Diesel or gasoline - at what point does a diesel pay off?

For whom is a diesel worthwhile?

 

Diesel – yes or no? There is hardly any other type of drive that has such controversial opinions. But demonizing diesel across the board doesn't get anyone anywhere – it's better to take a closer look and consider whether diesel might not be a good alternative after all.

These factors play a role

To find out whether a diesel is the right type of drive for you, there are a few factors to consider.

• Driving habits (long distance or short distance)

Diesel engines only reach their efficient operating temperature after a few kilometres – they are more thermally demanding and take longer to "warm up". Therefore, experts recommend diesel primarily for long-distance drivers or frequent drivers, for example over 25,000 km per year. Those who drive short distances every day (e.g. city traffic) tend to drive better with a gasoline engine – lower consumption in short-distance operation and fewer cold-start problems.

• Driving bans / environmental zones in the region

In many major German cities, diesel driving bans have been in place for vehicles under the Euro 6 emission standard, and in some cases also Euro 5, since October 2023. Anyone who regularly has to drive in cities such as Berlin, Stuttgart, Munich or Frankfurt should check whether their diesel would be affected. A petrol car with a green sticker (usually from Euro 4/5) has fewer restrictions in environmental zones.

• Vehicle

Diesel is particularly worthwhile for larger vehicles such as station wagons, minivans, SUVs and the middle class. The fuel consumption advantage (15-20% less than with the petrol engine) is more significant there in absolute terms with higher consumption figures – especially on long journeys with a large proportion of motorways.

 

Advantages and disadvantages of a diesel

Before you decide, you should carefully weigh up the pros and cons:

What are the advantages of a diesel?

• Lower consumption: Diesels save significantly, especially with higher mileage – according to the ADAC, about 15-20% less fuel consumption than gasoline engines.
• Lower fuel costs per 100 km: An example: Diesel only needs around 4.5 l/100 km compared to 5.5 l for gasoline engines, which has a noticeable effect on the fuel bill. Of course, you have to pay attention to how high the fuel price is – in the meantime, diesel can sometimes even be significantly more expensive than gasoline.
• Value retention for frequent drivers: Diesel vehicles often retain a better resale value with high mileage – ideal for frequent use.
• Robust mileage: The higher torque, efficiency and longer service life make diesel attractive to drivers with high mileage and frequent highway passages.

What are the arguments against a diesel?

• High purchase price: Diesels are usually several thousand euros more expensive than comparable gasoline cars when buying a new car.
• Higher taxes and insurance: Diesels can perform worse in insurance and vehicle tax due to more expensive components and emission profiles.
• Maintenance and repair costs: Inspections, particulate filters, AdBlue system, etc. lead to higher ongoing maintenance costs compared to gasoline engines.
• Driving bans & environmental zones: Old diesels (Euro 4/5) are not allowed in many cities – environmental zones force new construction or conversion.

Consumption and costs: difference between petrol and diesel

According to ADAC consumption assumptions: gasoline engines consume around 5.5 l/100 km, diesel about 4.5 l/100 km. With average prices of about 1.58 €/l diesel and 1.75 €/l super, fuel costs are about 9.5 €/100 km for diesel, compared to 12 €/100 km for the gasoline engine – for an example model BMW 3 Series Touring.

Every five years, the ADAC calculates values such as fuel, taxes, insurance, tire replacement and depreciation. At 15,000 km/year, for example, the price per kilometre is around 60–65 cents (depending on the model and class)

Differences in vehicle classes

• Compact class / lower middle class: Diesels rarely perform clearly better here. Some gasoline models are cheaper or on par – for example, Mercedes E-Class E 200 vs. E 220 d showed lower costs for gasoline engines (97.3 vs. 99.5 ct/km).
• Mid-range & station wagons: Diesels show clearer advantages – such as Opel Astra station wagon: 61.2 ct/km diesel vs. 64.0 petrol.
• Upper SUV class: The diesel in the Range Rover or Mercedes GLA was significantly cheaper: e.g. 105 vs. 129 ct/km or 79 vs. 84 ct/km.

 

From how many kilometers is a diesel worthwhile?

Depending on how high the annual mileage is, a diesel pays for itself from about 20,000 km/year – in some comparisons even from 15,000 km/year. With less use, gasoline engines are usually cheaper or just as expensive.

Environment: Is diesel more harmful to the environment?

Harmful particulate matter, nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxide – these are probably mainly the pollutants that come to mind when it comes to diesel and the environment. But is diesel really that much more harmful to the environment than a gasoline engine?

 

Emission standards: Are there driving bans for diesel?

Yes. In numerous German cities such as Berlin, Stuttgart, Cologne or Essen, driving bans for diesel vehicles have been implemented or decided. Currently, diesels with the Euro standard 5 or better are allowed to drive in most German cities. Unfortunately, everything older has to stay outside.

However, there are efforts to ban diesel with Euro 5 from major cities.

Retrofitting diesel

Wenn du ein älteres Dieselmodell fährst, dann kannst du dir überlegen, deinen Diesel nachzurüsten. Es gibt verschiedene Möglichkeiten, diese Nachrüstung umzusetzen: Software-Updates und Hardware-Nachrüstungen (Filter, SCR-Kats etc.) sollen die Emissionen senken. Kritiker bemängeln allerdings, dass Software-Updates allein nur eingeschränkt wirksam sind und Hardware-Maßnahmen effektiver, aber kostenintensiver wären.

Zusammenfassung: Lohnt sich ein Diesel oder Benziner für dich?

• For frequent drivers who drive around 20,000 km or more a year, regularly drive long distances or motorways and drive a larger vehicle – a modern diesel (from Euro 6) is usually economically worthwhile.
• If you mainly drive short distances, travel less than 15,000 km per year or plan to drive in low emission zones, a petrol car is often the better and more flexible choice – convenient, cheaper to buy and less susceptible to driving bans.

Be sure to take into account: purchase price, insurance, tax, but also maintenance costs and resale. The depreciation dominates the total costs, which is why the diesel often only brings an advantage at first glance – you should include all cost items to have a basis for decision-making.