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Buying: Diesel vs Petrol and then Tuning/Modding

Okay,

So I consider myself to be a somewhat experienced driver, having driven confidently for just over two years.

I've had a 1.4 Citroen C4 from new
Followed by a 1.6 Astra Sport Hatch again from new
and currently I've a Toyota Prius T-Spirit - Yes, again from new [Moment of insanity, I know]

Prius included, I'd like to think I've made progess, going from a wheezy 1.4L to what was effectively a 1.8L [The motor/Engine combo's really very nippy].

However I now feel ready for 'real' car.. && Preferably something a little more manly and powerful, so I'm talking 2.0L+ or something smaller, but Turbo&Supercharged [the VW 1.4 TSI springs to mind (making 170Hp)]

Problem is, I don't really know where to go from here...

This'll be my first second-hand purchase, ideally I'd only want one owner; it must have full-leather, preferably in-built Sat-Nav and I'll have in the region of £10,000 to spend.

Don't really want to spend much more than £2,000 p.a. in insurance, so I'm looking at Insurance Categories 15/16 and below if possible, would stretch if a really nice motor is available in my price range.

Have to say the New Shape 3-Series Saloon has got me hook, line and sinker.
Been looking at the 320D in particular. Would much rather the Coupe, but they seem to be somewhat out of my price range.

Did get me thinking though: Are there any benefits/downsides to buying a diesel?

All I could come up with was:

"You ain't no playa if you whippin diesel, dawg."

Which I of course deemed to be an accurate statement...

I can't find a single performance exhaust for diesels [Something to eradicate the awful lorry noises they make]
The only performance mod I could think of, was to get it chipped [Which I'm not sure if provides noticable gains?]

Bodykits/Rims/Speakers and all that are still good though, so no worries there..

So umm, in short I guess

- Suggestions for a car?
- Comments about the whole Diesel tuning thing?
- Comments with regard to Diesel vs Petrol?

Thanks in advance!

Reply 1

NickCPC

My dad has an '06 520D SE, same engine as in the 3 series. It really pulls exceptionally well considering its size and it has enough grunt to push you into your seat if you floor it. However if you're trying to pull by having blacked out windows, 18 subwoofers and no perceptible penis cruising at less than 8 mph then i'm afraid a diesel isn't for you.

We have an auto and obviously it's heavier than the 3 but it still seems pretty rapid - faster than VAG's 2.0TDI, and we get around 44mpg from it doing 35k miles a year. As much as I still hate BMW for effectively ruining Rover and splitting Land Rover and Mini from it, they have produced a very good car with the 5 series, and assuming the 3 is as good you wouldn't be disappointed.

Just go to a showroom and ask for a test drive of a 3 with a 2.0D, if they haven't got one chances are there'll be a 5 or 1 with it. The 3 coupe sucks ass, it seemed much choppier ride than the (what I think is) sporty and firmish ride of the 5. Plus it looks butt-ugly too, of course my subjective viewpoint.

I wouldn't chip a car to get you more performance, because your insurance will go up and it will be harder to sell the car on, especially something as plentiful as a 3 series.

Reply 2

Twentymac

Diesel tuning is really on the up and coming.

Alot can be done in regards for diesels. Remaps really do them justice.

Reply 3

XJR

5

How about a 2005 Golf Gti? Will be under £10,000, plenty around with only one owner and with a 2.0 litre turbo charged engine they are definately "manly".

Or a 2003 ish Honda S2000? Definately fast and some rear wheel drive fun?

Or there are loads of Audi A3s around with petrol or diesel engines for under £10k.

They should be insurable for £2000. Not sure about the full leather and sat nav on them though - you might be looking for a long time to find a car that fits all the criteria you have set.

