Saturday I noticed a trend happening while on flight following with Center. We were at 8,500' with a nice tailwind pushing us along with a 190 knot ground speed. Seemed every GA plane on frequency for a short time was at 8,500' and going our direction.

The first traffic callout I heard was to a Grumman Tiger advising he was overtaking a plane, and then they called the 172 and let them know there was a Tiger overtaking them. A little while later I got a callout that we were overtaking a Commander, and then the pilot of that plane was notified that we would be passing off to their left.

Then a Twin Diamond Star checked in at 8500' as well. I sat waiting for the cycle to repeat, but he didn't catch us before we eventually turned. I bet I went 50 miles worrying that we'd be passed. While sweating this out a Baron checked in behind the Twin Diamond. So, who wins between the Baron and the guy that was on our tail?

The Baron is faster than the DA-42.

The DA42 uses IO-360's and cruises at about 162 knots.

162KTS? Something doesn't sound right. The smaller Theilert (?sp) engines could do that and a little more years ago. An IO-360 DA42 (or ASTRO) engined DA42 should be at least 200MPH ... Then again, it's been a while since I've ridden in a Diamond.

Depends on the DA42..
The original '42 were powered by 1.7L Theilerts are are the least fast of the bunch although the performance charts are the same as the 2.0L Theilerts. The 1.7 general were ran at 72% HP as recommended and were a 145 KTAS plane. The 2.0L Theilert, now Continental were much more reliable and pilots were more likely to run them at higher power settings (there is no limitation on either). I run mine at 82% power, burn 12 gal/hr total and will cruise at anywhere from 155 KTAS to 170KTAS depending on altitude (higher is faster).
Then came out the NG - Austro DA42 and the mentioned IO360 DA42 retrofits.
The NG Austro is generally about 5 - 10 KTAS faster than a 2.0L Theilert. I don't know the speeds on the IO360 models, most of them went to flight schools in North America.
The lastest model released is the DA42-V1, which is a Austro powered airframe that has been dramatically cleaned up. These appear to be 170 - 200 KTAS airplanes. They are only available new and prices creep up to 1M USD$.
Hope this helps

Yea, now I remember why the BE55's keep catching my eye

The DA42 is also one of the safest twins you can fly. Maybe, the safest.

I've flown the DA-42 with the Theilert's (sp). I was about a 160-165 knot aircraft.

It was using 10-11 GPH of Jet A TOTAL to do that. So 50% of the fuel to go 85-90% as fast as a baron.

OEI was stupid simple. I turned off one engine and before I could look out the window the prop was automaticially feathered.

I hate the idea of a center stick with passengers sitting over there. I believe you can remore the copilots in the newer version, which would really help.

The wingspan would be an issue IMO.

Overall a nice aircraft. I would like to see a little more room and power, which as I understand it the newer ones deliver.

I considered one before I bought the Cirrus. My main motivator was safety, but the efficiency was obviously attractive, as well.

The very low UL killed it in my decision making. Other than that, they are a fantastic plane.

But that's not saying much, because we know singles are safer than twins..........

The twin Diamond just did not make sense to me. Yes, it was efficient, but cockpit access was rather weak for a twin. It also had too long of a wingspan considering the amount of seats. I actually liked the center stick.

The engines were my concern. From the beggining I did not like the engines since they were a new design from a new company. I think it was a good first attempt. I would like to see another design with a diesel that either Continental or Lycoming designs and will stand behind.

I did some training in a DA42 back before I ever bought an airplane. Lose 1 in the one I was flying and you're going down anyways. Just not as fast.

My experience is somewhat different - doing some training in one currently (getting my multi and test driving... considering buying a DA42) and I'm finding single engine rate of climb seems on par with the single engine rate of climb I saw in the old Cessna 172s I did my IR in.