Could you explain why ace inhibitors are better for hypertension than diuretics?

Pleiotropic effects : In hypertension, when it's diagnosed, there probably is microscopic cellular damage and/or left ventricular hyper trophy, AcE inhibitors are known to effect positive remodeling. Diuretics do not confer the same benefit for positive remodeling.

ACEs vs diuretics: They are not. Diuretics are, on the average much better and less expensive than ACEs. Especially if you are African American.