Do you eventually get over the claterring of a diesel?
Discussion
Modern diesels are a lot quieter than the old tractor engines we used to get.
Performance is a lot better and with a decent matching gearbox they can give decent pace.
A lot of the twin turbo efforts give good shove from low revs.
However, just because an engine is fuelled by petrol, doesn't mean it's automatically going to make a lovely sound.
Plenty of petrols sound crap and give poor performance as do plenty of diesels.
So. Buy what you like.
Performance is a lot better and with a decent matching gearbox they can give decent pace.
A lot of the twin turbo efforts give good shove from low revs.
However, just because an engine is fuelled by petrol, doesn't mean it's automatically going to make a lovely sound.
Plenty of petrols sound crap and give poor performance as do plenty of diesels.
So. Buy what you like.
Phon_E87 said:
HustleRussell said:
frugal but depressing motoring
Speak for yourself.I'm assuming you're joking though.
Joking? Yes and no... The noise wasn't pleasant, but it was probably the horrible sulphurous smell which bothered me more.
Dog Star said:
Similarly the V8 thing. Prior to having my SLK diseasels I had a 500SL. All very nice etc but sorry, I really cannot see the point of spending more than double the amount of money on fuel in exchange for the noise and not a really noticeable increase in real world performance.
Dunno why I'm getting involved in this endless argument...
Me neither. Dunno why I'm getting involved in this endless argument...
But some might feel it's worth paying bit more for something that makes them happy.I've never really got this.
Yes, a diesel engine is noisier, especially at start up, than a petrol engine, but it's never bothered me in the slightest.
I've had many diesels and many petrols, just depends what I needed/wanted/was available.
Currently has 2 petrols but wouldn't bother me at all if they were both diesel.
I've never been bothered by the noise.
Yes, a diesel engine is noisier, especially at start up, than a petrol engine, but it's never bothered me in the slightest.
I've had many diesels and many petrols, just depends what I needed/wanted/was available.
Currently has 2 petrols but wouldn't bother me at all if they were both diesel.
I've never been bothered by the noise.
Always had petrol until recently, but due to much higher mileages reluctantly made the switch. Don't have any regrets.
The OH has a newish Fiesta 1.6TDCi, that can rattle a little bit, but not massively (and was more refined that our old Mk1 Focus 1.6 petrol).
I have a new Focus 2.0TDCi, well insulated so when starting up and driving it sounds fine. I imagine a more premium brand or V6 diesel would be even better.
The OH has a newish Fiesta 1.6TDCi, that can rattle a little bit, but not massively (and was more refined that our old Mk1 Focus 1.6 petrol).
I have a new Focus 2.0TDCi, well insulated so when starting up and driving it sounds fine. I imagine a more premium brand or V6 diesel would be even better.
Personally having a diesel did annoy me a little. Not terrible, but it was often noticeable. This was on a 2012 E Class E220d.
Might be that it was a 4 pot, as the inline 6 in the BMW 525d I had a while ago was far smoother despite being almost a decade older.
IMHO, If you are concerned about diesel noise I'd probably try and get an inline 6, then a v6 or v8.... avoid inline 4's and inline 5's they do sound a lot more tractor like than the other options.
Might be that it was a 4 pot, as the inline 6 in the BMW 525d I had a while ago was far smoother despite being almost a decade older.
IMHO, If you are concerned about diesel noise I'd probably try and get an inline 6, then a v6 or v8.... avoid inline 4's and inline 5's they do sound a lot more tractor like than the other options.
Bill said:
Dog Star said:
Similarly the V8 thing. Prior to having my SLK diseasels I had a 500SL. All very nice etc but sorry, I really cannot see the point of spending more than double the amount of money on fuel in exchange for the noise and not a really noticeable increase in real world performance.
Dunno why I'm getting involved in this endless argument...
Me neither. Dunno why I'm getting involved in this endless argument...
But some might feel it's worth paying bit more for something that makes them happy.
That'll be me then, I'd rather spend a few extra pennies on fuel to drive my TVR or SAAB than any Diesel. I love the noise, the power delivery and everything else about my petrol engines.
I really can't see the point in saving a few pennies for the sake of all that noise, bravado and joy that my cars give me.
Each to their own and all that...
... mind you, my commute is about to increase from 2.5 miles to 25 miles and did notice a little A2 diesel at the local garage for £600.
No, diesel clatter is one of modern life's most devastating problems. The clattering of my various diesels over the years has had a serious effect on both my mental and physical wellbeing. I've become withdrawn and disinterested in life generally. I have been shunned by my friends and colleagues. My wife left me after my penis shrunk. I am no longer powerfully built, and my directorship has gone up in smoke.....
All because of the noise my car engine makes. Terrible.
All because of the noise my car engine makes. Terrible.
I've had a diesel for a month now and still miss the sound of a petrol engine. The car is really well sound proofed and I don't really hear the noise from inside. It also has Bang & Olufsen speakers, so if I just turn those up a notch I cannot hear myself think let alone the tractor noise coming from the bonnet
Bill said:
Me neither. But some might feel it's worth paying bit more for something that makes them happy.
