Golf R /RD

[drisser]

Likewise...

petrol engines are becoming so efficient and do everything so well, throw in the fact diesel is more expensive and you need to do a lot of miles to justify it..

[mcmaddy]

that used to be the case but not any more. GTD costs less than the GTI and even doing 5000 miles a year its still cheaper to run. 5-6p a litre more is more than outweighed by the possible 20mpg difference.

[Poached]

Any torque advantage the Diesel has at the flywheel is somewhat cancelled out by the petrol's ability to rev longer.

Remember its torque at the wheels that counts.

HP = Torque x RPM ÷ 5252

[Gryzor]

that used to be the case but not any more. GTD costs less than the GTI and even doing 5000 miles a year its still cheaper to run. 5-6p a litre more is more than outweighed by the possible 20mpg difference.

He didn't say that diesel cars cost more than petrol cars, just the fuel itself, and he's right, when you are at this level of spend on a car, if the difference between affordability comes down to needing diesel...  This old horse can get beaten to death though, we all have our reasons for getting what we have and justifying it.

[drisser]

just check the 0-60 or 0-100 times on GTi v GTD or any petrol v diesel like for like.  Tells you all you need to know really.  Yes, in gear accel of sporty diesels is impressive but the short rev range drives me mad.. What i love about petrol turbo is the best of both, real low end grunt that gradually gives way to top end power.

Would anyone buy a GTD for ONLY the way it drives, if fuel cost / economy was of no consideration ?  Unlikely I think, mainly because most cars are going down the route of lower capacity turbo engine v 6 cyl larger ones a few years ago, which brings the benefit of flat torque curve from low revs (think the GTi develops max torque at 1500 to 4000 rpm or so) so the once true argument that a turbo D gives in gear flexibility that petrol doesn't .. is no longer really true.. 

Put you foot down in 4th in the Gti (or any decent turbo petrol) at 1500 revs and its all the acceleration you need.

[Gryzor]

I'm sure that all things being equal, if the only difference between petrol and diesel was the way it drove, I'm sure a much lower percentage of people would go for it.  It's all about the fuel economy really, and like lots of things, it means more to some people than others.

[KyleB]

I'd of gone for the GTi but the running costs of the GTD are a massive bonus. Similar (albeit nit as good) performance, same looks but £20 a year road tax and 60mpg is the big big draw factor.

[Thornster]

Did this start off as Golf R related?!? 

Turning into another GTI vs GTD thread!

[Bill_the_Bear]

Did this start off as Golf R related?!? 

Turning into another GTI vs GTD thread!

All threads eventually turn into GTI vs GTD, heh heh

[Gryzor]

I'd of gone for the GTi but the running costs of the GTD are a massive bonus. Similar (albeit nit as good) performance, same looks but £20 a year road tax and 60mpg is the big big draw factor.

Similar looks...

You're right Bear, GTI v GTD is always going to be inevitable! 

Bringing it somewhat back on track, I honestly think that if they priced it out of the mainstream, a performance diesel R that had wicked performance and great economy, I'd welcome it.  Not that I'd buy it, but things are going to go that way.