Do people hate diesels?

Likes-
Low down grunt
Fuel economy

Dislikes-
Sound
Narrow power band
Stinky diesel hands after filling up

In all honesty I think I would be happier driving a decent diesel than something like a CTR which need the tabs reving off it to get the best out of it.

Unfortunately, too many people nowadays drive diesels under the impression that they will have money coming out of their ears afterwards. Truth is, unless you're a taxi driver or otherwise live in your car theres not much financial logic to prefer one over a petrol.
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Janes mum has just bought a brand new Fabia (old model) diesel. Her reasoning for getting it - £45 road tax and 60 MPG... she does less than 10k a year :o

EDIT- just done a google and there doesn't even seem to be a fabia in band B at all :confused:
 
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People fear what they don't understand. :D

I prefer diesel because I like to waft along using the torque, plus overtaking is just press and go. The extra economy is just a bonus.

Downsides - the taka taka taka at the traffic lights, feels less nimble compared to the 1.2 courtesy car I had earlier in the week when mine went in for a service. Then again the 1.2 only did 37mpg, whereas the TDI did 55mpg with the aircon on with double the power.
 
You just have to drive them differently, it's as simple as that. I wouldn't go back to a petrol, I couldn't justify the increased running cost.
 
triggerthat said:
why exactly? ?
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Due to the pollu5tion they cause, a get a coughing fit if I follow one, when they have there foot down. the carbon particulates are far more damaging to my health than any co2 emmisions.
 
triggerthat said:
I've noticed that a few people I know have made a few comments on diesels and I've also noticed how Clarkson hates them. My question is, why exactly? A 535D does the top gear track at 1.31.8, the same as an M3. Yes, they are loud etc. But why do people have this theory of them sucking?
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Because, as a general rule. They do. The engine is too heavy, the powerband too short and the gearing too long. Driving a diesel on a track is just frustrating due to the above.

Diesels are fine if you're worried about fuel cost and do a lot of mileage, or if you're a lazy driver who doesn't understand what the funny stick thing is for. For those of us who really enjoy proper driving, they are substandard.
 
I just don't like the way they drive, I love revving the knackers off a car which is impossible in a diesel.

Plus diesel is a nasty nasty substance..
 
I have a diesel. I don't hate them.

I also drove a Peugeot 807 2.0 HDi 'Executive' last Sunday. (Check me out!)
I hated the gearbox more than the engine. 17 Gallon fuel tank @ 40 MPG.

If people don't like the fuel, you can potentially run various models on vegetable oil and so on.

You talk about 'proper driving', but on UK roads, there are limits.
'Stinky Diesel Hands' can be avoided by using the courtesy gloves at service stations.

Would any diesel hater say no to a VW Phaeton V10 TDI?

(if you say 'no' then my point has been missed :o )
 
!bluetonic! said:
I have a diesel. I don't hate them.

I also drove a Peugeot 807 2.0 HDi 'Executive' last Sunday. (Check me out!)
I hated the gearbox more than the engine. 17 Gallon fuel tank @ 40 MPG.

If people don't like the fuel, you can potentially run various models on vegetable oil and so on.

You talk about 'proper driving', but on UK roads, there are limits.
'Stinky Diesel Hands' can be avoided by using the courtesy gloves at service stations.

Would any diesel hater say no to a VW Phaeton V10 TDI?

(if you say 'no' then my point has been missed :o )
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If the alternative was a W12 Phaeton, then yes, I'd say no to the diesel ;)

Why can't diesel owners accept that some people don't like them? It seems most diesel owners are determined to justify their decision, I wonder who they are justifying it to...
 
AcidHell2 said:
Due to the pollu5tion they cause, a get a coughing fit if I follow one, when they have there foot down. the carbon particulates are far more damaging to my health than any co2 emmisions.
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What about ones with a DPF?
 
Dolph said:
If the alternative was a W12 Phaeton, then yes, I'd say no to the diesel ;)

Why can't diesel owners accept that some people don't like them? It seems most diesel owners are determined to justify their decision, I wonder who they are justifying it to...
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Why can't petrol owners accept that some people DO like them :) (devil's advocate)
 
Dolph said:
Why can't diesel owners accept that some people don't like them? It seems most diesel owners are determined to justify their decision, I wonder who they are justifying it to...
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I'm not - I drove the petrol and diesel variants of my car and preferred the diesel.
 
Dolph said:
If the alternative was a W12 Phaeton, then yes, I'd say no to the diesel ;)

Why can't diesel owners accept that some people don't like them? It seems most diesel owners are determined to justify their decision, I wonder who they are justifying it to...
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Fair point on the W12..

This is a forum. People justify their decisions on all sorts, not just Diesel engines.
 
I actually prefer them. I prefer their power delivery for everyday driving, as i hate having to rev an engine to get it to go!
 
Jono said:
Why can't petrol owners accept that some people DO like them :) (devil's advocate)
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I do, that's why I point out the advantages (fuel economy, low down torque etc) as well as the disadvantages (tiny powerband, very high gearing to compensate reducing usable torque at the wheels, expensive to buy etc).

Both types of engines have relative merits, but for me, the disadvantages of the diesel nearly always outweigh the advantages for the reasons I want my car. If I was communting or travelling as part of my job regularly pounding the motorways, I'd have a 330d or 530d auto and something for the weekend for fun, but I don't, and I'm yet to find any diesel car that meets my ideas of fun.
 
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