Is diesel really that good now?
Discussion
Just looking at figures on Parkers, something i do when bored/looking for a new car.
Anyway, my ST220 is only 0.2 seconds quicker than a 3 series 4 cylinder diesel.
In reality, are they just as quick? I know 0-60 isnt everything, but if diesel is really as fast, and with massive mpg's, is it the future?
Anyway, my ST220 is only 0.2 seconds quicker than a 3 series 4 cylinder diesel.
In reality, are they just as quick? I know 0-60 isnt everything, but if diesel is really as fast, and with massive mpg's, is it the future?
Yes, the latest 4 cylinder BMW diesels are excellent. Good performance, good real-world fuel economy, and cheap road tax.
The twin-turbo 4 cylinder engine in the 1 series and X1 is particularly good.
Very happy with my 320d (but am under no illusions as to my place in the motoring hierarchy, and an ST220 makes a much nicer noise).
The twin-turbo 4 cylinder engine in the 1 series and X1 is particularly good.
Very happy with my 320d (but am under no illusions as to my place in the motoring hierarchy, and an ST220 makes a much nicer noise).
Diesels seem to have been the main area of focus for manufacturers recently and consequently diesel engines have advanced a lot faster than petrol engines in the last fifteen years or so. Most of the "new" technology in diesel engines (high pressure injection; low inertia, low pressure turbochargers; etc.) is now being ported back into mainstream petrol engines so diesels are starting to lose some of the ground that they gained on petrols.
In the next few years, I think we'll end up back where we were in the early 90s with diesels marginally (probably no more than 20%?) more efficient than petrols with the same power output, whilst being noisier and less refined.
Of course the downside of all this technology, is that whilst engines may still be getting more reliable in that they break down less often, they're getting a hell of a lot more difficult and expensive to fix when they do go wrong.
In the next few years, I think we'll end up back where we were in the early 90s with diesels marginally (probably no more than 20%?) more efficient than petrols with the same power output, whilst being noisier and less refined.
Of course the downside of all this technology, is that whilst engines may still be getting more reliable in that they break down less often, they're getting a hell of a lot more difficult and expensive to fix when they do go wrong.
Edited by kambites on Tuesday 5th April 08:37
Acheron said:
Just looking at figures on Parkers, something i do when bored/looking for a new car.
Anyway, my ST220 is only 0.2 seconds quicker than a 3 series 4 cylinder diesel.
In reality, are they just as quick? I know 0-60 isnt everything, but if diesel is really as fast, and with massive mpg's, is it the future?
Also you don't need huge amounts of power to get a quickish 0-60, a rwd with the right gearing will get far better traction off the line compared to a powerful fwd car geared for higher top end. Compare things like the 60-100 times and they'll probably be a lot different and be more reflective of the engines rather than the chassis and drivetrain.Anyway, my ST220 is only 0.2 seconds quicker than a 3 series 4 cylinder diesel.
In reality, are they just as quick? I know 0-60 isnt everything, but if diesel is really as fast, and with massive mpg's, is it the future?
I've kept up with ST220s up to about 60-70 in diesel cars before. But once it hits those sort of speeds the power difference becomes very obvious.
kambites said:
Diesels seem to have been the main area of focus for manufacturers recently and consequently diesel engines have advanced a lot faster than petrol engines in the last fifteen years or so. Most of the "new" technology in diesel engines (high pressure injection; low inertia, low pressure turbochargers; etc.) is now being ported back into mainstream petrol engines so diesels are starting to lose some of the ground that they gained on petrols.
In the next few years, I think we'll end up back where we were in the early 90s with diesels marginally (probably no more than 20%?) more efficient than petrols with the same power output, whilst being noisier and less refined.
Of course the downside of all this technology, is that whilst engines may still be getting more reliable in that they break down less often, they're getting a hell of a lot more difficult and expensive to fix when they do go wrong.
Are diesels more reliable now? I thought they were bullet proof 10 years ago but slower. In the next few years, I think we'll end up back where we were in the early 90s with diesels marginally (probably no more than 20%?) more efficient than petrols with the same power output, whilst being noisier and less refined.
Of course the downside of all this technology, is that whilst engines may still be getting more reliable in that they break down less often, they're getting a hell of a lot more difficult and expensive to fix when they do go wrong.
Edited by kambites on Tuesday 5th April 08:37
Ed. said:
Are diesels more reliable now? I thought they were bullet proof 10 years ago but slower.
I think they are much worse now, having seen the bills mine has generated. The issue is if petrol cars are now developed as much as diesel are then surely they will be hindered by the same reliability issues as the high tech diesels are now. Ed. said:
Are diesels more reliable now? I thought they were bullet proof 10 years ago but slower.
Remember briefly owning a 1.9 non turbo powered 405 diesel...... J reg I think it was. So slow that electric scooters passed me, BUT it did 80-90mph all day long on the german autobahn when 3up complete with luggage and clocked up 3,000miles in 5days. Averaged about 50mpg too as well
Infinitely reliable, but slow beyond belief off the line, and so noisy that ear-plugs were a must round town.
So would definitely agree, they were always bullet proof. In fact modern diesels are more unreliable..... If owning a 1600tdci ford was anything to go by
My company car - Audi A5 3.0 TDi quattro does 0-60mph in 5.9 secs, according to spec sheets and it certainly shifts. It makes the best real world car when all you want to do is cruise about, oh and overtake the endless streams of dunderheads, as the engine doesnt need to be worked hard.
But i also have my own car a Vauxhall Monaro VXR which slays the petrol desire i have having come home being relaxed in the Audi - i like taking it for a proper hoon...
Everyone should own both petrol & diesel.
But i also have my own car a Vauxhall Monaro VXR which slays the petrol desire i have having come home being relaxed in the Audi - i like taking it for a proper hoon...
Everyone should own both petrol & diesel.
excel monkey said:
Yes, the latest 4 cylinder BMW diesels are excellent. Good performance, good real-world fuel economy, and cheap road tax.
The twin-turbo 4 cylinder engine in the 1 series and X1 is particularly good.
Very happy with my 320d (but am under no illusions as to my place in the motoring hierarchy, and an ST220 makes a much nicer noise).
If my mileage goes over 10k a year and I want a newer car the E90 320d will probably be somewhere near the top of the list of cars I view. The twin-turbo 4 cylinder engine in the 1 series and X1 is particularly good.
Very happy with my 320d (but am under no illusions as to my place in the motoring hierarchy, and an ST220 makes a much nicer noise).
kambites said:
Of course the downside of all this technology, is that whilst engines may still be getting more reliable in that they break down less often, they're getting a hell of a lot more difficult and expensive to fix when they do go wrong.
I think this is the best statement of were we are now with the “modern hi-tec” TDIThe new tdi’s are now frankly amazing power units. The one in the XF is hard to get your head round that it is actually a oil burner, my mates 123d (yes it is mapped) is proper quick and has some real shove to it mid range.
But these are fine when they are brand new and the manufactures warranty picks up the tab should it playing up. In 8 years time with some good millage under them and when they have had a few owners. I don’t think I would have enough brave pills to buy one over a petrol of a like spec.
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