Reasonably High Performance Diesel Recommendations?

conzy

Im interested in getting a powerful diesel car, budget is as low as possible but around 7 grand would be my max. I plan on getting it remapped also.

I always liked diesel cars and I do around 20k a year so there is a considerable saving i think.

I have looked at the e46 320d but the 150bhp model seems to be plagued with issues like turbo failure and swirl flap failure. the older 136bhp model isnt as powerful and its hard to find one with reasonable mileage ( less than 100k )

Another option seems to be the Opel Vectra C with the 16v 150bhp engine which is reported to reach 190-200bhp with some modification to the EGR and Air Intake. But I dont know how reliable the engine is, some say its very robust but on Honest John there are reports of turbo and swirl flap issues and timing belts breaking well below the service interval. Its also a heavy car.

Are there any other cars worth considering? diesel and close to around 180bhp+ with remap?

Or with my budget should I just go petrol until I can afford to tax a 335d?

Thanks

Anan1

20k kms or miles? You'll get a far nicer (& faster) petrol car for €7k than you will diesel.

conzy

Around 20,000 miles but that would be the max i'd say..

The attraction of diesel was having plenty of power but still being able to cruise on the motorway at 50 mpg or so..

I like saloons and I dont like small boy racer cars..

Any recommendations then for a powerful petrol car that doesn't guzzle petrol (30 mpg at the worst)

Thanks!

stevenmu

If only there was some kind of diesel car other than those that we could talk about every time this is asked. Perhaps one with a very spacious boot?

mcwhirter

conzymaher wrote: »

Im interested in getting a powerful diesel car, budget is as low as possible but around 7 grand would be my max. I plan on getting it remapped also.

I always liked diesel cars and I do around 20k a year so there is a considerable saving i think.

I have looked at the e46 320d but the 150bhp model seems to be plagued with issues like turbo failure and swirl flap failure. the older 136bhp model isnt as powerful and its hard to find one with reasonable mileage ( less than 100k )

Another option seems to be the Opel Vectra C with the 16v 150bhp engine which is reported to reach 190-200bhp with some modification to the EGR and Air Intake. But I dont know how reliable the engine is, some say its very robust but on Honest John there are reports of turbo and swirl flap issues and timing belts breaking well below the service interval. Its also a heavy car.

Are there any other cars worth considering? diesel and close to around 180bhp+ with remap?

Or with my budget should I just go petrol until I can afford to tax a 335d?

Thanks

Rare enough, but the MG ZT diesel or the rover 75 ( not sporty though) has 131bhp as standard but can be tweaked to about 170bhp apparently

EPM

stevenmu wrote: »

If only there was some kind of diesel car other than those that we could talk about every time this is asked. Perhaps one with a very spacious boot?

Finally an original one.

/dons cap

OP, tbh if you plan on remapping any decent diesel is an option. If clutch is on it's last legs you'll have problems but otherwise go for it. Joe Power has been recommended to me and is apparently a genius. I'll be going to him at some stage for a remap and dpf delete.

I find a relatively high powered diesel not a lot of fun in first and second tbh, but they have got the urge for overtaking.

Blue Punto

what about the Volvo S60 D5

great all round diesel

Lex Luthor

156 2.4 diesel

dre_jspeed

You could maybe look at Golf and a Audi's they do some nice diesel engines

peasant

How does 175 bhp grab you? (that's without remap, btw)

http://www.driving.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=201009197151867

(only issue would be the tax)

Side Show Bob

<snip>

bazz26

I read the title "high performance diesel recommendation" and thought it was going to be about looking at something like a BMW 530d, etc rather than 150bhp diesels.

bazz26

bazz26 wrote: »

I read the title "high performance diesel recommendation" and thought it was going to be about looking at something like a BMW 530d, etc rather than 150bhp diesels.

Didn't you see the word reasonably :P

Matt Simis

bazz26 wrote: »

I read the title "high performance diesel recommendation" and thought it was going to be about looking at something like a BMW 530d, etc rather than 150bhp diesels.

Yeah wth, this thread fails.

peasant

conzymaher wrote: »

Any recommendations then for a powerful petrol car that doesn't guzzle petrol (30 mpg at the worst)

Thanks!

A Saab 2 litre eco-turbo, while not lightning fast, does do a decent impression of a (very) powerful diesel when it comes to mid range overtaking (between 80 and 120 km/h, where it really counts) and if you behave you can easily get it over 30 mpg.
It can also be mapped and accessorised to silly bhp ...but forget about fuel consumption then

A decent example of a 9-5 or 9-3 can be got for 2 - 3 k, so well under budget.

bazz26

RoverJames wrote: »

Didn't you see the word reasonably :P

I did and I drive a 143bhp diesel myself but I wouldn't consider it a "reasonably" high performance diesel either

Anyway my point is made so I won't derail the thread any further.

