[stressdoc]

From an interesting piece in Edmunds http://netscape.edmunds.com/advice/s...8/article.html

Even BMW, which has succeeded in building diesel versions of nearly every model it manufactures for the European market has no plans to bring a diesel car to America. "If we could offer a 50-state clean diesel-powered car, the likelihood [of bringing it to America] would certainly be greater," BMW Product Communications Manager Dave Buchko said.

[SCA]

I've heard that starting in 2007, BMW NA will be bring the diesels to the US market. First model to receive it will be the new X5 (MY 2007).

[rossmelvin]

I LOVE DIESEL

[ward]

I would buy one

[F32Fleet]

I know it's been said many times, but I'll say it again. US diesel is currently too dirty (ie. high sulphur) and is scheduled to switch to lower sulphur variant in the next couple of years. California/Mass emissions standards are also be a factor, hence the "50 state" comment.

[davinet78]

i also love diesels

I would not purchase a diesel powered automobile.

[bimmer4me]

Could someone please explain the downside of diesel!?

[jcoo085]

Originally Posted by bimmer4me

Could someone please explain the downside of diesel!?

Ummmm....

[SCA]

Originally Posted by Socom

I know it's been said many times, but I'll say it again. US diesel is currently too dirty (ie. high sulphur) and is scheduled to switch to lower sulphur variant in the next couple of years. California/Mass emissions standards are also be a factor, hence the "50 state" comment.

Right, "currently." This is changing in 2006. New regulations will require less sulfur in diesel and gasoline. I have previously posted a link (EPA), but I think the date was sometime summer 2006.

[bimmer4me]

Any performance downside of diesels?

[SpeedFreak!]

Originally Posted by SCA

I've heard that starting in 2007, BMW NA will be bring the diesels to the US market. First model to receive it will be the new X5 (MY 2007).

It is true that BMW is currently in the planning stages of bringing the US market a diesel in the new X5 (which means that it will probably make it into the X3 as well). The new X5 will start with the 255hp 3.0L and a 340hp V8... no diesel until later... possibly mid MY07, but more then likely MY08.

[SCA]

I do want to state that diesel Volkswagens are bringing good money at the auctions and even more so when gas was above $3.XX a gallon

[jcoo085]

Originally Posted by bimmer4me

Any performance downside of diesels?

Here is the technical data for all 3 series sedans (petrol and diesel). It's in German and metric units though. I tried looking on the BMW UK website for one in english and imperial units, but they only had info for specific models rather than an overview.

It should be pretty easy to decipher. If you can't find something or are wondering what something is, let me (or one of the true German speakers on this board) know.

[SpeedFreak!]

Originally Posted by SCA

I do want to state that diesel Volkswagens are bringing good money at the auctions and even more so when gas was above $3.XX a gallon

I respect BMW's rabid protection of their sporting image... but I genuinely think they got it wrong on the issue of diesel. Granted, your earlier post regarding the crappy diesel fuel that we have state side has also been a factor, however, image has always had a lot more to do with this then anything else. I can think of several applications where their diesel would rule... like in the X's.

[SCA]

Originally Posted by SpeedFreak!

I can think of several applications where their diesel would rule... like in the X's.

The funny thing...E53 X5 3.0 diesels are built in the US (Greer, SC), but not sold here.

Of course the Z4 which is also built in the US gets engines that are not offered here. The 2.0 - 4 cly and a 2.2 - 6 cyl.

[SpeedFreak!]

Originally Posted by SCA

The funny thing...E53 X5 3.0 diesels are built in the US (Greer, SC), but not sold here.

Of course the Z4 which is also built in the US gets engines that are not offered here. The 2.0 - 4 cly and a 2.2 - 6 cyl.

I've always thought the irony of that was funny.

[deutsch100]

Originally Posted by KenB

I think that the “down side” of diesels is really more of a misconception of diesels, and historical “down sides” of diesels. In the US the only diesel powered cars that people are familiar with are very old Mercedes & GM vehicles that would not get out of their own way. For example the old Merc 240D, non-turbo would run 0-60…if you were lucky, and going down hill. The only other associations that Americans have with Diesels are commercial vehicles, and tractors. Almost all Americans think that Diesels are slow, noisy and smelly. The current crop of Diesel powered pick up trucks from Ford, GM, and Dodge are making strides to change the perception of Diesel power. These trucks can get double the fuel economy of their “big block” gas burning cousins, and out perform them in every way. When properly tuned these Diesels can be frighteningly fast and absolutely blow a gas burner off the road.

The bottom line is that Americans (once again) just need to educate themselves instead of blindly believing what they have been told (diesel=bad).

I think the only real problems in the US for Diesels are; dirty fuel (which will be fixed), availability (Diesel is not available in lots of fuel stations), and having to grab an oil covered filler handle.

My $0.02

The best $.02 post on Diesels!! I have owned 2 newer Diesel Mercedes Benzes, and they were amazing. The maintenance of a Diesel is minimal, and even in a big, luzurious sedan, I would get about 40mpg. Yes, Americans need to educate themselves!

[jcoo085]

Originally Posted by SpeedFreak!

...image has always had a lot more to do with this then anything else. I can think of several applications where their diesel would rule... like in the X's.

That would make sense. As KenB said, in some places there is still the stigma of diesels being slow, noisy, dirty etc when in fact, none of the above are really true anymore.

As the figures suggest, they are far from slow and in most cases outperform their petrol counterparts. For example, my 320d will outperform a 320i in both 0-100km/h (0-62mph) and 80-120km/h (50-75mph). It also has a higher top speed. In 4th gear, it can also keep pace with a 330i in 80-120. The 330d on the other hand is half a second slower 0-100 than a 330i, but completely blows it away in 80-120km/h. All the while, getting more miles per gallon. I get about 350 miles to a tank in the city, and about 530 on the highway and that's not being sedate. If I drove with a light foot, I could probably get closer to 590 miles (but then the tank would be dry )

In terms of being noisy, you can tell it's 320d by the exterior sound, but from the inside the distinctive diesel rattle is muffled and sounds pretty cool (IMHO).

Also, the new particle filters, as well as better engineering, have basically eliminated the 'dirtyness' of the exhaust emissions.

I guess only time and a good marketing strategy will bring the BMW diesels to the US.

[epiphone3]

Diesels don't rev high enough... I find this is what keeps me away from them I truly love BMWs free-reving gasoline engines

[F32Fleet]

Diesel = stump pullin power!!

You could enter your E90 in a tractor pull !

[dkizerian]

Originally Posted by epiphone3

Diesels don't rev high enough... I find this is what keeps me away from them I truly love BMWs free-reving gasoline engines

That's a VERY valid complaint. and about the only thing that would push me to buy a gas powered 3 series if a diesel were available.

The arguements about difficulty in finding diesel fuel always make me laugh as I traded in a 2003 dodge ram with the High Output Cummins Deisel to get my 325, and I never had a problem finding fuel.