Petrol or Diesel - Which is best?

YatesK · Mon Nov 26, 2012 7:25 am

I am looking for my third PAJERO. The first two have been PETROL (3.5V6) and now I am thinking of Diesel, but have been warned.
Turbo's blowing up, injector's need replacing every 100,000kms.
Petrol engines last much longer that Diesel!!!
I can only afford a car with about 100,000km's on it and keep it until it has about 250,000 (current car has 270,000 and going strong). So far my two petrol V6's have given excellent service will diesel do the same?
Any advice / comment out there would be appreciated?

Cas · Mon Nov 26, 2012 12:23 pm

Better the devil you know

diesel stinks!

4ePajero · Mon Nov 26, 2012 1:53 pm

The argument whether diesel or petrol being best will never be resolved.

There are a few facts you need to get straight though.

The scary warnings come from petrol enthusiasts, not diesel ones.
Diesel engines in fact last longer than petrol engines. 12 of the top 20 TOP GUNS are diesel powered.
Turbos don't ALL blow up.
Injectors don't ALL need to be replaced at 100000 kms.
In Australia, the choice for 4x4 enthusiasts is not petrol or diesel but which diesel!

Things about petrol engines which you should keep in mind.

Spark plugs
Coil packs
Spark plug wires
Exhaust systems (even stainless steel lasts only so long on a petrol engine). A diesel engine's exhaust lasts virtually as long as the vehicle.
Simplicity of maintenance (which consists of the replacement oil and filters)

It is more a matter of choice. I like torque, and no petrol engine can match a TD as far as torque/R goes.
If you have some boy racer in you, go petrol.

tonton · Mon Nov 26, 2012 7:00 pm

It depends on your engine use diesel in a diesel engine, petrol in a petrol engine

qoda · Tue Nov 27, 2012 6:20 am

My 2 cents

... Fuel Consumption is probably the main and only reason I would trade in for a diesel.

Tue Nov 27, 2012 7:46 am

qoda wrote:My 2 cents ... Fuel Consumption is probably the main and only reason I would trade in for a diesel.

Over 160000km my Pajero has shown cheaper maintenance costs than both a friends 3.2DiD and a D4D and my Pajero is quite a bit older.

While I'm not disputing the longevity of a properly maintained diesel, I'm yet to be convinced it is a cheaper vehicle to own. And factor in the premium you pay when you buy one.

IMO the only reason when one buys one over the other it is the difference in characteristics.

qoda · Tue Nov 27, 2012 8:09 am

Interesting. Mine has 270k on the clock, which could explain why I'm lucky to get 17/100km. I was under the impression the 3.2 was running at about 13/100km. Also since I service myself wouldn't the diesel be cheaper in the long run.

Sorry for hijacking this thread

Tue Nov 27, 2012 4:59 pm

I'm not saying the fuel consumption isn't better. It is...

Just that the overall runnings costs are about the same from what I have seen.

I can't comment about doing your own services. I work 12-16 hour days and the last thing I want to do is spend my weekend servicing my own vehicle, when I could be camping

qoda · Tue Nov 27, 2012 7:55 pm

Lol. I gotta admit I enjoy working on it... When i have the time. Good to know whats under the hood and be able to fix it if your mechanics a few thousand km away.

pierreandre · Wed Nov 28, 2012 11:03 am

I agree that the cost of ownership will be about the same.

Petrol advantages
1. Longer service intervals
2. Services are relatively cheap.

Diesel advantages
1. Range per tank - this to me is the deciding factor
2. More common - easier to get a second hand vehicle

I've had my petrol model since 2010 - starting on 209000 km on the odo. I've travelled 52000 km so far. Here is the cost breakdown:

Fuel: R80 501 @ an average of 15.58 l/100km
Service & maintenance: R 29 024 - this includes a set of 5 tires

I've done some of the services and repairs myself, some were done at Mitspro and some at the agents.