Performance Diesels

naefeart

naefeart

naefeart

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This has probably been discussed before, but how do people feel about performance orientated diesel cars, In particular car enthusiasts?

Diesels used to be for farmers and people concerned about economy but that seems to have changed with the modern diesels of today.

For example: who would choose a BMW 335d over the same spec 335i if this was the type of car you had narrowed your choice down to? It would be a daily driver, but the commute wouldn't be huge (10 mile roundtrip to work).

Reading some forums I can't help think that some people still feel diesel is a dirty word and still poke fun at modern 'oil burners'.

I realise in this case the 35d is auto only, which is a blow to purists and that the sound of diesel engines are still tractor-like at idle. However with such a car the performance gap compared to the equivalent petrol is much narrower than it used to be and who can't put a value on the increased mileage?

Would be interested in people opinions.

n
 
Diesel never is, and never will be sexy. You will always have to justify your decision to people and it will never have the characteristics of a good petrol engine.
 
It's the mythical "always cheaper to run" aspect too. In your case, a 10 mile round trip to work is no where near enough to warrant a diesel for cost saving purposes. The increased purchase price and servicing cost of the car negates this. Sure, you might save on fuel costs by averaging 10mpg more in a diesel but all it takes is one turbo failure. to eat up all your savings
 
To most people the words "performance orientated" mean statistics and top speed and not much else. If this is your metric then yes there are plenty of quick diesels that on paper have similar performance to their petrol counterparts. If getting from A to B as quickly as possible is also part of your metric then again there are good diesels that will do this just fine and dandy. To me this is only a part of what makes a great sports car and the other bits such as throttle response, sound, sharpness and general visceral effect are where a diesel looses out to a good petrol, as does a turbo petrol to a great NA petrol.

If I want a car that goes from A to B quickly, eats miles with alacrity and is a relaxed cruiser that allows me to stop for pies when I want and not have to fill up every time then I think a diesel is the better car.
 
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Best come and have a spin in my 330D M Sport Auto - 291PS and 700nM torque - remapped by Evolve.

Then make your mind up.
 
naefeart said:
This has probably been discussed before, but how do people feel about performance orientated diesel cars, In particular car enthusiasts?
Click to expand...

I acknowledge that they can be very capable, but I don't like the throttle response, the way they develop their power, or the sound. Too big a hurdle for me to overcome.
 
They are not good for someone who likes a fast petrol engine, in that pushing them to the red line is not the fastest way to drive them.
 
Dave L said:
No, you missed my point - drive it and then give me your opinion! :rolleyes:
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Your first mistake is to assume I haven't driven one or in fact many performance diesels. If this is all YOU are use to I can understand why YOU think it's so special. Roll eyes are for kids.
 
Diesels are a lot better than they used to be 20 years ago. Still only own one when doing a lot of miles though. If i was just doing 20 odd a day no way would i choose a 335d over a 335i.
 
if i had the choice of a 335i and a 335d and only 10 mile commute, there is no way i would be considering the 335d!!
 
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