Is buying a diesel car in the next 2 years the right decision

I like diesel for these reasons - mile munchers, high torque, better mileage, can be driven for hours and days continuously.

BHPian Livnletcarsliv recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

I was already literally concerned about the future of diesel ICE. And today's announcement/news from the Indian Govt. has added fuel to the fire.

1. Would you still buy a diesel car?

2. What lifestyle changes have you adopted for this permanent getaway from diesels?

3. How long do you think the diesel ICE cars will continue to sell in India - Commercial and Personal segments?

I like diesel for these reasons - mile munchers, free-revving character, high torque, better mileage, can be driven for hours and days continuously. I am sure most of us do for the same mentioned reasons. What do you have to say about all these factors no more available? (Eg - A turbo petrol with an aggressive/heavy right foot will become very thirsty. In fact, you will get into the single-digit mileage club.)

Here's what BHPian lamborghini had to say on the matter:

I will choose the more competent power train for my requirements.

Back in 2016, we had an entirely diesel garage as back then most turbo diesels were more fun than their petrol counterparts. Today, with BS6 related additions like DPF; lower and shorter running, and the desire to start living cleaner, etc. half our garage is petrol and other half diesel; with the petrol relegated to the city and diesels more for longer trips.

Given our infrastructure, long road trips in India are just that much more convenient in a diesel with fewer fuel stops, less fussy about fuel quality, and maybe even cleaner due to the fuel economy.

But at the same time, the petrols warm up quicker in the city, are more silent, and don't suffer from turbo lag in traffic unlike some turbo diesels (yes, I'm talking about you, S Cross 1.6).

Once EVs become more mainstream, with convenient charging stations and decent touring range : I can see them slowly taking over from where the diesels left off thanks to their instant torque and low fuel bills.

Here's what BHPian clevermax had to say on the matter:

BS6 norms make me rethink - I will not buy another (new) diesel again. I do not want to struggle with any DPF clogging issues or adblue.

For now, I will keep enjoying the torque! [~320Nm]

Here's what BHPian Eddy had to say on the matter:

No diesels anymore for the majority of us up here in NCR. 10 years of usable lifespan is too less, unless the usage is extremely high and one is ok with next to 0 resale value.

Here's what BHPian Shreyans_Jain had to say on the matter:

No diesels for me anymore. It’s not just about the 10 year NCR deadline but has a lot to do with fuel costs.

Last year, I bought a Jeep Compass as a replacement for my ageing diesel City, to go with my Hexa. The idea was to use it as a touring vehicle, my family is big and we need two cars. Diesel prices have jumped by 35% since. The cost calculation of taking two big diesels on a long driving holiday has turned on its head. Suddenly, flights seem so much more convenient and in many cases, actually cheaper. God knows how much fuel prices will rise more, it is endless.

As good as the Compass is, I can’t but think. Had I bought a petrol, I would have converted it to CNG and used it as my daily driver. Or I could have gone for the ZS EV and saved 3-4L every year on fuel costs. I see zero sense in buying a diesel anymore. The two fuels cost about the same now. Modern turbo petrols are only a little less efficient than modern turbo diesels but are a whole lot more fun. And for regular long distance usage, at these prices, it is better to fly or take the train. That’s a hard fact to admit for a driving enthusiast but it’s a fact nonetheless.

Here's what GTO had to say on the matter:

Will buy turbo-diesels till as long as they are on sale (easily another 15 - 20 years). Reasons:

- BS6 makes me feel more comfortable about driving a diesel, from the environmental POV. The Indian government is poised to make the emission norms even stricter in 2 years.

- With some cars, diesel is simply the better engine option (Altroz, almost all big SUVs, Thar...).

- With some amazing cars, diesel is the only engine option (Endeavour, Carnival).

- With some cars, diesel is the more reliable option. E.g. Seltos Diesel AT (robust diesel, torque converter AT) vs Seltos Petrol DCT (complex petrol, dual-clutch AT).

- I love the torquey nature of big diesels (although new turbo-petrols are now there) and their sheer workhorse nature.

- I love the "have your cake and eat it too" nature of diesels. I can drive hard and still get respectable FE. Even if I drive my 530d hard on the highway, I come back home with 10 - 11 kmpl. In a 6-cylinder petrol, I've seen 3 - 5 kmpl. If I drive my 530d calmly on a Bombay-Goa drive, I get 15 kmpl. The best a 6-cylinder petrol would do here is 9 - 10 kmpl. In the city, my 530d gives me 7 kmpl. A 6-cylinder petrol would be like 4 - 5 kmpl.

- More than anything, there is indeed no replacement for displacement + 6 cylinders. I'm addicted to the creamy 6-cylinder 3.0L diesels of German cars. There are plenty of options (starting from the E-Class & 5-Series) with 6-cylinder diesels, but the 6-cylinder petrol options can be counted on the fingers of one hand.

- End of the day, when I'm buying a car, I'll buy whichever is the better engine option for that particular model, whether petrol or diesel or electric.

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