Member Since: 17 May 2006
Location: Aberdeen
Posts: 15
From the sublime to errr, the less than sublime.
Not sure if this will be interesting to anyone, but my '54 V8 SE auto has been in the dealer for recall work and some extras, and I've had an '06 base 7 seat TDV6 manual as a courtesy car, so I thought I'd offer some observations on the differences....and yes, there are some big differences
First, pleasant surprises....I am, and have always been, a petrolhead, not a smogmaster, and tend to avoid diesel by choice, but this engine was seriously impressive - smooth, torquey and fast. Certainly an adequate substitute for the V8 The ride was slightly sharper than the V8 too, with less lean in the corners, but it lacked the smooth rolling over all surfaces that the V8 is so good at, with a few crashes over the bigger holes that the V8 would have floated over. Maybe the tweaks and changes (if any) between a 54 and an 06 However, I did miss the instant push of power from the normally aspirated eight, as the turbo unit always felt as if it was trying to catch up with the input from my right foot.
Did I miss the toys on the SE? Surprisingly not, the only one I really missed was the PDC as reversing a vehicle this big, takes skill and care that sometimes I don't have the time to spend. It still has climate, electric windows and mirrors etc etc, so for everyday driving, I didn't miss the rest as much as I expected.
It also made a change to see a 2 at the beginning of the average mpg readout
So, would I swop? This is where heart over-ruled head Maybe it is my personal prejudice, but I could still hear the diesel rattle, quiet though this engine is in comparison to some. I also got caught out several times off boost - my own lack of skill, I know - but when the turbo is not on song, it felt a bit of a slug. Also, the manual gearbox is just not as clever as the auto (more like the operator, really ) and could sometimes be a bit reluctant to engage third, preferring fifth.
But, by far the biggest problem were those seats - as an ex-rugby playing number 8, I'm 6'7" and brick outhouse, and I simply could not get comfortable - the SE seats were in a different league.
So to the overall verdict. (Cue drumroll ).
For a confimed V8 fan, the TDV6 is the closest I have come to giving in to the charms of 28 mpg, but in the end I couldn't do it, the V8 is just sooo good. If it had swung the other way (ooer) it would have had to be an SE or above, because those seats would have crippled me in a few days.
Hope that was useful for someone.
Jon
13th Jun 2006 7:34 am
oaktree
Member Since: 17 May 2006
Location: Aberdeen
Posts: 15
Interesting reading...... I wonder if the same sentiments would be echoed on a like-for-like basis. Take a test drive in an 06MY SE TDV6 Auto and I think you may be swayed. I used to have an ES V8 and I certainly wouldn't swap for it now. 8)
If you would like to 'line them up' on the A90 some quiet evening then a wager may be called for.....
BTW, At which point do I have to tell you about my Turbochip
14th Jun 2006 9:56 pm
DG Site Moderator
Member Since: 12 Dec 2005
Location: The Gaff
Posts: 50934
JMC wrote:
BTW, At which point do I have to tell you about my Turbochip
Is that the same Turbochip that produces more black smoke than the Buncefield fire out the back of the motor ....... 21 year LR veteran > D2 GS 2003 > D3 S 2006 > D3 HSE 2009 > D4 HSE 2013 > D4 HSE 2015 > D5 HSE 2018 > DS HSE R-Dynamic P300e 2021
Re: From the sublime to errr, the less than sublime.
oaktree wrote:
my '54 V8 SE auto
Wow, a 1954 model!!
Over 50 years later and the japs still haven't caught up! Have a nice day!
2010 Cayenne Diesel with PASM & Off Road Pkg
2005 HSE D3 (Sold)
15th Jun 2006 2:03 am
Ken
Member Since: 20 Feb 2006
Location: Here
Posts: 10865
dickgriff wrote:
Is that the same Turbochip that produces more black smoke than the Buncefield fire out the back of the motor .......
Why do you think TC causes a little smoke DG
15th Jun 2006 7:13 am
oaktree
Member Since: 17 May 2006
Location: Aberdeen
Posts: 15
Well thankee kindly for thy replies.....
JMC - you're on......I'll bet in Sport mode, turbochip or no turbochip, you'll still be hearing the rumble from my exhaust But not on the A90 - it would take too long to find a stretch that wasn't on film And we'd have to make it a quarter mile sprint, as anything longer and I'll be needing more fuel......
Too far from my pipeline, you see DSL
Anyway, DG and DSL, you'll all have the last laugh when it comes to selling time - I have a funny feeling I will be keeping this one for a long, long time
Jon
15th Jun 2006 7:15 am
DG Site Moderator
Member Since: 12 Dec 2005
Location: The Gaff
Posts: 50934
Ken2463 wrote:
dickgriff wrote:
Is that the same Turbochip that produces more black smoke than the Buncefield fire out the back of the motor .......
Why do you think TC causes a little smoke DG
Because my motor was cloaked by your 'smokefest' when following you down the A1 Ken 21 year LR veteran > D2 GS 2003 > D3 S 2006 > D3 HSE 2009 > D4 HSE 2013 > D4 HSE 2015 > D5 HSE 2018 > DS HSE R-Dynamic P300e 2021
15th Jun 2006 9:19 am
Ken
Member Since: 20 Feb 2006
Location: Here
Posts: 10865
Ahh but it wasn't chipped it was between chips All sorted now no soot!
Thanks Chris Is it possible to have a demi chip
15th Jun 2006 9:22 am
DG Site Moderator
Member Since: 12 Dec 2005
Location: The Gaff
Posts: 50934
Ken2463 wrote:
Ahh but it wasn't chipped it was between chips All sorted now no soot!
Thanks Chris Is it possible to have a demi chip
So if it was between chips does that mean that the engine was displaying some kind of 'injury' smoke as a result of being chipped previously??21 year LR veteran > D2 GS 2003 > D3 S 2006 > D3 HSE 2009 > D4 HSE 2013 > D4 HSE 2015 > D5 HSE 2018 > DS HSE R-Dynamic P300e 2021
15th Jun 2006 9:29 am
Ken
Member Since: 20 Feb 2006
Location: Here
Posts: 10865
Not sure but there is a noticeable reduction in smoke (ie I can see in my rear view mirror)
I'm sure it will puff a small amount but nothing like at the weekend
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The ride was slightly sharper than the V8 too, with less lean in the corners, but it lacked the smooth rolling over all surfaces that the V8 is so good at, with a few crashes over the bigger holes that the V8 would have floated over. Maybe the tweaks and changes (if any) between a 54 and an 06 
However, I did miss the instant push of power from the normally aspirated eight, as the turbo unit always felt as if it was trying to catch up with the input from my right foot.
Maybe it is my personal prejudice, but I could still hear the diesel rattle, quiet though this engine is in comparison to some. I also got caught out several times off boost - my own lack of skill, I know - but when the turbo is not on song, it felt a bit of a slug. Also, the manual gearbox is just not as clever as the auto (more like the operator, really 
) and could sometimes be a bit reluctant to engage third, preferring fifth.
).
