Gearbox blown up

[original PM]

On my Alfa.....

gonna cost £1.5 to £2 k to fix

anyway my question is

given that a have a 30 mile commute (each way) of which 25 is pretty clear motorway miles and last 5 is stop start traffic is it best to get diesel or petrol?

are modern petrol engines more economical than diesel or does it come down to driving style

I have a heavy right foot and am happy with an average of 40 mpg

[TheFaQQer]

gonna cost £1.5 to £2 k to fix

anyway my question is

given that a have a 30 mile commute (each way) of which 25 is pretty clear motorway miles and last 5 is stop start traffic should I claim the new gearbox as a valid business expense?

FTFY

[lilelvis2000]

Crikey! That's £1000 more than my trusty '94 Corolla is worth. Starts every time and rock solid. Excellent fuel economy too. If you don't mind the lack of power.

[ZARDOZ]

Diesel all the way. Most modern BMW and Merc diesels now are fast and very frugal even the 2 litre ones. Audi less good as you are often getting a Passat engine. Avoid the smaller 'German' diesels in the hatchbacks as these are often Renault, while OK, certainly not cutting edge.



PS Never buy an Alfa, all I ever hear on them is sob stories and big bills. Look great but POS.

[stek]

Diesel all the way. Most modern BMW and Merc diesels now are fast and very frugal even the 2 litre ones. Audi less good as you are often getting a Passat engine. Avoid the smaller 'German' diesels in the hatchbacks as these are often Renault, while OK, certainly not cutting edge.



PS Never buy an Alfa, all I ever hear on them is sob stories and big bills. Look great but POS.

I've had seven Alfa's only one was a lemon. 83' Alfa 33, didn't big-bill me, just was a POS car in general...

[CloudWalker]

My 2005 Honda Type-R has a 2 ltr VTEC petrol engine and I get aprox 270 miles a £50 tank
And Like you I'm heavy right footed!

[VectraMan]

Diesel. Unless you care about the environment and not harming children's lungs, in which case, petrol.

[ZARDOZ]

My 2005 Honda Type-R has a 2 ltr VTEC petrol engine and I get aprox 270 miles a £50 tank
And Like you I'm heavy right footed!

Do the math as the Yanks say.

1.30 per litre unleaded; £50 =38.5 litres ish, 8.46 gallons

270/8.46=32 mpg

Honda civic type R is about as fast as a c250 cdi merc which does around 45-50 mpg.


diesel 135 per litre; £50 =37 litres ish, 8.13 gallons
Heavy footed, worst case 365 miles in mixed driving, 406 if A-road motorway commute.

Going to be visiting the Petrol station about 40-50% more

[EternalOptimist]

prices can change. the damage that diesel does to the lungs is permenant

[ZARDOZ]

Diesel. Unless you care about the environment and not harming children's lungs, in which case, petrol.

Is this the latest Government line? I wondered how long it would be before they would need a new reason to tax some more.