My dad used to have a E320 petrol. He now drives a 2004 E320cdi. He claims that performance wise, there is very little between the petrol and the diesel versions. Is this true, as i have driven his E320cdi and also his petrol one, and i think the petrol one was much better for performance. Maybe i am just a biased diesel hater. lol.

 

Hmmm, we don't have petrol cars here in the states, but I have driven the CDI E class. All I can say is, the CDI E class does have a lot of power. But I ended up getting an E500.



As much as I like to stick stuff in to things, I like keeping my keys in my pocket.

 

No diesels area available in California, but I know a guy in Canada, that just got new cdi (206 HP) and averages 42 MPH.
Common misunderstanding comparing gasoline and diesel engines is comparing acceleration on the starts.
Diesel engines have heavier components, so the tires burning is seldom going to happen with them. But they have several times bigger torque, that you will notice going on steep hills and high-speed acceleration.
I happened to have Gas Volvo and diesel Merc with the same 112 HP. Volvo would burn tires even on dry pavement, but to keep it going 80 MPH on those 15 miles grades in Sierra, I had to downshift it and keep screaming at 5-6000 RPM.
Diesel will keep the speed at 3000 RPM.
Bottom line, 4-cylinder diesel will pass the car at 60 MPH better, than V6 gasoline in the same model.