C class / A4 / 3 series engines - Petrol (small) v Diesel (larger)

Honest John Back Room » Motoring discussion
View Threaded
Mon 22 Oct 2012 23:23
C class / A4 / 3 series engines - Petrol (small) v Diesel (larger) - Ed V

Checking the model range for the Merc C class, I see the C180 is actually a turbo-charged 1590 cc engine, while for near enough the same cost, the 2.2 diesel is available. Petrol offers better accelaration to 60, but lower torque and 20% worse MPG. Similar issues arise in most of the major marques it seems.

Would such a relatively small petrol engine suffer under estate car loads, or go wrong less often? I think I'm right that servicing for the petrol should be lower and less frequent, but are there other issues to take into account. I assume that the petrol engine would be quieter in almost all driving conditions?

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Mon 22 Oct 2012 23:55
C class / A4 / 3 series engines - Petrol (small) v Diesel (larger) - unthrottled

Depends on your annual mileage. Getting big horsepower numbers out of a petrol is easy-but , efficiency wise, they're not a patch on diesel.

I assume that the petrol engine would be quieter in almost all driving conditions?

Diesels can be rattly at idle and gruff under acceleration, but whilst cruising they are very quiet-usually quieter than petrol.

but are there other issues to take into account.

Petrol puts less stress on the clutch/DMF than a comprable diesel-but subject the turbo to much higher temperatures. Take your pick!

Reply | Report as offensive | Link