[JSpira]

I spent weeks driving BMW diesels as well as those from the competition.

If you still think that diesels are slow and noisy, and belch black smoke, you’re not alone—but you probably live in the U.S. Today, diesels in Europe account for roughly 50% of the market. In BMW’s home market of Germany, 70% of BMWs sold are diesels.

But in the United States, the market is minuscule, in part because diesel automobiles acquired a reputation for poor reliability thanks in part to diesel models from Cadillac and Oldsmobile in the 1980s. For some reason, the ultra-reliable Mercedes 240d never seems to be what comes to mind, despite the fact that these cars were typically able to last well over 100,000 miles. (Of course, getting one to start at 40 below was an interesting adventure. . . but what’s life without a little challenge?)

...

To see what’s changed, I spent over a month driving four diesel-powered automobiles: BMW’s 535d, the Audi A6 TDI, the Volkswagen Jetta TDI, and the Mercedes-Benz ML320 BlueTec. I also spent a few hours behind the wheel of a BMW 335d and a 123d. Here’s what I found.

Test list includes

• BMW 335d
• BMW 535d
• BMW 123d
• Audi A6 TDI
• VW Jetta TDI
• M-B ML320

Click here for the full article.

[Dave_3]

Welcome to the Dark Side

Looks like you had a fun trip.

D.

[Deda]

Diesel power!!

[Quasimodem]

CA plate DZL DVL already reserved for my 335d.

[chaz58]

Nice article. I'm not a big Diesel fan, but the torque attributes are quite obvious (well, as long as you don't like to rev your engine out).

The 123D would be much, much more to my taste. First they can estabish the wow factor with the 335d, then bring us something amazing like the 123d - torque and economy both!

[Grover432]

Interesting that the 535d delivered 40 mpg on the highway and the 335d is only rated at 36. You would think with the lighter body it would do better than the 535d.

[JSpira]

Originally Posted by chaz58

Nice article.

danke

Originally Posted by chaz58

The 123D would be much, much more to my taste. First they can estabish the wow factor with the 335d, then bring us something amazing like the 123d - torque and economy both!

I really really enjoyed driving the 123d!

[JSpira]

Originally Posted by Grover432

Interesting that the 535d delivered 40 mpg on the highway and the 335d is only rated at 36. You would think with the lighter body it would do better than the 535d.

One is what I experienced and the other is an EPA rating. Can't compare the two.

[JSpira]

Originally Posted by Dave_3

Looks like you had a fun trip.

D.

I did and in 10 days I´ll be in Germany driving a 730d

[voltron1011]

Great article, JSPIRA!! I agree with you about diesel misconceptions, but I don't think most drivers remember the 1980's attempts at them.
I think the REAL misconceptions are drawn from large pickup trucks like the F-350's, Ram's, and 2500's...These vehicles are both loud and obnoxiously sooty examples of diesels that people draw their conclusions from.
I'm always praising diesels to friends of mine. I'll tell them about my experiences when I lived in Germany, and how many diesel company vehicles I have driven (Merc's and Opel's). But,the only thing I ever hear from people is, "My neighbor owns an F-350 super-diesel that wakes me up every morning when he starts it up!"

BTW, I'm surprised BMW didn't have the X535d available for you?

[JSpira]

Originally Posted by voltron1011

I think the REAL misconceptions are drawn from large pickup trucks like the F-350's, Ram's, and 2500's...These vehicles are both loud and obnoxiously sooty examples of diesels that people draw their conclusions from.

I don´t really see too many of these on the road, maybe when a repairman comes to visit.

Originally Posted by voltron1011

BTW, I'm surprised BMW didn't have the X535d available for you?

Early next year is planned.

[voltron1011]

Originally Posted by JSpira

I don´t really see too many of these on the road, maybe when a repairman comes to visit.

You need to come visit me out in "Truck Country." In the southwest, everyone and their grandma has one of these vehicles, and they are definitely not repairmen.

BTW, did you end up ordering a 335d?

[mroach]

I love diesels. I drove a Merc C220 CDI all through Germany to Switzerland. I absolutely love it. The soundtrack of diesel + turbo is just awesome.

