Things have changed in the last 10 or so years.. a LOT.
Even between the common-rail Mazda that I had and the new Audi, this thing is planted, will not understeer
that easily, or at all (quattro). It doesn't sound like a diesel, there's virtually no vibrations, it won't drop dead
at 3500 revs etc.
And then there's the real wheel drive ones..
Seen the BMW M550d? The M5 diesel?
Couldn't care less.
I drove enough (unfortunately) diesel company cars to hate every bit of them. On top of everything, I have to drive them usually for 1200 km round trip and I hate everything about them.
That A4 you mentioned is complete and utter shi*. I had the misfortune to drive also more powerful versions (143 and 170 hp). Last time I had to drive A3 and I almost started screaming when I realized that (we always have new rentals, usually around 5.000 kms on the tacho).
Ditto for Opel's 150 hp tractors. On top of everything, that casket had "Tiptronic" gearbox. I swear it is downright dangerous to try to drive that sh*t through corners, either in manual or auto mode. It will switch to higher gear in the middle of the freakin` curve.
"Planted" story can be told to those who do not know how proper car handles. Sure it is planted, with the front end in understeer.
Did I mention I couldn`t care less how much fuel it consumes if it handles AND accelerates? So called "kick" is a fairy tale because they readily accelerate slower than gasoline cars. I know the "elasticity" fairy tale too - could not care less also about 60-120 in 6th gear. I do not want 1400 kg 150 hp car with extra 100 kg over front axle unless I am ploughing the field.
p.s. "M5 diesel" just shows sad state of affairs and that the consumers are on the average -idiots. I will never understand people who shell out that kind of money for DIESEL car.