Fast Diesel/Manual?

[FQH]

Hi all,

Starting to look around for a replacement for my A4 TDI.
Would like to stick to a manual but something quicker, so I guess 6 pot engines (V or straight depending on badge).

I can't seem to find a faster diesel with a manual box??
Is anything upwards of 200bhp now an auto??

Thanks

[SWoll]

Budget?

If you are looking at fairly new then the ZF 8 speed auto fitted to BMW's is an absolute joy to use and really suits the torque and power delivery of the 6 cylinder diesel engine. Might be worth trying one before dismissing it?

[300bhp/ton]

SWoll said:

Budget?

If you are looking at fairly new then the ZF 8 speed auto fitted to BMW's is an absolute joy to use and really suits the torque and power delivery of the 6 cylinder diesel engine. Might be worth trying one before dismissing it?

I don't think anyone would deny such setups are capable. But if you want a manual, they are no substitute.

[ahenners]

330d E90/E92 but manuals are pretty rare. The auto suits the character of the engine much better for lazy cruising.

[0a]

But with a diesel though? I can't see any point

[300bhp/ton]

0a said:

But with a diesel though? I can't see any point

I admit I've not driven all that many ultra modern diesels with these 8 or 9 speed boxes. But every diesel I have driven I've always preferred the manual variant.

I just don't see how or why diesels suit auto's, when an auto blunts the performance and reduces the fuel consumption. If you are going diesel for economy, it makes no sense to go for the least fuel efficient setup.

[SWoll]

300bhp/ton said:

SWoll said:

Budget?

If you are looking at fairly new then the ZF 8 speed auto fitted to BMW's is an absolute joy to use and really suits the torque and power delivery of the 6 cylinder diesel engine. Might be worth trying one before dismissing it?

I don't think anyone would deny such setups are capable. But if you want a manual, they are no substitute.

The problem being that so many drivers dismiss the auto out of hand due to a lack of experience of more modern boxes.

If you've tried it and don't like it then fine, just make sure you form your own opinion rather than blindly following conventional 'PH wisdom'.

[SWoll]

300bhp/ton said:

0a said:

But with a diesel though? I can't see any point

I admit I've not driven all that many ultra modern diesels with these 8 or 9 speed boxes. But every diesel I have driven I've always preferred the manual variant.

I just don't see how or why diesels suit auto's, when an auto blunts the performance and reduces the fuel consumption. If you are going diesel for economy, it makes no sense to go for the least fuel efficient setup.

Therein lies the problem.

The ZF 8 speed box is just as frugal and quicker to 60 than the manual.

The 8 gears also suit the high torque/low rev range character of a big diesel engine.

[FQH]

SWoll said:

The problem being that so many drivers dismiss the auto out of hand due to a lack of experience of more modern boxes.

If you've tried it and don't like it then fine, just make sure you form your own opinion rather than blindly following conventional 'PH wisdom'.

I've test driven a few audis so far, both multitronic and s-tronic as well as VW DSGs. Whilst they all work fine I just found them rather boring to drive, sort of the car driving me rather than me driving the car.

[BorkFactor]

Can you still get an A4 with the 3.0 TDI and a manual box?

Dad has a 2008 B7 3.0 TDI with a manual box and it is a lovely car to drive. Great engine, nice gearbox, and has been 100% reliable over 80k since brand new.

The box does suit the engine well, I have never understood people moaning about manual diesel cars. Even the 1.6 TDCI Focus I had for work was fine with a manual gearbox.

[TommoAE86]

If you like manuals then don't get an auto. I have got a big auto diesel (6sp) in my car and it's incredible smooth etc (like smooth enough to wonder why VW even bothered with a DSG box) but it sucks the fun out of driving and I wish I'd stayed in a manual. After only 8 months and 10,000 mils I'm thinking of changing despite the car being perfect in every respect otherwise.

[SWoll]

FQH said:

SWoll said:

The problem being that so many drivers dismiss the auto out of hand due to a lack of experience of more modern boxes.

If you've tried it and don't like it then fine, just make sure you form your own opinion rather than blindly following conventional 'PH wisdom'.

I've test driven a few audis so far, both multitronic and s-tronic as well as VW DSGs. Whilst they all work fine I just found them rather boring to drive, sort of the car driving me rather than me driving the car.

It does take a little while to get used to, and TBH VW/Audi's auto's aren't the best (especially the Multitronic which is CVT and an entirely different proposition again).

The 8 speed in the newer 3/5 series etc. is really very good, and it's hard to see past the 330/335D if you are looking for a performance diesel that is enjoyable to drive IMHO.

[Dr G]

I'm driving a manual A5 3.0 TDI quattro currently; it impressed Cerbera and Skyline owners this weekend just gone

[GreatGranny]

Budget?

What about a 123d Coupe?

I prefer the look of the coupe (not hard!)and there are plenty of manuals.

204bhp
Low tax
0-100 km/h 7 secs
probably easily do 45-50 mpg depending on use.

If I had £10k to spend on a car to do my 80 mile a day commute this would be in the running.

[anonymous-user]

I gave up after about a year trying to find a manual 330d tourer, and brought a 335d. For me, the gear box ruins it (Although it is the old 6spd one, not the 8spdr)

[Monty Python]

Am I right in thinking that manual diesels have dual-mass flywheels that autos don't?

[FQH]

TommoAE86 said:

If you like manuals then don't get an auto.

I appreciate how competent autos are these days and how many people like them, but the above quote sums it up

So far, I've been looking at A4 estates (have a saloon now) and A5 Sportbacks 3.0TDI, circa £25k, not bothered about the latest facelift.
Manuals seem to be like Hen's teeth, certainly not available for test drives at my audi dealer.

[SWoll]

Don't want to start a flame war here, and this comment does come from genuine experience, but I'll never understand people who want a manual for 'ultimate driver involvement' and then go and buy an Audi?

I've driven/owned A3/A4/A6's in numerous different engine configurations over the years and although lovely looking and well built cars they have all been painfully dull from the drivers seat.

I appreciate that peoples view differ, it just seems like a complete contradiction to me.

[FQH]

SWoll said:

Don't want to start a flame war here, and this comment does come from genuine experience, but I'll never understand people who want a manual for 'ultimate driver involvement' and then go and buy an Audi?

I've driven/owned A3/A4/A6's in numerous different engine configurations over the years and although lovely looking and well built cars they have all been painfully dull from the drivers seat.

I appreciate that peoples view differ, it just seems like a complete contradiction to me.

I agree, lets not start a flame war

Btw, I haven't said I'll be buying an Audi, despite being very happy with my current A4 (albeit not perfect) and quite like the idea of Quattro.

At this stage I am looking at other (manual) options.

[Snowboy]

Diesel, manual, Audi trim level.
Your options really are;
Audi, BMW, Merc.

Merc tend to not like selling manuals according to a couple of dealerships I've tried 'Mercedes customers prefer automatic gearboxes'.

BMW I don't like at all. Owned one, driven many, worked for BMW.
I haven't found on I enjoy.

So, you're left with a newer Audi.
If it's used spend £500 in a proper geo setup, that's improve the ride and handling.