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***HDi fun*** · 27-03-2009, 01:32 PM

The fact is this. If it feels quicker then it IS quicker.

But only at that point in time.

Let me explain. A 200bhp diesel will savage a 200bhp petrol car in the 30-60 in third gear test, for example. But, the petrol car will probably be able to do the same 30-60 in 2ND gear, which might well see it quicker than the diesel.

The diesel driver does not have this option as he'd never get to 60mph in second.

What grabs a lot of people the first time the drive a muscular diesel (and I mean 300+ lbft type, not a 12 year old Mondeo one with about 120lbft) is the sheer muscle in the gears. But you have to get through 'em otherwise you're not getting the benefit of all that torque.

This, contrary to popular opinion can actually make a manual diesel LESS relaxing to drive than a similarly powered petrol car.

27-03-2009, 01:32 PM	#23 (permalink)
*HDi fun* Moderator Torque King Car: E39 Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Buckinghamshire UK Posts: 11,306	Re: What's the appeal of diesel? The fact is this. If it feels quicker then it IS quicker. But only at that point in time. Let me explain. A 200bhp diesel will savage a 200bhp petrol car in the 30-60 in third gear test, for example. But, the petrol car will probably be able to do the same 30-60 in 2ND gear, which might well see it quicker than the diesel. The diesel driver does not have this option as he'd never get to 60mph in second. What grabs a lot of people the first time the drive a muscular diesel (and I mean 300+ lbft type, not a 12 year old Mondeo one with about 120lbft) is the sheer muscle in the gears. But you have to get through 'em otherwise you're not getting the benefit of all that torque. This, contrary to popular opinion can actually make a manual diesel LESS relaxing to drive than a similarly powered petrol car.