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I'm looking at moving on from a 1997 2.5 Diesel Turbo Land Rover Discovery to a 2001 V8 Land Rover Discovery.

With the gap closing between petrol and diesel prices, more fuel efficient petrol engines and the cost of RUC (with diesel), which is better value nowadays petrol or diesel?

Tim

From the "Ask Jack" archives - 14 December 2009

Its amazing the difference a couple of days make sometimes with diesel prices currently falling faster than petrol.

When the price gap between petrol and diesel was narrowing, diesel was becoming more advantageous for those travelling high kilometres only.

The big unknown is when or if the price gap will close again.

Both versions of the Discovery (Diesel and petrol) have the potential to cost you plenty and it would depend on your needs in my view as to what fuel option to go for.

The big advantage the diesel will have is the overall fuel consumption. I hate to think what the consumption could be in certain conditions with a V8 petrol. You mention 'more fuel efficient petrol engines', unfortunately fuel efficiency and reliability is not one of Land Rover's strengths in my view.

For towing, it's hard to go past diesel because of the benefits of the low down torque you have available.

I also believe resale values would be higher with a diesel.