Utilising the power on a VERY powerful car...

Utilising the power on a VERY powerful car...

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Discussion

dcb

5,834 posts

265 months

Wednesday 26th November 2014
quotequote all
MC Bodge said:
The reality is that a modern 2.0 diesel estate is comfortable and no real effort to drive long distances across Europe. It will even do 130+ mph and long distances on a tankful. You don't need a 6 litre V12 GT.
+1

Provided a car is reasonably comfortable and sound proofed, then
something about two litres size is about all you need for almost
all countries in Europe for any long distance.

There are such things as speed limits, road works and traffic.

Once you've got something that will cruise easily all day every day
at 90 mph, you are pretty much sorted for power.

Of course, for those who like to live in the fast lane of the
German autobahn, something capable of a little more is quite useful.

Even so, going beyond about three litres is pointless. You won't
be driving any faster and you'll be visiting the fuel station more
often anyway.

Those folks that buy 4 or more litre cars and then never use most
of the performance make me laugh. Ok they have bragging rights down
the pub, but what a waste !



E65Ross

Original Poster:

35,078 posts

212 months

Wednesday 26th November 2014
quotequote all
dcb said:
+1

Provided a car is reasonably comfortable and sound proofed, then
something about two litres size is about all you need for almost
all countries in Europe for any long distance.

There are such things as speed limits, road works and traffic.

Once you've got something that will cruise easily all day every day
at 90 mph, you are pretty much sorted for power.

Of course, for those who like to live in the fast lane of the
German autobahn, something capable of a little more is quite useful.

Even so, going beyond about three litres is pointless. You won't
be driving any faster and you'll be visiting the fuel station more
often anyway.

Those folks that buy 4 or more litre cars and then never use most
of the performance make me laugh. Ok they have bragging rights down
the pub, but what a waste !
What tosh. Of course, there is a law of diminishing returns, but it's not just about how quickly you get there, or the destination, but enjoying it along the way. I've never had a particularly enthralling drive in a 2 litre diesel. I have in a 6.0 V12, however.

mikerons88

239 posts

113 months

Wednesday 26th November 2014
quotequote all
E65Ross said:
What tosh. Of course, there is a law of diminishing returns, but it's not just about how quickly you get there, or the destination, but enjoying it along the way. I've never had a particularly enthralling drive in a 2 litre diesel. I have in a 6.0 V12, however.
He is trying to justify being poor.

JDMDrifter

4,042 posts

165 months

Wednesday 26th November 2014
quotequote all
PH snobbery at its finest!

E65Ross

Original Poster:

35,078 posts

212 months

Wednesday 26th November 2014
quotequote all
mikerons88 said:
E65Ross said:
What tosh. Of course, there is a law of diminishing returns, but it's not just about how quickly you get there, or the destination, but enjoying it along the way. I've never had a particularly enthralling drive in a 2 litre diesel. I have in a 6.0 V12, however.
He is trying to justify being poor.
I wouldn't go that far, you can own a quick car without having too much money. It's the ignorance that anything remotely large is completely "pointless"

It helps massively with overtakes, for example. It's also fun. Dare I use that word?

Randomthoughts

917 posts

133 months

Wednesday 26th November 2014
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crosseyedlion said:
Now, how many 200hp+ diesel cars are on the road? Not many
Merc 250 CDI upwards, BMW x25d upwards, Audi 3.0TDI upwards, Volvo D5, Ford 2.2TDCI, Jaguar 3.0 TDI... Getting bored of that one now.

crosseyedlion said:
How many 200hp+ hot hatches are on the road? Not many.
Corsa VXR, Fiesta ST, RenaultSport Clio for the last 5+ years, every RenaultSport Megane, Astra VXR, Focus ST for the last 7+ years, Audi TT TFSI, Golf GTI, Volvo C30/V40 T5, Kia Pro'Ceed GT... Again, getting bored.

Randomthoughts

917 posts

133 months

Wednesday 26th November 2014
quotequote all
E65Ross said:
What tosh. Of course, there is a law of diminishing returns, but it's not just about how quickly you get there, or the destination, but enjoying it along the way. I've never had a particularly enthralling drive in a 2 litre diesel. I have in a 6.0 V12, however.
This, one million billion times over. Driving a diesel four-banger around is a chore. I had the pleasure of driving an exotic V8 recently, and even at legal speeds - fk, even in traffic, it was glorious. I could sit nose-to-tail for hours listening to a V8 rumble forwards.

jamieduff1981

8,025 posts

140 months

Wednesday 26th November 2014
quotequote all
Randomthoughts said:
E65Ross said:
What tosh. Of course, there is a law of diminishing returns, but it's not just about how quickly you get there, or the destination, but enjoying it along the way. I've never had a particularly enthralling drive in a 2 litre diesel. I have in a 6.0 V12, however.
This, one million billion times over. Driving a diesel four-banger around is a chore. I had the pleasure of driving an exotic V8 recently, and even at legal speeds - fk, even in traffic, it was glorious. I could sit nose-to-tail for hours listening to a V8 rumble forwards.
Without attention whoring or needing to be awed at by others, there is a tremendous feelgood factor in driving something powerful and hopefully good looking.

