See, this is what I really like here. A sensible debate, well constructed arguments, people always willing to take on board other points of view.
Johnfrog, my apologies for missing out accountants earlier !
Avant, no, I don't think there are any really smooth 4-pot diesels out there. The BMW 20d in the 5 series is pretty good, though that's probably due to the additional soundproofing, better isolation for engine mounts, etc., as it certainly has a level of coa***ness in the 3 series. I'd imagine the same would apply to the 4-pot diesels in the Jag XF (over the XE), E class (over C class) and A6 (over A4).
Also, I think the market still prices diesels as they do because of the perceived fuel savings, rather than any anticipated longevity / reliability. For someone doing 3-400 miles a week, they see the amount of fuel they put in the tank as their big expense, because they do that every week.
As an example, a 320d doing 53mpg, or a 320i doing 32mpg (both figures from realmpg part of the site not fantasy 'official' figures). The fuel savings in that case for 300mpw are roughly £16.50 per week, or in excess of £800 a year. Go up to 20k miles a year, and it's in excess of £20 every single week.
Much as skidpan, we had a 118d. At that time, the diesels were only slightly more expensive than the petrol variants. It does seem that the manufacturers have decided to take considerably more profit margin for themselves, pricing up the diesels to suit the demand for them. Do bear in mind that the 118d's being mentioned (2007/2008) were DPF equipped too, so no real argument for later ones having the additional emissions gear fitted, and that pushing the price up.
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