Thought I'd nick the idea from BBS as my beast is still in the garage 
TBF most of the observations in this will be about the engine as everything else on the car is exactly the same as mine other than the crazy rear entry portal things.
Been driving about in it most of the day and I'm actually pretty impressed when I got in and started it up this morning my heart sank somewhat as I hadn't been told it was a diesel, anyone in the history in the universe who has used the phrase you really can't tell its a diesel needs their ears syringing. However its not unpleasant by any means and is quite subdued, my petrol is alot quieter at idle without the slight vibrations but on the move there not much in it really both cars growl at you if you prod them, although the petrol is more sporty quiteter and less harsh.
I put 7 quid of diesel in it (I remembered not to use the green one!!!) then realised that 7 quid of unleaded usually gets me about 80 miles so I literally had fuel to burn. Decided on way home to hit some back roads hard, I wanted to see if it was nose heavy. Answer is no its accurate, grippy, and fun exactly the same as the petrol although rides slightly harder. Although thinking about it TBF the 1.3 is a smaller unit than my 1.5 so it was an odd thing to expect really.
Both have same interior problems despite diesel being a facelift 08 and mine being an 06, I.e. left door doesn't blend into dash properly and glovebox doesn't fit. But otherwise nice interior imho.
The power delivery is the main difference between in the two. If i'm honest if you were to test drive them back to back given a short urban route you would probably come to the conclusion the diesel is the faster car. The way it delivers the power makes it feel surprisingly quick, has a somewhat lag...lag...Ignite procedure which gives you a (slightly shortlived) shove in the back compared to the petrol car. It does solve one of my main annoyances with the 1.5 petrol 40 to 60 pulling onto the motor way you can leave it in 5th and torque surf, Whereas 1.5 its time for third gear. However on th open road its not the same story diesel runs out of puff rapidly above 60mph whereas the petrol would just be getting into its stride.
All in all not a bad car although and the torque is nice, feels faster than 13.7 seconds to 60 would suggest but car suits a petrol motor better
TBF most of the observations in this will be about the engine as everything else on the car is exactly the same as mine other than the crazy rear entry portal things.
Been driving about in it most of the day and I'm actually pretty impressed when I got in and started it up this morning my heart sank somewhat as I hadn't been told it was a diesel, anyone in the history in the universe who has used the phrase you really can't tell its a diesel needs their ears syringing. However its not unpleasant by any means and is quite subdued, my petrol is alot quieter at idle without the slight vibrations but on the move there not much in it really both cars growl at you if you prod them, although the petrol is more sporty quiteter and less harsh.
I put 7 quid of diesel in it (I remembered not to use the green one!!!) then realised that 7 quid of unleaded usually gets me about 80 miles so I literally had fuel to burn. Decided on way home to hit some back roads hard, I wanted to see if it was nose heavy. Answer is no its accurate, grippy, and fun exactly the same as the petrol although rides slightly harder. Although thinking about it TBF the 1.3 is a smaller unit than my 1.5 so it was an odd thing to expect really.
Both have same interior problems despite diesel being a facelift 08 and mine being an 06, I.e. left door doesn't blend into dash properly and glovebox doesn't fit. But otherwise nice interior imho.
The power delivery is the main difference between in the two. If i'm honest if you were to test drive them back to back given a short urban route you would probably come to the conclusion the diesel is the faster car. The way it delivers the power makes it feel surprisingly quick, has a somewhat lag...lag...Ignite procedure which gives you a (slightly shortlived) shove in the back compared to the petrol car. It does solve one of my main annoyances with the 1.5 petrol 40 to 60 pulling onto the motor way you can leave it in 5th and torque surf, Whereas 1.5 its time for third gear. However on th open road its not the same story diesel runs out of puff rapidly above 60mph whereas the petrol would just be getting into its stride.
All in all not a bad car although and the torque is nice, feels faster than 13.7 seconds to 60 would suggest but car suits a petrol motor better
