Should I buy a diesel or petrol C class?

[alan782]

My wife has had a c200komp from new on a 54 plate and not a single issue. Its quieter round town than my diesel. It has still only done 4ok a diesel would have cost more and with the short trips would have saved nothing.

 

[brandwooddixon]

For 6k miles per year I'd definitely say petrol.
If you're having difficulty deciding here's an informative article in the Telegraph.

 

[television]

When I changed my SL I had thought of a 221 diesel 320cdi, but did some sums over the 216 and the 5.5 liter petrol, for most of my 5k miles per year, the diesel was a no go owing to higher servicing and it offered just over 10 mpg better on fuel on average. If I was living on the motorway then another story, so with a fuel cost of just a couple of hundred pounds per year I enjoy a very fast car in absolute silence.

 

[cleverdicky]

Blimey, 5k is that all ? I would think you would do that just on trips to the garage and back

 

[television]

Blimey, 5k is that all ? I would think you would do that just on trips to the garage and back

Well I am over that, it was 3000 miles to Sweden and back so over 4k in 3 months, I put 6k on the 140 in 1 year and 237 in the V70R

 

[turbopete]

237 miles? in a YEAR? barely worth having isnt it?

 

[st4]

I love diesel c classes

 

[maxjazz]

Can't see why anyone would recommend a diesel for 6000k. I love my 270cdi I cover about 15000k a year average 43mpg and have got over 60mpg on occasions. However would not hesitate to change to petrol if my mileage went below 10000k. Only problem in two years has been a split o ring on the fuel pump and servicing of course which I do myself. However a local Merc specialist charges £165 for a B service which as far as I am concerned is the only service I would entertain anyway. As the glorified oil change that is an A service seems a waste of money to me. However from my limited knowledge short journeys and cold engine diving that you would be doing would not be healthy for a diesel.

 

[kth286]

Can't see why anyone would recommend a diesel for 6000k.

I can !

 

[V6Matty]

I can !

Please elaborate

 

[st4]

Please elaborate

Because despite the forum warriors they are cheaper to fuel, are more plentiful on the used markets, are not more expensive to look after if they don't have DPFs and depending on usage the car might do a few long runs not a lot of short ones so the DPF wouldn't be an issue anyway.

As a lot of you know my old man bought an S350 blue tech diesel. It's lightly used. A 500 petrol same age miles was over £15k dearer. Dads does 40mpg, is £15k cheaper and 20mpg better than the 500. He only does 6000 to 8000 miles per year but they are long runs. He'd be mad to even consider a petrol one.

 

[syncropaddy]

Comparing an S350 against an S500 isn't a proper comparison in my book. Maybe a 450 would be closer

 

[V6Matty]

Think it all depends on where and when the car is going to be used, If he's only looking at diesel because he thinks its going to be cheeper IMO he will be disapointed. Yes it may be marginly cheeper to run but maybe not as much as he thinks it could be?

 

[st4]

Comparing an S350 against an S500 isn't a proper comparison in my book. Maybe a 450 would be closer

In a country where using the performance ability of either will land you a seat in front of a judge it's a wise comparison. Refinement from its unreal.

 

[SSR S500]

Petrol everytime for that mileage, diesels take longer to warm up with the OP's very short runs, surely petrol would suit better. Fuel consumption may be better on the petrol as a result.

 

[cleverdicky]

Petrol short runs are a killer in an MB.
Auto choke settings dont conserve or optimise fuel untill engine warmed. About 5 miles average. Only then does it become economical.

 

[st4]

Petrol everytime for that mileage, diesels take longer to warm up with the OP's very short runs, surely petrol would suit better. Fuel consumption may be better on the petrol as a result.

Diesel takes 5mins to warm on an 08 C220

 

[Andy.M]

Petrol short runs are a killer in an MB.
Auto choke settings dont conserve or optimise fuel untill engine warmed. About 5 miles average. Only then does it become economical.

First time I've seen that thrown into a petrol v diesel debate!

Is it right?

 

[pcb]

Not great

the main reason for the diesel is that the engine is bigger allowing it to feel like I am driving a luxury car. I went and had a look at a few cars today at CG and I was not impressed with the state of the cars sold.

I will increase my budget a bit.

Oh and these damn cars dont have parking sensors... old nissan cars have those.....

 

[television]

First time I've seen that thrown into a petrol v diesel debate!

Is it right?

No not really,,,yes they have fuel enrichment when cold, but petrols warm up so much faster than any diesel. 6k miles is not enough to warrant a diesel with the noise an smell, I have my fun when I can with the 0 - 60 times and my 5500 engine returned near on 30 mpg on a 3000 mile trip.