ask the Org...again! - SV650.org

tinpants · 21-01-12, 05:19 PM

I started a new job recently after binning the business I had. I've sold a lot of my kit and settled business loans etc but now need to change my mode of transport. I'm currently running a 52 plate L200 but its costing me a fortune on the Severn bridge as well as in fuel. Anyhoo, I'm after a Nissan X Trail but I'm not quite sure whether to go for a petrol or a diesel. I have this hang up about petrol engines in cars not being economical enough but have been told by a number of friends and some dealers (yeah, I know, but bear with me) that the petrol engines are just as good as diesel as far as economy.

So, I guess my question is, do any of you here on the mighty .Org have any experience in these areas or any relevant expertise that would push me one direction or another?

Clear as mud? Good. Discuss please, if you will. Ta.

TP

_Stretchie_ · 21-01-12, 05:38 PM

No idea myself mate but good luck with it all

gruntygiggles · 21-01-12, 06:06 PM

Maybe find an X Trail forum and look to see if anyone has done comparisons?

Good luck...with everything

maviczap · 21-01-12, 06:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tinpants

that the petrol engines are just as good as diesel as far as economy.

TP

I don't know anything about the X trail, but it was reported recently that it is just as cheap to run a petrol car as a diesel, where petrol cars are more economical & diesel has gone up in price. So the extra mpg of the diesel is not as good since diesel went up in price

I'd convert a petrol engine to run on LPG to save money at the mo.

Modern diesels probably won't like running on veg oil

andrewsmith · 21-01-12, 06:14 PM

diesel

I thought the l200's were economical?

Veg oil is an expensive mistake to make

andrewsmith · 21-01-12, 06:14 PM

diesel

I thought the l200's were economical?

Veg oil is an expensive mistake to make

tinpants · 21-01-12, 06:29 PM

L200s have always been a bit gutsy when it comes to fuel. I get about 380 miles from a full tank - about £95 worth of fuel - I think that works out to roughly 28mpg - but I know of a bloke that struggles to get 300 miles to a tank.
Anyone who says they get over 35mpg from an L200 is lying or is 5hite at maths.

fizzwheel · 21-01-12, 06:43 PM

Liz's dad has an X Trail, 57 Plate I think it is 2.2 Diesel which IIRC comes from Renault.

Its nice to drive, pulls well and it cruises comfortably at sensible motorway speeds, plenty of room inside it, and the cabin noise isnt to bad either.

I dont know what it would be like off road, but it coped with the snow we had last year OK, it has switchable 4wd, so you can run it in 2WD, 4WD or Lock ( which is guess is diff lock ) or auto and let it sort itself out.

IIRC the Renault engines have or had a reputation for blowing turbos, well thats what I found on the web when I was looking at them.

Liz's dad reckons he is getting 45mpg out of his. It tows their caravan no problem as well.

If it were me something like that I'd be going for Diesel unless I was planning on doing lots and short journeys in it. No matter what you get at that size of vehicle its going to be thirsty IMHO. Still its better on fuel than our Maverick is, which is worse than your L200...

The one thing I noticed when we took the X Trail to Ireland last year, we left a bit late and I had to push on on the motorway as I was worried about missing the ferry, is when doing silly speed on the motorway you can visably watch the fuel guage drop...

21-01-12, 07:07 PM

2.5 litre petrol gets 25mph (if i'm lucky) Think like Fizz says the diesels are up around 40 + so by that deisel would need to be £2:00 with petrol at £1:30. factor in the extra cost of buying the diesel and the amount of miles you need to do per year to work out how long it will take to recooperate the extra purchase cost with the economy saving.

I do less than 8K a year in the car so would have taken me 5 - 8 years to recoop the extra cost of purdhasing the diesel.

hth.

21-01-12, 07:07 PM

The petrol v diesel debate maybe getting closer with small cars, but there's no way a big heavy car with a petrol engine is gonna be similar in mpg to a diesel, or overall running costs won't be similar either.

Most diesels have longer service intervals now compared to petrol, with TDI's as well you're getting a powerful torquey engine, the same torque in a petrol will mean a bigger more powerful engine which = lower mpg.

21-01-12, 05:19 PM	#1
tinpants Ubique Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Forest of Dean, Gloucestershire Posts: 643	ask the Org...again! I started a new job recently after binning the business I had. I've sold a lot of my kit and settled business loans etc but now need to change my mode of transport. I'm currently running a 52 plate L200 but its costing me a fortune on the Severn bridge as well as in fuel. Anyhoo, I'm after a Nissan X Trail but I'm not quite sure whether to go for a petrol or a diesel. I have this hang up about petrol engines in cars not being economical enough but have been told by a number of friends and some dealers (yeah, I know, but bear with me) that the petrol engines are just as good as diesel as far as economy. So, I guess my question is, do any of you here on the mighty .Org have any experience in these areas or any relevant expertise that would push me one direction or another? Clear as mud? Good. Discuss please, if you will. Ta. TP __________________ Jesus loves you. Everyone else thinks you're a pillock

