[Asterix]

As my trusty and loved 2008 FD now have done 280,000 km I wanted to replace it with something newer.

Found a 2012 GD Tourer with only 89,000 on the clock and arranged for a testdrive. The car looked fine and drove very well which of course would be expected with nearly 200,000 less wear and tear. But, I didn't get that wauw-feeling I had expected with the change from the 1st generation to 2nd.

Apart form the obvious with the much less worn suspension giving a more smooth ride, I didn't get that feeling of a newer or more refined car. Furthermore, the throttle responce in the GD CRDi is sooo slow compared to my FD, and I always think the FD is not reacting quick enough.

2 things I do like about the GD is the much lower road and engine noise.. 

I didn't buy the car and am no longer sure my beloved FD will be replaced with a GD. Might be time to consider a PD or i40, but carhunting is now put on hold until I'm done with my house renovating.

[Dazzler]

Hi Henning. Yes, I found that when I've driven a GD CRDi.

Not sure if it is because they are heavier or quieter or what, but I found them a bit lazier than the FD too. 

The 1.7 CRDi in the i40 feels a bit lazy too, being that the i40 is a bigger heavier car.

[AlanHo]

The i30 1.6 diesel engine was designed in Germany to Euro 5 emission standards. This was fitted to all FD cars

The GD car has a Euro 6 compatible engine. In Europe it had a DPF but this came later in Australia.

I wonder whether the "feel" of the engine can be traced back to this difference

[beerman]

I didn't notice much of a difference between the FD i30 and the i40. Perhaps the change from the 4 to 6 speed auto had something to do with it?

[Lakes]

bit late here, I always thought the gd diesel got taller gearing, so would make them feel less responsive .
just check gear ratio's between fd & gd.