I am driving a 2012 c class estate 1.6 petrol manual at the moment but wondering whether to get a diesel automatic around the same age , just wanted to know if the servicing on a diesel would be more expensive than the petrol version . I do around 14000 miles a year and getting an average of 40 mpg in my car at the moment . cheers
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Red C220
MB Enthusiast
I see little advantage in going diesel in your case.
Is there a reason you don't want the petrol?
Is there a reason you don't want the petrol?
Everyone knows the a C220 CDI is faster than a C63 AMG 
Not really only thinking about the diesel as they have more torgue and power , but i can live with the petrol . It was more about getting an automatic and how much more a service would cost as my next service is a B service and mb have quoted around £330 which seems very reasonable as my mate has a similar car with less miles only his is the 250 diesel auto and his next service is over £ 600 .
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The difference is not in the cost of routine servicing.
The difference is that modern diesel cars are quite complicated, so they are more likely to go wrong than petrol cars, and when they do, the repair bill is likely to be higher.
Not an issue for a new car with 3 years warranty, but something to consider if you are buying an older car.
Still, if you get a good one you will be fine, so check carefully service history and condition before buying.
The difference is that modern diesel cars are quite complicated, so they are more likely to go wrong than petrol cars, and when they do, the repair bill is likely to be higher.
Not an issue for a new car with 3 years warranty, but something to consider if you are buying an older car.
Still, if you get a good one you will be fine, so check carefully service history and condition before buying.
PobodY
MB Enthusiast
If you want power, I'd stick with petrol (yes, I concede diesel has more torque). - Look how many people want diesel tuning boxes and performance increases; you don't see that with petrol engines.
What you do get is people telling you how much they like the sound of their exhaust note.
What you do get is people telling you how much they like the sound of their exhaust note.
ALFIEBEARD
Active Member
If you want power, I'd stick with petrol (yes, I concede diesel has more torque). - Look how many people want diesel tuning boxes and performance increases; you don't see that with petrol engines.
This is mainly because Diesels offer far better tuning possibilities than petrol's £ for £. often increases of 30bhp are easily attainable for £250. and sometimes with increased economy.
Alfie
MancMike
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I'm fairly sure your 1.6 Turbo petrol generates more torque than my 3L V6 Petrol at low revs, so it'll be fine pulling away.
Yours is about 156bhp if I remember. Power delivery will feel different of course.
Yours is about 156bhp if I remember. Power delivery will feel different of course.
The Dude
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...after years of owning derv burners I won't ever buy another one !
In comparison with just about any petrol they are noisy,complicated and prone to issues not afflicting petrol...turbo,dpf,dmf etc,etc...also generally no where near as economical as manufacturers figures suggest...
I simply don't understand our obsession with buying diesels? My gut feeling is that because they are inherently dirty they have a limited shelf life...VW anyone!
In comparison with just about any petrol they are noisy,complicated and prone to issues not afflicting petrol...turbo,dpf,dmf etc,etc...also generally no where near as economical as manufacturers figures suggest...
I simply don't understand our obsession with buying diesels? My gut feeling is that because they are inherently dirty they have a limited shelf life...VW anyone!
PobodY
MB Enthusiast
Diesel definitely has its place, but I think they are mis-sold to the average motorist; admittedly the cheaper taxation has something to do with it.
Some of the problems they experience are a results of not being run long or hard enough. - The DPF is a classic example; if it never gets hot, it never burns-off the particulates, so it clogs up and causes problems.
Some of the problems they experience are a results of not being run long or hard enough. - The DPF is a classic example; if it never gets hot, it never burns-off the particulates, so it clogs up and causes problems.
rorf
Active Member
I love diesels - in tractors and Land Rovers
Totally over rated in cars in my opinion and more expensive to upkeep in the long run.
Totally over rated in cars in my opinion and more expensive to upkeep in the long run.
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There's one other thing to consider, especially if buying second hand.
Diesel cars cost more to buy, and fetch a higher price come sell time. They are also easier to sell on in general.
If you intend to keep the for a short period of time, say 2 years, then you will be financially better off with a diesel car. If you intend to keep the car for a number of years, then buying the cheaper petrol variant will make more sense financially.
The only caveat is of course that if legislation regarding Diesel cars changes in future, it could see the current pro-Diesel trend reversed and second hand prices could suffer as result.
On the same note, the options that make a saloon/exec car more sellable in general are:
Automatic
Right colour
Leather
Alloys
So if buying the car for the shorter term, make sure it has these options because it will make it easier to sell on (or fetch a higher price as PX).
