57mpg city/highway 3 series

[tjts1]

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?

What is the cost/benefit analysis for buying a car with a 6 or 8 cylinder engine versus a 4 banger? Will it get you to work faster in the morning?

[Charlie]

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.

Bzzzzzt.

Post '07 US ULSD is actually lower than Euro-spec stuff.

As for the car? Look at BMW's track record with smaller displacement 4 banger models the past 20 years. That's all the impetus they need not to sell it here.

-Charlie

[z31maniac]

What is the cost/benefit analysis for buying a car with a 6 or 8 cylinder engine versus a 4 banger? Will it get you to work faster in the morning?

Excellent point, errr, wait no it's not.

When people who are concerned with fuel consumption, it is a valid point to compare the higher initial cost vs the money saved in gas mileage.

People who are buying a car with an 8 cylinder most likely aren't nearly concerned with gas mileage, if they were, they would buy something better on gas.

[naplesE30]

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.

Thats good they are doing some marketing in CA havnt seen much in FL. Thats the only way the average person is going to learn about diesel tech. A lot of my friends are not into cars and when I say diesel they think of 18 wheelers and pickup trucks. Its a shame. Prob with the new fuel efficiency standards that were recently passed BMW may be forced to bring some small diesels here in the next few years to bump up thier fleet avg.

[tjts1]

When people who are concerned with fuel consumption, it is a valid point to compare the higher initial cost vs the money saved in gas mileage.

The people that buy a brand new $23k prius aren't doing to it save money. If they wanted to save money they would buy some used POS $3k corolla. For some people fuel economy on its own is performance in the same way that others see peak horse power. You don't need 300hp to get you to work in the morning. You don't use it every day. But you still pay a premium just to know its there. Same with new hybrids, diesels etc. The only people saving money will be the second or third owner who buys the car for 1/4 or 1/10th of the original price. BMW failed to appreciate this market when they brought the 335d to the US. The 320d or 318d would have been much more successful.

As for the car? Look at BMW's track record with smaller displacement 4 banger models the past 20 years.

Last time they sold a 4 cylinder BMW in the US ( 1998 ) gas cost less than $1.30/gallon. Diesel fuel was $1.10/gallon. I'm sure when the E90 is replaced in about 2 years, they will bring a 4 cylinder to the US.

[Jon325i]

Lots of good points being mentioned, but to keep it focused on the OP, its about efficiency. BMW has made a number of economical diesels for their european market....nearly half of their sales are diesels....and it makes me wonder how much capital it would take on BMWs part to have one of these things (other than the diesel 335 and X5) offered in our market. Could it possibly be that much? I'm clueless about the amount of engineering that goes into these up-to-the-minute clean emission systems.

Another hurdle as to why such cars aren't brought here is the stigma that still persists in the American car buying market when it comes to diesel cars. Many still think "smokey, smelly" operation and greasy mess when filling up. We can thank the craptastic American diesel cars from the 80s for setting the stage of this opinion which has lasted for many years. I believe in time some of the opinion will change, although I think it will still pale in comparison to the hybrid market which can be largely thanked to the Prius. VW has been doing well with their new TDI offerings - selling better than expected despite this down automotive market. The real mileage junkies are probably holding out for the 2010 Golf TDI, whose mileage should better the already frugal Jetta TDI. These cars are cheap to buy (often cheaper than a Prius if you don't go nuts with the options list) and are very economical to operate thanks to the price of diesel being at or less than the price of regular unleaded.

If BMW paid attention to what VW is doing, they could certainly bring something over which can rival it in terms of economy but probably fetch a bit more because of BMWs premium brand image in this market. If there was one car they currently have which would be a great start in that direction, it is the 123d hatchback. I just love this thing and I would go into debt to put one in my driveway. An awesome & practical little car.



The car pictured above has the following:

M kit (sports suspension)
201 bhp
295 ft/lbs of torque
6-speed MT
0-62mph in 6.9 sec
36mpg city / 53mpg highway (european driving cycle - higher than US measurements)

More info here: http://reviews.cnet.com/8301-13746_7-10295612-48.html


Jon

[Beach Bum]

^^^ Looks like a fun AutoX car!

[CorvallisBMW]

If BMW paid attention to what VW is doing, they could certainly bring something over which can rival it in terms of economy but probably fetch a bit more because of BMWs premium brand image in this market. If there was one car they currently have which would be a great start in that direction, it is the 123d hatchback. I just love this thing and I would go into debt to put one in my driveway. An awesome & practical little car.



The car pictured above has the following:

M kit (sports suspension)
201 bhp
295 ft/lbs of torque
6-speed MT
0-62mph in 6.9 sec
36mpg city / 53mpg highway (european driving cycle - higher than US measurements)

More info here: http://reviews.cnet.com/8301-13746_7-10295612-48.html


Jon

Fuck ya! I was just on BMW UK looking at this earlier today and drooling. It's 0.5 seconds slower to 60, but get 20 mpg better and has nearly 100 ft-lbs more torque. DO WANT!!