In message , Zathras 
 writes
>> Try a Bentley Turbo R back to back with a Merc diesel
>
>A Bentley! Not even knowing which Merc you're comparing it too, that
>comparison sounds a bit too much like apples and oranges.
>
>>and you'll be shocked at how agricultural the diesel engines power
>>delivery is - even compared to a 20 odd year old petrol.

>
>But I dare say a lot of petrols don't compare well with that motor
>either so I don't see the use of that argument.
IME, even the Audi's that used the same v8 lump as the Rolls Royce and 
Bentley didn't drive as smoothly as the Crewe built stuff.
>

-- 
Clint Sharp

Albert T Cone  gurgled happily, sounding much like
they were saying:

> On balance, given a similar power output, I'd take the diesel - it's
> just a more relaxed way to get the same performance.  Given a similar
> peak torque, I'd take the petrol, every time.

'course, that's the crux of the argument.

I'd far rather drive a long-stroke torquey slogger of a petrol engine 
than a short-stroke revvy buzzbox.