Harry said:
But the 1.9 CDTi (150) is more powerful than some petrol engines, and
can accommodate very different driving styles to the 2.0 DTi (100)
which will affect MPG. Also any common faults affecting MPG on one
engine would not necessarily be appropriate to the other.
The OP was looking for comments on any car with the same engine.
Although this is a Vauxhall group this could include the Alfa 156 1.9
JTD (16V) or the Saab 9-5 1.9TiD whose engines have more in common
with the OP's car than the 2.0 DTi which from personal experience was
just as economical but couldn't pull you out of bed!
If any reader is ever looking for a decent Vauxhall diesel avoid the
old DTi engines and spend a bit extra for the CDTi which have much
better performance and less servicing intervals (up to 30K).
I was just trying to make the point that the engines have virtually the same
mpg. I know the common rail versions can pump more fuel in when requested,
but they are still as economical when cruising, and have a 6 speed box (on
the veccy/siggy at least) - I did think 3000 rpm at 80 was a bit high on
mine, and the 2.0 dti would probably come out 1-2 mpg better than the cdti
if it had a 6 speed box (assuming 6th on the cdti is not the same ratio as
5th on mine).
The Alfa and Saab do have more in common with the OPs engine because they
are the same 1.9 Fiat produced lump.
My 98bhp 2.0 dti signum is no slouch when compared to my last car (136bhp R
reg 2.0 petrol veccy) mainly due to the higher torque and turbo effect on
the dti. I thought it was roughly comparable, and am looking forward to
switching to a 1.9 cdti150 on my next car (probably comparable with my much
missed Astra GSi).
The 1.9cdti is only available on newer models ('04 on the signum), there is
no case of avoiding it if your budget limts you to an '03 model.
The 2.0 dti also has the 30,000 service interval. There was once a maxim of
"diesels are simpler, so last longer", but I would like to know if this is
still true with the more complicated/stressed common rail diesels. (50bhp/L
as opposed to 75bhp/L - look at the service intervals and bhp/L on F1 cars -
a new engine every race!)
Bob