Discussion
m12_nathan said:
Please expand, what have you got against diesels?
Small power band, lack of revs, throttle response, carcinogenic soot bellowing out the back, the only advantage they have (torque at the flywheel) is completely eradicated by having to use longer gears due to the rev issue so you end up with the same torque at the wheels anyway which is the torque figure that is actually important. Still each to their own
Surely the narrow powerband is mitigated by the longer gearing, ie ths superior torque works over a greater range? 40mpg instead of 25mpg pretty tasty too.....
Powerfull Diesel cars seem to have taken over from the Skoda jokes. The new ones are great, but still no-one wants to belive it or take them seriously as a real alternative!
When I was looking for my 5 series, I was dead against a diesel, especially an auto! But that was until I tested a 530i (what I wanted) back to back with a 530D auto.
I came away with the 530D auto. It broke my petrolhead heart to admit the torque thumping diesel was a better car than the creamy revvy petrol 6, but it just suited the car better.
The auto does a great job in masking the narrow power band too. You can plant your foot at 50mph & watch the rev counter needle sit at 3k rpm as the speedo climbs. It keeps it in the meat of the torque for as long as possible.
Yeah, a manual is ultimately more rewarding at anything over 7/10'ths, but the steptronic takes some learning, so puts some fun back into the auto option.
Getting it re-mapped made it a different car. I had mine done at West Tuning in Thruxton for around the £400 mark. Performance is brilliant for a big oil burning car & fuel economy went from 31mpg average up to 34mpg. On a long motorway run at 80-90, 40+mpg is the norm.
Predudice aside, they are brilliant machines. And who's worried about black smoke? You're always behind me anyway!
Cheers,
Gwaredd.
When I was looking for my 5 series, I was dead against a diesel, especially an auto! But that was until I tested a 530i (what I wanted) back to back with a 530D auto.
I came away with the 530D auto. It broke my petrolhead heart to admit the torque thumping diesel was a better car than the creamy revvy petrol 6, but it just suited the car better.
The auto does a great job in masking the narrow power band too. You can plant your foot at 50mph & watch the rev counter needle sit at 3k rpm as the speedo climbs. It keeps it in the meat of the torque for as long as possible.
Yeah, a manual is ultimately more rewarding at anything over 7/10'ths, but the steptronic takes some learning, so puts some fun back into the auto option.
Getting it re-mapped made it a different car. I had mine done at West Tuning in Thruxton for around the £400 mark. Performance is brilliant for a big oil burning car & fuel economy went from 31mpg average up to 34mpg. On a long motorway run at 80-90, 40+mpg is the norm.
Predudice aside, they are brilliant machines. And who's worried about black smoke? You're always behind me anyway!
Cheers,
Gwaredd.
m12_nathan said:
One is a diesel, that is all you need to know if you enjoy driving a car. If you are after a workhorse then fair enough but as a car to be used and enjoyed, petrol every time.
oi!! NOOOOOOOOOOooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!!
In terms of BMW, I'd have a 330d over a 330i anyday. In performance terms (real day driveability and race-track proven)
1st M3
2nd chipped 330d
3rd 330i
LOL, only behind you because you, like all other diesel drivers, think you have to prove how "fast" your cars are and won't get out the way. 34mpg? I still wouldn't have one.
I've already said, I've driven a 330d manual with sports suspension, it was ok as a workhorse, the chassis and steering were great, the engine was not fun to drive, laggy and unresponsive in comparison with a petrol engine, anyone who trys to justify a purchase of a diesel by claiming it is as much fun or as sporty as a petrol car is delusional.
I've already said, I've driven a 330d manual with sports suspension, it was ok as a workhorse, the chassis and steering were great, the engine was not fun to drive, laggy and unresponsive in comparison with a petrol engine, anyone who trys to justify a purchase of a diesel by claiming it is as much fun or as sporty as a petrol car is delusional.
agent006 said:
As is anyone who considers a 330i so be sporty.
It is more sporty than a 330d which is the comparison veing made here, do you disagree?
agent006 said:
<Insert sweeping contraversial stereoptype about CSL drivers here>
They are highly sucessful, intelligent, good looking and above all else fantastic drivers that rival Rohrl, Stuck and Loeb in the car control stakes and are a hit with the ladies
m12_nathan said:
LOL, only behind you because you, like all other diesel drivers, think you have to prove how "fast" your cars are and won't get out the way. 34mpg? I still wouldn't have one.
I've already said, I've driven a 330d manual with sports suspension, it was ok as a workhorse, the chassis and steering were great, the engine was not fun to drive, laggy and unresponsive in comparison with a petrol engine, anyone who trys to justify a purchase of a diesel by claiming it is as much fun or as sporty as a petrol car is delusional.
I agree with the 1st part of that, but that only seems to be VAG drivers. I've never had a good tustle with a petrol BMW yet. They all seem to be bimbling along. Probably trying to achive great fuel ecomomy figures so they can come on here & quote that they got 31mpg from there 330i whist still retaining petrol peformance
I also agree with the manual 330d feeling laggy, which is why I opted for the auto, as it masks this brilliantly. I will however say that at anything below 8/10ths the BMW diesels are just as much fun on the road. Anything above 8/10ths is petrol territory & indeed, brilliant fun, but really should be on the track if you're pushing that hard.
I was a diesel snob too, but then I tried a few.
Can't believe some of the negative claptrap that's coming the 330d's way. Without doubt, one of, if not the best diesel on the market. Now I'm biased having owned 3 of them and lived with them day in day out for 4 years. There is no finer all rounder. However, like most good things in life, the car/owner relationship takes time to blossom with the 330d. It's only when you own one that you actually fully appreciate what a cracking car it is.
Yes, the petrol engine sounds better. That's it. There is no other valid argument. Anyone currently purchasing a 330i over a 330d needs their head examining. Regarding track use, I'd say that an 8m47 lap of the Ring isn't too shabby.
Matt
Yes, the petrol engine sounds better. That's it. There is no other valid argument. Anyone currently purchasing a 330i over a 330d needs their head examining. Regarding track use, I'd say that an 8m47 lap of the Ring isn't too shabby.
Matt
m12_nathan said:Hmmm, but how much have you actually driven one? Given the rarity of driving at above 8/10ths on the road then the diesel is so much better every day. As a 4-year 330d owner I was shocked by how gutless the 330i felt recently. Drive a road car like a road car; if you want instant throttle response and fun then you may as well go all the way and have a second Elise/Caterham. Or hire one for track abuse. A petrol BMW just makes you want to thrash it without getting anywhere. Replacement 535d on the way! IMHO :-)
I've already said, I've driven a 330d manual with sports suspension, it was ok as a workhorse, the chassis and steering were great, the engine was not fun to drive, laggy and unresponsive in comparison with a petrol engine, anyone who trys to justify a purchase of a diesel by claiming it is as much fun or as sporty as a petrol car is delusional.
>> Edited by dannylt on Wednesday 25th January 23:00
Had one for a day. I am perfectly happy using revs and gears on the road, I enjoy driving and that is part of it for me, if you are too lazy for that then a diesel must be perfect. I'd have thought the only reason the 330i felt gutless is because you weren't using 7k rpm and ensuring you dropped a gear or 2 when you needed to. Anyway, enjoy your new car.
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