http://www.carpages.co.uk/honda/honda-accord-review-part-1-16-04-05.asp

James ! Did you ever make it over to a dealer, kick the tires and ask the service folks how the diesels are running and holding up over time?

Hi kbd.

No sorry I didn't, but I did ring them to arrange a test drive only to be told they dont make an auto version. :( so I lost interest at that point. Thats the main reason for posting the above info.. It gives a more comprehensive report than you would have gotten from me so its all good I hope.. :)

As to its popularity here, the price is the problem, it is in direct competition with the big German diesels and they are very very impressive with more onboard toys than my dog could chew up in a week.. lol.. The other problem is, in that price bracket the car has to be auto, no ones going to pay that sort of money and have to fool around with a gear stick and clutch pedal all day every day.. :( ... :dunno:

With it being a short-stroke, lower compresion, higher revving engine than the other diesels it is also an uknown as far as long term reliability issues are concerned.. Diesel fans (like me) prefer the slower revving robust old engines that have been putting up huge mileages here, and right across Europe for many years..

I think Hondas idea was to make the car sound and behave more like a petrol engine, but I think it will end up falling between the two markets, and with no auto available ..... It could be the kiss of death as far as sales here go... :dunno:
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I'd be surprised if it's not extremely long lived, even their gas (petrol) engines are extremely durable. However, automatic transmissions are not Honda's forte', especially lately on this side, so because of the high torque available from a deisel, Honda may have taken the safe route, offering a manual only, until they get a stronger unit.

Hopefully, you were just the test ground for future units to be shipped here. If so, you can bet it'll have an auto over here.

Maybe a CVT or DSG is in their future. How are these types of units holding up over there in other makers products?

With it being a short-stroke, lower compresion, higher revving engine than the other diesels it is also an uknown as far as long term reliability issues are concerned.. Diesel fans (like me) prefer the slower revving robust old engines that have been putting up huge mileages here, and right across Europe for many years...
Not sure why high RPM should be associated with lousy durability, never had any problems with high RPM Honda's here. Toyota...different story.

Generally, Diesels are high compression, long stroke engines, and ignition is a constant pressure process, not constant volume in an auto cycle.

Honda's system is more of a dual system and I can see where this idea of lack of reliability come into play.

Generally, diesels are more reliable b/c the parts are made to withstand much more torque. I extra metal in the engines caused them to last longer.

I am sure Honda has a great little engine on their hands. If they brought that over here, I'd be tempted to jump. (especially if it was in something as nice as the TSX).

>>Maybe a CVT or DSG is in their future. How are these types of units holding up over there in other makers products?<<

CVT-DSG Erm what are they exactly? abreviations often cause delays or confusion and even moreso in my case as I am not familiar with those used in the USA.. In the UK and Europian car forums, forums like Citroen, Peugeot, BMW, Audi, etc, nearly all operate a "plain speak" policy as for many readers English is NOT their first language.. :)

Steve hit the nail on the head with his comments, Honda havent made a normal tried and tested type of diesel angine, they have made a sort of cross between a petrol and a diesel engine, so people here are going to wait to see how long they last, and how well they perform before buying one..

My next diesel auto will be either Rover (engine made by BMW) Audi, Merc, Bmw, or maybe another Citroen ZX. And it will be at least 10 years old. :thmsup:
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CVT---Continuously Variable Transmission
DSG---Direct Sequential Gear Transmission (computer controlled manual, no left pedal...think Formula 1)

I believe quite a few manufacturers offer the CVTs in your market but, I'm not sure they're offered on deisels (definitely not on a 10 year old model).

I believe BMW has a DSG available but again, not sure about on a deisel.
VW/Audi may also have one, I don't follow VW much.


On the engine front, if I remember correctly, Honda put their best senior engineer on the deisel project. He was the guy that implemented VTEC for Honda engines and is well respected industry wide.

Honda got access to Isuzu deisel technology quite a few years ago in a technology exchange with GM. I think they learned what they could about the existing deisel tech and went about trying to improve upon it. It's Honda way, study and improve. There is no better engine manufacturer in the world IMHO. But, maybe it's time to subcontract their autotrannys to Aisin Warner.

Hi According2me. :)

CVT erm never heard of it, I only drive em I don't look inside their gearboxes.. :D Seriously though I have no idea what they are, who makes them, or how they work. :blush:

DSG.. Hm we have *paddle* thingies on the steering wheels in some modern cars for gear changing, but i have yet to hear from anyone who likes driving them.. :( as for the new so called auto-x-manual things, Jean hired one (brand new) it was terrible! Just like being in a manual thats being driven by a first day learner!! Noooo way i would ever own one of those.. :thumbsdow I think it was Vauxhall of some sort, a very small, pretty basic one, 1400cc "Nova" maybe?.. Yukk !!!!

I like old things, and am always the last to change cars. even my hi-fi is a 15 year old "Quad" system. Brilliant, warm, valve type, sounds from it though. :yes: Same with PC's really, I kept WIN98se, installed long after WinXP pro came out.. "Better the devil you know" .. heh heh...
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