BMW petrol power vs Euro shopping car diesel power

[AndyT77]

I'm considering an E46 325i saloon, but have a serious question:

Would my mate in his 160bhp Ibiza Cupra (diesel), piss on my chips on a long straight private road drag race?

[Chrisw666]

Does it matter?

[AndyT77]

Yes, yes it does.

[blank]

If his car is standard then probably a little bit.

If his car is remapped then probably a lot!

[sparks_E39]

A 330 is no more expensive to run. Buy a 330.

[anonymous-user]

I reckon it would come down to 2 things:

1) on the public road, the winner is the stupidist driver
2) on a race track, the winner is the fastest driver


(i don't think there would be anything in it really)

[buggalugs]

I think he'll struggle to get that torque down in 1st, and has less power, but he is a bit lighter... best get an M3 to be safe

[sparks_E39]

The Beemer is the better car anyway.

[Caulkhead]

AndyT77 said:

Yes, yes it does.

Then buy something properly fast or just avoid him next time you see him in the playground.

[GWMD]

Your are basing buying a car on the condition that it will be faster than your mates?! Oh dear...

[blearyeyedboy]

OP needs this instead. Just to be safe.

[danneth]

http://www.zeperfs.com/en/duel2370-1259.htm

[TameRacingDriver]

Well, for what it's worth (not very much AFAICT), the beemer would win. More power, faster 0-60, higher top speed. Simples.

[Kong]

The 325i may not be the fastest car in the world but it still has 192bhp and would beat the 160bhp Ibiza in a drag race.

[AndyT77]

Thanks for all the replies. I actually don't have any mates so the Ibiza Cupra tale was a red herring. I just someone to hold my hand whilst i decide whether to stick with petrol or dabble with the dark side (again).

[blearyeyedboy]

Taking my silly hat off for a moment, I've previously owned petrol and diesel cars.

Derv is generally worth considering you want to sacrifice a *little* off the line acceleration and a little sharpness in steering on B-roads (where the extra weight of a diesel engine will generally make your car change direction less easily.) In return you get better fuel economy.

The plus side is that you don't have to sacrifice as much steering and acceleration as you would have had to ten years ago. I do 12,000 miles a year and diesel doesn't quite make sense for me at the moment. I think 15,000 miles a year is the tipping point, but that's just my own opinion- I'm happy to be proved wrong by anyone who currently steers a diesel.

[busta]

Regardless of pace, the 325 is a different kettle of fish to a cheap diesel VAG car anyway. You are comparing a car that cost £25k new to a car that cost £15k new, and this price difference will still be clear in every aspect of the car.

FWIW I'd be looking at a 330 anyway.

[Mr Dave]

My mate had a tdi ibiza and I was driving my 525i. The Ibiza held with me suprisingly well until ***miles per hour.

The BMW is far far better to drive though.

Get an E36 328is instead. Lovely cars very reliable and good to drive.