its a difficult one, i test drove a bmw 335D at the weekend.
It was very fast, but then, i missed my power band, my peak torque is at 5500 on a 1.8T, so thats very good, many 1.8T's drop off 4k onwards, same as the TDi;s do.
Mapped PD160 would steam past a 02 plate Leon Cupra im afraid. a std one would prob be slighlty pushing you along.
I still rather petrols, no worry with clutches, "smoke" and cant stand the noise diesels make tbh.