MC Bodge

21,628 posts

175 months

Wednesday 26th November 2014
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jamieduff1981 said:
Without attention whoring or needing to be awed at by others, there is a tremendous feelgood factor in driving something powerful and hopefully good looking.
do you apply the same criteria to your men/women?


Edited by MC Bodge on Wednesday 26th November 19:06

MC Bodge

21,628 posts

175 months

Wednesday 26th November 2014
quotequote all
Randomthoughts said:
This, one million billion times over. Driving a diesel four-banger around is a chore. I had the pleasure of driving an exotic V8 recently, and even at legal speeds - fk, even in traffic, it was glorious. I could sit nose-to-tail for hours listening to a V8 rumble forwards.
A chore? No it isn't, really. Cars are good./1

The context of "not needing a 6.0litre V12 GT" was about somebody's comment about needing POWER for trans-continental driving, when a 2.0d can be driven across Europe at a 100mph cruise and need few refills.

Of course people like having big engines, but that is not a NEED.

I like fast, but I can cope with cars that are adequate, and even quite slow.

Maybe I am powerful and good looking myself? wink

Edited by MC Bodge on Wednesday 26th November 19:10

E65Ross

Original Poster:

35,078 posts

212 months

Wednesday 26th November 2014
quotequote all
MC Bodge said:
Randomthoughts said:
This, one million billion times over. Driving a diesel four-banger around is a chore. I had the pleasure of driving an exotic V8 recently, and even at legal speeds - fk, even in traffic, it was glorious. I could sit nose-to-tail for hours listening to a V8 rumble forwards.
A chore? No it isn't, really. Cars are good./1

The context of "not needing a 6.0litre V12 GT" was about somebody's comment about needing POWER for trans-continental driving, when a 2.0d can be driven across Europe at a 100mph cruise and need few refills.

Of course people like having big engines, but that is not a NEED.
He wasn't quoting you to be fair, he quoted me who, in turn, quoted someone who said that a big engine was pointless. That'd a big difference to NEEDING something.

MC Bodge

21,628 posts

175 months

Wednesday 26th November 2014
quotequote all
E65Ross said:
He wasn't quoting you to be fair, he quoted me who, in turn, quoted someone who said that a big engine was pointless. That'd a big difference to NEEDING something.
I the context of long distance motorway driving, a big, thirsty engine is fairly pointless, though!

E65Ross

Original Poster:

35,078 posts

212 months

Wednesday 26th November 2014
quotequote all
MC Bodge said:
E65Ross said:
He wasn't quoting you to be fair, he quoted me who, in turn, quoted someone who said that a big engine was pointless. That'd a big difference to NEEDING something.
I the context of long distance motorway driving, a big, thirsty engine is fairly pointless, though!
Except it isn't though. I recently did 500 miles in a day in my 745i. Having done similar mileage in something with a 2.0 I can assure you that having the 4.4 made the much more pleasant experience!

If anything, having a bigger engine makes more sense on long trips! Much more relaxing, easier for overtakes, far less stressful when getting back up to speed after slower traffic has moved out of your way.... The list goes on.

The only reason, in reality, you'd ever choose to have a smaller engine is the save money. Because one is more expensive, doesn't make it pointless. Longer range, you say? On a long trip, I'd usually stop every 200-250 miles (I've done 300 without stopping, but never more) and often I need to empty my bladder before the car needs filling.

I recall doing a trip from Southampton to Plymouth, going a route which involves very little motorway. It's a nice drive, but get stuck behind one caravan and you can be stuffed, which just annoys me. Something with a big engine means it's easier to get past.... Makes it more fun and less stressful!

stargazer30

1,592 posts

166 months

Wednesday 26th November 2014
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SuperchargedVR6 said:
So what? I've got a 1000 watt RMS domestic AV system, which I can't use to the full. Does that mean I should sell it and by a 10 watt stereo because I can play it louder more often?
[just being a picky pretentious git]I think you'll find you haven't. Most AV PSUs can't do 1000w RMS. If you check the spec its probably more like 2 channels driven 500w RMS max or less. Plus you would never have all channels at full pelt at the same time anyway. So not like a car on WOT. biggrin[/just being a picky pretentious git]

stargazer30

1,592 posts

166 months

Wednesday 26th November 2014
quotequote all
Randomthoughts said:
crosseyedlion said:
Now, how many 200hp+ diesel cars are on the road? Not many
Merc 250 CDI upwards, BMW x25d upwards, Audi 3.0TDI upwards, Volvo D5, Ford 2.2TDCI, Jaguar 3.0 TDI... Getting bored of that one now.

crosseyedlion said:
How many 200hp+ hot hatches are on the road? Not many.
Corsa VXR, Fiesta ST, RenaultSport Clio for the last 5+ years, every RenaultSport Megane, Astra VXR, Focus ST for the last 7+ years, Audi TT TFSI, Golf GTI, Volvo C30/V40 T5, Kia Pro'Ceed GT... Again, getting bored.
Hey don't forget my FN2 CTR its got a massive 201bhp! And yes I use every pony.

