Talk Morgan Forums Community Vehicle Talk (non-Morgan) Large Diesel Engines

I am looking to replace my Audi A8 with something more practical as I head towards retirement.
I had decided on a BMW 335d touring as this would be ideal to carry both of our golf clubs, trolly's, luggage ect.
Currently I'm being bombarded with fantastic deals for cars with large diesel engines, particularly BMW.
Now at first glance this seems ideal timing both from a taxation and personal point of view but given the current hate campaign against diesel cars what do you all think the future holds?

Worthers +8

Firstly I'd wait until the budget clues tomorrow..

I'm in the same boat. Looking to change the LoveBus and really fancy a big lazy auto, but the demonising of diesels seems set.

Having said that, the Beeb have a good page of for and against...I'll try and put a link in..

had you asked me even a year ago, I would have poo poo-ed the development of electrics but now it seems to me that they will really get going in the next year or two. Too many resources going into their development to fail. And the attractions of home charging as a cost saver........

but even if you dont go for that, the development of small turbo charged petrol engines giving the same power and fuel cost as diesels

you are getting lots of offers on big diesels for the reasons you suspect - no one wants the,m and they are on the run out now.

Some seemingly objective thoughts from the BBC HERE

Thanks Steve

That actually seems to be a very well balanced report and really interesting.
I am certainly going to wait and see what the budget brings before making a decision.
But the current deals on offer are very very tempting, and the 335d would be ideal as we pop over to Spain for a couple of months golfing each year.

Worthers

I'd be very wary of buying a new diesel right now, in view of the way the wind seems to be blowing. All the talk about diesels seems to be of increased congestion charges, increased parking charges, and exclusion from many city centres by 2025.

As Howard says, the latest petrol turbo engines are pretty fuel efficient; the 252bhp 330i touring automatic has figures that are quite eco-friendly; CO2 emissions of only 135g/km and an official combined cycle fuel consumption figure of 46 to 48 mpg (even tho' we know you'd get nowhere near that in real life).

If I was going to buy a new car, I think I'd probably only consider a sub-130g petrol or a hybrid, anything else is just asking to be caned on tax. They are going to have to pay the Brexit costs somehow, and slamming polluting vehicles is an easy target.

As it is, I think I'll just keep my Euro-6 diesel for another 5 or so years and throw it away when it becomes worthless, by which time hopefully we'll have decent range and charging infrastructure on pure EVs.

It would be worth checking the new tax figures for your intended purchase as they are set to change from April, it could make a big difference according to engine size and purchase cost, it could pay you to buy before the end of March.
Ian

I don't think there is anything other than a big diesel currently available that fits the bill. Maybe the best approach is to just run the A8 into the ground say another 5 years and hope that by then the development of electric cars will provide a suitable alternative.
Trouble is the 335d is great fun to drive, super performance and whilst it fits the bill perfectly today, may be worthless in 2-3 years time.
Decisions decisions!!!!!

Worthers +8

I moved away from diesel when my high annual mileage dropped. The £ calculations meant petrol was cheaper.
The writing is on the wall for current diesels with the resurgence of health effects of fumes. Annoying really, as politicians were aware of all this a few years back whilst selling the diesel as a positive.
Governments want more income so I can see the diesel route as a cash cow in the short/medium future until manufacturers clean up the exhausts. The £££ generation is far too tempting to politicians as they can now use the health issues to justify the tax hikes. Not looking good for diesel!
I wonder how long before a similar situation occurs with electric cars? At some stage the volumes on the road will trigger a question about revenue to replace internal combustion car taxes. Again the generation methods of electricity will be cited as an excuse.
Motorists are an easy target.
I am looking at electric cars as a feasible buy. Recent improvements have made them far more useable and practical.