What's the better campervan investment - petrol or diesel?
We’re considering buying a new Volkswagen California, or alternatively a T6 Transporter Kombi for conversion. Though the default choice would obviously to get a diesel (and is the only option for the Cali) I was wondering whether it would be crazy to consider petrol? I was thinking that petrol might hold its value better in the long term and that a diesel one could risk being an expensive white elephant. Do you think this is a factor worth considering and might outweigh the advantages offered by a diesel?
Asked on 15 October 2018 by Malcolm Burt
Answered by
Dan Powell
The California is available with the 2.0 TSI petrol and 150PS or 204PS, but economy is significantly lower than the diesels with Volkswagen advertising 29-30mpg. It’s impossible to say if petrol Californias will be more valuable than diesels in the future, but both enjoy good residuals thanks to the strong camper van market.
Choosing between petrol and diesel will very much depend on your daily usage of the van. A Euro6 diesel will need at least 20 miles (per journey) to keep the DPF in good fettle: www.honestjohn.co.uk/news/miscellaneous/2017-10/ev.../ If you plan to use the van for lots of short runs, and the occasional long trip, then a petrol will be better. Otherwise diesel is still the best bet for vans that cover 15,000+ a year.
For our complete used camper van buying guide, see: vans.honestjohn.co.uk/mpvs-and-camper-vans/how-to-...#
Choosing between petrol and diesel will very much depend on your daily usage of the van. A Euro6 diesel will need at least 20 miles (per journey) to keep the DPF in good fettle: www.honestjohn.co.uk/news/miscellaneous/2017-10/ev.../ If you plan to use the van for lots of short runs, and the occasional long trip, then a petrol will be better. Otherwise diesel is still the best bet for vans that cover 15,000+ a year.
For our complete used camper van buying guide, see: vans.honestjohn.co.uk/mpvs-and-camper-vans/how-to-...#
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