It is funny that you mention that gas engines are more popular in Switzerland than diesel engines.

All throughout Europe, the CDIs have gained a great momentum, being almost as fast as their gas equivalents with a 25 to 30% gain in fuel economy.

Particulate emissions have also been reduced to equal gas engine's emissions (or even less) and they are definitely quieter and smoother than older generation diesels.

The premium car market is a good example on the matter: sales of the S 320 CDI / S 400 CDI are now splitted 50/50 against their gasoline counterparts (S320/S430/S500), and in some countries in the Union diesels have a higer market share.

The only complaint I have heard about the CDIs is that the diesel quality must be supreme (and I mean top of the line!), if not, a lot of malfunctions and problems with the direct injection system will develop very fast. But this is only applicable to America, I doubt you will find any country in Europe with inferior diesel quality.

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A. Rosich
CL 500, 1998
S 500 L, 1998
E 320 T, 1995 [Sadly sold ]