Diesel Vs Petrol

[Panders]

Hi all

I'm looking at upgrading my 2WD to a 4WD and there are quite a few Diesels out there that I am interested in. Are there any issues that affect Diesel Rav's that I need to know about? I'm a diesel novice!!

Pamela

[Hoovie]

Hi all

I'm looking at upgrading my 2WD to a 4WD and there are quite a few Diesels out there that I am interested in. Are there any issues that affect Diesel Rav's that I need to know about? I'm a diesel novice!!

Pamela

Answers will depend on which Model RAV4 I think.

I had the RAV4.2 like yours and went petrol as found it more responsive and the overall servicing costs lower (no cambelt change at 60,000 miles for example)

Also got the DMF issue which you can read about on this site and those two things would steer me away from the RAV 4.2 Diesel model to be honest, even though the MPG is quite a bit better.

When you get to the newer RAV4s with the 2.2L engine, then I think you have a totally different situation and just about the only reason to stick with Petrol on them is if you need an Automatic.

These just my opinions :)

[Big Kev]

There are also quite a few petrol ones out there too, Pamela, as I have witnessed recently on eBay. Unless you do an inordinately high mileage, I would not discount a petrol Rav, and since yer a lady, there are some nice 3 door petrols kicking around also too forbye.

I love my 4.3 diesel, but totally concur with Hoovie....if the DMF goes on even the nicest of 4.2's, you are up Sewerage Avenue with no outboard motor. Somebody has just posted tonight on that very subject about "20 hours labour..."....my God, it must be triplets !!!!!

Big Kev

[MarsKy]

If you are pulling a caravan, or like the low down torque, then diesel will appeal to you.

But you pay a premium for a diesel engine, and even though mpg is better, diesel costs more than petrol, so a diesel might not be more economical than you might think. More-so, premium diesel seems to be the way to keep the engine problem free.

Some diesels come with run-flat tyres - I'd avoid these models (got one myself)!

But: it's horsepower you talk about, but it's torque you feel, and the diesel is the most enjoyable to drive for that.

[Panders]

Thanks! I agree that there are plenty 3 dr's out there at the mo, but they all seem to have such high mileage? Should I not worry about this? One that I have seen thats not too far from me is a 2006 Toyota Rav 4 1995 cc 2.0 D-4D XT-R ? and particular probs with this, I guess it must be one of the latest 3 doors available?

Pamela

[duncerduncs]

The only real problem with the petrol models is the failure of the oxygen sensors. So far I've replaced 3 of the 4 on the car my in-laws now run. The original Denso sensors are a bit expensive but I can point you in the direction of a company that sells 3rd party ones at a lower cost

I should point out that these sensors will go on most petrol cars at some point!

[RAV4Len]

I have an 09 4X4 and love it, power and economy :)

[bothwell_buyer]

Yer all living in cloud cuckoo land

nothing beats a 4.1 RAV

And I just love my 400hp munching 3 door 1994 machine. And I don't have problems with sensors or anything else....foot down and away we fly. Even number 2 is a dream to drive.