old. Of course diesel technology (as well as petrol) has improved, I never said that it hasn't. My point has been that the road tax system is based purely on CO2 emissions and not the other harmful pollutants, of which some, diesel emits more of. I would like the road tax to equal for both.

The road tax system is based purely on CO2 emissions because these have been identified as THE most harmful to the environment and therefore to us.

Yes NOx is harmful however the rate of these pollutants actually affecting us is being reduced more and more. They are also highly regulated.

[Hyper Active]

Quote: Originally Posted by MINIMAT (original)

I think this is one of the failings of the arguement for me then. When I got my diesel I typically got about 60mpg. The petrol Minis at the time were bloody awful for mpg. Around just 30mpg. I imagine the average car might be a closer comparison between the two fuels. Certainly I think the new petrol Minis are a bit better regarding economy but for me it was a huge difference.

There's a couple of other factors. Personally I prefer to shell out more upfront on a car and then have cheaper running costs later. I tend to think things might get worse. Maybe it's the pessimist in me but when I bought the car over three years ago the economy was in reasonable shape. Now the economy is getting worse. I'm in a good postion as I have a car with low running costs now. I imagine many buy a new car when they have the money and are flush.

So I'd rather shell out more early on and then have cheap costs later as I don't know what the future holds.

Third my car is currently on 37 000 miles. I expect to pass 46 000 before the years out. My mileage even includes be being away for my three months of army training and six months in Iraq. I had ordered the car in August 2004 I had it just before Christmas in 2004. A long waiting list back then.

In the MINI's case it wont be as high as 46000 miles. The price gap between a One and a One D was £1000. So you may well have reached the break even point already .

I just wanted to make people aware of the fact, that buying a diesel is not an automatic way to cheaper motoring .

[Hickster]

Certainly made for cheaper motoring for me going from my Checkmate to a D

[Tara&Paul]

Quote: Originally Posted by supa-dupa-cooper (original)

I didnt buy the diesel for the fuel consumption, that was just a bonus Fuel is fuel, you have to have it to run the car

But isn't old chip fat free?



P.

[supa-dupa-cooper]

Quote: Originally Posted by Tara&Paul (original)

But isn't old chip fat free?



P.

You should know a lot about Chips after the last pub meet

[Shamster]

Quote: Originally Posted by mister.t (original)

Crikey - Can't think of another car at the price of the MINI with that waiting list!!

Depends where - I can get a Dooper from two dealers for June delivery.

[madjohn]

Each to y our own I like to see fuel hit £1.50 ltr watch you guys sulk ! I spend over £7,500 ayear on diesel in my mini and cover 60k ayear

[JG02JSG]

I work for an oil company in the North West and prices and going up daily we sell derv bulk to comanys petrols station and some are even saying if the price keeps going the way it is some might not even be in business by the end of the year we seem to thing by xmas in the north west it will hit 1.50 a litre its makes thinks worst with people panic buying when there is no need

[ALD0]

Quote: Originally Posted by JOHN BAGLEY (original)

Each to y our own I like to see fuel hit £1.50 ltr watch you guys sulk ! I spend over £7,500 ayear on diesel in my mini and cover 60k ayear

You want it to hit £1.50 a litre?

Aren't you a driving instructor?

[wiggis]

Quote: Originally Posted by Hyper Active (original)

Your over looking the fact , that you pay more for a diesel car than the petrol equivalent. The average is £1400 more . It then on average, takes 46000 miles before the better fuel economy catches up and you reach the break even point.

There are so many variables in the price of cars, not just the choice of fuel. There is quite often a range of engines for a particular car, both petrol and diesel, of different power outputs. Buyers of diesel powered cars these days are usually looking for a mix of economy and performance, not just out and out economy. If it was just economy people were after, then everyone would be riding a 50cc petrol moped, or they would be dressing up in skin tight lycra and cycling everywhere (heaven forbid!).

But ...... some people (like me) actually enjoy the massive torque in the mid range that a good diesel engine offers, the relaxed cruising at high speed and low engine revs, and the fact that it's economical while it's doing it just happens to be a nice side effect but not the main reason for buying.

[Electric Sheep]

I paid 117.9p a litre today for diesel. That's cheap for the area - one garage is selling it for 122.9p!

[Hyper Active]

Quote: Originally Posted by wiggis (original)

There are so many variables in the price of cars, not just the choice of fuel. There is quite often a range of engines for a particular car, both petrol and diesel, of different power outputs. Buyers of diesel powered cars these days are usually looking for a mix of economy and performance, not just out and out economy. If it was just economy people were after, then everyone would be riding a 50cc petrol moped, or they would be dressing up in skin tight lycra and cycling everywhere (heaven forbid!).

But ...... some people (like me) actually enjoy the massive torque in the mid range that a good diesel engine offers, the relaxed cruising at high speed and low engine revs, and the fact that it's economical while it's doing it just happens to be a nice side effect but not the main reason for buying.

Yes, i can see why Jo has thanked you for your post .

I do agree with you that there are different reasons for buying a diesel, and that there are a few cars that are particularly well suited to the power characteristics of a diesel as well .

But the reason i starting this thread is for one reason only. To enlighten those who think that owning a diesel is a magic wand to reducing there motoring costs, without considering how many miles there going to do in there new car .