[ashis89]

While taking into consideration the resale value, if we recover 80k-100k extra after paying 1.5L extra, the whole feasibility analysis and break-even period changes. We just to calculate the time value of money for the money recovered in the end and deduct it from the diesel car's price to arrive at a fair differential price.
So if someone covers fairly long distances daily, diesel makes complete sense even today.

[amrisharm]

Originally Posted by ashis89

While taking into consideration the resale value, if we recover 80k-100k extra after paying 1.5L extra, the whole feasibility analysis and break-even period changes. We just to calculate the time value of money for the money recovered in the end and deduct it from the diesel car's price to arrive at a fair differential price.
So if someone covers fairly long distances daily, diesel makes complete sense even today.

Very good point. I also noticed the same while looking at used Suzuki Swifts. While petrol Swifts were priced anywhere between 3-3.5 Lakhs, similar swifts with similar readings on the odo were priced between 4-4.5 Lakhs. So at present there is the resale price factor to keep in mind.

But then what will happen in the future? The difference in petrol and diesel prices is now about 9-10 Rs. It used to be almost 25 Rs just a few years ago. But will used diesel cars still get the premium price if diesel were to be less than 5 Rs cheaper than petrol or if the fuel was priced the same?

So this is an interesting scenario. Only time will tell. Lots of uncertain factors. Like, will the current govt. continue to narrow the price difference between Petrol and Diesel? If there is a change in govt. in the next election, what will the new fuel pricing policy be? Or will the current govt. bow to populist demand before the next election and reduce diesel prices?

[ashis89]

Originally Posted by amrisharm

But then what will happen in the future? The difference in petrol and diesel prices is now about 9-10 Rs. It used to be almost 25 Rs just a few years ago. But will used diesel cars still get the premium price if diesel were to be less than 5 Rs cheaper than petrol or if the fuel was priced the same?

This will remain in future too, especially for less popular cars. While you find this difference in resale value for Swift which is very popular and has good FE both for petrol and diesel models, think about a Figo or an i20 or a Vento. In these cases, diesels are much more fuel efficient and better to drive. Thus they will command a better resale any day, for a well maintained car (unless Govt. decides to put a blanket ban on diesels).

[GTO]

All these calculations offer great insights, no doubt, but we also have to consider which the superior engine is. For instance, with the new Ford Figo, the diesel is much more competent than the weak petrol. Even if my driving was only 500 km a month and I liked the Figo, I'd pick the diesel. It's very powerful, unlike the anaemic 1.2L petrol. Similarly with the Jetta, I'd buy the fantastic 2.0 diesel over the 1.4L petrol. On the other hand, if I've zeroed in on the Corolla Altis, my pick would be the all-rounded 1.8L petrol rather than the puny 1.4L diesel that suffers from awful turbo-lag.

Also depends on purpose. The offroader in my garage is a diesel because the torque at low rpms helps while 4-wheeling. The European in my garage is a diesel because, with high-end Germans, the diesels are usually more robust & reliable, offer phenomenal torque and a longer tank range.

Of course, a lot of this might change when direct injection turbo-petrols become the norm, just as common-rail turbo-diesels have. Still, at the end of the day, there's more to choosing the engine type than just on-paper numbers.

[gixxerboy]

What i feel on this topic is that there is not any bench mark number of km s that should be the deciding factor , a diesel car comes with amazing low end torque and fun to drive factor too (i.e swift d).

But the only thing to best answer this question is that if petrol vehicles were so feasible commercial vehicle owners would start buying petrol vehicles too discarding diesel ones . I have a 50 km avg running daily that i do on a celerio in a mixed environment , i do feel at times a diesel would have served me better in terms of my monthly fuel bill. Cant say about the maintenance part. But i am sure the more i drive diesel makes more sense. What one saves from the diesel cost can be used to keep the car in proper shape IMHO

[jetsetgo08]

Originally Posted by ashis89

While you find this difference in resale value for Swift which is very popular and has good FE both for petrol and diesel models, think about a Figo or an i20 or a Vento. In these cases, diesels are much more fuel efficient and better to drive. Thus they will command a better resale any day, for a well maintained car.

