Diesel is a very worthy compromise now.
Better than petrol? Well, that depends on how you define better.
Litre for litre a high tech turbo-diesel engine is going to outrun a petrol engine of the same size with consumate ease. That's before we modify either of 'em. Diesels are also very quiet now with all the added (costly) technology such as dual mass flywheels, hydraulic engine mounts etc.
My 2.2 HDi with a remap has the sort of mid revs mid speed range shove that you'd expect from a 3.5 litre petrol engine. Surely the 3.5 will win in the end as it can be revved to 7000rpm plus. In gear though, not much in it.
Whether you make any monetary savings is debatable. Diesels do need more frequent servicing; the filters are more numerous and more costly; the engine oils have to be fully synthetic etc. road tax is levied above a petrol car.
I'd stick with the 206, consider a good custom re-map, run it on BP ultimate diesel and dose up with Millers Diesel Sport additive.
Watch you mates' Saxos and 106's disappear gracefully in the mirror. |