vRS - petrol or diesel?

[Bezza1969]

Im new here, so sorry if this has been covered already, Maybe I just need pointing in the right direction. CAnt make up my mind over a petrol or diesel, I do about 9000 to 10000 miles a year and i currently own a diesel A3 TDI 130. One thing that bothers me about petrol is the road tax from 2009 which will be £260 I believe. Ive driven the petrol VRS and was very impressed. Anyone got any strong views. My main driving is a 13 mile each way commute along dual carriageways, plus a bit of local trip stuff at weekends.

[Babs]

Petrol, easy

[Tomo1971]

I own a TDI but for your mileage Id say a petrol but certainly drive both to see if one comes out on top

DPF may cause issues if you are on idle in traffic a lot and dont get chance to get a steady motorway drive occasionally.

When mine is been used for local commuting I will go out on an evening and have a play to loosen it up and have some fun!!

VEL for the tdi will be cheaper but as petrol is 10p a litre cheaper for your mileage it will work out cheaper as the initial price of a petrol vrs is cheaper, more so if you buy second hand.

Steve

[Mater]

Petrol all the way unless you are a convert to the Dark side. Maybe if they put that R8 diesel engine in id consider it

[Captain Scarlet]

For your mileage you should be ok with petrol, as mentioned above. Also the petrol is cheaper to buy, and easier to mod engine wise without having the DPF to think about.

I bought the diesel because I do more miles than your likely to, as trips to see family can be a 250 mile round trip.

[DJM123]

Petrol definately cheaper initial cost etc as your commute etc is relatively low.

[John L]

I have a very similar profile & I bought a petrol Vrs, no regrets.

[PSM]

I have a very similar driving profile too you too. I do about 10 miles each way to work on a mix of B, A roads and motorway. I then do a bit of local stuff at weekend with a longer trip (around 200 miles each way) every 2 months to visit family/friends. I bought the diesel vrs and have had no problems with the DPF and no regrets on my choice. I test drove both and actually prefered the way the power is delivered in the diesel. I found the petrol, although very quick, a little too refined with no real surge in power giving you the pushed into your seat feel. However, the diesel is a little more raw and you get a real sense spped/acceleration. although the petrol is quicker on paper the diesel, in my opinion feels like it is quicker and puts a smile on my face everytime I drive it. I also managed to get a good deal on my diesel meaning the initial outlay between it and the petrol was not too different. I had a mk 1 VRS before this one and I find the power delivery etc. very similar and just what I like. I normallt manage 43-45mpg on my way to work and up to 55mpg on a long run (although normally get around 50mpg on most long runs). So although not massive improvements in ecomony they are still probably 10mpg greater than you would achieve on a petrol vrs.
My advice would be to test drive both, back to back if possible (it is what I did) and decide which you prefer. There is never a great finanical justification for getting a new car and the financal benefits of the diesel will be very small in your case but one of them will make you smile more and that should be the one to go for, in my opinion. Also give you a good excuse to have a go in both and try out the available performance etc.

[MidVRS]

I think for that mileage it would have to be petrol...I do about 40k miles a year and my main run is a 110 mile round trip commute every day so diesel was the obvious choice...If you're still unsure test drive both and buy on driving experience

[FocusZtec]

Originally Posted by MidVRS

I think for that mileage it would have to be petrol...I do about 40k miles a year and my main run is a 110 mile round trip commute every day so diesel was the obvious choice...If you're still unsure test drive both and buy on driving experience

I test drove both and I went for the Petrol. The revability of the Petrol is something I couldnt be without. Also, DPF issues and the fact I only do 10k miles a year, swung it fully in the petrols favour. The diesel sure 'felt' fast with the low down torque but the petrol was actually quicker overall.

Either way though, you cant go wrong

Lee

[IMT]

I had the same decision, I do around 14k a year and have decided to opt for petrol.

Now just to find one around a year or 2 old that fits the bill, or bite the bullet and go new!

[soviet]

Diesel used to be the cheapest but not these days, if this is any use!