Is there such a thing as a refined, economical diesel?

[Synchromesh]

My dad's had a few 1.9 and 2.0 VAG TDIs in his time, and both motors constantly made themselves known to passengers in terms of noise and vibrations. Even the much-praised BMW 20d engines sound like transit vans when you pull up next to them at the lights.

I know some of the big 6 and 8 cylinder diesels do manage to pull it off, but loose the whole diesel USP of being super-economical in the process. So is there a diesel that combines petrol-like NVH levels with 40+ mpg in real world mixed driving?

ETA: Budget = £2k

Edited by Synchromesh on Thursday 31st October 20:24

[Matt UK]

I think the 6-cyl BMW diesels come the closest in terms of refinement and mpg.

[Toaster Pilot]

Not sure what engine was in it but the 2012 Mercedes E classes the airport taxi firm use that work book have some of the most refined Diesel engines I've experienced, at least from the back seat. Trip computer showing 45mpg average.

[elephantstone]

I had a 2006 Honda Civic for a month or so, 140bhp Petrol and got 45mpg on the motorway at 75mph... If that helps, was refined and quiet if a little souless. fk Diesel

[garreth64]

Synchromesh said:

Even the much-praised BMW 20d engines sound like transit vans when you pull up next to them at the lights.

This is true, but I would describe my 520D as refined and economical at speed, especially on motorways. 50+ mpg, and you can't hear the engine when cruising.

Comfortable and dull are another two words I would use!

[rix]

volvo D5?

[Synchromesh]

garreth64 said:

Synchromesh said:

Even the much-praised BMW 20d engines sound like transit vans when you pull up next to them at the lights.

This is true, but I would describe my 520D as refined and economical at speed, especially on motorways. 50+ mpg, and you can't hear the engine when cruising.

Ergo, I wouldn't call it a refined engine.

I'm talking about something with petrol like quietness and no cabin vibration when sat at the lights.

[Frik]

If you've got stop/start then what it sounds like at the lights is rather irrelevant...

[McWigglebum4th]

Prius?

[New POD]

2.2 Honda accord icdti does about 50 mpg and is very quiet. It's EVEN quieter if you put 2 stroke oil in with the fuel.

[hedgefinder]

merc v6...

[BE57 TOY]

The A6 3.0 TDI bi turbo is refined and sounds like a petrol, it won't win any awards for mpg though!

[HD Adam]

My S320 CDI is pretty refined and shows about 42mpg on average.

[A900ss]

garreth64 said:

Synchromesh said:

Even the much-praised BMW 20d engines sound like transit vans when you pull up next to them at the lights.

This is true, but I would describe my 520D as refined and economical at speed, especially on motorways. 50+ mpg, and you can't hear the engine when cruising.

Comfortable and dull are another two words I would use!

I don't think my 520d is much like a tractor. It certainly doesn't get 50MPG on the motorway when I'm driving as I don't do 70MPH, it's more like 45MPG but it is super comfortable and with the 8 speed auto, it just eats up the miles.

It is dull but that's because it's a victim of its own success - it just does everything you ask of it without fuss.

Best of luck OP.

PS - when cruising on the motorway I very much doubt if a passenger could tell its a diesel other than looking at the rev counter to see much lower revs than a petrol at cruise.

Edited by A900ss on Thursday 31st October 20:23

[Krikkit]

V6 in the XF-S is quite refined, and certainly economical for what it pushes along, nearly 50mpg on a 70mph cruise, sub-6s to 60.

[jimbop1]

elephantstone said:

I had a 2006 Honda Civic for a month or so, 140bhp Petrol and got 45mpg on the motorway at 75mph... If that helps, was refined and quiet if a little souless. fk Diesel

fk having a st, underpowered civic.

[Synchromesh]

Thanks for the replies so far guys but I'm going to add a caveat - a budget of £2k.

[Tom_C76]

The 2.0 5 cyl in my Volvo V60 is lovely and smooth, with a slight off-beat thrum to the note. It averages 46mpg with a fairly heavy right foot, puts out 163bhp. On a long run it'll easily top 50mpg.

[A900ss]

Synchromesh said:

Thanks for the replies so far guys but I'm going to add a caveat - a budget of £2k.

In which case I'd be looking at the best condition 6 cylinder German diesel I could find.

In fact at 2k, you might be looking at a large future bill just to get 6 cylinders instead of 4.

PS - why diesel? What's your annual mileage?

[ollie854]

My Volvo v70 d5 does that pretty well, 42mpg quiet refined and cost me £1900 to buy.