In message , jim
writes
Bill Wrote in message:

Big snip

On the other discussion here about mpg, this is a fixation of mine. I
don't believe the mantra that petrol is better for low mileage's.
Petrol auto Omega 40 mpg motorway, 7-9mpg taking elderly ladies shopping
as always "full choke".
Diesel auto Disco or Grand Cherokee 26mpg motorway 22mpg shopping.
Diesel Manual Octavia 70mpg motorway 35mpg shopping

All values approx but measured over several fill-ups. Everything depends
on the style and requirements of driving.

That's just the driving side though? Istr the "mantra " also
factors in more expensive diesel maintenance & repair? costs over
the period...

I don't know about that. The Disco 300tdi and the LR110 200tdi before it
had virtually no costs associated with engine maintenance. In about 12
years over the 2 vehicles, I only remember some oil, engine pre-heat
thingies in the 300tdi and one new fan belt. All the big costs related
to welding the chassis, bi-metallic corrosion etc.

Similarly, the 2, 1.9tdi Skoda's that I've had didn't have any excessive
engine related costs, and I've had them maintained by the local main
dealer.

I appreciate that newer diesels seem to have a load of unreliable junk
bolted on to the engines, and this might push costs up. The 2004 Jeep's
2.7 Merc engine has cost a lot, but that seems primarily down to
attempts to modernise a basically poor design (eg inaccessible and only
one bolt per injector). I'd be very wary of buying a Mercedes now having
seen this engine.
--
Bill