21-01-12, 05:38 PM	#2
_Stretchie_ Large Member Mega Poster Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Minsterworth, Gloucester Posts: 2,353	Re: ask the Org...again! No idea myself mate but good luck with it all __________________ How to amuze an idiot: Look right-> <-Look Left

21-01-12, 06:06 PM	#3
gruntygiggles DaffyGingerBint Mega Poster Join Date: May 2008 Location: Melksham Posts: 1,577	Re: ask the Org...again! Maybe find an X Trail forum and look to see if anyone has done comparisons? Good luck...with everything __________________ 2012 Welsh TT http://forums.sv650.org/showthread.php?t=171244 RIP Hovie baby

21-01-12, 06:14 PM	#5
andrewsmith Member Mega Poster Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Newcastle upon Tyne, Just south of salad dodging country Posts: 7,750	Re: ask the Org...again! diesel I thought the l200's were economical? Veg oil is an expensive mistake to make __________________ RIP Reeder 20/07/1988 - 21/03/2012. Always missed squire!!! Every year we meet old friends, gain some new ones, lose old ones and you always remember them all. “Live as if you were to die tomorrow. Learn as if you were to live forever.” Mahatma Gandhi

21-01-12, 06:14 PM	#6
andrewsmith Member Mega Poster Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Newcastle upon Tyne, Just south of salad dodging country Posts: 7,750	Re: ask the Org...again! diesel I thought the l200's were economical? Veg oil is an expensive mistake to make __________________ RIP Reeder 20/07/1988 - 21/03/2012. Always missed squire!!! Every year we meet old friends, gain some new ones, lose old ones and you always remember them all. “Live as if you were to die tomorrow. Learn as if you were to live forever.” Mahatma Gandhi

21-01-12, 06:29 PM	#7
tinpants Ubique Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Forest of Dean, Gloucestershire Posts: 643	Re: ask the Org...again! L200s have always been a bit gutsy when it comes to fuel. I get about 380 miles from a full tank - about £95 worth of fuel - I think that works out to roughly 28mpg - but I know of a bloke that struggles to get 300 miles to a tank. Anyone who says they get over 35mpg from an L200 is lying or is 5hite at maths. __________________ Jesus loves you. Everyone else thinks you're a pillock

21-01-12, 06:43 PM	#8
fizzwheel Super Moderator Mega Poster Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Somerset Posts: 3,614	Re: ask the Org...again! Liz's dad has an X Trail, 57 Plate I think it is 2.2 Diesel which IIRC comes from Renault. Its nice to drive, pulls well and it cruises comfortably at sensible motorway speeds, plenty of room inside it, and the cabin noise isnt to bad either. I dont know what it would be like off road, but it coped with the snow we had last year OK, it has switchable 4wd, so you can run it in 2WD, 4WD or Lock ( which is guess is diff lock ) or auto and let it sort itself out. IIRC the Renault engines have or had a reputation for blowing turbos, well thats what I found on the web when I was looking at them. Liz's dad reckons he is getting 45mpg out of his. It tows their caravan no problem as well. If it were me something like that I'd be going for Diesel unless I was planning on doing lots and short journeys in it. No matter what you get at that size of vehicle its going to be thirsty IMHO. Still its better on fuel than our Maverick is, which is worse than your L200... The one thing I noticed when we took the X Trail to Ireland last year, we left a bit late and I had to push on on the motorway as I was worried about missing the ferry, is when doing silly speed on the motorway you can visably watch the fuel guage drop... __________________ Look Dave, I can see you're really upset about this. I honestly think you ought to sit down calmly, take a stress pill, and think things over. K5 GSXR 750 Anniversary Edition Last edited by fizzwheel; 21-01-12 at 06:45 PM.

21-01-12, 07:07 PM	#9
Kilted Ginger Guest Posts: n/a	Re: ask the Org...again! 2.5 litre petrol gets 25mph (if i'm lucky) Think like Fizz says the diesels are up around 40 + so by that deisel would need to be £2:00 with petrol at £1:30. factor in the extra cost of buying the diesel and the amount of miles you need to do per year to work out how long it will take to recooperate the extra purchase cost with the economy saving. I do less than 8K a year in the car so would have taken me 5 - 8 years to recoop the extra cost of purdhasing the diesel. hth. Last edited by Kilted Ginger; 21-01-12 at 07:08 PM.

21-01-12, 07:07 PM	#10
Specialone Guest Posts: n/a	Re: ask the Org...again! The petrol v diesel debate maybe getting closer with small cars, but there's no way a big heavy car with a petrol engine is gonna be similar in mpg to a diesel, or overall running costs won't be similar either. Most diesels have longer service intervals now compared to petrol, with TDI's as well you're getting a powerful torquey engine, the same torque in a petrol will mean a bigger more powerful engine which = lower mpg. Last edited by Specialone; 21-01-12 at 07:12 PM.