If you are after a serious performance car I would avoid a diesel. People will (possibly unfairly) laugh and you will get all the slow, noisy, smelly, tractor fuel jokes etc, etc, etc. Although getting diesels chipped does provide noticable gains. My friend got 35 bhp extra when his diesel car was chipped, although it did cost £500. Have a look at http://www.superchips.co.uk/

Reply 4

Quillist

OP

NickCPC

However if you're trying to pull by having blacked out windows, 18 subwoofers and no perceptible penis cruising at less than 8 mph then i'm afraid a diesel isn't for you.

I creased for ages when I read that. :biggrin:

I will at some stage get round to adding that I'm with the woman who I'm going to marry, in my profile, so it's not for pulling i'm afraid.. :rolleyes:

That aside I'm such a ladies' man, I've pulled in my Prius many-a-time... So it's not as though I'd struggle :yep:

In all seriousness though, mainly aiming for something a bit more sporty, hence my comments about the diesel noise, just thought it'd be nice to hear the restrained notes of a perfoming petrol over an overly torquey diesel.

Doesn't really bother me either way though. Acceleration is the key! - and if that means diesel clatter, then so be it!

Reply 5

Quillist

OP

Twentymac

Diesel tuning is really on the up and coming.

Alot can be done in regards for diesels. Remaps really do them justice.

I don't doubt that! I've just seen some professional tuners, showing a 40hp & 100Nm increase on a 320D following a £300 remap.

Definitely intrigued now, that would make the 320D go with a serious 'whoosh'!

Reply 6

RightSaidJames

16

Oh my god. I can't believe people put this much money, time and thought into... cars. You people are crazy.

Reply 7

samba

6

Diesels will always be a lot better for tuning. I have a 330d, albeit the touring, and I absolutely love it. 0-60 in about 6 seconds after a tune, and thats a car that does 60mpg on the motorway and weighs 1700kg!

Also, they don't sound like diesels really, mines refined!

Reply 8

samba

6

Quillist

I don't doubt that! I've just seen some professional tuners, showing a 40hp & 100Nm increase on a 320D following a £300 remap.

Definitely intrigued now, that would make the 320D go with a serious 'whoosh'!

Watch it on the 100Nm torque increase. Thats on the limit and you might start to strain some of the internals with that much. A reputeable tuner will probably only put you +90Nm on the 320

Reply 9

Quillist

OP

Hey, and thanks for your reply.

XJR

How about a 2005 Golf Gti? Will be under £10,000, plenty around with only one owner and with a 2.0 litre turbo charged engine they are definately "manly".

Was hoping, ideally, to get away from the Golfs as I find they're overly common amongst us student types..

XJR

Or a 2003 ish Honda S2000? Definately fast and some rear wheel drive fun?

I've just had a look, and they're incredibly cheap! However they're insurance cat 20, I'll be 20 years old by the time I'm ready to buy, and have two years no-claims behind me, I find anything beyond cat 16 tends to jump in price from around £1800-£1900 p.a. to £3800+ which is a bit much.. Also, they're so sports/race orientated, they kind of omit any level of comfort or luxury..

Gosh, I'm a fussy bastard aren't I?

That said though, I know I could also get a Z4 for similar money, [which my fiancee to be, really wants] and they're around cat 17 which I'm sure would give me better value [and happiness in the woman-on-my arm department].

Would definitely get one as a second car though, I know they're hugely tunable! - Don't have the time or wallet at the mo, though.

Looking into quotes and indeed into A3's now though, so thanks a lot!

Reply 10

Mattgeezer

1

a 320d/s2000/golf gti are all pretty different cars, i think the key is if your doing lots of miles/lower fuel budget then a diesel will be best, Also cheaper to tax as well.
What about a 05ish (previous shape) 320 or 330d coupe? Nice cars, Also whats the budget for the new car? Audi A5 would be out of budget i guess?

Reply 11

Quillist

OP

RightSaidJames

Oh my god. I can't believe people put this much money, time and thought into... cars. You people are crazy.

