Diesel or petrol - help me decide???

[stationmaster]

Drive the Deal/VW have some interesting/tempting deals on the new (T7) California - so I may give one a try

First decision:

Diesel or petrol?

Or...should I wait for the hybrid version?

 

[lohr500]

Personally, if I had the choice of two identical spec vehicles, I would now choose petrol over diesel.

As a low milage, short journey driver, I worry about possible problems with clogged DPF filters, failed ERG valves and other emissions nonsense on modern diesels.

With our T6.1 4 motion Ocean I had no choice other than diesel.

If I could get a petrol/plug-in hybrid to the same spec, then I would consider it although again I worry about the complexity of these systems. Not sure the benefit of a few miles in electric only mode charged up overnight on a cheap tariff and the boost to MPG/power from a hybrid justify the extra cost and complexity.

 

[stationmaster]

Personally, if I had the choice of two identical spec vehicles, I would now choose petrol over diesel.

As a low milage, short journey driver, I worry about possible problems with clogged DPF filters, failed ERG valves and other emissions nonsense on modern diesels.

With our T6.1 4 motion Ocean I had no choice other than diesel.

If I could get a petrol/plug-in hybrid to the same spec, then I would consider it although again I worry about the complexity of these systems. Not sure the benefit of a few miles in electric only mode charged up overnight on a cheap tariff and the boost to MPG/power from a hybrid justify the extra cost and complexity.

Thanks. I am leaning towards the petrol, I have had four diesel models and tend to change them at around 40,000 miles - they have been ok (one egr pipe replaced), but I do worry about the complexity of modern diesels. I do a fair few long journeys, but also shorter runs, as I only run one vehicle. I had thought I would get the hybrid, but I agree with you, they are complex like the diesels
I really cannot be bothered with multiple trips to the dealers to get stuff fixed - no fun at all.
Maybe it will be a petrol this time round

 

[PipPip]

We are considering one too, also with Drive The Deal. Also weighing up a nearly new T6.1 4 Motion. At first I was leaning towards the petrol T7 but ours will be mostly used for road trips. We have a small car for local trips. The fuel economy (and torque) of the diesel means I’m leaning towards that as the better option for our driving needs if we do choose the T7.

 

[stationmaster]

I have a nagging concern...modern diesels with all the added emissions technology are very complex machines - will this make them unreliable? This concern is contrasted by the fact that I have had four of them to date and mine have been mainly fine (but I have never owned them beyond 40,000 miles).

And then there is the fact that buying a diesel in 2025 seems a little crazy now that there is a petrol alternative???

 

[WelshGas]

I have a nagging concern...modern diesels with all the added emissions technology are very complex machines - will this make them unreliable? This concern is contrasted by the fact that I have had four of them to date and mine have been mainly fine (but I have never owned them beyond 40,000 miles).

And then there is the fact that buying a diesel in 2025 seems a little crazy now that there is a petrol alternative???

Diesel is the bad boy going forward. Petrol much less problematic if you are using the vehicle as any everyday driver. Diesels are more problematic if doing lots of small trips and you do have the added complexity of DPF regeneration and the AdBlue system.
If you are not towing with the vehicle then there is very little difference especially as both engine types now only come with DSG transmissions.

 

[stationmaster]

Diesel is the bad boy going forward. Petrol much less problematic if you are using the vehicle as any everyday driver. Diesels are more problematic if doing lots of small trips and you do have the added complexity of DPF regeneration and the AdBlue system.
If you are not towing with the vehicle then there is very little difference especially as both engine types now only come with DSG transmissions.

Agree. Diesel is the bad boy for sure. Maybe the petrol models will have better resale values going forward?

Have you found your hybrid model to your liking? Miss the torque of the diesel? Or have you simply adjusted to what you drive and forgotten about how your previous van drove - so no issues?

 

[WelshGas]

Agree. Diesel is the bad boy for sure. Maybe the petrol models will have better resale values going forward?

Have you found your hybrid model to your liking? Miss the torque of the diesel? Or have you simply adjusted to what you drive and forgotten about how your previous van drove - so no issues?

The Hybrid has the fastest 0-60 time of the 3 engine types. Uses the EV in place of 1st gear, only has 6 speed DSG. Much more car like and absolutely no delay on acceleration.

 

[stationmaster]

The Hybrid has the fastest 0-60 time of the 3 engine types. Uses the EV in place of 1st gear, only has 6 speed DSG. Much more car like and absolutely no delay on acceleration.

Clever stuff!

 

[nachoandchonk]

It depends on how you drive your Cali but for me I would steer well clear of the very thirsty petrol and hybrid models especially if you do long distance continental driving. The diesel engines are misers getting 900km easily. I got rid of a 1.5 TSI in a car because it was so thirsty, I simply cannot imagine what consumption on a 1.5 litre petrol trying to pull a Cali would look like.

Not sure why folk are so concerned about modern diesels complexity given modern petrol have their own challenges (TSI issues with pumps, carbon build up etc) and hybrids are substantially more complex.

My only tip is not to just use a diesel to go to the shops frequently. It needs to be driven. The great news is that, well, it's a Cali!

 

[WelshGas]

It depends on how you drive your Cali but for me I would steer well clear of the very thirsty petrol and hybrid models especially if you do long distance continental driving. The diesel engines are misers getting 900km easily. I got rid of a 1.5 TSI in a car because it was so thirsty, I simply cannot imagine what consumption on a 1.5 litre petrol trying to pull a Cali would look like.

Not sure why folk are so concerned about modern diesels complexity given modern petrol have their own challenges (TSI issues with pumps, carbon build up etc) and hybrids are substantially more complex.

My only tip is not to just use a diesel to go to the shops frequently. It needs to be driven. The great news is that, well, it's a Cali!

Not too shabby on 1 tankfull and 50 miles range at the end. Full hybrid mode.

 

[Californication69]

Not too shabby on 1 tankfull and 50 miles range at the end. Full hybrid mode.View attachment 135299

Interesting, I get 480 miles from a 80litre petrol tank in a P400 v6(no mhev) full fat 2022 Range Rover. Says it’s around 34mpg.
80% motorway at 75mph. 2.5 tonne