Diesel cars cost more to buy, and fetch a higher price come sell time. They are also easier to sell on in general.
If you intend to keep the for a short period of time, say 2 years, then you will be financially better off with a diesel car. If you intend to keep the car for a number of years, then buying the cheaper petrol variant will make more sense financially.
The only caveat is of course that if legislation regarding Diesel cars changes in future, it could see the current pro-Diesel trend reversed and second hand prices could suffer as result.
On the same note, the options that make a saloon/exec car more sellable in general are:
Automatic
Right colour
Leather
Alloys
So if buying the car for the shorter term, make sure it has these options because it will make it easier to sell on (or fetch a higher price as PX).
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99% of Mercs are automatics and designed primarily to be automatics. The only additional cost over a manual would be atf change but then it balances out as one doesn't need to change the clutch..
If things go wrong.... though tbh the MB auto 'box rarely goes that wrong..
If things go wrong.... though tbh the MB auto 'box rarely goes that wrong..
Adrian5405
Active Member
We have the 1.6 komp auto and it's no slouch, didn't want the derv as the car does lots of stop start town driving.
I've had diesels for years but starting to prefer petrol again now.
I've had diesels for years but starting to prefer petrol again now.
ALFIEBEARD
Active Member
Well most petrol's are fitted with "Turbochargers" nowadays and its been mentioned that petrol's will be getting "Particulate Filters" within a couple of years. also Auto's don't have "DMF's"' and Diesels don't use "Coil Packs"" and complex " ignition systems" and both are Injected so sadly Petrol's are not going to be much different than Diesel's in the reliability stakes in the future. just "noisy filthy smelly " lol. Ohh and about VW's here you go. I think I will stick with my Noisy Filthy Smelly Oil Burner
. Volkswagen Group to fit particulate filters to all petrol engines from 2017 | Autocar
Or you could buy a new Mercedes Petrol.....http://www.autocar.co.uk/car-news/industry/mercedes-invest-£23bn-more-efficient-engine-technology
Alfie
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EV is the future....
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Well most petrol's are fitted with "Turbochargers" nowadays and its been mentioned that petrol's will be getting "Particulate Filters" within a couple of years. also Auto's don't have "DMF's"' and Diesels don't use "Coil Packs"" and complex " ignition systems" and both are Injected so sadly Petrol's are not going to be much different than Diesel's in the reliability stakes in the future. just "noisy filthy smelly " lol. Ohh and about VW's here you go. I think I will stick with my Noisy Filthy Smelly Oil Burner
Volkswagen Group to fit particulate filters to all petrol engines from 2017 | Autocar
Or you could buy a new Mercedes Petrol.....http://www.autocar.co.uk/car-news/industry/mercedes-invest-£23bn-more-efficient-engine-technology
Alfie
As you say things may change going forward, but as things stand the average diesel engine is more complicated than the average petrol engine. The petrol ignition system gives little grief and when a coil pack goes they are easy and cheap to replace.
Look at the cost of a diesel fuel pump compared to petrol fuel pumps... and the worse case scenario of misfueling a diesel compared to misfueling a petrol car... and petrol engines have no flaps that break, they do not self destruct due to excessive oil level, and spark plugs are less likely to strip the thread compared to glow plugs, etc etc......
But again, this may change - the 'dirty' agricultural Diesels of the eighties had no turbo, no common rail, no ECU, and were cheap and cheerful to run.... I drove an Escort Diesel and a Peugeot Diesel back then and they were indestructible
D
Deleted member 65149
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I agree that the OP should stick with petrol. But then of course I'm going to say that because I hate diesels with a passion. The "revelation" that they're not as clean as all the mugs were led to believe just compounds my dislike of them. TBH I don't care about the probable higher maintenance costs, but I do care about what they're doing to my children's lungs and my grandchildren's lungs. I hate their deathly rattles too (rattles that the owners are generally oblivious to because they're inside their well insulated cars), but that's somewhat less of a concern.
So yes, stick with petrol. But if you want to change to an auto then do so. You're unlikely to notice any difference in performance and very little reduction, if any, in economy. It's just unfortunate that there'll be less choice out there because of the totally illogical popularity of diesels.
So yes, stick with petrol. But if you want to change to an auto then do so. You're unlikely to notice any difference in performance and very little reduction, if any, in economy. It's just unfortunate that there'll be less choice out there because of the totally illogical popularity of diesels.
