diesel or petrol

[violet]

I have been looking for a petrol model.  However the half a dozen I have looked haven't been very good.  Looking at an 2005ish model ideally.  There are far more diesels but I only do 5 miles to work it will do the odd long run.  It is also my second car so the mileage is going to be minimal.  I have read that the turbo really needs to get warmed up and short trips can be damaging. 

Just wondered what diesels owners have found.  I am not in a rush and want to a find a decent one.  Would be nice to include diesels but having a feeling probably best to avoid with such low mileage.

[Stevejspm]

Hi & welcome 

I'd say your probably thinking along the right lines of a lot of short journeys concerns, after all no car really likes too many short journeys where the engine doesn't reach full temperature BUT....

I have a 2004 diesel, I've had it for nearly 2 years, do you know what (& this'll probably make a few fellow members cringe), it's mainly used for school runs, probably an average of a 3 mile round trip twice a day. It does the odd long run on the motorway down to the coast (just to blow the cobwebs  ), the car runs better than fine, I service it, maintain it & treat it like one of the kids (maybe slightly exaggerating there!). If it's looked after & given a blast down the motorway occasionally etc it'll be fine. Just remember it's a vehicle & no vehicle can be classed as fault free forever!

Good luck in your search.

[AW8]

I would try to give it a weekly or at least fortnightly run of 45 mins if able - whether petrol or diesel though don't expect higher than low to mid teens mpg locally on a cold petrol v8

[X5Sport]

Petrol or diesel, 5 mile journeys won't be good for it.

The turbo issues are pretty much non-existent, and with the distance it doesn't sound like you'll be using it anyway.  Turbo failures are more likely if the oil changes aren't done or the crankcase breather isn't changed.  Yes you might get a problem if you come in off a 70mph run and just switch the engine off, but from your description of your daily journey that is also unlikely.

With a petrol model the cat is not going to warm up so you have an increased risk of premature failure.

In neither case will the engine/transmission fully warm up which means asAW8 says) you are going to have to do regular runs to keep the engine smooth, regardless of fuel used.  You will also need to increase the frequency of oil changes.

Your biggest problem is actually likely to be electrical.  These engines need a lot of grunt to kick them into life and that takes time for the alternator to put back.  You may well have to also buy a battery conditioner/charger to keep it topped up.  The X5 is sensitive to electrical charge state and needs to be kept well charged.

Other than that, from a fuel cost viewpoint your logic is fine.  The UK market is massively in favour of diesels as you are finding.

Good luck with whatever choice you make.  And check the buyers guide on here too.

Richard

[Turks]

There are some good points raised, however, I think they would apply to any vehicle only being used for short runs.

I do a lot of short runs in my car, but I have the luxury of electric gates and walls so I can start my car 5 mins before needing to leave just to warm up.


Turks.

[violet]

Thanks for the info.  Think I will try for a petrol option  but won't rule out a diesel for the right one.  My other car is a jag xk and that eats batteries.  So when I am not using that daily I have a battery conditioner thing on it.  When you have to remove your number plate to get in the boot to get at your battery I learnt quick.  Decent battery and charger.  Now just got to find the right one.  Read the guide very useful.  Hope to join the ranks soon.

[chrisn7]

I went through this dilemma recently and was balancing a petrol with lpg against diesel. Although the lpg on a 4.4l engine was still cheaper than the 3.0l diesel, having to lose space to the lpg tank rather defeated the object of having the carrying capacity for me. That and the additional complexity of the lpg system was enough really - so to my first diesel.

[greg1980]

I never had that problem it always is petrol, that's why I went for 4.8is but I only do probably 6k a year, but the sound compensate all the petrol consumption.

[gobiman]

I swapped out of a 3.0d to a 4.8iS in 2009 (both cars 2004).
My diesel had done 42k and the 4.8 had done 28k (with a BMW Approved Used Warranty). I paid £1.5k which shows the difference in depreciation -effectively the cost of the warranty.
I used both cars to drive 4-5 miles into the City of London daily.
The like-for-like figures were 25 ish for the diesel and 20 ish for the 4.8 -  closer than you might think.
Throw in 5p a litre more and even closer.
I never regretted going petrol - however if I had to drive 50 miles a day probably (and hypothetically) I would have kept the diesel.
Both are fine cars.

[violet]

Gone for a 4.8i in imola red.  It is a bit blinged up but will have some treatment to make it a little more normal. But it's the spec I was after. Pick it up next weekend.  Have a weak spot for immola bmws.  Last bmw I owned was that colour a Z4M hope it's as much fun as that was.

[Raj]

Huge congrats.

You've made the right choice. 4.8 is a stunning engine and the options are always superb owing the original purchaser clientele that specced them (even base models well specced).

Interesting as its blinged up a little. Wonder if it's Kav's (username Westside) old one from here.

If ever your daily mileage increases just lpg it and sorted.

[Imy]

Was this the one on eBay with the bull bars?

[violet]

Yes anyone know about its history.  Not sure about the bull bars. They will probably go.  Also not sure about the 22 wheels.  Will see how well they drive.  My other half loves it.  It's a bit over the top for me.  But the colour combo was what I was after. 

[Lee4.8is]

Congratulations on the new motor, its such a stunning engine, enjoy it 

[535dboy]

[quote="Lee4.8is"]
Congratulations on the new motor, its such a stunning engine, enjoy it 
[/quote]

In a ........