Diesels are all well and good if they suit you which to me they don't, I don't like the power delivery or the lack of revs and can't stand the noise. It does sound like a tractor whatever you say and i've driven plenty of more expensive diesels not just the renault one and not one of them has sounded any good, yes the surge of torque you get with them is great too, until it dies about 1/2k rpm later.
Just pootering around in them is fine and you can't argue with the fuel consumption in any way, but when you want some fun they just don't float my boat. I would only ever have one if it were a company car or I somehow had to do stupid miles and to be honest i'd still begrudge it then.