57mpg city/highway 3 series

[dvmotorsports]

The 118d hatch gets over 60mpg consistently. I'd rather have a 1 wagon. I think C eh N eh D eh has'em though.

[tjts1]

Most Americans have an aversion to diesel after the abominations that came out of detroit in the 70s. BMW (and every other car mfgr in the world) doesn't think there would be enough of a market to warrant going through all the US regulations to sell them here.

They went to the trouble of bringing the 335d to the US and it failed miserably. Same with the V10 Tourteg. The people that get diesels don't care about HP numbers. They want fuel economy. BMW should have brought over its most efficient diesel, not the most powerful. Lexus is now marketing its own $30k+ version of the Prius. The Jetta TDI sedan and wagon are sold out in the US through next year. 85% of Jetta wagons sold in the US are diesels. There is a marker in the US for fuel efficient cars even at the high end. BMW just got it wrong with the 335d. I'm sure it won't be long before we hear that BMW won't be bringin any more diesels to the US because the 335d failed.

Civic SI's have 200hp.

fail

The reason for BMW not importing this car, that I read a while back is that the problem is with our diesel. Our 'low sulfur' diesel is rediculously higher in sulfur than European diesel. The current euro-diesels use urea-filters to clean the sulfur out of exhaust gasses and with our diesel we would be changing out our urea at a nauseating rate. Owners would have their cars perpetually at the dealer for fluid changes. Couple this with BMW's no-maintenance warrenty, and they would have to float a pretty high bill.
It is on the US to bring our standards up to par with Europe, but try and sell that to all the diesel-using Americans who would have to float the bill for $5+ per gallon.

Not true anymore. See the 335d, mercedes diesels and current TDIs. All meet federal and California emissions on US diesel fuel.

[naplesE30]

I think Americans are going to go from gas tech straight to hybrid or fuel cell tech. The average non car person doesnt want anything to do with diesel nor, do they know anything about it. Maybee with some intense marketing that will change. (I have not seen any adds promoting the 335d) We are familiar with it because we our into cars. By the time it catches on the technology will be old. I love the 335d, prob my wifes next car, and I hope diesels catch on here.

[E30SPDFRK]

You wouldn't believe the amount of people at work who ask me about the new TDI's. Every time a Volkswagen gets brought into conversation you hear "do they really get 48mpg"?

If BMW were to bring this car over here and flaunt that mileage rating, they would sell.

[z31maniac]

What makes you say that? I disagree. Look at the people that run out and buy prius's and such, they're not exactly poor...

What's the cost/benefit analysis on this car with this mileage vs the avg Civic/Camry. In other words, how many miles have to be driven to make up for the initally higher price?

[bimmer_E30]

and like 12 ft-lbs...

lol even my slow ass 20 years old 325i beat one today.

[naplesE30]

What's the cost/benefit analysis on this car with this mileage vs the avg Civic/Camry. In other words, how many miles have to be driven to make up for the initally higher price?

I dont know if you can do a cost analysis against a civic. Two different car classes. Civic is going to win that battle. You would have to compare to another 3 series or c class etc. This is of course with the 335d. I think it was like 30,000 miles to break even on additional upfront cost. Also depends greatly on the cost of diesel, as the price of it fluctuates much more greatly then gas from area to area.

[Leaf]

man fuck honda civics

[z31maniac]

I dont know if you can do a cost analysis against a civic. Two different car classes. Civic is going to win that battle. You would have to compare to another 3 series or c class etc. This is of course with the 335d. I think it was like 30,000 miles to break even on additional upfront cost. Also depends greatly on the cost of diesel, as the price of it fluctuates much more greatly then gas from area to area.

I used that, because, there really aren't any other small luxury sedans that focus on gas mileage.

I'll just go ahead and let you guys (who aren't going to buy one) argue about why they aren't sold here......

[brantleyr]

Why are we complaining about power? This is about effiency.

[Pinepig]

I want them to come over badly. As soon as one shows up at the local wrecker I'll swap that powertrain into a 2002. 190hp and 300ftlbs of torque, drool.

[M-technik-3]

Every time I went on det to Italy I had a diesel car. Usually a Renault or similar. They "only" had 120 or so HP but those things moved!

Until you drive a diesel you don't appreciate how much torque they have.

New Diesels, as the older technology was just nasty for performance. New diesels are night and day difference.

If we see another fuel snap we just might be getting 320d vs X6M's. Has anyone seen one on the road yet?

[nando]

Most Americans have an aversion to diesel after the abominations that came out of detroit in the 70s. BMW (and every other car mfgr in the world) doesn't think there would be enough of a market to warrant going through all the US regulations to sell them here.

I don't believe that at all. just look at how popular turbo diesel trucks are, and VW TDI's are everywhere.

[CorvallisBMW]

I don't believe that at all. just look at how popular turbo diesel trucks are, and VW TDI's are everywhere.

Well, I know a lot of people personally that think all diesels are smoky, loud, dirty old engines.

I think the TDi sells so well because it is the only small, efficient diesel available. Even if only 0.01% of the population wants one, they're going to sell out because people only have 1 choice. Diesel trucks sell because they have lots of torque for towing and such.

Still, I don't think that most Americans would buy diesels. They still have such ancient views on them. I totally disagree with them, and I would love to have lots of small, efficient diesels here. But I'm not sure America is ready for them. Too much bad tastes left in most peoples mouths from the domestic diesels of the late 70s/early 80s

[e34john]

Maybee with some intense marketing that will change. (I have not seen any adds promoting the 335d) We are familiar with it because we our into cars.

Saw the commercial with the 335d and the x5d like 15 times today and I've seen some billboards around town. Don't see too many of the cars around though. I think it will catch on like the TDIs and I think Mercedes is comming out with a few more Bluetec models too.