Would you still buy a Diesel car if Diesel was priced closer to Petrol?

Guna · 1st July 2010, 18:37

Folks, slightly OT
In countries where there is no subsidy on diesel, why are diesels still popular, especially in the luxury segment (Mercs and Audis). Is it because of the torquy nature of diesels? There is certainly something more to diesel then low running cost.

asr245 · 1st July 2010, 19:06

Quote:

Originally Posted by Guna

Folks, slightly OT
In countries where there is no subsidy on diesel, why are diesels still popular, especially in the luxury segment (Mercs and Audis). Is it because of the torquy nature of diesels? There is certainly something more to diesel then low running cost.

I think they are only popular in Europe (definitely not in US). Folks prefer it due to the higher mileage as gas is not cheap in Europe (at par with India in most countries AFAIK).

SafeDrive · 1st July 2010, 21:44

Quote:

Originally Posted by Guna

Folks, slightly OT
In countries where there is no subsidy on diesel, why are diesels still popular, especially in the luxury segment (Mercs and Audis). Is it because of the torquy nature of diesels? There is certainly something more to diesel then low running cost.

One reason could be the engine. I remember seeing a BMW (forgot the model) in an US showroom where the SP told that the diesel version is more powerful than the petrol - to put it in his words "got more horses".

.anshuman · 1st July 2010, 21:50

Quote:

Originally Posted by SafeDrive

One reason could be the engine. I remember seeing a BMW (forgot the model) in an US showroom where the SP told that the diesel version is more powerful than the petrol - to put it in his words "got more horses".

Was he talking about the 530d? Yes powerful diesels mated to Automatics can be very rewarding to drive. Those who has driven Audi A4 3.0Tdi and BMW 530d know it. For comparison the Audi 3.0 TDi is faster than 3.2TFSi variant.

Guna · 1st July 2010, 22:26

Quote:

Originally Posted by .anshuman

Was he talking about the 530d? Yes powerful diesels mated to Automatics can be very rewarding to drive. Those who has driven Audi A4 3.0Tdi and BMW 530d know it. For comparison the Audi 3.0 TDi is faster than 3.2TFSi variant.

It is true even in case of 3 series (320D is substantially quicker then 320i).

SLK · 2nd July 2010, 00:42

Diesel for the torque

CBlazer · 2nd July 2010, 10:58

I voted yes.

IF I was interested in a Diesel for FE, it would still be more economical to own a diesel given the nature of diesel engines. Of course, I wouldn't blindly decide on a diesel (which was true even before the deregulation). The usage does matter.

Bigzero · 2nd July 2010, 11:08

I voted yes too.

Economy is one thing, but more than that I am beginning to enjoy the feel of driving a diesel, especially on highway runs ( bought a diesel (i20 CRDi) recently). I had driven the premier 137D and earlier generation Indicas many years back, and the improvement in NVH and Performance the new gen CRD engines have brought in is amazing.

humyum · 2nd July 2010, 11:31

I would buy a diesel car even if diesel was costlier than petrol. The joy of driving a diesel turbocharged car can never be matched by petrol cars.

CoolFire · 2nd July 2010, 11:40

Turbo charged petrols in mainstream engines is still far away. So voted for Diesel, turbo charged. Simply love the torque.

rangarx · 2nd July 2010, 12:52

I would definitely give in a diesel. Especially when you see the diesels of some of the new models are performing better than their petrol siblings. (Figo, Polo, Swift..and the list is growing)

SANSI · 2nd July 2010, 13:00

Dear Anshuman,

Very valid poll but still missing something to become unbiased. The missing clause is: "If the diesel car costs same as petrol car". I own a diesel car. Still I voted for petrol in your poll. Provided the sentence I mentioned is included to your poll I will defenitely vote for diesel only. I love the torque and the turbo kick a diesel gives. Driving with crdi is fun.

Thanks,
SANSI

classicselva · 2nd July 2010, 13:23

I am struck struck struck

I booked a diesel car mid version, thinking of savings. Now with the de-regulation, i am feeling i should have gone with petrol top end version.

Also i was under the impression that diesel burns completely and pollutes less than petrol. Experts view please.