Another aspect would be the availability of the spares. Sourcing spares for a more familiar diesel car is easier than a finding spares for a rarely sold petrol equivalent.
For example, Renault Duster. In my opinion, it might be easier to find needle in a haystack rather than a petrol renault duster which are hardly seen.
Unfortunately, in these scenarios the buyer is certain to go for the diesel variant irrespective of his monthly usage.

[Racer911]

Originally Posted by gixxerboy

I have a 50 km avg running daily that i do on a celerio in a mixed environment , i do feel at times a diesel would have served me better in terms of my monthly fuel bill. Cant say about the maintenance part. But i am sure the more i drive diesel makes more sense. What one saves from the diesel cost can be used to keep the car in proper shape IMHO

This is precisely why I made this simple calculator. This discussion has taken a whole new direction what with the fun and heart and spirit of diesel. I specifically mentioned its for those who are planning to buy a diesel precisely with the consideration that with their expected monthly running, they'll cover the extra cost in a certain period and then start saving money. This sheet intended to provide a more calculated and realistic approach to that. for eg. you said in the above post that you have a 50 Kms of daily running and that diesel would've served better in fuel costs. But with the decrease in price difference of petrol and diesel, you'll find you wont be able to cover the extra cost of diesel in 4 years even if you drove a 100 Kms daily.

About the resale value, that variable is not included because diesels fetch a higher resale but also cost more in a similar fashion. This sheet intended to provide a quick and simple answer to the cost efficiency of diesel as opposed to petrol. Anyhow, the more the number of variables that are added, in the current fuel price scenario, the result will get even more skewed against diesels. (please dont argue spirit of driving, or if you want to, give a formula to give spirit of driving a number that can be punched in). The fact is, even with same service costs, due to reducing price gap in petrol and diesel prices, the break even point is getting extended more and more from the previous 2.5 to 3 years to more than 5 years now to cover the extra cost of diesel, and due to that, even the resale value sees a sharp drop.

[Turbo Head]

I am not sure in which city you have quoted the price difference b/w Petrol vs Diesel is only 4/-. In most of the cities including NCR, its still Rs.10+. Yes, it has dropped considerably over the years but it's still considerable. It makes even more sense when you consider the far better fuel efficiency as compared to the Petrol counterparts, Which is even more prominent in case of bigger engines e.g. 1.8-2.0L engines, where Diesel really shines with mileage in tune of 20kmpl and petrol cars struggle for double digit figures.

Talking about maintenance, its almost similar (only additional engine oil/fuel filter with long service gaps, typically 15-20k kms), compared to their gasoline siblings.

Now the main concern is difference in pricing, which is undoubtedly more for oil burners, typically 100k for small hatchbacks and difference goes upto 200-300k for premium sedans and SUVs, however same is translated during the resales, infact Diesels are not only sold at premium but also sold far more easily, as no one wants to have fuel guzzlers even at lesser pricing.

My conclusion is pretty straightforward, if you drive 70+kms everyday, simply go and buy a Diesel, else Petrol should be your choice of fuel. Having said that driving pleasure, power delivery and drivability, torque or BHP are all personal preferences and depends on individual choices.

[Racer911]

Difference of Rs. 4 in my city. Vadodara.

Diesel 60.3
Petrol 63.9

[arunmichael]

As many of us have pointed out driving pleasure and drivability cannot be equated to money. Also is the currency value after some years, condition of your car (read accidents). Hence I would say the calculator is a good one. Maybe a small suggestion would be to alter it to add EMIs to interest lost as most cars these days are bought on loans.

[AutoNoob]

Originally Posted by GTO

All these calculations offer great insights, no doubt, but we also have to consider which the superior engine is... The offroader in my garage is a diesel because the torque at low rpms helps while 4-wheeling. The European in my garage is a diesel because, with high-end Germans, the diesels are usually more robust & reliable, offer phenomenal torque and a longer tank range...