Kxiii

E39 530d buckets of torque for overtaking. Their not too bad on the juice either 45ish mpg combined. The only killer is the tax.

EPM

Kxiii wrote: »

E39 530d buckets of torque for overtaking. Their not too bad on the juice either 45ish mpg combined. The only killer is the tax.

Honest question, I find 45mpg hard to believe. I have to be conservative to get that from a 2 litre diesel. Is this possible or going by the trip? They are liars...

n97 mini

Wasn't there a Golf GTI TDI PD, or something? 65 mpg and ates Ferraris off the lights?

EPM

There isn't a diesel that will eat anything from the lights...

n97 mini

EPM wrote: »

There isn't a diesel that will eat anything from the lights...

I know that, you know that, but try telling them that...

Kxiii

Going by the trip computer it always reads around 45ish. Even after a reset within a couple of days it settles back around the 40-45 mark. Must actually work it out for self on the next full tank.

It's a big lazy diesel barely doing 2k rpm at motorway speeds.

Matt Simis

EPM wrote: »

Honest question, I find 45mpg hard to believe. I have to be conservative to get that from a 2 litre diesel. Is this possible or going by the trip? They are liars...

Ah but the oft overlooked fact is the Octavia VRS (and most VAG diesels) are infact not paragons of economy/efficiency, they give a false baseline for "normal" MPG.

The VRS doesnt get very good real world MPG for its engine size and performance, it good but not overly efficient. eg 520d is more powerful and gets well over 50mpg and a comparatively ancient (though still Common Rail) Alfa / Fiat 2.4 JTD gets 45MPG+, both calculated manually (there is no MPG counter in our JTD!).

The Alfa is effectively 200bhp and more torquey than the VRS and its got woeful gearing ie with its 5speed it sits well over 2000RPM at cruise, with a 6speed box it would get even better economy.

VAG's "TDI" are popular (the most popular?) diesel engines, but far from the best.

EPM

Matt Simis wrote: »

Ah but the oft overlooked fact is the Octavia VRS (and most VAG diesels) are infact not paragons of economy/efficiency, they give a false baseline for "normal" MPG.

The VRS doesnt get very good real world MPG for its engine size and performance, it good but not overly efficient. eg 520d is more powerful and gets well over 50mpg and a comparatively ancient (though still Common Rail) Alfa / Fiat 2.4 JTD gets 45MPG+, both calculated manually (there is no MPG counter in our JTD!).

The Alfa is effectively 200bhp and more torquey than the VRS and its got woeful gearing ie with its 5speed it sits well over 2000RPM at cruise, with a 6speed box it would get even better economy.

VAG's "TDI" are popular (the most popular?) diesel engines, but far from the best.

Completely agree. My calculations are hovering about 40 combined but I don't hold back overtaking. Its still a piddly diesel though so should be better. But I still think 45 combined is wishful thinking...

bazzachazza

EPM wrote: »

There isn't a diesel that will eat anything from the lights...

I know that, you know that, but try telling them that...

Here we go again.:(

EPM

bazzachazza wrote: »

Here we go again.:(

Oh let's not:p

Nonoperational

What's the bhp of the 520d? Is it over 170?

Atomic Pineapple

gpf101 wrote: »

What's the bhp of the 520d? Is it over 170?

245bhp

Matt Simis

EPM wrote: »

Completely agree. My calculations are hovering about 40 combined but I don't hold back overtaking. Its still a piddly diesel though so should be better. But I still think 45 combined is wishful thinking...

Yeah but you are new to the car, Im sure it will get upto 45 handy enough once you and it are settled in.

draffodx wrote: »

245bhp

177 to 180 something, I think you quoted the 530d figure!

EPM

Matt Simis wrote: »

Yeah but you are new to the car, Im sure it will get upto 45 handy enough once you and it are settled in.

8k km in 6 weeks...and two of those I was in ingerland...and it was in the...ahem...garage one of the others..,really don't see it happening tbh.

Matt Simis

EPM wrote: »

8k km in 6 weeks...and two of those I was in ingerland...and it was in the...ahem...garage one of the others..,really don't see it happening tbh.

Wow, not looking good for an improvement, but impressive mileage you put up, thems real mans miles!

UnderWater

04/05 honda accord 2.2 diesel

PaulKK

conzymaher wrote: »

I have looked at the e46 320d but the 150bhp model seems to be plagued with issues like turbo failure and swirl flap failure. the older 136bhp model isnt as powerful and its hard to find one with reasonable mileage ( less than 100k )

Sigh... too much googling.

The 04 models on are perfectly fine, they have updated turbos and stronger swirl flap spindles. It was the 02/03 ones that were troublesome.

I have a 2004 320d for over a year and have put 25k miles on it and I can't fault it. Theres over 90K miles on it now and its as tight as a drum.

