I test drove a diesel but bought a petrol. I dont do that many miles a year roughly 7-8k so for me I would never recoup the extra cost of a diesel in fuel costs. I've always had petrol but have driven several diesels through work and have to admit if I was doing thousands more miles I probably wouldve gone for the diesel as it was the most quietest nicest running one I'd driven. (Rose coloured specs perhaps)
One good thing about my test drive was the salesman put me completely at ease, which is something you dont always get, you sometimes feel like your driving is being tested. He also encouraged me to put my foot down in it to see what it was capable of, as coming from a focus ST170 I was concrened I wouldnt find anything with the same poke.
I love my 1.8 though I havent driven it properly yet only had it 2 weeks but I think you should probably take both out again, theres nothing worse than buying something and constantly wishing you'd gone for the other option. I was gonna go foran ES then when I thought about it I knew I'd always be slightly disappointed I'd not gone for the EX so I got that instead! I dont feel that way over the engine though I'm more than happy with the petrol and as coming from an ST it's very similar
