520d owns Prius
03-17-2008, 12:15 AM
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Yesterday's Sunday Times (respected UK broadsheet) carried the results of a contest between a 520d and a Prius, which involved driving from London to Geneva.
The BMW was most economical despite the Prius driver switching off his radio and aircon. The 520d only used two thirds of a tank of diesel...
http://driving.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_...icle3552994.ece
The BMW was most economical despite the Prius driver switching off his radio and aircon. The 520d only used two thirds of a tank of diesel...
http://driving.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_...icle3552994.ece
03-17-2008, 12:59 AM
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I read that with a big smile on my face, but the trouble is you're never going to convince the tree-hugger non-producing wastrels of this world that big cars like the 5 are not killing all our children.
03-17-2008, 01:27 AM
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I read it with a huge grin on my face too, for two reasons... first, the obvious superiority of the BMW over the Prius; second, because we're finally seeing the popular press realising this fact and making it public.
03-17-2008, 03:29 AM
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My Ride: BMW E60 530i , Silver with leather Air Con iDrive 17" Breyton Rims with Dunlop Sp Sport tyres (M-Tech Bodykit and rims WANTED)
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So...520d shouldnt pay congestion charge in London...cos it is more economical than a prius..are we all agree? 
03-17-2008, 06:40 AM
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Don't want to rain on the parade, but it's not always as clear cut as it seems. Current BMW diesels can't be sold in California right now due to their greenhouse gas emissions. Whilst I'm no fan of the Prius, for the reasons highlighted in the Times article, it does pass the emissions tests that the BMW diesels would fail (and, in fairness, it would also have given a better showing in a test focused on town driving which is where it is intended to generate much of its benefit). The current diesels only pass the CO2 test, they fail on NOx and others. The diesels coming to the US later this year and next year specifically address these issues.
03-17-2008, 08:47 AM
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Originally Posted by flipside' post='546205' date='Mar 17 2008, 01:19 PM
That is amazing!
I'm just wondering if the 520d is grossly underpowered. I doubt I could go from a 300hp 535i to a 177hp 520d
I'm just wondering if the 520d is grossly underpowered. I doubt I could go from a 300hp 535i to a 177hp 520d
On the move it's fine as it is quite torquey.
03-17-2008, 11:34 AM
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Originally Posted by Lancaster' post='546325' date='Mar 17 2008, 04:47 PM
It does feel underpowered - paricularly from a standing start.
On the move it's fine as it is quite torquey.
On the move it's fine as it is quite torquey.
In the UK, this govt website is a useful check on NOx etc etc emissions...
520d
520d Stats
Priarse
That toyota that got shot up good 'n' proper on a Clarkson video
03-18-2008, 12:20 AM
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Originally Posted by swajames' post='546242' date='Mar 17 2008, 02:40 PM
Don't want to rain on the parade, but it's not always as clear cut as it seems. Current BMW diesels can't be sold in California right now due to their greenhouse gas emissions. Whilst I'm no fan of the Prius, for the reasons highlighted in the Times article, it does pass the emissions tests that the BMW diesels would fail (and, in fairness, it would also have given a better showing in a test focused on town driving which is where it is intended to generate much of its benefit). The current diesels only pass the CO2 test, they fail on NOx and others. The diesels coming to the US later this year and next year specifically address these issues.
How are NOX emissions calculated? Might it involve Toyota's spurious mpg figures?
I can't understand how Toyota have got away with so blatantly misleading the public on fuel consumption claims.
03-18-2008, 01:03 AM
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Originally Posted by Lancaster' post='546806' date='Mar 18 2008, 01:20 AM
To continue your weather theme, there is still a black cloud hanging over the Prius. Most car manufacturers are a tad optimistic when quoting claimed fuel consumption figures (exception my last car, a Mercedes). However, Toyota are in a different league when it comes to the Prius when a claimed 60+ mpg turns out to be less then 50mpg for the people I know who drive them.
How are NOX emissions calculated? Might it involve Toyota's spurious mpg figures?
I can't understand how Toyota have got away with so blatantly misleading the public on fuel consumption claims.
How are NOX emissions calculated? Might it involve Toyota's spurious mpg figures?
I can't understand how Toyota have got away with so blatantly misleading the public on fuel consumption claims.