Esel

mcwhirter wrote: »

Rare enough, but the MG ZT diesel or the rover 75 ( not sporty though) has 131bhp as standard but can be tweaked to about 170bhp apparently

Only the CDTi has 131 BHP as standard. I think the CDT has about 114 BHP.

Side Show Bob

EPM wrote: »

There isn't a diesel that will eat anything from the lights...

Audi A8 4.2 diesel will eat anything!

Atomic Pineapple

Matt Simis wrote: »

Yeah but you are new to the car, Im sure it will get upto 45 handy enough once you and it are settled in.

177 to 180 something, I think you quoted the 530d figure!

Whoops I had 530d on my mind for some reason alright, sorry!

okane1

conzymaher wrote: »

Are there any other cars worth considering? diesel and close to around 180bhp+ with remap?

Thanks

Mondeo ST TDCI, with a remap and decat get close to the 190bhp figure.

mullingar

okane1 wrote: »

Mondeo ST TDCI, with a remap and decat get close to the 190bhp figure.

Yes, the 2.2 TDCI has 155bhp as standard, 190hp tuned

Mentioned a little earlier a 04 Accord with the 2.2 engine. It has 150hp as standard, tuned gives 180+hp and I believe 340Nm's torque! MMMM :pac::pac:

okane1

mullingar wrote: »

Yes, the 2.2 TDCI has 155bhp as standard, 190hp tuned

Mentioned a little earlier a 04 Accord with the 2.2 engine. It has 150hp as standard, tuned gives 180+hp and I believe 340Nm's torque! MMMM :pac::pac:

the remap on my ST gives 423Nm of torque. Plenty for low down pulling power

mullingar

okane1 wrote: »

the remap on my ST gives 423Nm of torque. Plenty for low down pulling power

Sh1te, I got it wrong. The Honda has 340Nms as standard. 400Nm+ tuned.

It would be an interesting race between a tuned Ford and a tuned Honda, both similar power, both a 6 speed box.

okane1

mullingar wrote: »

Sh1te, I got it wrong. The Honda has 340Nms as standard. 400Nm+ tuned.

It would be an interesting race between a tuned Ford and a tuned Honda, both similar power, both a 6 speed box.

What sort of performance figures does the Honda produce?

I understand the ford has an over boost function, were when you floor the throttle, you get an additional 40Nm of torque for a few seconds. Comes in handy when overtaking. However there is a torque limiter in 1st and 2nd gear to protect the gearbox, so off the line it isn’t the best. Once in third gear and above, it pulls like a train.

PaulKK

mullingar wrote: »

Mentioned a little earlier a 04 Accord with the 2.2 engine. It has 150hp as standard, tuned gives 180+hp and I believe 340Nm's torque! MMMM :pac::pac:

Does the accord not have 140bhp?

mcwhirter

Esel wrote: »

Only the CDTi has 131 BHP as standard. I think the CDT has about 114 BHP.

Its the same bmw engine though, just requires the remap to bring it to 131. You can add a synergy box to bring it to about 155 (but 370 torque, that is more than standard 530d bmw) which makes all the difference and then do a few other bits and bobs to have approx 170-180bhp , not sure how rest of the car would cope though, clutch could die.

Really need a petrol car for speed and fun though, diesels not as fun, rubbish rev range.
Some diesels maybe be quick but not exciting to rev.

mcwhirter

Side Show Bob wrote: »

Audi A8 4.2 diesel will eat anything!

Yeah but the driver will be eating nowt since all the money goes on tax.:D

Shane732

Jesus how can 130 - 170 bhp cars be considered high performance?! For that matter how can a 320 be considered high performance? I drive a 320i and believe me it's not high performance....

Screw the the 50mpg on the motorway - it's a sin to be getting that type of mpg. The absolute max you should be getting is 30!!

http://www.carzone.ie/search/Nissan/350Z/COUPE-3./201109201424799/advert?channel=CARS

Matt Simis

Shane732 wrote: »

Jesus how can 130 - 170 bhp cars be considered high performance?!

In fairness once you add on "for a diesel" you get 170bhp to the "high performance" category, or at least reasonably as the title says.

Tea 1000

Side Show Bob wrote: »

Audi A8 4.2 diesel will eat anything!

No it won't. At 5.9 secs for the older one to 60, and I think the new one at 5.2, it will be beaten by anything that can do 0-60 in 5.1 or less. Plenty of cars that can do that.
A Bugatti Veyron will eat anything from the lights, even a superbike.

misty24

<snip>

mcwhirter

Tea 1000 wrote: »

No it won't. At 5.9 secs for the older one to 60, and I think the new one at 5.2, it will be beaten by anything that can do 0-60 in 5.1 or less. Plenty of cars that can do that.
A Bugatti Veyron will eat anything from the lights, even a superbike.

What about a Ducati. it would be close

mcwhirter

misty24 wrote: »

<snip>.

expensive for an 02, even with 3 screens

misty24

they are priced with bigger miles with 2,000 stereo and not rempped at approx 7-9000