BMW 5 Series Diesel

I really wanted to hate the 120 when we got it. But after driving it, I was really surprised at how good a car it is and actually couldn't really fault it.

I was the same with the 520D, but can't really fault it. I would choose the 5 for doing long journeys over the other 2 cars in the drive. It does what I think it was designed to do and as I've said, it really is the quietest diesel I've ever driven/heard.

I was taken around Knockhill in a GT 1.9jtd a couple of years ago. In comparison, the noise of the engine was very intrusive in the GT.

I prefer Alfas, but so far, I get the impression that they are falling behind the cars they are trying to compete with. Which is a real shame

Come on, the GT and a 5 Series aren't exactly in competition with each other. Of course the 5 series is going to be more quietened down, its an executive-class cruiser. The GT is a comparatively lightweight coupe with frameless windows, of course it will be noisier.

Comparing a GT to a 120d coupe would be a fairer comparison.

Who said I was comparing the GT to the 5 ??

While we are at it. The 1 series diestle uses the same engine that is in the 5, so, it will still be the quieteset diesel engine I have heard/driven, which still makes the GT 1.9jtd engine intrusive with it's noise.

I don't see what your complaint is ??

Originally Posted by marlon

Who said I was comparing the GT to the 5 ??

While we are at it. The 1 series diestle uses the same engine that is in the 5, so, it will still be the quieteset diesel engine I have heard/driven, which still makes the GT 1.9jtd engine intrusive with it's noise.

I don't see what your complaint is ??

No I mean you said the 5 was quiet, whereas the GT was loud. That's a comparison you have made between the two, I am saying its not a fair comparison.

I don't think its down to how much noise the engine produces alone, but how much gets through to the cabin. I assume you were making your noise comparison from being sat in the car, not stood outside it while it was ticking over. There will be a lot more sound-proofing in the 5 series, which is why it will sound quieter.

The engine itself might also be louder or quieter but you can't really suggest one or the other as the 1.9 JTD and BMW 2.0 have never both been in the same car, to make it a fair test of "who has the quietest engine", and not a combination of that and "who has the most soundproofed car"..

I was making the noise comparison from outside the car.

The new Wubbly diesel is extremely quiet. I am still a bit shocked at how quiet it is. You can still tell it's a diesel and even on the road, the "feel" of the car tells you it isn't petrol. If I get a chance, I'll try and record the engine at idle from outside.

Just to add...does GT not stand for Grand Tourer or something ?? If so, then I'd say the Alfa GT should be on a par with the 5 series as a tourer. That goes for everything from ride, seating etc through to intrusion of engine noise. But that's my opinion of course. The GT is still on my list of maybe's, but it would be petrol if I got one