If you are in the market for a new car and want to compare petrol and diesel run cars then here are some tips to consider before making your decision.
In the past diesel cars were known to be noisy and as a result many people did not purchase them as the preferred their quieter counterparts being petrol engines. This however is no longer the case as advancements in technology have resulted in diesel engines becoming quieter. They obviously are not completely noise free but for that matter neither are petrol engines. Petrol engines still have a “purr” however they are most definitely not as noisy as diesel vehicles.
Another important factor to consider when you compare petrol and diesel run cars is their fuel consumption and the prices of both petrol and diesel. Diesel is the more economic of the two because you get many more kilometres per litre. So if you are someone who drives long distances then diesel engines are definitely the best option as in the long run you will save more, even if the diesel price goes up.
However one consideration that needs to be made is that new diesel cars are more expensive to buy than new petrol cars are. Therefore this decision can be based on your current money situation or on if you plan on saving more over the duration of owning the vehicle.
Should you be a speed freak and want a car that accelerates fast off the line so that you can win those drag races then petrol cars are the better option. The reason for this is that petrol cars accelerate faster than their diesel equivalents. Although the acceleration may be just the slightest bit faster, this could make all the difference to those of you who don’t want to lose of the mark. For those of you who are concerned for the environment on the other hand and who realistically cannot walk or cycle to work then diesel engines have been proven to emit less carbon dioxide.
The only environmental downfall to diesel engines is that they emit more smog than petrol engines. However this can be counteracted by fitting a diesel particulate filter which will reduce the amount of smog released in to the environment. Petrol heads will however object to this argument and say that these particulate filters can become blocked and therefore cause damage to the car.
The video below is an interesting one where Top Gear test the diesel BMW 5 series against the petrol version, check it out for yourself.
BMW 5 Series Video – Petrol Vs. Diesel
Ultimately the choice lies with the personal preferences of the driver of the vehicle as there are pros and cons to each type of car. But to help you out my suggestion is that if you live in an urban area, are frequently stuck in traffic, and do not have long distances to drive then you should get a petrol engine. Although this may emit more carbon dioxide, you contribute less to noise pollution which is a serious problem in urban areas.
However, should you live far away from work, or live in semi-urban or rural areas then I would recommend a diesel engine vehicle. You may end up spending more upfront but over the long run you will save money due to their fuel efficiency. Unfortunately any car is bad for the environment so should you be overly concerned with the environment then I would suggest giving the vehicle you were born with – your legs. This way you will not emit as much carbon dioxide as a vehicle will. However should this not suffice, why not try a bicycle and you can get fit in the process.
My last suggestion would be to get a scooter as these are extremely fuel efficient, are great if you do not need to travel long distances, and if you are not concerned with facing the elements such as rain, cold, or helmet hair then this could be the perfect solution.