most in depth comparisons between this engine and the and the 3.0TT petrol version is that its simply not as good. The 335 is always prefered in the petrol version in tests, but I can see the fun in all the diesel torque

 

Diesel acceleration in speeds 40+ mph is magnificant.
Just remember: "Horsepower sell cars, torque wins races"

 

and whoever coined that phrase was wrong. Im all for torque, but it is Hp that wins races.

 

its easy for magazine test drivers to prefer the 335i when they dont have to fuel it or worry about the depreciation.

The better economy, the massive torque, the better (UK) residuals and the easy extraction of another 50BHP with a remap would mean the diesel gets my vote every time....

 

Yes it brings a smile every time I drive it

 

+1. A current F1 car makes less than 300lb-ft of torque, less than many family sedans, but close to 900 horsepower: it's the HP that wins the races.

The diesel may feel quick, but ultimately it isn't always quite as quick as an equivalent gas engine. Car and Driver tested a 330d that Bosch had in the US for promotional purposes against an E90 330i, and noted that the diesel felt faster but was actually slower than the 330i on the tests they performed.

 

That's a very market specific thing, fuel cost and company car taxation (which in the UK give diesels a free pass on greenhouse gases other than C02, in the US the current BMW diesels fail the CARB emissions tests for this reason) are driving the stronger residuals in the UK market. FWIW the 535 gasoline engine is also very easy to remap if you're into that kind of thing - tuners are getting 550i-like levels out the twin turbo gasoline engine. I'm certainly looking forward to seeing the diesels over in the US next year, but in this market they don't make quite as much sense as they do in the UK and the rest of Europe.

 

well it depends on which city and road
with HK road there are many hill and corners so maybe more torque is better and will win but on the track hp will win.

 

Top gear comparison of 535d + 545i,

 

HP may win races, but how many of us here actually "race"? So, OK, even compared with current hi-tech diesel cars a high revving petrol engine is going produce more HP.

It all depends on what's important to you. If you do track days all the time, or more idiotically, race on public roads,then a high peformance gas engine is for you.

However if you want REAL WORLD overtaking power which requires only a gently prod of the loud pedal then the TT e60 diesel is difficult to beat.

For me what I hated about my previous petrol cars was having to put the accelarator to the floor,or having to change down a gear, every time I wanted a burst of speed.

It's a shame that many people here are dismissing the 535d, when they have never had the chance to drive one.