535d and other diesels
11-13-2008 | 12:04 PM
#1
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From: New York und Wien
I spent weeks driving BMW diesels as well as those from the competition.
Test list includes
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.
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
11-13-2008 | 12:07 PM
#2
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From: Helsinki, Finland
My Ride: My ex-ride: EU '08 LCI 520dA. Space Grey, Sport Seats in Black Leather/Fabric Anthracite, Sport Steering Wheel, A/C with Extended Features, Hi-Fi Speakers, Cup Holders, Cruise with Braking function, Folding Rear Seats, Xenons, Park Distance Control.
Even the 520d is a very fine and fast car enough (some 8 secs 0-60).
More than 900 km's between filling up in urban/sub driving.
But can an American be smart?
11-13-2008 | 01:23 PM
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I battled with the decision of whether to buy a 535d or a 545i for a long time. Test drove (up to 155mph) several of each. In the end the 545i won on performance terms. The 535d seems to win on paper when you look at the torque numbers, but that doesn't translate to actual performance. I also wanted to have a simpler engine that was less likely to have big $$$ problems, and a lazy V8 certainly fit the bill. No blown turbos for me. I reckon the difference in my fuel bills between this and a 535d at the end of my ownership period (however long it might be) will even out when the repair bills are factored in. Plus the big petrol engine'd cars can be had for quite a discount right now.
I think Germany's love affair with the diesel might be slowing down. All the time I've been here (since the '90s) Diesel has been about 15-20% cheaper than petrol/gasoline. Now it's more expensive. So one of the two big factors diesel had going for it is now removed. Now it's only got the fact that the engines are generally more efficient. Take a look at the new petrol engines coming out of VW and BMW at the moment though. They're right up there with the diesels in mpg figures.
I think Germany's love affair with the diesel might be slowing down. All the time I've been here (since the '90s) Diesel has been about 15-20% cheaper than petrol/gasoline. Now it's more expensive. So one of the two big factors diesel had going for it is now removed. Now it's only got the fact that the engines are generally more efficient. Take a look at the new petrol engines coming out of VW and BMW at the moment though. They're right up there with the diesels in mpg figures.
11-13-2008 | 01:27 PM
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My Ride: 2005 BMW 525D M-SPORT // Grey // SB attached
Yup got a 525d here and its more than quick enough for me
torque is amazing and when you put it into a bmw which has awesome grip ... recipe for FUN !!
torque is amazing and when you put it into a bmw which has awesome grip ... recipe for FUN !!
11-13-2008 | 03:30 PM
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From: london england
my diesel (after the re-map) has 502 lb's/ft of torque...thats more than a M5 and its torque that pushes you down the road...not bhp.
she is only 320ish bhp
all this and 40 mpg
diesels are the way forward
audi have the R8 diesel super car, and for the last 2 years the 24 hours le- mons has been won by a diesel.
get with the program
she is only 320ish bhp
all this and 40 mpg
diesels are the way forward
audi have the R8 diesel super car, and for the last 2 years the 24 hours le- mons has been won by a diesel.
get with the program
11-13-2008 | 11:32 PM
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530d is my first diesel ownership experience and todate cant fault it, the cost of petrol in the uk plus would have to do some deep serious thinking to go back to a petrol, my previous car was a v6 petrol MB, a great sweet engine, but the torque/power/economy/reliability of the diesel is quite addictive.
11-14-2008 | 12:21 AM
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Originally Posted by Dr Dave' post='720533' date='Nov 14 2008, 01:30 AM
my diesel (after the re-map) has 502 lb's/ft of torque...thats more than a M5 and its torque that pushes you down the road...not bhp.
she is only 320ish bhp
she is only 320ish bhp
I'm not a diesel hater. You can't believe how close it was a decision between the 535d and 545i. It could have gone either way at any time.