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Article Comments - 2009 BMW 335d Full Test

44 messages,  Last post on Nov 30, 2009 at 5:29 PM

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What is this discussion about? BMW 3 Series, Diesel, Sedan, Wagon

2009 BMW 335d Full Test - Bottom Line: A superb execution of clean diesel power wrapped in the proven skin of the 3 Series.(more)

Messages Page 4 of 5

#26 of 44 Re: Article Comments - 2009 BMW 335d Full Test [kyfdx] by fedlawman

Jan 25, 2009 (1:58 pm)

Replying to: kyfdx (Jan 25, 2009 11:07 am)
You make a good point about the pre-87 E30s.
 
My uncle had an E21 and he let me drive it when we took a trip together from Dallas to Oklahoma back in the early 80's (I don't remember what city). I think it was a liquor run (tax free in OK?), but I digress.
 
I remember at the time that I thought it was a fantastic car and I'm sure it was - for it's day. Trouble is, compared to the E30 and newer 3ers, the cheap interior, underpowered engine, and poor rust protection (to name a few) put it at the bottom of my scale. If I wanted a pre-E30 BMW, I'd get a 2002. Between the 2002 and the E30, the E21 is a logical progression, but looking back on the progression now, the E21 is a bastard step-child - possessing none of the strengths/benefits of each in enough degree to choose it.
 
That's how I see it anyways.

#27 of 44 Umm... by pat

Jan 25, 2009 (4:39 pm)

anyone want to talk about the article that's the subject here?

#28 of 44 Re: Umm... [pat] by fedlawman

Jan 25, 2009 (5:07 pm)

Replying to: pat (Jan 25, 2009 4:39 pm)
Pat, I think a discussion about how far the 3-series line has strayed from it's origins (and the path it's taken along the way) with the 335d - arguably the most un-3-like 3 series yet - is a logical discussion in response to the article.
 
You gotta admit, a low-revving, 4000 lb gross weight, twin-turbo torque monster isn't exactly your father's 325i...

#29 of 44 Re: Umm... [fedlawman] by bigmclargehuge

Jan 25, 2009 (7:17 pm)

Replying to: fedlawman (Jan 25, 2009 5:07 pm)
how far the 3-series line has strayed from it's origins (and the path it's taken along the way) with the 335d - arguably the most un-3-like 3 series yet
 
Keep in mind, outside the US the 4-cylinders and diesels often sell as well as the I-6. Just a more refined daily driver than a performance car to most people worldwide.
 
Pick a random car.... Lets say one year the performance model outsells the base model, so the base model is discontinued. 20 years of:
 
Only Challenger is the R/T and SRT-8
Only Mustang is the GT and GT500
Only Mazda is the MS3 and MS6
Only Subaru is the WRX and STI
 
If you offered only the performance model of any car, it starts to develop a habitual opinion of what it really is. Wouldn't change the fact that it can still be had in an entry-level model if produced.
 
So it is with BMW as well. The 3-series is really a versatile platform.

#30 of 44 Re: Umm... [bigmclargehuge] by CycloneRcr

Jan 26, 2009 (6:54 am)

Replying to: bigmclargehuge (Jan 25, 2009 7:17 pm)
Keep in mind, outside the US the 4-cylinders and diesels often sell as well as the I-6. Just a more refined daily driver than a performance car to most people worldwide.
 
Sells as well as the I-6... That's a pretty optimistic guess. In Europe almost one out of two 3er is a 320d. A four cylinder diesel, yes... And the I-6s compose maybe the 20% percent of sales.. 6 cylinders are rare over here, believe it or not..

#31 of 44 Re: Umm... [CycloneRcr] by bigmclargehuge

Jan 26, 2009 (7:23 am)

Replying to: CycloneRcr (Jan 26, 2009 6:54 am)
Sells as well as the I-6... That's a pretty optimistic guess. In Europe almost one out of two 3er is a 320d. A four cylinder diesel, yes... And the I-6s compose maybe the 20% percent of sales.. 6 cylinders are rare over here, believe it or not..
 
I couldn't find anything for Europe outside of Britain, so I wasn't going to get ambitious with my estimates. But thanks for extra info.
 
It sounds perfectly natural for the eco-focused mid-size to out-sell the performance model when offered. You still get the same style car, even if you don't have a heavy right foot.
 
I'm willing to bet the I-4 mid-size outsells the V/I-6 for almost every automaker when offered. And in time, that would repeat itself for the 3-series in the US.

#32 of 44 Re: Umm... [bigmclargehuge] by CycloneRcr

Jan 26, 2009 (11:15 am)

Replying to: bigmclargehuge (Jan 26, 2009 7:23 am)
The situation has changed much in the recent years. With the continuosly increasing petrol prices and the re-introduction of diesel engines, the portion of larger disp. I-6 engines in overall sales decreased significantly. In Europe some countries also have a tax barrier for larger engines.
But the quality of 2.0 Liter diesel engine plays also a big role for the dominance of four pot diesel. You should taste the machine, it absolutely goes like a 6 cylinder gas-powered BMW! With 177hp and 257 lb-ft, this machine blows the 320i easily, which is a fine 2.0L 170hp engine.
 
I'm willing to bet the I-4 mid-size outsells the V/I-6 for almost every automaker when offered.
 
That's the absolute truth for Europe. All the big volume models for premium the segment are those 4 cylinder engines. 318d, 320d, 318i, 320i - C200 Kompressor, C220 CDI - A4 1.8T, A4 2.0T, A4 2.0 TDI... Those cars are everywhere, but you should be looking for some time to see, let's say, a 330i or an A4 3.2 FSI.

#33 of 44 Re: Article Comments - 2009 BMW 335d Full Test [fedlawman] by Turbineguy

Jan 26, 2009 (2:13 pm)

Replying to: fedlawman (Jan 23, 2009 11:37 am)
The MB diesel is rated at 400lb-ft compared to the twin turbo BMW's 425. I'd be happy with either.

#34 of 44 Re: Article Comments - 2009 BMW 335d Full Test [Turbineguy] by bigmclargehuge

Jan 26, 2009 (3:03 pm)

Replying to: Turbineguy (Jan 26, 2009 2:13 pm)
I'm actually disappointed that the 3.0 TDI in the A4 only produces 369 lb-ft.
 
The same engine in the Q7 produces 406 lb-ft.
 
I think it would be more competittive if they offered similar figures to the BMW and MB. Not that it's entirely necessary, but when you're window-shopping cars those figures matter.

#35 of 44 by dino6

Jan 27, 2009 (2:52 pm)

"Not that it's entirely necessary, but when you're window-shopping cars those figures matter. "
 
When window shopping while sitting on an easy chair, via car magazines, yes.
 
When it comes time to sign the dotted line on a new car, I or anyone else that I know never make a decision based on test numbers or raw specs. I doubt that many people out there actually will buy a car simply because it has a 0-60 0.5 second faster than a competitor, or has a slightly higher rated hp or torque figure. Making a decision is a lot more wholistic. I've known many a car enthusiast that picked a car because it looked nicer, or their mother-in-law liked it better, over a competitor that had slightly better test numbers or specs. Which makes it a bit overblown when car publications make too much of the figures.

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