Diesels 5117

Silk

Why is there alwyas this "performance low down" argument? I have two cars, a 1.5 tonne 2.0l Turbo car with huge torque from 1500rpm to 6500 rpm. In normal everyday town driving it rarely goes over 3000 rpm. The other is a 1.5 tonne 1.8 non turbo car, less torque but still pretty even from 2000-6000 which will see 4000-5000 rpm on most gear changes to make the same rate of progress. Neither is a problem, the Zafira uses less fuel than the volvo and ultimately can get A-B unless on a serious law-breaking mission in the same time. We're looking to replace it with an FR-V, so even more revs...

What's the problem? Can't learn to get the best from an engine so you'll buy a diseasel? I drove a TDi Ibiza yesterday - it's lack of flexibility was astonishing - very hard work to drive quickly due to the narrow torque band (1500-3500) compared to my cars so you find yourself changing gear just as much, but as the power output is lower with less reward - the whole "not needing to change down" argument is rubbish - at 50 in top you've only got one other gear to use, my other cars will do 50 in 2nd, 3rd, 4th or 5th depending on the amount of power you need.

All the recent manual superdiesels have the same on-off power delivery which petrol motors don't have. The only time I would say a diesel is a suitable replacement from a driver point of view for a petrol engine is with a good 5 or 6 speed autobox. When I finally decide I've had enough of changing gear then something like an S80 D5 auto, or an XC90, or a BMW 530 or an E270cdi will be in my sights. Until then I'll stick with petrol.

-- We are the keepers of the sacred words: Ni, Pang, and Ni-wom!