[voltron1011]

Originally Posted by JSpira

I did and in 10 days I´ll be in Germany driving a 730d

I want your job.
Or, I could just be your assistant? I make a mean cup of coffee!

[AndreyATC]

I was picked up from the airport in Munich by a guy with 318D
That thing moooooves!
Me, my wife, driver, a lot of luggage, but this little 4-banger with NO turbo pulled on Autobahn like freight train
Little effort, super quiet
I think barely any family cars here with V6 pull this hard (accort, maxima, etc)
I was very surprized
I can only imagine what 35d engine could do!
Very excited that diesels are finally comming

[I335]

Great article - thanks for posting. The new diesels are really starting to interest me. So tell me, with all that torque, which car is the better drive over all, the 335d or the 335i - from a driving pleasure point of view only? Does the 335d actually feel faster than the 335i, even though it isn't?

[535desire]

Originally Posted by Grover432

Interesting that the 535d delivered 40 mpg on the highway and the 335d is only rated at 36. You would think with the lighter body it would do better than the 535d.

i was told that the 5 has a more efficient tranny than the 3

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

From: Customer.Information@bmwfin.com [mailto:Customer.Information@bmwfin.com]
Sent: Tuesday, July 31, 2007 11:34 AM
To: 535desire
Subject: RE: question comparing BMW's

Dear 535desire

Thank you for your email to BMW Customer Information.

The 535d achieves a better mpg than the 335d due to the electric automatic (shift by wire) gearbox the 5 series has. This enables quicker, more efficient gear changes over the 3 series. The 3 series automatic gearbox uses a cable to change gears. There are currently no plans to introduce the electric gearbox to the 3 series.

We hope this information is of assistance. If you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Yours sincerely.

BMW Group UK
Darren Hough
Product Information Advisor
Ellesfield Avenue
Bracknell RG12 8TA

Tel: 0800 325600
Fax: 0870 5050 206
Email: customer.information@bmw.co.uk
Website: www.bmw.co.uk


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

From: 535desire
Sent: 30 July 2007 17:52
To: customer.information@bmw.co.uk
Subject: question comparing BMW's

Greetings:

I used the comparison function on the website for the 335d and 535d models. The vehicles have the identical motor, and the 5-series weighs 115Kg more. How is it that the 5 makes better fuel economy than the 3?

We are expecting these models to be available here in the US within the next year. I am looking forward to it and doing my research now. Thanks for your time and consideration.

Kind regards,
535desire

here are the numbers from the BMW corporate international website:

535d
Weight in kg: Unladen weight EU 1,735

Fuel consumption

Urban (l/100 km) 9.0

Extra-urban (l/100 km) 5.4

Composite (l/100 km) 6.7

335d
Weight in kg: Unladen weight EU 1,655

Fuel consumption

Urban (l/100 km) 9.1

Extra-urban (l/100 km) 5.3

Composite (l/100 km) 6.7

[Park2670]

Always love your writing. Thanks John!

[Grover432]

I'd love a 535d Xdrive. I wonder when we'll see them in North America??

[535desire]

Originally Posted by Grover432

I'd love a 535d Xdrive. I wonder when we'll see them in North America??

they're not available in Europe yet, so probably not for awhile.

[mapezzul]

Originally Posted by 535desire

i was told that the 5 has a more efficient tranny than the 3



here are the numbers from the BMW corporate international website:

That reply is non entirely accurate, all BMW transmissions are electronically controlled and have been for some time,(the shifter is the only thing different) the 535d and 335d use the same transmission (only one available to handle the torque), the gearing (which dictates the MPG) is different. The transmission is also the same as in the V8 autos. The second generation of the ZF is more efficient than the first but all ZFs currently being utilized are the second generation.

And as Jonathan said, rated versus obtained are two different things....

One car is geared to be sporty (burn more fuel) 3er and the 5er is a highway cruiser (better fuel economy) the answer is in the gearing.

[JackMac]

Jonathan,

Thanks as always for the informative article and insight into the diesels. Looking forward to test driving an X535d when available.

JackMac