Indeed. But some might feel it's worth paying bit more for something that makes them happy.Aside from the whole noise thing, which I like anyway.
One of the many things that makes me happy is that I can go from the Southwest of england to the southeast of england and back again on half a tank of fuel.
And no, I personally wasn't being "frugal" or "boring", my car is quite capable of getting to 60 in a smidge under 7.5 seconds should I wish it to and (where legal) is more than capable of a top speed only a few miles an hour less than my old Ricer, and it's got a damn sight more torque to boot.
And it's a manual.
I fail to see why it is that there's so much apparent diesel snobbery on PH, it's ridiculous - (And that's not directed at the OP).
Not really no.. but depends what you are comparing. If we are talking 4 pots, usually they sound as boring as eachother. If we are talking 6 pots, the diesel is liveable, but ofcourse the petrol is always going to sound miles better.
I bought our e60 530d because it is a good compromise and doesn't sound too bad, though it doesn't sound as nice as my friends e39 525d that originally made me think diesels aren't half bad. but also, in saying THAT, our 530d sounds a little more clattery at idle than others that I've heard and sat in. Strange.
I bought our e60 530d because it is a good compromise and doesn't sound too bad, though it doesn't sound as nice as my friends e39 525d that originally made me think diesels aren't half bad. but also, in saying THAT, our 530d sounds a little more clattery at idle than others that I've heard and sat in. Strange.
TazLondon said:
My next car will almost certainly be a diesel car. I've only ever had one diesel in three decades of driving. That lasted 6 months for various reasons.
I often hear a premium-sector car start up in the mornings and it sounds very much like my Sainsbury's (other supermarkets are available) delivery van!
It makes me wince.
So, a question for diesel owners: do you eventually get used to the clattering sound of a diesel engine? Or do you still do that 'Oh no!' face every time you start the engine?
I'm pretty sure I'll get used to it and appreciate that some sound less noisy/van-like.
A8 4.2 TD sounds fine from inside, I don't really know it's a diesel. Some 4 pots on the other hand I often hear a premium-sector car start up in the mornings and it sounds very much like my Sainsbury's (other supermarkets are available) delivery van!
It makes me wince.
So, a question for diesel owners: do you eventually get used to the clattering sound of a diesel engine? Or do you still do that 'Oh no!' face every time you start the engine?
I'm pretty sure I'll get used to it and appreciate that some sound less noisy/van-like.
I haven't got used to it, no, I hate the sound of an idling diesel engine as much now as I did before I bought my first diesel six years ago. However, once you're above about 10mph you genuinely can't hear it, or at least you can't in my car. Given that I never drive in towns or multi-storey car parks, it therefore doesn't bother me.
At 60mph threading my car down a B road or at a steady 70 on the motorway I would genuinely not know from sound alone whether I was in my previous car, a 3 litre straight six, or my current car, a 4 pot diesel. When you accelerate it does sound a bit different, yes, but at 2, 3 or 4k revs, diesels don't clatter (mine doesn't anyway, it just sort of whirs), they just lack the music of a nice petrol engine. I prioritise other things over sound though; other things that my car delivers in spades, so despite hating the sound of diesels at idle, I'm very happy with it. You need to look at the whole package with a car and if other factors aren't there to win you over and sound is very important to you, then don't buy a diesel.
At 60mph threading my car down a B road or at a steady 70 on the motorway I would genuinely not know from sound alone whether I was in my previous car, a 3 litre straight six, or my current car, a 4 pot diesel. When you accelerate it does sound a bit different, yes, but at 2, 3 or 4k revs, diesels don't clatter (mine doesn't anyway, it just sort of whirs), they just lack the music of a nice petrol engine. I prioritise other things over sound though; other things that my car delivers in spades, so despite hating the sound of diesels at idle, I'm very happy with it. You need to look at the whole package with a car and if other factors aren't there to win you over and sound is very important to you, then don't buy a diesel.
Our first diesel is/was an Alfa 159 2.4.
Yes it is a bit clattery on start up. But once you're moving, its quieter - at 70 on the motorway it is turning over at about 2k rpm - compared to a petrol which would be doing about 3000+. For any long journey, I'd take the diesel for is NVH characteristics alone.
The rest of the fleet is Alfa V6s (24v 2.5, 12v 2.5, 2 x 24v 3.2) and Rover V8s - so its not like I'm not used to decent sounding engines.
Yes it is a bit clattery on start up. But once you're moving, its quieter - at 70 on the motorway it is turning over at about 2k rpm - compared to a petrol which would be doing about 3000+. For any long journey, I'd take the diesel for is NVH characteristics alone.
The rest of the fleet is Alfa V6s (24v 2.5, 12v 2.5, 2 x 24v 3.2) and Rover V8s - so its not like I'm not used to decent sounding engines.
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