"Best diesel engine ever made"
"Best diesel engine ever made"
Author
Discussion

Roboticarm

Original Poster:

1,675 posts

91 months

Thursday 19th September 2024
quotequote all
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/405213783501?mkcid=16&a...

Saw this and it got my thinking, if I had been asked I'm not sure the Montego would be in my list.

But if we focus on cars sold in the UK and standard road cars, what would be on the list?
80s Merc diesels seem to last forever
The Renault 1.5 dci is apparently near bullet proof
The Peugeot diesels featured in the 90s 306s ?
BMW 3.0 from the E46 ?

Moodyman1

155 posts

69 months

Thursday 19th September 2024
quotequote all
VW’s TDI pre-DPF was darn good. Had the performance/mpg balance just right. And was pretty tough. Plenty of high mileage Passats and Octavias in tax fleets.

Edited by Moodyman1 on Thursday 19th September 14:55

SlowV6

730 posts

169 months

Thursday 19th September 2024
quotequote all
I'd vote M57 into the conversation. Also PD130.

Not sure I would have ever considered the Perkins diesel in the Montego a candidate hehe

But without "best" criteria, this thread is destined to become just a list of peoples personal favourite diesel engines.

Looking at the feedback on ebay I would possibly not be confident in that seller!

GeniusOfLove

5,787 posts

42 months

Thursday 19th September 2024
quotequote all
Think we had a long thread about this a couple of years back.

Volvo D5 is a strong contender; economical, very robust, much smoother and better power delivery than a four.

otolith

69,339 posts

234 months

Thursday 19th September 2024
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None of the four cylinder ones.

halo34

2,890 posts

229 months

Thursday 19th September 2024
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D5 and/or BMW 330d unit - nothing 4 pot

Dog Star

17,627 posts

198 months

Thursday 19th September 2024
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Depends on use I guess - for sheer agricultural simplicity and durability id say a Pug engine from the 80s or a Toyota 3981cc six cylinder lump or the later 4.2 turbo. Simple and bombproof.

Decky_Q

2,099 posts

207 months

Thursday 19th September 2024
quotequote all
Scania 16.4l V8 is the most iconic diesel I know and it's an excellent engine. Sounds pretty cool straight piped out a stack too.

Cummins next, I've no experience of them but ppl who do love them.

I highly rate the Euro5 2.0Hdi engines from PSA. They are an evolution of the Dturbos from the 90s. No coking up issues, no dpf issues, no issues with short journeys, they make good power without needing adblue, crankcase vent doesn't cover everything in oil and pretty refined. It was used in cars from many manufacturers.

I'm sure the VAG V10 diesel engine is a good motor and may have been highly regarded if it was fitted to a few more vehicles, but I've never encountered one.

Jimjimhim

2,107 posts

30 months

Thursday 19th September 2024
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Best diesel is a bit like asking for the best tropical disease biggrin



Echinococcosis if you're asking

WPA

14,777 posts

144 months

Thursday 19th September 2024
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Volkswagen PD110 or 130

HJG

663 posts

137 months

Thursday 19th September 2024
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Detroit Diesel 2 stroke

Ussrcossack

1,124 posts

72 months

Thursday 19th September 2024
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PSA XUD was the best high volume diesel at the time

The Montego was frugal with it perkins engine, but a tad noisy

CornedBeef

649 posts

218 months

Thursday 19th September 2024
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I'd agree with others, PD130 or the M57. I've had 2 M57 engined cars and they've been excellent, and I've had friends in the past with PD130's that were remapped to heaven and did mega miles without any problems.

Surely an old N/A (is it N/A?) Montego diesel is an absolute nail, or am I missing something not being familiar with it?

miniman

30,131 posts

292 months

Thursday 19th September 2024
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Land Rover TD5 assuming it isn’t pissing oil into its ECU.

njw1

2,797 posts

141 months

Thursday 19th September 2024
quotequote all
CornedBeef said:
I'd agree with others, PD130 or the M57. I've had 2 M57 engined cars and they've been excellent, and I've had friends in the past with PD130's that were remapped to heaven and did mega miles without any problems.

Surely an old N/A (is it N/A?) Montego diesel is an absolute nail, or am I missing something not being familiar with it?
Turbo diesel in the Montego, the funny thing is, being an 'old school' diesel I bet it'd be more reliable than modern stuff as it isn't full of dpf's, egr's, adblue, sensors and electronics plus it'd probably run on any old crap.

Agree on the M57 but never understood the love for the PD engine personally with its very narrow power band, tractor noise and lack of refinement.


Edited by njw1 on Thursday 19th September 15:39

phil1979

3,671 posts

245 months

Thursday 19th September 2024
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Any love for the Merc V6? I love mine in the GLC.

layercake

446 posts

134 months

Thursday 19th September 2024
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phil1979 said:
Any love for the Merc V6? I love mine in the GLC.
om642 ?
im running one currently at 200k, hoping to see 500k time will tell

Mercutio

336 posts

192 months

Thursday 19th September 2024
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B57 diesel in an X5 is the modern equivalent - I love that diesel engine.

Boobonman

5,701 posts

222 months

Thursday 19th September 2024
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Got to be Mercedes OM606 hasn't it? No ECU, runs forever and can make absolutely insane power. Sounds pretty good too.

Snow and Rocks

3,452 posts

57 months

Thursday 19th September 2024
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The Toyota 1HD-FT as fitted to Land Cruisers and various Toyota bus, commercial and marine applications.

Straight six turbocharged 4.2. Sounds good, almost unstallable but still revs surprisingly well for what it is. Even quite economical considering the size, weight and poor aerodynamics of a Land Cruiser with 30+ mpg possible.

168 bhp in unstressed Land Cruiser tune but as much as 420bhp in some marine installs. Everything from the air filter to the 24v starter motor is huge and lasts as well as you'd expect for a such a heavy duty and lightly stressed engine. In a different league to typical passenger car stuff like the VW Pds or Land Rover Td5s.