browellm

Clever, but pointless imo, that Audi V8 diesel does 22mpg combined and the V10TDi from VW struggles to hit 20mpg.

NickP

We are just now getting clean burn "low sulfur" diesel on the west coast of the US via BP's retail Arco locations...

From Arco's site:
What is being done at ARCO facilities to help minimize diesel-fuel emissions?
BPWCP is helping curb diesel-vehicle emissions with the introduction of an environmentally superior low-sulfur diesel fuel called ARCO ECD-1. This fuel is now available at most California ARCO-branded stations that sell diesel fuel. Use of ECD-1 alone helps reduce sulfur-dioxide emissions by ~90% and total particulate-matter emissions by approximately 10% to 15% compared to conventional diesel fuel. ECD-1 enables the use of advanced exhaust after-treatment devices on diesel vehicles, much like unleaded gasoline did for automobiles. Both CARB and EPA have verified catalyzed-particulate traps for use with ultra-low-sulfur diesel fuels, like ECD-1, that reduce particulate matter, carbon monoxide and hydrocarbon emissions by more than 90%. Tests also demonstrate that the use of ECD-1 and catalyzed-particulate traps significantly reduces the toxic risk from diesel exhaust by dramatically lowering levels of known toxics such as Benzene. This places diesel-vehicle levels of these pollutants at or below the same low levels as compressed-natural-gas (CNG) vehicles.

More info: http://www.ecdiesel.com/

535D Sport

Clever, but pointless imo, that Audi V8 diesel does 22mpg combined and the V10TDi from VW struggles to hit 20mpg.[/quote]
browellm....Jeremey Clarkeson recently took the new Audi V8 Diesel from London to Glasgow and back on one tank of diesel,he only did 50 mph admittedly but this is still impressive fuel economy don't you think ?

Iceman.....the 530d has more torque than your 545i,when the 535d arrives in September the 545i won't be a match for it.

Flowerfred

Depends on the size of the tank I suppose

jonboy

530dse

0 to 100 times

530 19.8 secs
545 13.8 secs

expect the 535 to take 2-3 seconds out of the 530d - at best still some 3 seconds off the pace. I'd expect the 535d to be more flexible lower in the revs but it's no hardship to use the extra 60bhp at higher revs in the 545i.

If I did a high annual mileage I definitely opt for the 535d, however, this would be a decision borne out of economy.

I remember similar debates when the 330d was launched and how it would trounce the 330i. Impressive as the 330d is, come an open stretch of road and it will become an ever decreasing dot in the rear view mirror of the 330i - I did this trick on several occassions.

jonboy

browellm

Not in the slightest really. That drive was about as far removed from the real world as you're ever likely to get. The Audi has a 20 gallon tank, he had to drive in the slipstream of lorries, with no A/C, heating, cruise control or anything that was a major electrical consumer.

To put it in perspective, the 520d would have made about 60 odd mpg under the same conditions, he struggled to 38mpg.

535D Sport

jonboy.....real driving is not all about 0-60 times,have a look at the 50 to 70 time bye bye 545i ? So the 535d will be even quicker.It's all torque my friend

browellm...the 520 is not a V8 ?

jonboy

I agree with your point re 50-70 but the real point I'm trying to make is that these are in gear times, in the 545i you have the option to drop a couple of cogs and leave many cars standing - 530d included I'm afraid!

I think it's difficult to judge the difference until you have tried, a difference in a specific speed increment in a specific gear is meaningless - I had both cars on loan over a weekend and did over 100 miles in each in mixed conditions. I found the 530d exceptionally good, it really surprised me, but in the end for me it didn't have sufficient outright pace. It's all down to personal taste but I particularly enjoy nailing it and experiencing the acceleration from 1500rpm right through to 7000rpm. Regarding the 50-70, if the need ever arose in the 545i drop to 3rd and wave goodbye to 530d aspirations.

JohanDC

2nd gear you mean? 3rd gear is more something for the diesel I guess.

JDN

3rd in the 545 is OK from about 20 mph to 100 mph - great gear for open road winding and passing.