BMW X5 M50d, 2019, 52k, £42,990
As electrified cars of all shapes and sizes, be they mild-hybrid petrols, plug-ins or dedicated BEVs, take market precedence, so the production and availability of diesel cars has contracted. In the UK it seems like their card has been marked for a long while now, rightly or wrongly, and the disappearance of oil-burning models from many manufacturer line-ups has been swift. BMW, for so long the diesel doyen in the UK, doesn’t offer the 3 Series or 5 Series with anything but petrol or electric power (or a combination of the two) now. And it really did make some great diesels not so long ago, smooth and supremely powerful. The M50d was the top of the tree, complete with four (!) turbos by the end of its life, 400hp and 561lb ft. Plus 40mpg. This one’s in a classy spec with full BMW history. The perfect family SUV to sit alongside the Bugatti EB110 in your quad turbo garage.
Bentley Bentayga V8, 2017, 59k, £57,948
The VW empire has always been a great source of staggering diesel engines. Be they teeny tiny ones, like the 800cc two-cylinder that powered that wonderful XL1, or monsters in the form of the V10 and V12 TDIs, it could always be relied on for memorable derv powerplants. Arguably the V8 TDI, first launched in the Audi SQ7 and later found in Porsches and Bentleys, was its crowning glory: the electric compressor tech meant a near-total elimination of lag, and all the benefits of diesel without one of the major drawbacks. Torque was rated at 664lb ft from 1,000rpm, which looked like a misprint, right up until feeling something like a Bentayga diesel accelerate with the unstoppable momentum of an asteroid. It was immense, and a great fit for the Bentley’s long-legged nature. This one even has the smaller (20-inch) wheels for maximum comfort and efficiency…
Mercedes E400d Coupe, 2022, 19k, £42,740
To its credit, Mercedes continues to offer diesel in a few of its new models - the latest mild-hybrid 450d is an absolute jewel of an oil burner in fact, smoother than hollandaise yet strong as an ox. Furthermore, with some Benz hybrids and EVs not quite hitting the mark for the moment, so the unruffled and (relatively) uncomplicated nature of a recent diesel might appeal. The luxury and ease of readily available torque offered by a diesel suits the plush attitude of most Mercedes, which is why when it gets electrification right at the moment it all feels so satisfying. Models like this E400d use fundamentally the same OM656 twin-turbo diesel as used in the current 450s, albeit without the mild-hybrid boost. Still, it should be good for 340hp and 516lb ft, more than enough for effortless all-day ‘bahnstorming. Or taking the stress out of the motorway at least. This late (2022), top-of-the-range coupe still looks new with less than 20k - it’s yours for the price of an A250e.
Skoda Fabia vRS TDI LE, 2007, 108k, £5,995
Once upon a time, people would have said that diesels would never make classics: too dirty, too coarse, simply not desirable enough to be covetable two decades down the line. And a classic diesel Skoda? Impossible. Yet here we are, 22 years after the launch of the Fabia vRS powered by the venerable 1.9 PD, with the cars still loved by many - and values above its petrol-powered successor. While some of that can be explained by the smarter styling of the original Fab and the unreliability of the later vRSes, the powertrain undoubtedly played a role: the TDI made for a genuinely rapid little hatch, as well as one that cost buttons to run. And would outlive us all - so people like them. Not being as keen as a Mini Cooper didn’t matter with 50mpg and a ton of torque. The run-out limited editions, like this one, are the most desirable, with unique paint and leather. Negotiate an MOT into the deal and this could be £5k - don’t be surprised if it stays there.
VW Passat BiTDI GT, 2016, 46k, £15,990
A diesel derivative that has mostly passed us by but is well worth a look if you're bargain-hunting. The twin-turbo 2.0-litre unit was VW's respectable go at mimicking the output of bigger capacity oil burners, and created a few unexpectedly fast saloons, estates and SUVs in the process. Take this one: to all intents and purposes a very ordinary silver Passat saloon, but one with 150mph potential thanks to 240hp, 369lb ft, all-wheel drive and a seven-speed DSG. Plus, officially, more than 50mpg - so potentially the perfect long-distance machine. Maximum ground covering ability, minimum fuss and attention. Though generally believed to be less troublesome than earlier, less powerful versions of the engine, two turbos are still potentially twice the trouble. Still, half as many as the X5, though - and apparently 300hp is very easily achievable…
Land Rover Discovery Commercial D350, 2025, £64,990 plus VAT
It was a sad day when Land Rover had to stop selling the V8 diesel. The glumness didn’t last long, however, because the 3.0-litre, straight-six replacement is a mighty lump. Comparable performance, improved efficiency and less weight in the nose are all wins; even a straight six snarl works in place of V8 rumble. With the petrol versions less charming than they used to be now the supercharger has gone, wherever an Ingenium diesel is available it’s the pick of the range. Especially in D350 guise, with a proper turn of speed alongside good manners and decent economy. While a Discovery Commercial is a niche installation of the engine, with just the two seats and a massive load bay for 516lb ft to move, what a business buy it could be. Cooler than a pick-up, that’s for sure. As happy at Costco as Claridges, in theory.
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