Why are people buying expensive diesels?

[Ares]

Ollie123 said:

Ares said:

Ollie123 said:

Ares said:

Your first point, you are wrong. Just because you can afford £70k, doesn't mean you ignore economics, even if your second point wasn't true. You may indeed find that people can afford £70k BECAUSE they consider economics, and have done previously.

Your second point is likewise wrong. If you compare the diesel to the top of the range petrol - yes it is likely to be left wanting (see my 640d Vs M6 analogy above). However, like for like the difference simply isn't there. I drove the 640d and 640i, back-to-back. Both use forced induction 3l straight sixes. You would struggle to get a more like-for-like example. The 640d is quicker and feels a lot quicker, costs less to run, is nicer and smoother to drive, suits the brilliant ZF gearbox better, does significantly more to the gallon (so less stops at a fuel station)...in fact quite in contrary to your statement, it is better in every way, with the exception of engine noise - but from inside you can hear neither 99% of the time, so it becomes a comparative non-issue.

As you say, sales figures speak volumes.

That is a load of tosh.

The 640d is not quicker, is not nicer nor smoother to drive, plus its more expensive to buy so there's that too.

The nicest thing I can say about the 640d engine is it feels like a petrol engine without any oil, the NVH which enter the cabin at idle are simply unacceptable on a car of that value.

Edited by Ollie123 on Tuesday 1st September 20:44

Drive the two back-to-back. I did.

And it isn't cheaper when you factor in BMW Finance.

Oh no you mentioned the F word, which probably explains why you bought the penny pinching model.

Yes, how stupid of me. Went for the better, more expensive option, got it cheaper by buying through finance.

Next time I'll take a roll of dirty fivers in a bank bag to the dealer, just to appease you.

[Toonshorty]

One of my work colleagues managed to spend £45k on a brand new C-Class... 2.0 litre diesel

That was after he tried to convince me it was an AMG.

[lbc]

Ollie123 said:

So why are people still choosing diesel? Can they honestly not tell the difference between a petrol and diesel these days?

I like the torque of diesel motors, and I also enjoy petrol motors.

Each has their own advantages/disadvantages.

I own petrol and diesel cars, and I don't feel the need to condemn diesel or petrol cars.

[Ares]

lbc said:

Ollie123 said:

So why are people still choosing diesel? Can they honestly not tell the difference between a petrol and diesel these days?

I like the torque of diesel motors, and I also enjoy petrol motors.

Each has their own advantages/disadvantages.

I own petrol and diesel cars, and I don't feel the need to condemn diesel or petrol cars.

Brilliantly put and perfect common sense. Expect it to get flamed.

[Ares]

Toonshorty said:

One of my work colleagues managed to spend £45k on a brand new C-Class... 2.0 litre diesel

That was after he tried to convince me it was an AMG.

My cousin has just got a £62k 2l diesel Audi. Company Car image Vs CO2.

[anonymous-user]

Ares said:

Yes, how stupid of me. Went for the better, more expensive option, got it cheaper by buying through finance.

Next time I'll take a roll of dirty fivers in a bank bag to the dealer, just to appease you.

It's great that you're happy with your car but I've never understood the need to constantly defend your choice. If you enjoy it then why bother?

[anonymous-user]

People buy expensive diesels becuase;

1. That's what they want.
2. That's the best option on the company car list
3. That's what they want.

[Toonshorty]

Ares said:

My cousin has just got a £62k 2l diesel Audi. Company Car image Vs CO2.

I wouldn't mind if it was a company car, but it was a private purchase. I'd be surprised if he does more than 10k a year too.

[_dobbo_]

227bhp said:

I would guess I can get up to around 40 - 50mph from standstill on tickover.

Not sure if anyone has asked this, but I will anyway. Are you sure about this?

Tick over in my car is 30mph in 6th gear (750rpm). It's got decent enough power/torque for a diesel. I don't think it would pull to 30mph on tickover.

So either your tickover is very high, or your gearing is very high. Or it won't do what you think it will do.

[Ares]

St John Smythe said:

Ares said:

Yes, how stupid of me. Went for the better, more expensive option, got it cheaper by buying through finance.

Next time I'll take a roll of dirty fivers in a bank bag to the dealer, just to appease you.

It's great that you're happy with your car but I've never understood the need to constantly defend your choice. If you enjoy it then why bother?

Read the thread. I corrected an incorrect assertion (and the now boring jibe toward anyone that buys a car on finance - which anyone sensible buying a brand new car pretty much does). Beyond that, it's called debate.

[cerb4.5lee]

Ares said:

cerb4.5lee said:

Ares said:

Manufacturers care about sales. End of.

Agree and a car enthusiast cares about whether it has a petrol engine under its bonnet...the diesels should be left for fleet drivers and people who aren't interested in cars/engines.

Says who....?

Me! a petrol engine is an engine that can be enjoyed because of its smoothness and the nice noise they make and a diesel engine is a tool to do a job of covering very high miles at a cheaper cost with less fill ups but with the downside of clatter/noise at idle and poor NVH.

Both engines have a place obviously but one is significantly better than the other and its not the one that sounds like a tractor.

Edited by cerb4.5lee on Wednesday 2nd September 12:14

[Ares]

cerb4.5lee said:

Ares said:

cerb4.5lee said:

Ares said:

Manufacturers care about sales. End of.

Agree and a car enthusiast cares about whether it has a petrol engine under its bonnet...the diesels should be left for fleet drivers and people who aren't interested in cars/engines.

Says who....?

Me! a petrol engine is an engine that can enjoyed because of its smoothness and the nice noise they make and a diesel engine is a tool to do a job of covering very high miles at a cheaper cost with less fill ups but with the downside of clatter/noise at idle and poor NVH.

