Diesel will never really be the enthusiasts *choice* - though we may be forced into them for other reasons. Diesel works in many cars - it's good in a big luxury car, it's great for pounding motorways in a 530d or similar, etc etc but if you want to really enjoy driving I dont think it will ever compare to a decent petrol engine and it doesnt matter how fast they are because the performance isn't the point.
We are being ever forced down the diesel route because most car buyers are misinformed or base purchasing decisions on perception and assumption - they assume you need a diesel without checking what the petrol is like. The salesman tells them they need a diesel or the residuals will be terrible. The salesman tells them the diesel is as good as the petrol when the reality of it is that the salesman has probably never driven the petrol let alone lived with it.
And the more people who buy them, the more it becomes a self fulfilling prophecy.
Everywhere you go on the internet and discuss diesel there is overwhelming amounts of purchase justification syndrome going on. People WANT to think diesel is better - because the circumstances they are in dictate they must have diesel, or they already have diesel, and they end up beleiving it it is better, full stop.
How many people who ordered a 330d tried a 330i first? Hardly any. I'd be amazed if it was even 5%. So in reality they've no idea how it compares - they just took the word of the salesman.
A 57 plate 330d is just 4mpg better on the combined cycle than a 57 plate 330i. 5mpg. Thats it. FIVE miles per gallon.
A 100 mile journey in the 330d at the combined mpg would cost £14.70. In the 330i it would cost £15.95..
In 10 years time you simply will not be able to buy a car like a 330i.
And that is a huge, huge, huge shame.
) comparing there is older tech versus new. There's an 11mpg difference between the revised engines. I've no idea what the comparative figures are for the previous engines though.
![[TW]Fox](/data/man-of-honor/2009.png){kind=avatar}
