Are Europe's High MPG Diesels Actually Crap?

Thoughts? I have driven a few TDI cars and have been pretty unimpressed.

 

There is no magical car that fits everyone. A cheap diesel focus doesn't sound like something designed to give engineering boners. It's just for commuting boringly but efficiently. I love my TDI Jetta. It certainly performs better than my skyactiv 3. That article seems amazingly biased.

 

Sometimes i'm amazingly jealous of my buddies new 2013 Gold TDi. The way it pulls from idle is unreal.

 

Really? Different strokes I guess. I just couldn't find anything appealing engine wise when driving my buddies TDI Jetta and the TDI Passat I drove. Both were nice cars but I just couldn't see why someone would pick the diesels over the other choices. People seem to go bonkers over the idea of them and I just wonder how they will sell once they become more commonplace.

 

depends of what kind of diesel engine we are talking about, not every diesel is the same..the author did not specify what version of Focus had driven (there are both 1.6 and 2.0 diesels)...the 1.6 is underpowered and with small powerband for sure....

speaking about Mazda (we are talking about the new 2.2) certainly is NOT underpowered and is NOT un-sporty...

i've tested both Cx5 and 6 MT and AT and i can assure that this is one of the best powertrain of the segment, no question about this.

about mileage, best results of diesel are in off-urban and highway use, at costant speed..tested many cars and many times...

problems of modern diesels (not only Mazda) are mainly related to DPF....

 

My experience is with this particular Golf TDi, that's about it. It has a DPF (diesel particulate filter) delete and a Mallone tune and makes 333lb/ft at the crank. Its quite crazy going WOT from a standstill.

Not to mention it handles like a GTI and returns 40+MPG on average.

Sometimes i'm jealous...

 

I'd have to drive a tuned one, it sounds crazy. Although having that kind of torque in a FWD doesn't sound appealing to me.

 

Your problem is you expect an econocar to drive like a sports car I guess. All the similar model cars with gas engines blow even harder. The base model Jetta TDI I drove was very meh (a bit more bland than the 3 but more comfy) but the TDI Cup (GLI with TDI engine) feels so much better than any of the other 40mpg cars I've been around. I think it was an awesome compromise between boring and exciting.

edit: the gas economy cars I've driven make me feel like I'm pushing the engine hard anytime there is a slight grade or I have to pass someone. The TDI at least feels like it never has to work hard or downshift for common stuff. It's "easier" to get great mpg for that reason in my experience.

 

my dad had an 05 E320 Diesel, and that thing was amazing.

the 0-60 and 1/4 mile were the same or faster than the gas engine (~6.5 and ~14?), and it got 40mpg on the freeway.

but the way the power is delivered was no fun at all, its all torque between 1000-3000rpm, and the Rx8 is a lot more fun, it actually has a power band, and you need to do something to be in it

 

hardly crap

BMW 335d - Feature - Car and Driver


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^That and the 550d and its 546lb/ft. Insane.

 

J8, Yeah I need to drive a TDI cup, they sound pretty fun.

 

The 335d responds very well to mods too I think

 

I wish you could have Alfa Romeo 2.4 JTDm in the states and see it for yourself... That engine is just amazing, no words to describe that 5 cylinder engine...

Anyway, I agree with Matt. You want to get good gas mileage, drive it at constant speed and you're good. For someone who travels a lot it pays of, but for anyone else in the long run, just the maintenance and eventual repairs will cost them more than they would spend on petrol if they bought a car that goes on it.