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Diesel vs petrol e60 (gas for us here)

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Old 05-16-2007, 01:50 PM
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I've never driven the diesel e60. For those who have driven both, what are the differences?
Old 05-16-2007, 02:57 PM
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Diesel - incredible torque at low rpms
Diesel - much better mpg
Diesel - a bit louder and lower rpms in general
Old 05-16-2007, 03:08 PM
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Petrol - Smoother
Petrol - More refined
Petrol - Quieter
Petrol - May have a slightly better handling balance.

(talking about the petrol Vs Diesel I6's here.)
Old 05-17-2007, 02:36 AM
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Even i have a petrol, I should go for the diesel because of the mass torque at low rpms.

I had a long discussion with my son for a 530d or a 525i with the same 218 bhp. I finally took the decision for the petrol because of its lower taxes and the nice sound.
Old 05-17-2007, 02:52 AM
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Originally Posted by juventus' post='425214' date='May 16 2007, 11:50 PM
I've never driven the diesel e60. For those who have driven both, what are the differences?
You have to drive one to get the idea. I'd never change my d for an i.
Old 05-17-2007, 03:23 AM
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Diesel - much better residuals (but i guess thats maybe country dependent - speaking for UK here)
Old 05-17-2007, 03:49 AM
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Diesel "feels" more leisurely 'cause power comes at lower revs. I've not checked on the ratios, but the gearing is usually a bit taller as well. Petrol engine sounds great and makes all the right noises - diesel doesn't. Real world consumption isn't much different, but I'm comparing 530i with 535d. Try and get a long drive in both before you decide.
Old 05-17-2007, 12:55 PM
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Well, the US will have a chance to see very soon firsthand. The head of BMWNA is on record as saying there will be 50 state legal diesel cars here within a year.


As a general rule though, Americans don't take well to diesels for passenger cars.
Old 05-18-2007, 12:43 PM
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Originally Posted by UUronL' post='425619' date='May 17 2007, 03:55 PM
As a general rule though, Americans don't take well to diesels for passenger cars.
Yet ironically the traditional US lump has been a relatively lazy V8 - low reving, loads of low end torque but not much power for the capacity - ie very like a modern diesel (except these now have the power also).
Whereas traditional European cars tended to have small engines with high power but peaky and needing a lot of revs.

Perhaps its just that modern diesels have not been available to try, as they are ideal for the freeway
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