What's the argument nowadays for diesel cars (opposed to petrols) in regular/family category?

[Dana223]

Speaking factory new cars now.

As I see, diesel versions are more expensive to buy at least; the fuel price is also surely more expensive (at least in EU). Still I see numerous new cars with "TDI" badge and so.

The only I can think of is towing a caravan or so.

[bolverk]

Diesels are still more economical than their petrol equivalent, even with the the engine being strangled by Diesel Particulate Filters which were only demanded by governments because of dubious research papers, and the only reason the cost of diesel fuel is do high is because of taxes imposed by those same governments.

And it is a plus that diesels produce more torque for a given size of engine than a petrol, and its low down torque is ideal for towing/off-road etc.

[Astarlessnightsky]

Diesel use less fuel per 100km/h so even with higher prices per litre they are cheaper to fuel.

They require less maintanence and break not as often, so they can run longer.

They are better on long drives.

And also they are easier to drive, which is good for beginners.

[Dana223]

Are ya tryna tell me that I'm a beginner? 🤣

[Astarlessnightsky]

No, but thats why driving schools often have diesel cars. They are more forgiving than petrol ones.

[RebelinSteel]

There is not a lot in it between a BMW 340i and a BMW 340d, circa 10mpg difference, which factoring price difference is not a huge amount. The petrol sounds nicer and does not have DPF issues. Personally get petrol. Unless you do high mileage and drive like a twat, the difference between petrol and diesel in modern engines is not a huge amount. A Sports automatic gives very good mpg with a petrol, hits low rpm in eco mode and you can cane it when you want.

[Telekinetic-Potato]

They're better in every way except they don't sound as nice, they don't smell as good and they don't like starting in cold weather which is probably most of the reason they never really became a mass consumer market item.

[jshm2]

Diesel (though technically more bio-diesel than actual diesel these days) gives more mileage than petrol.

It's much cleaner on the environment than most old petrol's too.

[Redstang88]

Yeah unless you’re doing heavy towing they’re not at all worth it. All the emissions garbage they have now killed the reliability and efficiency benefits they used to have, and maintenance costs are astronomical compared to gas

[TallAnon]

Some people just like driving the kind of cars they're used to. Personally I don't care, but it's tough to tell someone who's been driving them for over 30 years to suddenly get used to something else.

[exitseven]

A diesel engine is more durable and can operate at a lower RPM. The fuel is more expensive but the milage is better

[DryGermanGuy]

Lower fuel price

Better fuel efficiency

Longer range

[NamerOfStars]

Efficiency- you get WAY more gallons of diesel than gallons of gasoline per barrel of oil.

[Zestyassmf1997]

I think they get more MPG, and are more reliable.