Both engines have a place obviously but one is significantly better than the other and its not the one that sounds like a tractor.

Thats called an opinion then.

[cerb4.5lee]

Ares said:

cerb4.5lee said:

Ares said:

cerb4.5lee said:

Ares said:

Manufacturers care about sales. End of.

Agree and a car enthusiast cares about whether it has a petrol engine under its bonnet...the diesels should be left for fleet drivers and people who aren't interested in cars/engines.

Says who....?

Me! a petrol engine is an engine that can enjoyed because of its smoothness and the nice noise they make and a diesel engine is a tool to do a job of covering very high miles at a cheaper cost with less fill ups but with the downside of clatter/noise at idle and poor NVH.

Both engines have a place obviously but one is significantly better than the other and its not the one that sounds like a tractor.

Thats called an opinion then.

[anonymous-user]

Ares said:

St John Smythe said:

Ares said:

Yes, how stupid of me. Went for the better, more expensive option, got it cheaper by buying through finance.

Next time I'll take a roll of dirty fivers in a bank bag to the dealer, just to appease you.

It's great that you're happy with your car but I've never understood the need to constantly defend your choice. If you enjoy it then why bother?

Read the thread. I corrected an incorrect assertion (and the now boring jibe toward anyone that buys a car on finance - which anyone sensible buying a brand new car pretty much does). Beyond that, it's called debate.

Fair enough, you do get very defensive however if anyone questions your choice. Just an observation.

[beanbag]

It's funny how many PH'ers forget the rest of the world

Diesel is massively cheaper on the continent and taxes are far lower on these cars so it does make economical sense. On top of that, there are many people like myself who commute 120 miles per day so it's a no brainer owning a good diesel. I paid £25k for my diesel and it'll still deliver 45mpg even when gunning it down the motorway at undisclosed speeds. Why on earth would I want a petrol?

[p1stonhead]

cerb4.5lee said:

Ares said:

cerb4.5lee said:

Ares said:

Manufacturers care about sales. End of.

Agree and a car enthusiast cares about whether it has a petrol engine under its bonnet...the diesels should be left for fleet drivers and people who aren't interested in cars/engines.

Says who....?

Me! a petrol engine is an engine that can enjoyed because of its smoothness and the nice noise they make and a diesel engine is a tool to do a job of covering very high miles at a cheaper cost with less fill ups but with the downside of clatter/noise at idle and poor NVH.

Both engines have a place obviously but one is significantly better than the other and its not the one that sounds like a tractor.

Doesn't matter what you think though does it.

One is 'better' than another generally? bks. It's personal preference. The only thing in reality a petrol is better at is revving and being quieter. Something 99.9% don't give a crap about.

How long has it been since a petrol engined car won at Le Mans? Diesel is the choice due to same speeds being achievable with a lot less fuel being used. Again, in reality this applies to every day driving too and even more so due to speed limits and traffic.

[Ares]

p1stonhead said:

Doesn't matter what you think though does it.

One is 'better' than another generally? bks. It's personal preference. The only thing in reality a petrol is better at is revving and being quieter. Something 99.9% don't give a crap about.

How long has it been since a petrol engined car won at Le Mans? Diesel is the choice due to same speeds being achievable with a lot less fuel being used. Again, in reality this applies to every day driving too and even more so due to speed limits and traffic.

But (apparently) a "true" petrolhead would rather drive a 10yr old 80bhp petrol Micra than a multi-title Le Mans winner if it was fuel by the devils elixir.

[beanbag]

Ares said:

But (apparently) a "true" petrolhead would rather drive a 10yr old 80bhp petrol Micra than a multi-title Le Mans winner if it was fuel by the devils elixir.

Those "true" petrolheads have been watching too much Jeremy Clarkson. Total bullst when people rant on about true drivers would never own a diesel. They clearly have never driven a modern one before....

[cerb4.5lee]

p1stonhead said:

cerb4.5lee said:

Ares said:

cerb4.5lee said:

Ares said:

Manufacturers care about sales. End of.

Agree and a car enthusiast cares about whether it has a petrol engine under its bonnet...the diesels should be left for fleet drivers and people who aren't interested in cars/engines.

Says who....?

Me! a petrol engine is an engine that can enjoyed because of its smoothness and the nice noise they make and a diesel engine is a tool to do a job of covering very high miles at a cheaper cost with less fill ups but with the downside of clatter/noise at idle and poor NVH.

Both engines have a place obviously but one is significantly better than the other and its not the one that sounds like a tractor.

Doesn't matter what you think though does it.

One is 'better' than another generally? bks. It's personal preference. The only thing in reality a petrol is better at is revving and being quieter. Something 99.9% don't give a crap about.

How long has it been since a petrol engined car won at Le Mans? Diesel is the choice due to same speeds being achievable with a lot less fuel being used. Again, in reality this applies to every day driving too and even more so due to speed limits and traffic.

Agree it doesn't matter and that's just my view, I like petrol engines but I don't like diesel engines some like both, I just prefer the past when pretty much everyone had petrol engines under their bonnets rather than the noisy horrible clatter you get from diesels.

Agree diesels offer a great range its just a shame they sound so st!

[cerb4.5lee]

beanbag said:

Ares said:

But (apparently) a "true" petrolhead would rather drive a 10yr old 80bhp petrol Micra than a multi-title Le Mans winner if it was fuel by the devils elixir.

Those "true" petrolheads have been watching too much Jeremy Clarkson. Total bullst when people rant on about true drivers would never own a diesel. They clearly have never driven a modern one before....

Modern diesels are fast granted but they are still noisy at idle and unrefined at low revs and are for me an engine that you just cant love but a great engine to cover big miles at reasonable mpg, its each to their own though.