- #326 of 375
-
Re: $3k off...wow! [cctdi]
by ruking1
-
Apr 02, 2009 (11:13 am)
-
|
|
Replying to: cctdi (Apr 02, 2009 10:44 am)
None of the 5 items that you say is so obvious /was obvious to me. I am glad BMW corrected your noted comparison faults, at least in this car anyway. It might be obvious to you, given your set of interests and experiences. 
But I am glad you like it. I really liked it! I did 5 test rides, but did not test the 335i, 5 nor 7 series as a comparison. However I can't say I have more than 300 miles on the 335D total. My take is this is a tremendous road/cruising car ! It is also good that BMW is giving a better pricing structure starting with that mentioned April 09 program. It would appear even for BMW enthusiasts, the 3/4k diesel premium was an issue.
|
- #327 of 375
-
Re: $3k off...wow! [ruking1]
by roadburner
-
Apr 02, 2009 (8:02 pm)
-
|
|
Replying to: ruking1 (Apr 02, 2009 11:13 am)
I keep hoping that BMWNA will see fit to bring over the 123d. The twin turbo four gets terrific fuel economy( 45 US mpg on the EU cycle) and goes from 0-60 in under seven seconds:
|
- #328 of 375
-
Re: $3k off...wow! [roadburner]
by elemoncelli
-
Apr 02, 2009 (9:06 pm)
-
|
|
Replying to: roadburner (Apr 02, 2009 8:02 pm)
I'd love a 123d. I personally prefer a 120d, It's about a half second slower but you get in uptick in fuel economy for the loss in speed. Instead of 0-60 sub 7 and 40s on the highway you get 0-60 in 7.2-7.5 second range with MPG over 50 on the highway. Mid 40s combined.
Run circled around those poor commuter souls and get twice the gas mileage to boot. Sure I'd lose a race to a Ferrarri, or a high powered Corevette, but the money Id save sure buys a lot of diesel and tires 
If they only brought the 123d over, Id happily pony up the cash. A bird in the hand and all.
|
- #329 of 375
-
Re: $3k off...wow! [roadburner]
by gagrice
-
Apr 03, 2009 (5:47 am)
-
|
|
Replying to: roadburner (Apr 02, 2009 8:02 pm)
I don't think we will see any 4 cylinder diesels from the other makers until the EU emissions match ours. Then it should be a flood gate opening. VW had to go through hoops to get theirs on the 50 state market. VW also has the advantage of Mexican factories that saves a lot on labor and transport. Soon to have a factory in TN. I think BMW is assembling at least the X5 Diesel here in the US. Both BMW and Mercedes have some great small diesel cars that would go over well here. I ran into a B class MB up in the mountains. The people were from Canada and said they loved the mileage on vacation. They were getting close to 50 MPG US. It was a cool little wagon.
|
- #330 of 375
-
Re: $3k off...wow! [gagrice]
by nopcbs
-
Apr 03, 2009 (7:24 am)
-
|
|
Replying to: gagrice (Apr 03, 2009 5:47 am)
BMW chooses not to import the real 1 Series models into the US purely for marketing reasons...and the lower power diesels they offer in the 3-Series in EU for eactly the same reason. They want to convey a premium image and don't want to sell anything that would appeal to a non-affluent buyer. Might offend the 7-Series buyer to have a mid-$20,000 car shopper in the same showroom with him.
Good thing about the recession is that it might force them to give up that sort of nonsense as their sales plummet.
Sure hope so. A mid-20's 1-Series hatch diesel would be a reasonable alternative to a Jetta TDI.
|
- #331 of 375
-
Re: $3k off...wow! [nopcbs]
by elemoncelli
-
Apr 03, 2009 (9:03 am)
-
|
|
Replying to: nopcbs (Apr 03, 2009 7:24 am)
Yeah! I want the 5 door hatch like the one pictured. (preferably silver, black or white) 120d or 123d please. I saw a silver 120d in England for £12995, in 2006. The exchange rate at the time was roughly £1 = $1.60 so for $25,000 plus taxes and shipping. I could have had a silver 5-door 1 series diesel (Assuming they’d let me buy it and import it to the US).
It’s a nice dream. 
|
- #332 of 375
-
Re: $3k off...wow! [nopcbs]
by bhill2
-
Apr 03, 2009 (11:19 am)
-
|
|
Replying to: nopcbs (Apr 03, 2009 7:24 am)
Well, for the moment it looks like a pretty good marketing reason. If you scroll back to post #319 you will see that BMW is lowering the price on the 335D because of slow sales. They are very unlikely to go through the huge expense of certifying other diesel engines unless the US shows more willingness to buy them. Us diesel lovers have our work cut out for us; we have to get the word spread about the new engines.
|
- #333 of 375
-
Re: $3k off...wow! [bhill2]
by Mr_Shiftright HOST
-
Apr 03, 2009 (12:36 pm)
-
|
|
Replying to: bhill2 (Apr 03, 2009 11:19 am)
I find the idea of luxury diesels somewhat contrary to American tastes and attitudes about diesel passenger cars. Seems to me the opposite should be true--that Americans would be far more likely to buy entry-level diesels than high-line cars.
Of course, nothing wrong with having a "flagship" diesel for prestige but this should be followed up with entry level models. Lexus never hurt Toyota after all.
|
- #334 of 375
-
Re: $3k off...wow! [Mr_Shiftright]
by nkeen
-
Apr 03, 2009 (5:12 pm)
-
|
|
Replying to: Mr_Shiftright (Apr 03, 2009 12:36 pm)
I agree -- if it's ultra quiet and ulta smooth you're after then a diesel, however refined, is not going to match the gasoline equivalent.
|
- #335 of 375
-
Re: $3k off...wow! [Mr_Shiftright]
by ruking1
-
Apr 03, 2009 (5:16 pm)
-
|
|
Replying to: Mr_Shiftright (Apr 03, 2009 12:36 pm)
I think if one puts it into context, this is a BMW thread. One would be hard pressed to call a BMW 335 I an "entry level" gasser!? It may indeed be an "entry level" BMW. However 44-49k might be pricey, even for BMW enthusiasts.
I have read in passing the twin turbo diesel is used in both the 335D and 535D (probably 2010 MY here, but already in Europe). This is not the duel duty of a wimpy power plant! One can check the specifications, but the 535 I has app 105 # ft of torque LESS (300 # ft vs 405 #ft) than its 335D and 535 D stable mates.
|
![[F]](http://a332.g.akamai.net/f/332/936/12h/www.edmunds.com/media/townhall/webxicons/site.gif){kind=small}
Forums
Sedans 
