Petrol or Diesel Leon FR

[jeffacus]

Sorry if this thread has already been discussed.....

I'm currently trying to decide which of the petrol or diesel engines would be best, when I trade my Altea Stylance 1.6 in for a Leon FR and would like some advice.

I'm averaging 10,000 miles per year, as I only have a 10 minute journey to work each day (most of which is on a dual carriageway), and other journeys no more than 20 miles.

I want something with more punch than the 1.6 engine that I have now, and something a bit more economical...after 3 years, the average I've got out of it is 33mpg...plus the fact I'd like something sportier than the stylance (hence the FR).

My initial feeling is that the diesel will be a better option, but because of the low miles i'm unsure...

Hope somebody can give me some good advice!

Cheers.

 

[OLDOILER]

Sorry if this thread has already been discussed.....

I'm currently trying to decide which of the petrol or diesel engines would be best, when I trade my Altea Stylance 1.6 in for a Leon FR and would like some advice.

I'm averaging 10,000 miles per year, as I only have a 10 minute journey to work each day (most of which is on a dual carriageway), and other journeys no more than 20 miles.

I want something with more punch than the 1.6 engine that I have now, and something a bit more economical...after 3 years, the average I've got out of it is 33mpg...plus the fact I'd like something sportier than the stylance (hence the FR).

My initial feeling is that the diesel will be a better option, but because of the low miles i'm unsure...

Hope somebody can give me some good advice!


Cheers.

Me thinks the petrol power would be better long term on fuel and servicing, having the diesel would likely incurr DPF problems [ alternative if you really want a diesel would be the Leon 140 diesel sport plus chipping which would give you around 180 - 190bhp and a good mpg and would be more tollerent to your short journeys and low 10k pa], but other chaps no doubt will have other idea's!!?

 

[Haddock]

Surely at only 10k miles per year the petrol is a better option.

Current Car - 33mpg with Fuel @ £1.049 = £1445 per year in fuel
FR TDi - 43mpg with Fuel @ £1.099 = £1161 " "
FR Petrol - 28mpg with Fuel @ £1.049 = £1784 " "

Only benefit from the TDi would be residuals...

Both great engines though!!

Chris

 

[Monumental]

10k a year = petrol. With the TDI I'd be worried about DPF issues on a 10min commute, it's unlikely to warm up enough to do the waste burning thing.

 

[jeffacus]

Cheers guys for those quick responses. I suppose i'm quite lucky not to have to do many miles per year, and always was wary about that fact when looking at diesels!

Cheers for those figures, Chris...although the diesel seems the cheaper option, i'd be right in thinking i'd take the financial hit with the initial purchase of the vehicle?

Although the economy is less with the 2.0 petrol fr than with my 33mpg altea, I suppose its not that more expensive to run, especially on such low miles, and factor in the performance the fr has over mine?

I'm still open to more advice, think its going to be a while before I'm able to get one of them!

 

[mister.c.]

Have a read at this - mentioned in an earlier post re the DPF

http://img231.imageshack.us/my.php?image=dpfle3.jpg

This is dealer advice - for those considering a TDI with the 170 engine in the FR (which has a DPF)

You may see this thread which goes into more detail on DPF
http://www.seatcupra.net/forums/showthread.php?t=146732

 

[phil3012]

On those miles I'd go for the petrol to avoid the potential DPF issues.

Given the the diesel is more expensive to buy and the fuel is more expensive the FR petrol is probably the better option.

Get yourself to your local dealer and have a go in an FR Petrol. It's a great car.

 

[wheelwright]

I average around the 10k a year mark, so far i have done 4.5k in 6 months WITHOUT any DPF issues.

This is just me doing the daily drive and no more.

BUT i do like to lash it in 1st 2nd but thats about it no m/way drive just about town driving.

BUT i only see about 30/33 mpg with my style of driving.

Come sale time is where you will reap more benefit as IMHO the diesel will be worth more.

 

[rpmleon]

TFSI FR (Petrol) most definitely!!! With DSG if you can afford the extra £1k

Had mine now for approximately 4 months having changed from the 150 TDi PD Cupra. The DSG box is to die for

Do the same miles per year as you and the same type of journey to work each day and I am currently averaging 29/30mpg. OK, 10 to 14mpg less than my previous car but, personally, until they have resolved the DPF problems on the new Mk11 FR TDi, with my low milage, I will stick with the TFSI FR DSG.

My personal advice is take an elongated Test Drive in each model before you make your decision

RPM

 

[BanziBarn]

I do low milage (6k per year) but still chose the TDI for the following reaosns

1. Used, the TDIs were only £300 more or so
2. Tax is cheaper
3. Insurance is cheaper
4. I will spend less on fuel
5. For urban driving, the grunt low in the rev range makes the performance more usuable
6. Better residuals
7. I knew that when the cupra came out I'd be annoyed if I had a petrol FR, the 170 is still the fastest TDI in the range.

Financially I do realise that the Petrol car wouldn't have cost a lot more to run than the diesel and it was a marginal decision but the above just swung it for me.

As for low milage DPF - I've not had any problems despite a lot of town driving, maybe becuase I do use the grunt at any oppertunity.

 

[LeonMunkee]

I do low milage (6k per year) but still chose the TDI for the following reaosns

1. Used, the TDIs were only £300 more or so
2. Tax is cheaper
3. Insurance is cheaper
4. I will spend less on fuel
5. For urban driving, the grunt low in the rev range makes the performance more usuable
6. Better residuals
7. I knew that when the cupra came out I'd be annoyed if I had a petrol FR, the 170 is still the fastest TDI in the range.

Financially I do realise that the Petrol car wouldn't have cost a lot more to run than the diesel and it was a marginal decision but the above just swung it for me.

As for low milage DPF - I've not had any problems despite a lot of town driving, maybe becuase I do use the grunt at any oppertunity.

My reasons for opting for the FR TDI over the FR TFSI were pretty much the same. Just looking at the financial side of things:

1. £65 a year cheaper tax
2. £120 a year cheaper insurance
3. £340 a year cheaper in fuel (I do about 10k miles a year, and based on current fuel prices)

So £525 a year saving. Taking into account the extra £500 the oil burner cost to buy, and assuming I'm keeping the car for the 3 years I intend to, I'll save £358 per year by having the diesel. Plus after driving both I had no less fun (maybe slightly more even) with the TDI torque-monster than the petrol.

 

[jeffs beast]

i have a petrol tried the tdi but to noisy when you buy a fast car you donot want it to rev like a tractor at the light do you spend that litle bit more and have more fun in the tfsi petrol

 

[caveo]

buy a diesel and be labeled as a ....