[Bazil]

No really, don't get excited!!

After 3 happy years together, my faithful Audi A6 is finally being changed. It's the longest I've ever had a car - by about 2 years!!!

It's only broken down once in 85,000 miles - after the dealer forgot to reconnect one of the turbo pipes... So I really will be quite sad to see it go.

The good news is that it's Honda Accord time!!!

Basically, I do a reasonable amount of milage, and as I'm a poor as a church mouse, I have to have a diesel. Having heard the motoring press go on about how fabulous Honda's first ever diesel is, I thought I'd have a go!!!

http://www.honda.co.uk/diesel/quotes.html

I bloody hope they're right - as I'm stuck with it from tomorrow!!!

Wish me luck...!!

[Dj Dirk]

bazil
an A6 FOR A HONDA?????
it might be a very good engine
BUT A HONDA?????
i complettely understand wanting to switch to a diesel cuz of high mileage since i also drive diesels
BUT A HONDA AGAINST AN A6 :-?

[4kids3fish]

She'll be sweet Bazil. We've had several Hondas at our place and they have always been good drivers, fun and totally reliable. I didn't know they had a diesel tho! What characteristics does it have (ie rev-band, torque peak, capacity, induction system, etc, etc)

[Bazil]

Seriously - the Honda is really nice!!

I've gone for the Executive version - leather, AC, electric everything, etc. But because I'm quite sad, I've had all the sports version stuff put on it too!!

There's another reason too though. It's a company car, so I have to keep it for 3 years. My wife knows that in the next 3 years I'll want to "upgrade" the 348 to something else, and if I'd gone for an E-Class Merc or 5 series BMW, she'd not have been happy. Also, I'm not into having the same car twice - there's a whole world of cars out there, and I wanted something different - nice though the A6 has been.

We have just moved house too, and there's a lot we need to do to the house over the next couple of years, which will probably cost a small fortune!!

It's all about keeping her happy, and keeping my toy options open!! I'm sure you understand!!! :green:

[Dj Dirk]

Originally Posted by Bazil

It's all about keeping her happy, and keeping my toy options open!! I'm sure you understand!!! :green:

:lol:

i am interested on what you will think of their new diesel and don't forget to show some pics tomorrow :wink:

[Bazil]

Originally Posted by 4kids3fish

She'll be sweet Bazil. We've had several Hondas at our place and they have always been good drivers, fun and totally reliable. I didn't know they had a diesel tho! What characteristics does it have (ie rev-band, torque peak, capacity, induction system, etc, etc)

Reliability is important, and they're meant to be built really well.

The diesel is brand new for Honda - it was only launched last month.

Stats are:

0-60 9.3 secs
Top Speed 132 mph
138bhp at 4,000rpm
251lb ft at 2,000rpm
4,500rpm red line
52.3 average MPG

I'm sure it'll be fine.

[Bazil]

Originally Posted by Dj Dirk

i am interested on what you will think of their new diesel and don't forget to show some pics tomorrow :wink:

I'll let you know my thoughts when I've had a few days driving it. I'll probably take some pics at the weekend.

[wolfeman]

I think you'll like the milage, I own a Jetta TDI, I get @54.5 MPG in the summer and 48.3 in the winter. I stop to get fuel once every 2 weeks.

[Andrew]

Dirk,

In the past year consumer reports found that Japanese cars out scored all German cars across the board. (I'll look for the article and post it). They are more reliable and they are now just as luxrious.

[Stradale]

Excited as a kid, eh Bazil.

You should be have a good relationship with the Honda Accord. Strange that the European Honda is different in shape to the Japanese Honda Accord that we get here in KL. The Accord here has a rounded back.

[Bazil]

Originally Posted by Stradale

Excited as a kid, eh Bazil.

You should be have a good relationship with the Honda Accord. Strange that the European Honda is different in shape to the Japanese Honda Accord that we get here in KL. The Accord here has a rounded back.

Do you have pic? I'm not sure I've seen that.

[Bazil]

Well - it's all gone well so far!!!

8:57am the phone rang to say that it had arrived (as it was delivered to work) which was a good start!!

Went out for half an hour at lunchtime for a little drive. Initial impressions are as follows:

1) I think there must have been a mix up at the factory, and they've actually put a petrol engine in it!!! It's spookily quiet for a diesel. Even at 110mph it's very quiet.

2) I think the petrol engine they've put in it is a V8 - as it's seriously torquey. It's actually really quick. That's probably down to it being more powerful and lighter than my A6.

3) The ride is considerably firmer than my A6 - I think this is largely down to the 17" wheels - which my wife thinks are ugly!!

4) The interior is really nice - although as I sit quite close to the wheel, there's not as much knee room as I'd like.

5) The stereo is excellent.

6) It's about time they launched a diesel Ferrari...

7) I was kidding about (6)

Happy so far - :green:

[Stradale]

I'll find one when I get back.

[4kids3fish]

110mph!! That should get it run-in pretty quickly :lol:

Funny, but I went through the Honda site but couldn't find any reference to the actual capacity of the diesel engine. It is a low-compression (~16:1) variable-nozzle turbo unit, and I'm guessing with 140bhp that it may be 2.5L or so. Any better info avail?

[Bazil]

Originally Posted by 4kids3fish

110mph!! That should get it run-in pretty quickly :lol:

Funny, but I went through the Honda site but couldn't find any reference to the actual capacity of the diesel engine. It is a low-compression (~16:1) variable-nozzle turbo unit, and I'm guessing with 140bhp that it may be 2.5L or so. Any better info avail?

I'm fortunate that we have some quiet roads near work, and to be honest, I just had to see how quiet it was at speed, as it's almost silent at 60-70.

As the tyres are 225/45 there is quite a bit of noise from the road, but you literally can't hear the engine at all.

The engine is an all aluminium 2.2 litre unit making 140PS (whatever a PS is :-?) which is a bit less than 140bhp.

[Bazil]

Here's a pic - not a very good one I admit, but it's pitch dark outside!!!

And in case you're wondering - yes, the little oil spots (bottom right) are from the Ferrari

[Dj Dirk]

i like that colour with the dark grey rims, that's pretty cool

[Bob348]

i like this honda accord as know as Acura TL in USA ...
And Acura is the luxury division of Honda...
No really nice Bazil, but for me it(ll be with the 2.4 L 200 Hp fuel engine :-)