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Automotive News & Views What Would It Take for YOU to buy a diesel car?
1503 messages, Last post on Nov 14, 2009 at 1:11 PM
You are in the Automotive News & Views Forum. Your Hosts are steve_ & claires
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Replying to: steve_ (Jan 19, 2009 11:20 pm)  425 # ft. vs an already potent 300 #ft for the gasser 335 I.
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I had a little time to kill this morning and stopped into BMW of San Diego. Unlike my last visit there in 2007, I was greeted as I came through the front door. I told the gentleman I would like to test the new X5 diesel. He asked to see my Driver's license and told me he would meet me out front. They had 3 in stock and the one we drove was base model. Sitting at idle the diesel sound is barely noticeable. Quieter than my 2005 Passat TDI. It does not take much throttle to get the beast rolling. I knew I was behind 425 ft lbs of torque and did not want to go crazy. I eased onto the roadway and headed for the freeway on ramp. About 1/4 throttle and you know this beauty will go. It is as smooth as my V8 Sequoia and about twice as fast. You get launched into traffic effortlessly. The one thing I did not notice is the transmission shifting up or down. It is much more seamless than the Mercedes 7 speed I tested. I gave it a bit of a kick to get out ahead of a crowd on the freeway when my salesman mentioned I was doing 85 MPH. I slowed back to 70 and realized just how easy it would be to get a ticket in that rocket. This was my first time to drive a BMW of any type. It is very positive steering and precise handling. I would love to take it on a cruise in the back country. The noise level is similar to the Sequoia. The seats are not as plush as the Sequoia. It is also noticeably smaller inside. Mark was very low key and not pushy in the least. A pleasure visiting with. He also gave me a demo of the NAV in another X5 with iDrive. I like the traffic update feature. Not sure it is any better than the Toyota NAV. Which leaves much to be desired. What would it take to buy the new BMW X5 diesel? I would have to get a heck of a deal. I did not even talk to him about trading the Sequoia. If I got serious I would give them a shot. Though I am sure we would be miles apart. The attention I got compared to a couple years ago was an obvious indication of the current market. They have only sold one of the X5 diesels since they arrived. He asked if I was interested in the 335D and I told him no. Don't like cars.
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Replying to: gagrice (Jan 23, 2009 4:49 pm)
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Replying to: gregg_vw (Jan 23, 2009 7:26 pm) |
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Another diesel choice I would consider. Smaller than I like, but it is hard to argue with a CUV that gets 48 MPG combined.  Peugeot 3008 Too bad Jose is the only one that will get the option. We get CUVs that are lucky to top 22 MPG. Pretty pathetic for the Once most powerful Nation on earth. No freedom of choice. Before long it will be only cars designed in Washington DC built by the Nationalized car company.
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Replying to: gagrice (Jan 24, 2009 5:46 am)  ). On the other hand, I am aware North Americans do not like 4cyl. engines. But the truth is there is so many excellent items to choose among them right now! From BMW and Audi through Peugeot/Citroen/Nissan down to many others. Regarding economy and efficiency, 4cyl. engines (diesels but not only diesels) are an excellent compromise to most town&road passenger traffic. But fighting against tradition-based biases is a difficult thing to do, I understand. Regards, Jose
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Replying to: jlbl (Jan 24, 2009 7:05 am)
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Replying to: gagrice (Jan 24, 2009 7:18 am) Do it (not only for the castles)!  Regards, Jose |
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Replying to: gagrice (Jan 24, 2009 5:46 am) Never say never - stranger things have happened: Threesome: Fiat Looks To Link With Peugeot as Well as Chrysler, Reports Say (AutoObserver) "Now, it appears the two companies could, for no investment, place Fiat, Renault and Peugeot cars in Chrysler showrooms and potentially shoulder out the vehicles of the fading Chrysler, nurturing only the still-attractive Jeep brand and possibly Chrysler's pickups." Chrysler-Fiat Alliance Gets More Interesting With PSA Presence (AutoObserver)
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Replying to: steve_ (Jan 24, 2009 8:48 am) Really what CAN Congress say? No and be the sugar momma/daddy for the big four GM/Ford/Chrysler/UAW, a failing industry even by their own and Congressional testimony accounts (Bail out monies)? Gagrice's issue: I think he and others have made the point the Congressional, executive, regulatory, logistical systems etc,etc., likes GREATER/better fuel consumption. It is as easy as do you really want folks to switch fast? Here is an easy one make diesel fuel cheaper than gas. Want them to switch even faster ? Give diesel fuel and cars meaning full TAX CREDITS. Most thinking folks do not need a 2x4 across the forehead to see that 48 mpg (in a comparable CUV) is better than 22 mpg???. 
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