Is it just me that prefers the drive of a diesel car?

[Jono8]

So is the OP going to tell us what petrol engine he is comparing to a VAG TDI?

Your argument seems to be that you prefer Deisel because of the power/torque? Just a get a petrol engine that has loads of power and torque. At least it will be able to sustain it past about 4k revs. At 4k rpm my 2.0 TFSI comes alive

 

[wingman]

Perhaps it's because I'm driving a low powered, low torque petrol car with a pretty small engine, but am I alone in preferring the drive of a diesel car over a petrol car?

You've answered your own question.

Why not try a BMW 3.0l petrol straight 6 and come back to us?

 

[Dr Who]

You've answered your own question.

Why not try a BMW 3.0l petrol straight 6 and come back to us?

Or even a 2.0 TFSI which would be a fairer comparison to the VAG Tdi

 

[Hades]

I really couldn't face driving a diesel unless I needed one due to extremely high miles. Having recently changed from a petrol 2.8 V6 to a petrol four pot 2.0 TFSI I find even that downgrade to have a lack of character. I hate to think what living with a diesel would feel like.

 

[PMKeates]

A petrol is a nicer drive, more refined, more 'exciting' and aurally superior. A diesel is an easier drive, thanks to the quick/easy access to a substantial portion of the maximum power, and typically more economical.

That easy access to power makes the average diesel better to drive than the average petrol, as a 100 HP diesel is going to have 50-100% more torque than a typical 100 HP normally aspirated petrol; the diesel will be making e.g. 60 HP at 2000 RPM, rather than 3000 RPM. For some reason people feel the 2000 - 3000 RPM band is normal acceleration, and are able to take more advantage of the power.

I really couldn't face driving a diesel unless I needed one due to extremely high miles. Having recently change from a petrol 2.8 V6 to a petrol four pot 2.0 TFSI I find even that downgrade to have a lack of character. I hate to think what a diesel would sound and feel like.

Not all diesels are terrible. The V8 Audi diesel is quite nice, and the BMW S6 diesel that I have is 'OK'. At low-RPM town speeds it's fairly agricultural, but when pushing on it has a fairly smooth 'hum' (mostly from being an S6), and the super-quick gear shifts from the automatic in 'Sport' make it feel fairly energetic!

 

[Howard]

Sam your 535d is impressive. I'd not grumble if I owned one.

In the case of most 4 pot diesels though, I'd almost always choose the equivalent petrol model. It's not all about maximum power.

.. Well, it probably is for you.

 

[rodenal]

I also quite like the bmw 6 diesels. Don't think I'd ever own one as I couldn't realistically afford a new enough car for it to be a sensible buy for me if I was doing high miles again, but they're interesting engines nonetheless

Couldn't bring myself to choose one over the petrol equivalent at the kind of price bracket I'd be in, though to be fair I did choose the ctdi civic over the 1.8. Liked the way it got down the road, then again it was mapped so hardly a fair comparison.

 

[Jono8]

Having recently changed from a petrol 2.8 V6 to a petrol four pot 2.0 TFSI I find even that downgrade to have a lack of character,

Indeed, the 2.0 TFSI can sound a bit "dieselly" (mainly at idle) but it loves to rev and sounds nice and racey up high in the rev range. In fact, whilst it doesn't sound as good as the 5 Pot 2.5T unit in my old Focus ST, i prefer the more revvy nature of the 2.0TFSI. The Focus was all out of puff past ~5k rpm.

I want a straight 6 3.0L BMW as my next car.

 

[L0rdMike]

The conclusion ive come to is that you need at least 200lbft.

I'll try remember that when I drive my S2000 next.

 

[atpbx]

Depends what I am doing, knocking about commuting, I prefer a diesel, actually going for a drive, I prefer a petrol just like every other sane person.

 

[Matt82]

I'll try remember that when I drive my S2000 next.

the rest of the sentance was about being easy and comfortable to drive, i dont think relaxing was high on the list of priorities when the S2000 was conceived

200lbft all the way to 8krpm would be a hell of a thing though

 

[rG-tom]

200lbft all the way to 8krpm would be a hell of a thing though

let me introduce you to the e46 m3...

 

[the_r_sole]

I have a friend who has this thought too, I know exactly why it is - he went from a 1.2 pug, to a 1.4 rover, then to a 1.9tdi vw and has stuck on it, but the major problem is that it's made him a really lazy driver, when he tried to drive my petrol car, he had forgotten how to use the gears properly and was stalling all over the place!
he has no reason to have a diesel car but still insists they are nicer to drive

 

[paradigm]

I think for me it's that I can get closer to a relaxed power delivery style with a cheaper (to run as well as just purchase cost) diesel. The fact of the matter is, my average fuel consumption for the lifespan of the car is now sitting pretty at 55.3MPG (and still rising), most journeys are netting my 60+. I'd be looking at less than half that with an S4, plus more expensive consumables, insurance, servicing, taxing, etc.

In an ideal world, my A4 would be a V6T (T, lol, it's a supercharger) S4, but the servicing and running costs would make the ownership costs at least double what they are for my A4. I came very close to doing it, but I'd rather be putting money aside each month into my house fund.

