OZ to get all the new diesel models

[oldman]

BMW Australia sent out a bulletin yesterday to their dealers letting them know that the 1 series diesel models are coming to Australia.

This apparently includes the 123d M sports coupe.

Scheduled for production starting August, we should see them here before the end of the year.

[dawogfather]

I didn't realise there was a coupe as well...

still it's only the much smaller 4 cylinder engine from what I read...

so yeah...

[Timbo]

I've heard the 123d is a great little car! would love to take one for a test drive.

[BMW86]

Originally Posted by Timbo

I've heard the 123d is a great little car! would love to take one for a test drive.

+1

[oldman]

Yes the specs look really good. 5.2 ltr/100km and 7 secs 0-100

[sparoz]

Should have waited for my wife's!! But then again, she's so much happier driving a patrol at the moment than the diesel.

[123D-M]

I have a 123d coupe while I'm living in Belgium. It's a seriously fast car and even though I drive it really hard I'm still averaging about 6.5l/100km.

Happy to hear I'll be able to get another diesel when I return to Melbourne!

You guys should testdrive one to see what I'm talking about!

[dr.bmw]

With diesel prices continuing to be very high in Australia (btw can anyone tell my why?) the appeal of the diesel models might not be enough...
123d looks good on paper tho

[123D-M]

Yeah why is that?? Diesel is a less refined product than petrol so it should cost less to make. Means that the tax-take must be higher. Damn government!

In most of western Europe diesel is about 25% cheaper than petrol. That combined with better mileage and high CO2 taxes explain why 85% of cars sold in Belgium are diesel.

[King Size]

I think you will all be pleasantly surprised by the diesel variants. Here they outsell the petrol equivalents quite comfortably. I did a cost/benefit analysis and figured out that even with my low annual mileage (12k) I would save about NZ$1k on running costs per year, the majority of this saving coming from the better fuel economy rather. than a slightly cheaper fuel price. Even in Europe diesel isn't cheap, it's the number of times you have to full up the tank that counts.

Plus there is the consideration that the diesels offer a useable powerband that is well suited to the urban driving environment. In my current car by the time i get it 'in the powerband zone' I have to back off because i'm exceeding the speed limit. The diesel I test drove was more fun in every day driving.

[spdrcr]

Who cares about fuel costs anyway? You don't buy a 135i and then worry about the fuel. Whatever difference there is between the 123d and 135i in fuel isn't important compared to the depreciation you are copping plus diesels don't rev and sound like crap.

[dr.bmw]

Don't knock it before you try it. Newer diesel power plants from VW and off course from BMW are a revelation of what diesel can do. Diesel is more efficient and therefore can be more powerful than the most refined petrol engine. Rev range is reduced but the torque available is astonishing.

In NZ I noticed diesel is substantially cheaper than even 91 RON petrol, however in AU diesel costs approximately as much as premium unleaded. All around Europe diesel is also cheaper... I fail to see the reason for this disparity.

IF you work around 25% savings on price combined with 25% better fuel efficiency works around to about 43.5% saving on fuel cost over the year. Now if you spend $50 filling her up each week, it'll equate to a saving of over $1100 a year. Even if you don't worry about fuel prices, the savings are nice. Compared to premium petrol that 135i takes the savings should be even better.

However because in Australia diesel prices are so high, the savings are only that of better fuel efficiency and I'm not sure thats enough to attract non business buyers to diesel powered cars...

[King Size]

Originally Posted by spdrcr

Who cares about fuel costs anyway? You don't buy a 135i and then worry about the fuel. Whatever difference there is between the 123d and 135i in fuel isn't important compared to the depreciation you are copping plus diesels don't rev and sound like crap.

Agree that not everyone cares about fuel costs - my fuel gets paid by the company, so i don't. But for some it would be of concern.

BTW - Here is NZ the diesel variants hold their value better than the petrols do, so depreciation on the petrol models is greater.

No diesel's don't rev but then again they don't need to, plus this is one of the things that makes their powerband so suited to urban driving. The 123d is a fantastic motor - I wouldn't knock it until you've tried it. However I do think this is a debate that defies logic - if someone has predetermined views about diesel engines I think it would be difficult to change that persons mind.

Personally, I think BMW Australia are doing the right thing introducing the diesel variants to your market and the proof of the pudding will be in the sales numbers. BMW USA haven't introduced the diesels in their market and a quick scan of the USA forums on this site reveal a number of people in the USA who would love them to do so.

[King Size]

Originally Posted by dr.bmw

In NZ I noticed diesel is substantially cheaper than even 91 RON petrol

That's because we don't pay a tax on diesel at the pump - we pay a per km Road User Charge. Once you factor this in it evens things out a bit

[Zuzu]

Originally Posted by spdrcr

Who cares about fuel costs anyway? You don't buy a 135i and then worry about the fuel. Whatever difference there is between the 123d and 135i in fuel isn't important compared to the depreciation you are copping plus diesels don't rev and sound like crap.

Well said...

[King Size]

Originally Posted by dr.bmw

Don't knock it before you try it. Newer diesel power plants from VW and off course from BMW are a revelation of what diesel can do. Diesel is more efficient and therefore can be more powerful than the most refined petrol engine. Rev range is reduced but the torque available is astonishing.

Couldn't have said it better myself

[Zuzu]

Originally Posted by King Size

Couldn't have said it better myself

..Quite a divided feeling here on this post..

[sparoz]

Well, I am environmentally conscious. I am burning carbon in one, so I better offset it with a lower emission one with another. . And, really... that will offset with the small tank in the 1er.

[King Size]

Originally Posted by Zuzu

..Quite a divided feeling here on this post..

It sure looks that way

[Taymaishu]

Performance, in my mind, isn't a comparable issue.

Diesel engines are torque-based systems.

Fuel are power-based systems. Comparing power and torque in the cars is basically useless.

On top of that, diesels mostly get better fuel economy to the 100km. So why not jack up prices above petrol? Suppliers are certainly getting away with it because people are prepared to pay more for diesel because they get slightly better fuel eceonomy.

I do agree that it should be cheaper because the process of refining isn't nearly as intense and extensive, however they can get away with it because of people's perceptions on fuel economy.

[Alpine*]

Here you go:

1 Series models (arriving November '09)
- 118d Sports Hatch $42,170*
- 118d Sports Hatch $44,370*
- 123d Sports Hatch $50,790*
- 123d Sports Hatch $53,070*
- 123d Coupe $57,900*
- 123d Coupe $60,864*
- 118d Convertible $52,900*
- 118d Convertible $55,655*
- 123d Convertible $67,200*
- 123d Convertible $65,664*
3 Series models (arriving January '10)
- 320d Executive Touring $61,500*
- 320d Coupe $67,500*
- 320d Convertible $80,400*
- 330d Coupe $91,900*
- 330d Convertible $104,850*
* Manufacturer List Price (MLP) excludes dealer and statutory charges.


http://carpoint.com.au/news/2009/sma...w-models-16355

[MickyD]

Originally Posted by dr.bmw

With diesel prices continuing to be very high in Australia

it's cheaper than ULP down here at the moment....