Diesels
Rapid advances in engine technology have seen the popularity of diesel cars soar. Britain’s motorways are packed with businessmen and women charging up the overtaking lanes in typically German or French Turbo Diesel company cars, while in towns and cities diesel powered taxis are king. If you’re trying to make up your mind between diesel and petrol engines, here are some pros and cons!
Better Fuel Economy. Clearly the biggest benefit of ‘oil burners’, some diesels can offer around 55 miles to the gallon; just compare that to a petrol car’s 35mpg.
Lower Maintenance Costs. Diesel engines are rugged by design but diesel itself is also an excellent lubricant, so wear and tear on the engine is significantly reduced.
More Reliable. There’s less to go wrong with a diesel engine, as there are fewer parts and fewer electrical systems. Because diesel engines use ‘combustion ignition’, they don’t even have spark plugs!
Rapid Acceleration. The days of ‘slow’ diesels are far behind us. Despite being heavier, modern Turbo Diesels deliver explosive bursts of torque that most petrol models can’t match. This torque can be further increased with the addition of an after market ‘performance chip’!
Higher Resale Value. While a new diesel car will cost more (typically around £1,000 more), it is also likely to hold it’s value better than a petrol and fetch a respectable price when you want to change it.
So, what’s not to like? There are a few key points which keep true Petrolheads away:
As we all know, alloy wheels can transform a car instantly and dramatically! Replacing your car’s factory fitted 14” steel wheels (and plastic trims) with a striking set of aggressive ‘rims’ can transform your car’s appearance from runabout to ‘coolmobile’!
Surely the ultimate after market modification to anyone’s car is a performance enhancing Nitrous Oxide kit! These astounding kits will turn your car from ‘nice but dim’, into a thundering dragster packing pulse pounding brake horsepower!
It happens to us all eventually. Dents and scratches can appear on our cherished motors overnight. Initially, these unsightly blemishes look like expensive repair jobs; possibly even worth ringing our insurance company about. Think again though, because many small ‘dings’ are removable at a surprisingly low cost, and amazingly quickly.