As soon as I've bought a house, and have settled down into my new job (end of the year before I start the job), then my financial situation will be vastly better than it is now, and that S4 (or similar) might become a reality.

For the purposes of the thread though, I'm under no delusions that the diesel is "better" than the petrol equivalent, but in terms of compromise and overall package, I'm better off where I am at the moment.

 

[-Mike-]

Please tell us what car the petrol engine was in

So is the OP going to tell us what petrol engine he is comparing to a VAG TDI?

Your argument seems to be that you prefer Deisel because of the power/torque? Just a get a petrol engine that has loads of power and torque. At least it will be able to sustain it past about 4k revs. At 4k rpm my 2.0 TFSI comes alive

Currently a Civic 1.8 (I-vtec based )

I think even a 1.2 tsi 105 lump would feel faster due to peak torque being available at less than 2k, compared to the 4+k of my Honda.

Apologies for the late reply, did an overnight migration and have only just emerged!

 

[jcr]

I much prefer the more relaxed drive of a diesel myself. Currently stuck with a 2ltr ford petrol though

 

[Jono8]

Currently a Civic 1.8 (I-vtec based )

I think even a 1.2 tsi 105 lump would feel faster due to peak torque being available at less than 2k, compared to the 4+k of my Honda.

Apologies for the late reply, did an overnight migration and have only just emerged!

The 1.8 vtec is a pretty good engine. Yes its a bit gutless down low but you just need to learn how to use a gearbox

 

[DampDog]

I ran a Polo 1.9Tdi the 105bhp PD engine for almost 10 years as the family car. For it's day it was a terrific engine; rattled like a taxi on the cold morning start-up but not so bad on the move. Great mid range pull without having to use the gearbox and an unrelenting 50mpg.

After 10 years it had served me well and I'd have happily bought another diesel. However I do hardly any miles at all now and fancied a change so swapped for a Polo 1.2 Tsi.

No I'll be honest and say the mid range in gear pull can't match the 1.9 oil burner. That said if you use the box the car goes very well, much better than you'd expect from a tiny 1.2. The astonishing thing is just how much pull is available from 1400rpm. At 70mph the little 1.2 pulls less revs than the diesel did which is just mad. It will happily tootle along and pull from under 30mph in 4th, something the diesel wouldn't. Small super efficient engines are the way technology is taking us. The little 1.2 vs 1.9tdi are pretty close on paper both generate about 100bhp so bare comparison as far as it goes.

I missed my diesel to begin with probably because I'd had it for 10years and become used to all the rattles and noises. But the little Tsi has won me over, it punches above it's weight, it's quiet and refined and does around 43-44mpg knocking around so it's not too far behind the diesel.

The which is better, diesel or petrol argument is just a waste of effort they are two different approaches. One isn't better than the other it's just different. Preferring one isn't a valid reason to shout down the other.

It's astonishing how much engine and vehicle development has moved on over the past 2-3 decades. I found a little comparison of the original MKI, Golf GTi pitted against a 1.2Tsi. The new car as quick, stops miles quicker, is more economical and doesn't bare comparison safety wise (i'll have a hunt to see if I can find it again)

 

[Nomisf]

I would say if you like the VAG TDi, then drive the 1.8T petrol before you judge. Same torque shove, more awesome.

 

[-Mike-]

I ran a Polo 1.9Tdi the 105bhp PD engine for almost 10 years as the family car. For it's day it was a terrific engine; rattled like a taxi on the cold morning start-up but not so bad on the move. Great mid range pull without having to use the gearbox and an unrelenting 50mpg.

After 10 years it had served me well and I'd have happily bought another diesel. However I do hardly any miles at all now and fancied a change so swapped for a Polo 1.2 Tsi.

No I'll be honest and say the mid range in gear pull can't match the 1.9 oil burner. That said if you use the box the car goes very well, much better than you'd expect from a tiny 1.2. The astonishing thing is just how much pull is available from 1400rpm. At 70mph the little 1.2 pulls less revs than the diesel did which is just mad. It will happily tootle along and pull from under 30mph in 4th, something the diesel wouldn't. Small super efficient engines are the way technology is taking us. The little 1.2 vs 1.9tdi are pretty close on paper both generate about 100bhp so bare comparison as far as it goes.

I missed my diesel to begin with probably because I'd had it for 10years and become used to all the rattles and noises. But the little Tsi has won me over, it punches above it's weight, it's quiet and refined and does around 43-44mpg knocking around so it's not too far behind the diesel.

The which is better, diesel or petrol argument is just a waste of effort they are two different approaches. One isn't better than the other it's just different. Preferring one isn't a valid reason to shout down the other.

It's astonishing how much engine and vehicle development has moved on over the past 2-3 decades. I found a little comparison of the original MKI, Golf GTi pitted against a 1.2Tsi. The new car as quick, stops miles quicker, is more economical and doesn't bare comparison safety wise (i'll have a hunt to see if I can find it again)

Thanks for taking the time to type that! I'd be very interested to see said comparison! I have to say I was tempted by the polo tsi but the uglier (imo) fabia is quite a good deal at the minute!