Comments on: From a fuel economy perspective, is it worth buying the 335d or X5 Diesel?

By: okeribok

okeribok — Sun, 28 Sep 2008 09:06:18 +0000

@Lance: No, diesels last longer, have less moving parts and have larger service intervals. Yes the turbo (also petrol turbos) wears out, but how fast depends on how you treat it; you need to have your engine cool off a little when you have been driving hard, before turning it off.

By: RawAutos

RawAutos — Sat, 27 Sep 2008 23:42:34 +0000

To me it’s worth it. Let’s be real, BMW’s EPA numbers have always been lower on the addendum sticker than they are in real life… Where the 335d says 33mpg on the highway, it’s probably more like 37-40mpg, depending on the driver, of course.

By: Lance

Lance — Sat, 27 Sep 2008 19:15:55 +0000

The problem with diesel engines is that they do not last as long as the petrol ones. If you are someone who drives hard, expect the engine to give problems, expect to have turbo problems. That is the only bad point about Diesel engines. The turbo on BMW diesels last about 110000km.

By: Horatiu B.

Horatiu B. — Fri, 26 Sep 2008 23:02:05 +0000

@azp: I think it comes down to what a bimmer fan values most, a faster bimmer or a decent MPG with still some power behind it. I’m really looking forward to the 335d test drive, then I can compare it to my car, which is a 335i and see the differences. I for one, don’t drive too much, thanks to great Chicago transit system, so I would probably keep the petrol one, but ….you’ll never know in the end if I fall for the diesel.

By: vtsung

vtsung — Fri, 26 Sep 2008 22:33:06 +0000

If the X5 with 535xd weighs around 4500 lb in curb weight (by not getting the roof rack, the running board, the tow-hatch and low deferential gear.) I may get one. I do miss the V10tdi in 6 tons over weight Touareg. Then, again, the coming u p inline 6 tt which is under the hood of 09 740i gives the driver 332 ft with 326 hp on his/her tap, the decision would be hard for Bimmer fans to choose the diesel engine over this petrol one that might trickle down to 5er, 3er or even 1er.

By: Gragop

Gragop — Fri, 26 Sep 2008 21:08:22 +0000

@BMW sales:

That’s a good point. BMW’s in the US aren’t at price points where $.50 to $1.00 swings in fuel costs will seriously affect a buyer’s decision. On forums the big thing about diesels I keep hearing is the torque, like you said.

However, as BMW moves to widen it’s appeal to new customers, perhaps more environmentally-focused clients, I think we’ll see their US engine range expand, hence BMW considering diesels and 4 cyclinders for the US market. Honestly, I know it’s slow but a high-revving, hand-built 4 cyclinder E90 320Si would sell me in a heart beat - especially if it’s mid-engined.

By: azp

azp — Fri, 26 Sep 2008 20:33:22 +0000

For me biggest advantage of diesel is its fuel economy when you drive it hard. I own chippied 330cd with ~ 260PS, i’am driving it like i stole it all the time, and my average MPG is 19MPG city and highway/normal roads. In petrol engine with similar power i’d be getting 11-13 mpg.
If you drive like a normal person petrol engine is better, does not have the torque bit it sounds great, gives you 50% more fun. Diesel is more boring to drive, ane has very short 2nd and 3rd gear, but when you floor it, it just goes and goes and costs you half less then petrol.

By: danny

danny — Fri, 26 Sep 2008 20:29:33 +0000

i’ve been a long time bmw fan, and when i started working full time in 2005 i was extremely close to buying a 325i at the time. but i had to change my mind as i drive 160km/day (to and back from work), and it was stupid to not go with a diesel.

been driving a vw tdi for 3 years, averaging 4.8L/100km (about 50mpg) over 3 years highway/city combined. i know its a 100hp/180lb-ft motor, and not this beauty bmw has made though..

i spend about 180-200/month on diesel where it would have been around 400/month for petrol, so it was an easy choice. i’ve always wished bmw would bring a diesel to north america, but was hoping for something more like a 320d… 335d sounds incredible, but a bit overkill, especially at 10/7.2L/100km (city/highway)

By: BMW sales

BMW sales — Fri, 26 Sep 2008 19:03:31 +0000

@Gragop:

From the sales side, I have a list of people who want to be notified when we receive the diesels. They are very interested in the torque curve. I think you are correct, it will be interesting to see how the market actually accepts the diesels. From my own standpoint, people are more concerned with the performance, not actual to-the-penny savings.

By: Gragop

Gragop — Fri, 26 Sep 2008 18:46:03 +0000

Yeah - I’m really interested to see how these new diesels perform. Around 2003~2006, I saw a few diesel Mercs here and there but I think there’s still a stigma of dirty, cheapness to diesels in the U.S. While it’s not the case now, I’m still interested to see how these cars are received by this market. I’m sure they’ll be very popular among enthusiasts.

By: bmw4life

bmw4life — Fri, 26 Sep 2008 17:55:45 +0000

I would be interested in getting a diesel if the diesel car costs where similar to a petrol ones… on average diesel costs 5-7K more. So it will take a few years before you can actually start enjoying your savings. Is it good for the environment - absolutely, your wallet - don’t think so