Petrol or diesel?

[spud75]

About the same (IMO).

I wanted a manual diesel when I went Skoda shopping in 2008.

A few car loving friends pointed out that I would miss the broad power band of the petrol. Diesels were a significant premium at the time and Skoda was doing run-out pricing on all the petrol engine models. The sales-lady let me drive the diesel & the petrol & for the price difference (I think it was $3k??) I could buy a lot of 98ron.

The TSI engine is clockwork smooth & quiet from idle through to redline (much better than my wife's Honda). I don't regret buying the TSI and the fuel cost (25,000km/year) is negligible compared to depreciation, insurance, etc.

It uses 40% less fuel than my Liberty did and about 90% less fuel than some of the V8s I've owned.

I think for the 2L/100km I'd save on the diesel it isn't worth it.

re: camper trailers - you don't need a diesel to tow one of them and 80kg ball weight shouldn't be a show-stopper.

I have driven a number of diesels and a few TSI VW's and Skodas. I usually hire VAG cars on holidays so have had octavia wagons, Passats, golfs etc on both tsi and diesel. My first drive of a passenger diesel was in the UK in a golf mk V that had been chipped. I was hooked.

As far as Diesel vs Petrol?
1. First and foremost, test drive them both as buy what you like driving.
2. Servicing costs are almost identical over 5 years.
3. Diesel with DPF is no good if you drive 5km/day in stop start traffic and never go for a 'run' in the car. You have to 'manage' the DPF in the diesels more. In saying that, I have never had the DPF light on in the RS, but quite a few times in my A3.
4. As far as fuel economy, long haul driving no trailer in the RS is 5l/100 and lower. Not sure what you get in the TSI.

Personally I love driving the diesel, I get more than enough wheel spin The new CR diesels are surprisingly quiet and smooth, but of course will never be as smooth as a petrol.

As far as how much fuel you will save and if it is worth it to you if you prefer the petrol drive, will depend greatly on how many km's you do per year, where you live, what type of miles you do, and the price you pay for diesel/PULP where you live and or fill up.

Finally, I had a chipped 1.8T and loved it. I now own 2 diesels and wouldnt swap them for the world.

It is all personal preference.

[Gerrycan]

I get the feeling we are not really helping the OP's decision making that much.
Both good options and a nice problem to have

[aslsw]

I get the feeling we are not really helping the OP's decision making that much.

Yes! Sorry for not responding earlier - first real burst of spring weather here so had to make the most of it!

I guess what it comes down to is the driving experience - all other factors appear to be equal (or so close that I won't notice it). The issue about fuel availability is an interesting one that I hadn't heard of, but unlike the mythical Australian I have no desire to circumnavigate the continent or head for the bush.

I guess I'll book in some test drives here, but my fear is that a limited time with either/both models won't help me to get much of an impression. It looks like sillboy's first response is the best one.

[Antiplastix]

I get the feeling we are not really helping the OP's decision making that much.
Both good options and a nice problem to have

There s always the Tesla.

[Gerrycan]

Saw this on Briskoda and thought it might be of interest regarding towing with a diesel.
Note it is a caravan albeit a light one but probably with dreadful aerodynamics as opposed to trailer tents which are much better aerodynamically.

We took our 10 month old Octavia Elegance 2.0 TDI CR 150 PS towing our 1.2 tonne caravan to the far SW of France. Had absolutely no problems and the car cruised easily within legal limits with cruise control mostly in 6th gear returning an amazing 36 mpg over a total distance of nearly 2k. Yes you need to 'read-the-road' and anticipate chaning down earlier but not a problem. It towed the 'van without a care. We avoided tolls using other main roads without problem. The car certainly met it's 'Tow Car of the Year Award' our reason for selecting it.

[aslsw]

It's interesting to see all sorts of cars in Europe towing caravans - particularly as they don't really have anything in our 'large family car' segment ie. they think a Ford Mondeo is a "large" car. I assume the caravans must be super-lightweight ones.

[ozgti]

Diesel... Had petrol before and just guzzled the fuel. I can flog my rs diesel hard and still get better economy than my old bmw e46! Looking at getting a tune done to bring it up to tsi bhp, but more torque. Then it'll be fast enough..

[dArK5HaD0w]

The difference for us was on our test drive route, the diesel averaged about 8L/100km and the petrol about 12. Admittedly we were probably having a little more fun in the petrol

Geez...12L/100!!!
i avg 8s with my tsi. on spirited runs i avg high 9s or 10s. And that's with a stg 2...no excuse for driving like a granny with 440Nm on tap!!
On the freeway to sydney i get mid 6s.

[nickd]

It wasn't a very scientific test or measurement, but the route was a sedate 10km through the suburbs on the flat followed by a less sedate 20km which was mostly windy uphill through the hills.

https://goo.gl/maps/rxhLn

[GeeMatt]

It wasn't a very scientific test or measurement, but the route was a sedate 10km through the suburbs on the flat followed by a less sedate 20km which was mostly windy uphill through the hills.

https://goo.gl/maps/rxhLn

I found my ecomony improved quickly after the first 1000 k's or so.
In the 7's and 8's around town with light foot in traffic. 9's if lots of traffic light drags.
Definitely see 6's when on cruise / freeway runs. But not too many of those on my commute at present.