STILL voting for Diesel, as i feel more comfort in driving diesel car than a petrol

Sheel · 2nd July 2010, 13:26

Quote:

Originally Posted by humyum

I would buy a diesel car even if diesel was costlier than petrol. The joy of driving a diesel turbocharged car can never be matched by petrol cars.

Get behind the wheel of a turbo charged petrol/or behind a non-turbo diesel for a fair comparison and all your performance parameters will jump out of the window.

ph03n!x · 2nd July 2010, 13:40

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sheel

Get behind the wheel of a turbo charged petrol/or behind a non-turbo diesel for a fair comparison and all your performance parameters will jump out of the window.

Agreed. But please get me a Turbo Charged Petrol under 6 or 7 lakhs with ~100 BHP - and I shall gladly get rid of my Getz CRDi

View Poll Results: Would you still buy a Diesel car?
Yes	528	45.17%
No	552	47.22%
Don't Know	89	7.61%
Voters: 1169. You may not vote on this poll

1st July 2010, 18:37	#61
Guna Senior - BHPian Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Bangalore Posts: 4,009 Thanked: 4,190 Times	Folks, slightly OT In countries where there is no subsidy on diesel, why are diesels still popular, especially in the luxury segment (Mercs and Audis). Is it because of the torquy nature of diesels? There is certainly something more to diesel then low running cost.
	() Thanks

2nd July 2010, 00:42	#66
SLK Senior - BHPian Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: DL XX XX XXXX Posts: 1,634 Thanked: 1,011 Times	Diesel for the torque
	() Thanks

2nd July 2010, 10:58	#67
CBlazer BHPian Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Bangalore Posts: 596 Thanked: 17 Times	I voted yes. IF I was interested in a Diesel for FE, it would still be more economical to own a diesel given the nature of diesel engines. Of course, I wouldn't blindly decide on a diesel (which was true even before the deregulation). The usage does matter.
	() Thanks

2nd July 2010, 11:08	#68
Bigzero BHPian Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Pune Posts: 447 Thanked: 522 Times	I voted yes too. Economy is one thing, but more than that I am beginning to enjoy the feel of driving a diesel, especially on highway runs ( bought a diesel (i20 CRDi) recently). I had driven the premier 137D and earlier generation Indicas many years back, and the improvement in NVH and Performance the new gen CRD engines have brought in is amazing.
	() Thanks

2nd July 2010, 11:31	#69
humyum Senior - BHPian Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Mumbai Posts: 2,750 Thanked: 5,422 Times	I would buy a diesel car even if diesel was costlier than petrol. The joy of driving a diesel turbocharged car can never be matched by petrol cars.
	() Thanks

2nd July 2010, 11:40	#70
CoolFire BHPian Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Tsr, Kerala Posts: 386 Thanked: 575 Times	Turbo charged petrols in mainstream engines is still far away. So voted for Diesel, turbo charged. Simply love the torque.
	() Thanks

2nd July 2010, 12:52	#71
rangarx BHPian Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Udumalpet / Che Posts: 318 Thanked: 237 Times	Yes!! I would definitely give in a diesel. Especially when you see the diesels of some of the new models are performing better than their petrol siblings. (Figo, Polo, Swift..and the list is growing)
	() Thanks

2nd July 2010, 13:00	#72
SANSI BHPian Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Bangalore Posts: 58 Thanked: 76 Times View My Garage	Dear Anshuman, Very valid poll but still missing something to become unbiased. The missing clause is: "If the diesel car costs same as petrol car". I own a diesel car. Still I voted for petrol in your poll. Provided the sentence I mentioned is included to your poll I will defenitely vote for diesel only. I love the torque and the turbo kick a diesel gives. Driving with crdi is fun. Thanks, SANSI
	() Thanks

2nd July 2010, 13:23	#73
classicselva BHPian Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Chennai Posts: 187 Thanked: 27 Times	I am struck struck struck I booked a diesel car mid version, thinking of savings. Now with the de-regulation, i am feeling i should have gone with petrol top end version. Also i was under the impression that diesel burns completely and pollutes less than petrol. Experts view please. STILL voting for Diesel, as i feel more comfort in driving diesel car than a petrol Last edited by classicselva : 2nd July 2010 at 13:24.
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