pretty good summary in wikipedia
From the below then for Mudder types ---
long life engines can be swapped between vehicles (when you rolled one time too many)
Low pollution --we have enough trouble as off roaders and SUV users justifying our existence with the Green movement
diesel is often the fuel of choice in remote places
no ignition to get swamped adds to off road capability
torque at low RPMS
Uses very little fuel at idle--handy for lighting and or heat if needed in a remote place
direct injected motors are probably the ones associated with the diesel rattle and noise --IDI is quieter but actually I enjoy Diesel noise and turbo spool having grown up in long haul Semi's
Major advantages
Diesel engines have several advantages over other internal combustion engines:
They burn less fuel than a petrol engine performing the same work, due to the engine's higher temperature of combustion and greater expansion ratio. Gasoline engines are typically 25 percent efficient while diesel engines can convert over 30 percent of the fuel energy into mechanical energy.
They have no high-tension electrical ignition system to attend to, resulting in high reliability and easy adaptation to damp environments. The absence of coils, spark plug wires, etc., also eliminates a source of radio frequency emissions which can interfere with navigation and communication equipment, which is especially important in marine and aircraft applications.
They can deliver much moreThey can deliver much more of their rated power on a continuous basis than a petrol engine
The life of a diesel engine is generally about twice as long as that of a petrol engine due to the increased strength of parts used. Diesel fuel has better lubrication properties than petrol as well.
Diesel fuel is considered safer than petrol in many applications. Although diesel fuel will burn in open air using a wick. The low vapor pressure of diesel is especially advantageous in marine applications, where the accumulation of explosive fuel-air mixtures is a particular hazard. For the same reason, diesel engines are immune to vapor lock.
For any given partial load the fuel efficiency (mass burned per energy produced) of a diesel engine remains nearly constant, as opposed to petrol and turbine engines which use proportionally more fuel with partial power outputs.
They generate less waste heat in cooling and exhaust.
With a diesel, boost pressure is limited only by the strength of the engine components, not detonation of the fuel charge as in petrol engines.
The carbon monoxide content of the exhaust is minimal, therefore diesel engines are used in underground mines.
Also can run on biodiesel fuels