Fartgalen

6,637 posts

207 months

Wednesday 26th November 2014
quotequote all
E65Ross said:
Except it isn't though. I recently did 500 miles in a day in my 745i. Having done similar mileage in something with a 2.0 I can assure you that having the 4.4 made the much more pleasant experience!

If anything, having a bigger engine makes more sense on long trips! Much more relaxing, easier for overtakes, far less stressful when getting back up to speed after slower traffic has moved out of your way.... The list goes on.

The only reason, in reality, you'd ever choose to have a smaller engine is the save money. Because one is more expensive, doesn't make it pointless. Longer range, you say? On a long trip, I'd usually stop every 200-250 miles (I've done 300 without stopping, but never more) and often I need to empty my bladder before the car needs filling.

I recall doing a trip from Southampton to Plymouth, going a route which involves very little motorway. It's a nice drive, but get stuck behind one caravan and you can be stuffed, which just annoys me. Something with a big engine means it's easier to get past.... Makes it more fun and less stressful!
Well said. A true PH'er.

MC Bodge

21,628 posts

175 months

Wednesday 26th November 2014
quotequote all
E65Ross said:
Except it isn't though. I recently did 500 miles in a day in my 745i. Having done similar mileage in something with a 2.0 I can assure you that having the 4.4 made the much more pleasant experience!

If anything, having a bigger engine makes more sense on long trips! Much more relaxing, easier for overtakes, far less stressful when getting back up to speed after slower traffic has moved out of your way.... The list goes on.

The only reason, in reality, you'd ever choose to have a smaller engine is the save money. Because one is more expensive, doesn't make it pointless. Longer range, you say? On a long trip, I'd usually stop every 200-250 miles (I've done 300 without stopping, but never more) and often I need to empty my bladder before the car needs filling.
I understand what you are saying, and I like decent performance, especially for overtaking, but driving a modern 2.0 TD is hardly stressful. My memory of a long trip to Austria is cruising along the Autobahn at 120mph with the air con on, whilst my wife was reading a magazine and my daughter was watching a DVD. Only a 2.0, but Hardly stressful for any of us. I quite enjoyed it and was rarely
Passed in 100s of Kms.

Ok, so It wasn't as quick over the passes as other cars I've had, but my family wouldn't have appreciated it as much as I would have anyway, and it wasn't bad downhill.

Despite riding a fairly fun bike with exuberance and driving faster cars, It's rare that the 2.0TD Mondeo feels lacking ...and never a chore. I've had some great cross-country drives in it.

Would I like to have a drive in a super car? Yes, of course.

red_slr

17,234 posts

189 months

Wednesday 26th November 2014
quotequote all
I don't have an issue in my RS6.... the dog keeps me from being silly - if I floor it she would be through the back window!!

E65Ross

Original Poster:

35,078 posts

212 months

Wednesday 26th November 2014
quotequote all
MC Bodge said:
I understand what you are saying, and I like decent performance, especially for overtaking, but driving a modern 2.0 TD is hardly stressful. My memory of a long trip to Austria is cruising along the Autobahn at 120mph with the air con on, whilst my wife was reading a magazine and my daughter was watching a DVD. Only a 2.0, but Hardly stressful for any of us. I quite enjoyed it and was rarely
Passed in 100s of Kms.

Ok, so It wasn't as quick over the passes as other cars I've had, but my family wouldn't have appreciated it as much as I would have anyway, and it wasn't bad downhill.

Despite riding a fairly fun bike with exuberance and driving faster cars, It's rare that the 2.0TD Mondeo feels lacking ...and never a chore. I've had some great cross-country drives in it.

Would I like to have a drive in a super car? Yes, of course.
True. But I'd bet my bottom dollar that if it got the same mpg and cost the same to run etc then you'd have rather done the same trip in something with a bigger engine.

You may not have got there any faster, but I'd be pretty confident that at SOME POINT you'd have had that little bit more fun in something with a sodding great V12. And for that little bit of fun, it so makes it worth it in my opinion, and because of that little bit of fun, it's not pointless. But 100% agree that you don't NEED a big engine.

But then, I don't NEED a HD TV, but I quite like it compared to one with poorer quality.

007 VXR

64,187 posts

187 months

Wednesday 26th November 2014
quotequote all
On a long run, I get 30mpg from my 6.0 V8 biggrin