No moreso than you put into styling your hair, by the looks of things :rolleyes:

I guess we only do it, because [most of us *points at self*] Have to save for ages and budget carefully for these things, and we see them more than transport...

They're your 'ride' man! Furthermore, in some cases they turn out to be quite an investment, or indeed money-hole if you choose badly..

Reply 12

RightSaidJames

16

Quillist

No moreso than you put into styling your hair, by the looks of things :rolleyes:

I guess we only do it, because [most of us *points at self*] Have to save for ages and budget carefully for these things, and we see them more than transport...

They're your 'ride' man! Furthermore, in some cases they turn out to be quite an investment, or indeed money-hole if you choose badly..

You think I style my hair? :rofl:

And hey, it's your prerogative... but to me, a car's a car, obviously you don't want an old banger and it's great if it looks nice, is reliable and performs well, but once you get into tuning and all that jazz... why?

Reply 13

samba

6

RightSaidJames

You think I style my hair? :rofl:

And hey, it's your prerogative... but to me, a car's a car, obviously you don't want an old banger and it's great if it looks nice, is reliable and performs well, but once you get into tuning and all that jazz... why?

To make it look nicer and perform better for a good price?

Reply 14

Quillist

OP

Mattgeezer

a 320d/s2000/golf gti are all pretty different cars, i think the key is if your doing lots of miles/lower fuel budget then a diesel will be best, Also cheaper to tax as well.
What about a 05ish (previous shape) 320 or 330d coupe? Nice cars, Also whats the budget for the new car? Audi A5 would be out of budget i guess?

Officially discounted the S2000, insurance is just out of this world, and this is with me falsifying [for quote purposes] +1 year additional NCB, Safe occupation (Lawyer) and age + 1 [new age 21] still talking more money in premiums than I'd pay for the car [circa £7000]

&& As said before, Golf GTi's a no... and even then I'd probably get the 1.4Tsi GT Sport.

Ummm, my budget's circa £10,000 for the car, so yeah does really leave a large void between affording an A5 [as much as I'd like to, even a base model]

Reply 15

Quillist

OP

samba

Diesels will always be a lot better for tuning. I have a 330d, albeit the touring, and I absolutely love it. 0-60 in about 6 seconds after a tune, and thats a car that does 60mpg on the motorway and weighs 1700kg!

Also, they don't sound like diesels really, mines refined!

Offfft, I'd adore a 330D, I hear they're silky smooth, and pull like tractors, not overly loud either?

Reply 16

samba

6

Quillist

Offfft, I'd adore a 330D, I hear they're silky smooth, and pull like tractors, not overly loud either?

Nope, pretty much silent. You can hardly hear the engine inside the car unless you've got your foot down and the turbo kicks in. It's a refined noise though, very unlike a subaru or anything like that. It's pure luxury, with performance under the hood, as opposed to raw, macho, and in your face.

Reply 17

Quillist

OP

Bingo.

320D, Full Leather, Integrated Sat-Nav, iDrive, && Manual.

All in excellent nick

Now if only I had all my cash together =/

Damn.

Reply 18

JC.

19

Rover P6 V8.
You'll get a cracker for £2k. You may even find one that is tax exempt.

There are plenty of bolt on mods to make these quicker. You could even do an engine change from 3.5 to 4.6 litres and double the power.

Reply 19

Quillist

OP

JC.

Rover P6 V8.
You'll get a cracker for £2k. You may even find one that is tax exempt.

There are plenty of bolt on mods to make these quicker. You could even do an engine change from 3.5 to 4.6 litres and double the power.

Are you actually having a bubble?

Quite simply put it's hideous! Not to mention quintessentially ancient.

I'm a new car kinda guy, just not terribly well-heeled on this particular occasion :frown:

My sincerest apologies to anyone unforunate enough to own one, and subsequently come across this thread; no offence intended at all. :o:

Buying: Diesel vs Petrol and then Tuning/Modding

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