The future of diesel?

[A.J.]

I think this is the problem for many, more than any genuine concerns for pollution, it is about which one feels quick and cheapest.

However, I don't agree with the above anymore, things have changed in the last 2-3 years.

Nearly all new petrols are forced induction these days, they no longer feel lacking in any torque.


Back in 1996 I had a choice between the A4 in 1.8i or 1.9tdi guise, they were both 90hp, both did the 'sprint' to 60mph in 11 seconds but one did 25mpg and the other 55mpg. It was a no brainer.

However, roll on a few years and the difference between my 530i and 530d was more like 28mpg and 33mpg.

Roll on a few more years and the difference between 535d and 335i was sod all.

And currently I am in a 350 cgi e class, it was the cdi before that, and the difference is around 10%, which also tells me that petrol tech has moved on at a faster rate than diesel tech.
I am sure if we didn't have to worry about emissions we would be seeing lots of 100mpg diesels, but at the moment it seems the advances in mpg are simply being wiped out by the need for emission controlling gadgets.


Then you have things like the VAG 1.4tfsi, it is lighter, smoother, revs better, sounds better and has a nice clutch attached than the 2.0tdi and yet gets exactly the same MPG, in fact during sub 10 mile journeys it is slightly more efficient than the diesel.


I am seeing less and less of a reason to buy diesels now. However, it may take a while for customers to realise this.

What you say is very true, however for me there is just something about the way a diesel drives, I like the torque without the flurry of revs for example. Mine has 400nm of torque, you wont get that out of a 1.4Tfsi I would very much doubt !!

 

[gizze]

Have you driven the C250 or C300 though?

That is the equivalent to the C220d and C250d.

They are far from lacking torque.

Mind you, I don't think we get them over here as the UK is so diesel obsessed.

Below is c220d vs c250....

If you were looking at the petrol equivalent of the E350d it would be the E400, turbo charged 3 litre petrol....

That was my point about people saying they want 'torque' I think we are comparing NA vs FI rather than petrol vs diesel, now most petrols are FI too, there really is nothing to make you want diesel other than cost savings.

And for me doing 20k miles a year, the difference is around £5 a week going E350 petrol over diesel.
Or around 2% of overall running costs.


Friend has the C200, he had the C200d last time, he has gone from 44mpg average to 37mpg average. But he only does 12k miles a year, so it is only costing him around £7 a week more. However, the car is £60 a month cheaper.

I think the days of diesel saving proper money are gone. The days of diesel offering more torque than petrols have gone. I think the days of diesel for consumer vehicles will soon be gone too.

 

[Wozza14]

Just noticed the new e coupe in petrol only is that right...if so I will by a petrol E400 as I want more grunt than I have in. My e350 coupe the new E300 is about the same bhp but I expect it delivers it better as times have moved on...

 

[Albee]

Having switched from E350 to E400 The performance is unreal! Nice to be back on petrol!!!!

 

[gizze]

I wish they offered the E400 estate in the UK.
A nice 2 year old used one of those would get me out of my E350 S212.