What's the best engine?

[barrybritcher]

Diesel V50s

I want a 2008 or newer V50 manual diesel.

What is the best diesel engine?

By best I mean the following...

reliable, ease of diy maintenance,

mpg not important nor is tax as I'm coming from a £555 a year T5 auto which does 24mpg.

[TheDeadDodo]

I've got a 2.0d, as far as diesel engines go it isn't the best economy I don't think. I get average 360-370miles to a tank daily driving (have had higher 380+ish) But if honest not the most economical driving and my daily commute is up and down hills along a country road and not a bypass or motorway.

It's nice and torquey and pulls well. Nice to drive on a motorway on long journeys. I like it, though now after a couple of years am now tempted to map it for a bit more poke and see if I will get slightly better mpg.

I've got a couple of friends who have the 1.6 and slate it for being to slow, though they like the car itself. One swapped to the 2.0 and said its a much better engine.

[dme123]

I'd rate the engines as:

D4>D5>D3>2.0D>D3/1.6D

The five cylinder engines are miles better than the four cylinder ones, and the later 2 litre 5 cylinder engines (D4 and D3) are smoother and more efficient than the 2.4 litre D5.

[T5R92011]

I would say the 5 cylinder D3,D4 and D5 volvo engines in terms of least niggles vs the 1.6d (D2) and 2.0d ford/peugeot diesels.

The overall best 'all rounder' engine in my opinion is the 2.0-litre petrol mazda engine for its blend of mpg, power and being simple to service and for having timing chain that doesnt need replacing.

[dme123]

The 2.0 petrol is a very good engine - I think it's fair to say that it is completely without common issues?

I would suggest that if you're used to the torque and low end lazy driving of a low pressure turbo T5 or any half decent turbodiesel then it'll feel quite anemic. NASP engines are great when they're very large or fitted to sportscars, for load luggers there is a lot to be said for forced induction.

[Freyja]

In my experiences I think the D5 is the best engine.

Had that in a 2003 S60, and now my 2008 C70. It's a fantastic smooth and fuel efficient engine.

[lockstock]

Originally Posted by barrybritcher

Diesel V50s

I want a 2008 or newer V50 manual diesel.

What is the best diesel engine?

By best I mean the following...

reliable, ease of diy maintenance,

mpg not important nor is tax as I'm coming from a £555 a year T5 auto which does 24mpg.

coming from a T5, all but the D5 will disappoint you. So set your expectations.

That being said, the 2l petrol is the most reliable cost effective engine. It has enough power to overtake and revs nicely. As a comparrison. a well set up VAG 1.8T engine feels lively and sporty. A T5 has this feeling of torque and low down power. The 2l petrol feels more like a low powered 1.8T.

I have had some minor gripes at 80k milleage, (engine mounts) was only engine related stuff. Routine maintenance though, I think I have a vacuum leak, which is going to be a pig as the PCV is behind the intake manifold. But with regular oil changes the 2l petrol seems bullet proof, and if you can diy, most stuff is cheap to fix. i.e. rocker cover gasket. common failue. cheap diy, expensive at a Stealership....

[barrybritcher]

yea I would fancy the D4 or D3 but these are the newest ones so I think for my budget I will have to get 5cyl Diesel D5 / 2.4D

[lockstock]

Originally Posted by barrybritcher

yea I would fancy the D4 or D3 but these are the newest ones so I think for my budget I will have to get 5cyl Diesel D5 / 2.4D

budget for expensive dpf issues. The D5 is the superior engine anyway, from what I've read

[dme123]

Originally Posted by lockstock

budget for expensive dpf issues. The D5 is the superior engine anyway, from what I've read

The 2.0D may come with the rubbish "wet" DPF system that required EOLYS fluid every 36K miles or so and a new DPF ever 72K miles but the dry system in the others has proven to be long lived and trouble free for the vast majority of people, particularly if you're actually using the diesel engine in the way it was intended to be used rather than idling through traffic for 4 miles a day.

I certainly had no DPF issues up to 150k+ with my C70 D5. Of course the DPF won't last forever, but according to VIDA the soot loading on mine was still very low after a regen.