Now there is a phrase that I dislike, (in gear acceloration).............what other sort is there ???
I'm joking but TBH exactly how long are you ever in one gear anyway, the petrol wizzes through the revs like a chainsaw and the TDI has a very narrow power band that you need to keep it in as much as you can
They are both very nice cars but the petrol one is faster top end and quicker to 60 if you look at the tec specs
All this in gear lark is very subjective as one has 5 and the other has 6 and I don't think there is any 2 gear ratios that are shared between the 2 boxes
As I have said many times, I have swapped keys with my brother who has a 130 TDI and whoever is driving in whatever car, at whatever speed my petrol one always has the edge although it is sometimes only by a nose, Both cars are in perfect working factory order
personally it comes down to 2 things, quiet tick over and MPG, take your pick as they both upset people the same IMO