Diesel Car Magazine
Discussion
I wasn't going to admit this, but whilst sitting in the doctors waiting room this morning I flicked through a copy of Diesel Car Magazine (I know, but it was the only car related mag there) and two things amused me enough to post.
1, Quote from Volvo Estate test "when pressing on, the exhaust emits a beautiful sporty burble". Yeah right
2, Letters page. Montego Diesel Estate owner asks what to do with his pride and joy as seems a bit down on power. Answer - "..drive it straight to the scrap yard"
Cheers,
JSG.
1, Quote from Volvo Estate test "when pressing on, the exhaust emits a beautiful sporty burble". Yeah right
2, Letters page. Montego Diesel Estate owner asks what to do with his pride and joy as seems a bit down on power. Answer - "..drive it straight to the scrap yard"
Cheers,
JSG.
Well I've just sold a TVR Chimeara and have a big diesel Merc saloon on order.
To be specific its an E320 CDi. Its top speed is just about the same as the Chimaera. Its accelerates through the gears almost the same if not quicker. It has almost 200BHP and 320 ft/lb of torque. And it can get 48mpg on a motorway.
On top of all that it will probably depreciate less than most other cars on the road. And its rear wheel drive, has all the necessary toys (air, cruise, leather) and to me looks the part too.
Maybe I'm just getting old, but I havn't missed the TVR one little bit....
To be specific its an E320 CDi. Its top speed is just about the same as the Chimaera. Its accelerates through the gears almost the same if not quicker. It has almost 200BHP and 320 ft/lb of torque. And it can get 48mpg on a motorway.
On top of all that it will probably depreciate less than most other cars on the road. And its rear wheel drive, has all the necessary toys (air, cruise, leather) and to me looks the part too.
Maybe I'm just getting old, but I havn't missed the TVR one little bit....
quote:
To be specific its an E320 CDi. Its top speed is just about the same as the Chimaera. Its accelerates through the gears almost the same if not quicker. It has almost 200BHP and 320 ft/lb of torque. And it can get 48mpg on a motorway.
Parkers online gives E320 CDi 8.3 seconds 0-60 top speed 143MPH. You must have had something wrong with your Chimaera if this is better.....
I'll concede the MPG though
cheers,
Craig
TVR claimed 155 (I think) for the Chimaera. In reality mine (and many others I drove) started to feel uncomfortable at anything over 135-140. The Merc is stable as hell right up to its maximum - so in reality from point to point it'll be just as fast if not faster. Take into account the fact that I won't be stopping for fuel every 200 miles and the Merc beats the TVR every time.
By 'through the gears' I meant acceleration once you are moving, not 0-60 (which clearly is way slower in a car weighing 1760KG).
OK, its also a bit of a tank. :-)
And I'm getting old. :-(
>> Edited by spnracing on Thursday 30th May 15:14
By 'through the gears' I meant acceleration once you are moving, not 0-60 (which clearly is way slower in a car weighing 1760KG).
OK, its also a bit of a tank. :-)
And I'm getting old. :-(
>> Edited by spnracing on Thursday 30th May 15:14
quote:This is 'in gear' acceleration I suppose? So the Tiv's stuck in 5th gear and the Merc kicks down (unavoidably?) ...
According to Autocar magazine (20 Feb 2002 issue but the same figures are in any issue) acceleration times for 50-70mph are;
Merc E320 CDi - 4.0 secs
TVR Chimaera 4.0 - 6.8secs
Smelling a rodent...
Carzee,
I was going to say the same - My understanding is that the E320CDI isnt available in anything other than an auto. Therefore accelleration figures will be skewed as the auto will kick down all of the time. This will show the performance as good as it is, unfairly against things like TVRs.
The Merc is a good car, but not quite the same performance league.
Cheers,
Paul
I was going to say the same - My understanding is that the E320CDI isnt available in anything other than an auto. Therefore accelleration figures will be skewed as the auto will kick down all of the time. This will show the performance as good as it is, unfairly against things like TVRs.
The Merc is a good car, but not quite the same performance league.
Cheers,
Paul
quote:
Carzee,
I was going to say the same - My understanding is that the E320CDI isnt available in anything other than an auto. Therefore accelleration figures will be skewed as the auto will kick down all of the time. This will show the performance as good as it is, unfairly against things like TVRs.
The Merc is a good car, but not quite the same performance league.
Cheers,
Paul
Good point but , as you say it still impresive that a "Diesel" can do what it does so well even if it is a
I can see these are the figures in print, but they don't seem to stand up in the real world - they claim the Cerbera 4.5 does 50-70 in 6.0 and I am sorry, but there is no way, not even in top - as for the Chimaera, if you ever tried to do the 50-70 in top other than in when stuck in traffic you had the wrong car in the first place - you should have been in third and passing the diesel mercedes a while ago. Now if you have to go to Ikea alot or have loads of nippers to ferry I understand the change, but trying to convince us that the decision is made based on them having comparable performance is perhaps a little far fetched.....
Nice car though, my mum has one. If you have the self levelling suspension fitted you can get loads of wine in there and Plod will not spot you on the M20 returning from france
Dan
Nice car though, my mum has one. If you have the self levelling suspension fitted you can get loads of wine in there and Plod will not spot you on the M20 returning from france
Dan
OK, its not a fair comparison (yes, all E320 CDI's are auto's) but it'd be interesting to compare times if the Merc DIDN'T drop a gear. Considering its almost twice the weight, brick shaped and its a diesel I bet it wouldn't be far off at all - since its almost 3 secs quicker when you do include the kick down.
Once I get it I'll find a 4.0 Chimaera out and about somewhere and test this theory out. Or maybe do a TVR track day and see how the Merc compares then. I havn't tried an E class's brakes out yet but if they're as bad as the TVR I'll be returning the thing in disgust...
Once I get it I'll find a 4.0 Chimaera out and about somewhere and test this theory out. Or maybe do a TVR track day and see how the Merc compares then. I havn't tried an E class's brakes out yet but if they're as bad as the TVR I'll be returning the thing in disgust...
quote:
Now if you have to go to Ikea alot or have loads of nippers to ferry I understand the change, but trying to convince us that the decision is made based on them having comparable performance is perhaps a little far fetched.....
Well its all a bit tongue in cheek, the Merc is really replacing a Mundano company car and I sold the TVR because it wasn't getting used enough. And yes - we will have a little nipper to ferry around pretty soon. If I want to go fast I've still got a well sorted Group One Touring Car Golf GTi to have fun in - which needs towing to the circuits, another reason for the Merc.
I only responded really because I noticed the thread slagging off diesels and there's no doubt that a modern common rail turbo version will scare many a petrol engined supposed 'sports car' - including even a TVR if he's caught in the wrong gear.
quote:
Nice car though, my mum has one. If you have the self levelling suspension fitted you can get loads of wine in there and Plod will not spot you on the M20 returning from france
Unfortunately that only comes standard on the estate and costs a fortune on the saloon. I'll have to risk plod...
>> Edited by spnracing on Thursday 30th May 15:54
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