Yes this is true. However, for a daily commuter, who's looking for economical options, the Petrol vs Diesel question is very pertinent. The excel sheet does not factor all the scenarios, but does set a direction.

Infact, I was too confused when I set out to buy my car. Team-BHP came to my rescue (got similar excel sheet on another thread) and I settled for a petrol version. And when I look back, the decision seems pretty good.

[auto_enthusiast]

Originally Posted by GTO

All these calculations offer great insights, no doubt, but we also have to consider which the superior engine is. For instance, with the new Ford Figo, the diesel is much more competent than the weak petrol. Even if my driving was only 500 km a month and I liked the Figo, I'd pick the diesel. It's very powerful, unlike the anaemic 1.2L petrol. Similarly with the Jetta, I'd buy the fantastic 2.0 diesel over the 1.4L petrol. On the other hand, if I've zeroed in on the Corolla Altis, my pick would be the all-rounded 1.8L petrol rather than the puny 1.4L diesel that suffers from awful turbo-lag.

A basic calculation from my end. Assuming the difference in cost of petrol and diesel vehicle (hatchback and compact sedans) is approx. 1.25L, but since diesels are out of flavor now, there is considerable discount on diesel cars and the effective difference is below 1L. Going even by today's trend w.r.t. resale value, we 'may' get approx. 50k extra for a diesel car after 5 years.

Now other cost of funding being the same, if we take an additional loan for the 1L spent on buying a diesel, the EMI for 5 years works out to be 2,150/- per month. Divide the money which you would have saved coz of the additional resale value of a diesel car (50,000/60months) and it works out to a saving of 800/- per month. So 2150-800= 1,350/- per month would be your additional net out go for each month on running a diesel.

Calculate the FE, prices of fuel in your city and the monthly running and if you save more than 1,350/- per month on fuel then you are good to go for a diesel.

This is my perspective. Correct me if I'm wrong.

[GKMahajan]

Originally Posted by auto_enthusiast

....
Calculate the FE, prices of fuel in your city and the monthly running and if you save more than 1,350/- per month on fuel then you are good to go for a diesel.

This is my perspective. Correct me if I'm wrong.

Dear auto_enthusiast,

Are you a Gujju businessman by chance?
Just joking! No offense intended!

I like the simplicity of your logic.

I too have a similar logic: if the diesel costs 1,00,000 more than the petrol - and - if the fuel costs differ by Rs 1/km, then you have to drive 1,00,000 km to recover it. Divide this by the distance you travel per unit time - you get the time to recover your additional investment. NOW, you can decide - based on your priorities - is this worth it or not?

Regards,

Girish Mahajan

[Racer911]

Originally Posted by GKMahajan

Dear auto_enthusiast,

I too have a similar logic: if the diesel costs 1,00,000 more than the petrol - and - if the fuel costs differ by Rs 1/km, then you have to drive 1,00,000 km to recover it.

How can that be?? I think I would safe in assuming that a petrol car would give about 17 Kmpl in the same scenario in which a diesel would give about 20 to 20.5 Kmpl.

Now if theres a difference of Re. 1/- in the fuel price and the diesel costs 1 Lakh more than the petrol, then say if petrol costs Rs. 61 and diesel costs Rs. 60/-, then cost of running per Km for petrol and diesel is Rs. 3.58/- and Rs. 3/- respectively. So in a diesel you're saving Rs. 3.58-Rs3/- i.e. Rs. 0.58 saved per Km. So with 100000 Kms of driving you save Rs. 0.58 x 100000 = 58000 Only. So to cover the extra cost of Rs. 100000 you'd have to drive 100000 divided by 0.58 i.e. about 172400 Kms.

Hope I didnt goof up anywhere.

[romeomidhun]

Originally Posted by Racer911

How can that be??

He is talking about Rs 1/- difference between per-KM cost, not per-Litre difference.