Diesel to petrol? No thanks!!

[ali]

I've just sold my E91 LCi 330d which had 240 bhp and 520nm.
Been back in the E46 B3 with 284bhp and 335nm for a good few miles this week.
I much prefer the B3, On the A roads and B roads it is a quicker machine, overall acceleration it is quicker and doesn't run out of puff at 5k rpm but comes alive. Not to mention the aural pleasure it delivers too. The E91 was a very functional object but has no charisma Yet another bland derv lump that left me uninspired.
Petrol for me every time now

[PhillV8S]

This reminds me of a time I had a test ride of my first 600cc 4 cylinder sports bike many years ago. Until this point I had only had Ducati V-twin engined bikes which have more low down torque and are lower revving than the in line 4 bikes. I spent the test ride wondering why the bike seemed gutless as I was going on engine noise to judge revs and thought the Rev counter was faulty. It was only on the last part of the ride I tried to hold the throttle open long enough to get to the powerband of the bike that it woke up (and scared the c@#p out of me). Lesson learned, different engines can have very different power delivery characteristics.

[Metrics]

Absolutely Phil. Same argument used to be had about the Mk2 Golf GTI - 8V v 16V. People used to say the 16V felt gutless and so the 8V was the better daily. The 16V didn't really lack torque, just didn't produce as much low down.

My V8S always impresses me with the low down torque it produces, and that's after driving my D5 BT as a daily drive. As fantastic as the D engine is, it's ultimately souless - it's the nature of diesel unfortunately. The V8 on the other hand is just overflowing with character.

[RufRt12]

One last thing to mention is that, to me, the weight advantage of the petrol over the diesel wasn't as noticeable either.
Maybe I'm just being biased seeing as my car's served me well over the past year it's only that I had very high hopes of the B3 blowing my socks off.

[octanejunkie]

The D3 is a monster. Can't say i'm surprised you were disappointed. Diesels have their torque in a much more accessible place for normal driving.
I love that "woosh" that you get from a big diesel. Having said i also love the roar from a BMW petrol straight six.. Annnnd, i love the .50 cal rumble off a V8.

for me personally, my favorite is a normally aspirated straight six when it comes to BMW's. Nobody else makes them, or has made them like that.
Thats one of the great things about BMW. Such a great range of engines across all the spectrum's, and they're all the best in the business.

[Hector's Dad]

If you press on in a B3, is the sound of the engine not drowned by the slurping of fuel going from tank to engine?

[ade and liz flint]

If you press on in a B3, is the sound of the engine not drowned by the slurping of fuel going from tank to engine?

Almost! I find 540Nm is ample to pull my fuel tank around: cannot imagine wanting any more and the LSD is essential at this torque level.

I think I'll save my money and just invest a couple of grand on a LSD conversion instead.

Quaife. £1630 fitted.

[RufRt12]

Quaife. £1630 fitted.

Is that through Birds as I remember enquiring with them last December and, once he checked my reg, I’m sure he mentioned a shade over £2000.

[ade and liz flint]

Quaife. £1630 fitted.

Is that through Birds as I remember enquiring with them last December and, once he checked my reg, I’m sure he mentioned a shade over £2000.

James @ Birds. Most are £1630 all inc.....maybe yours is 'a special'

[simon13]

you need a bit more time RUF to get back into the petrol swing. The torque may lack a bit but the BHP certainly isn't. Feeling faster isn't always faster