[N1]

Pleased to join the forum.
Ive bought a diesel because in EU a bigger lobby, oil burner, is winning the market. If we choose gas we will loose resale value, everybody asks if it is oil burner, and they dont know how to drive. The diesel engine doesnt like big acelerations, we should be in the upper gear and in gas engine we can smash red. The diesel without turbo its a knock out, we can begin one F1 race with diesels??? or aircraft like AIRBUS in DIESEL??? lolol. Nowadays diesel is quite near the gas engine, and it makes more milles per gallon, US way.
I like the car but the gas engine is another level, try to make one emergency stop in diesel and you will find out that the engine doesnt brake the same way, for instance. Nevertheless the 320d as similar answer to the 330i as the turbo makes the difference but never 0 / 60 or maximum speed in wich the 330i is beaten by the 330d.
Back from holidays and my BMW now as the stick E90POST.COM in its rear right window in order to put this post in global circulation. My best regards to the founders and in first to JASON.

[noflash]

Is there a 335d? Or better yet, a 335dt?

[stressdoc]

The 335 turbo diesel is under development. It will reportedly have 560 Nm torque, compared to 400Nm for the 335 bi-turbo (and about the same as the M5!). The engine will be similar to that in the 535td currently available in Euro. I think it would be a real eye-opener for the USA market to have a wee little 3-series introduced with a motor that has Corvette levels of torque. Of course, at the other end, the 320d has Prius levels of fuel consumption.

[noflash]

[Paul330d]

It's sad isn't it how people continue to harbour prejudice. I suspect that most of the diesel detractors here have never driven a 320d or 330d and blindly assume that because they're not sold in the US, they must - by definition - be hopeless. On the other hand, I suspect that most diesel owners actually tested the equivalent petrol model before choosing the diesel.

There will be a 335d, but it will have more than 500Nm - the 330d already produces that stock. The 535d currently produces 560m, so I think we can confidently expect at least that.

[Ghunger]

Diesel's definitely have come a long way and if BMW offered a 330d at the same price as a 330i here in the states it would have been a very tough decision. I have driven quite a few diesels though. With their short RPM range the drivability isn't quite as nice as a gasoline engine imo but they feel very quick off the line with all the torque. I still think for performance driving gasoline engines are the way to go though. Just look at most race cars. With the work Audi is doing on the R10 it won't be long until they're in motorsport but they're not quite there yet.

[ShaneV]

I'd like to add a little fuel to the fire here... I have driven both the 320d and 330i (I'll admit the comparison would have been better if it had been the 330d) and in the end the choice was easy... I bought the 330i

I recall that some years back BMW used to point out that the heart of the car was the engine, you design the engine first then build the rest of the car around it.

With that in mind, the diesel BMW's are great transport devices, but the 6 Cylinder petrol models are awesome cars! The sound and the instant reaction of the petrol engines is what makes the experience complete. If you can afford the extra fuel bills, then this question is a no-brainer.

Ever seen a diesel Ferrari?

[miner]

I tried out a gas one before deciding to the diesel.
If you feel with full throttle how the torque press you to the seat, the decision shall be final.The resalevalue of a used diesel here in Europe ist much better than selling a used equivalent with gas, even though having more miles on the speed indicator. And last but not least, you save approximately 15-18% per Gallion.
That means rated to you US guys ;-) :

1 Gallion Gas = ~ 5 € (approx 6 USD), the remain with miles per year is easy to calculate.

[miner]

Originally Posted by ShaneV

Ever seen a diesel Ferrari?

Yes I have : The only difference is the colour

http://www.ferrarimaskiner.dk/traktorer.htm

[Narbeh Davidian]

The 330d has 371 lb and feet that are very angry about being understated. The car is nearly as fast as the 330i and for people who are conscious about their gas, it's perfect for them.

[JBOO]

I bought a 535d because it completely destroyed the similarly priced 530i that I compared it against. The acceleration is so strong it's amazing. You go to a 5 series forum and you will see discussions on whether the 535d is actually faster than the $10K higher priced 545i. Regardles if it is, you would never see a 530i compared the same way. The fact that I get 30+mpg while regularly keeping my foot in it is just a bonus. So no, I don't think that I compromised at all.
This was my first experience with a diesel (other than various trucks) and I must say it has been a complete eye opener. I still have the same BMW styling, handling, etc. with the only difference really is the driving characteristics (i.e, Not ahigh revving engine). In the 3 series, I would prefer a high revving inline 6 with a manual transmission. However, if for some reason I had to get an automatic, I'd opt for the torque of the diesel instead. The 325 automatics I've tested have just been disappointing compared to my car. If I were to buy another 5 series or X5, there would be no doubt ... diesel all the way!

[- Paul -]

The 320D outperforms the 320i in the uk - couple that with amazing mpg - enough said.

[N1]

The traktorer is absolutely
I bought my BMW with particle filter because the smoke of oil burners shall be taxed. The decision of diesel, in size of a continent, has environment impact and i dont see any concern about that issue, the diesel engine needs oil between services, as it burns oil and generally the diesel owner dont speak about that, normally 1 liter by 6.000 km !
These arguments shall be rated with the fact that diesel engine if well cared could make 1 million km, well the old ones did, because now with the turbos and common rail we have 1.9 tdi and cdi broken with 30.000 km. The common situation is granted if we stop the car suddenly in service areas, after driving over 2 / 3 rpm for long and we switch off. The turbo goes out and the bill, can rise to 3 thousand ! But the torque is nice.
I put the issue like that because diesel owners normally dont put the question in all perspectives. In motorsport diesel engines would be like truck formula and even in aluminium (HONDA / ACURA has made that evolution) the 2.4 gas is better than the 2.2 diesel turbo, ive owned one for 2 years.
And THE SOUND of the engine lolol, they sell it because the costs per mile are lower if we make a great number of miles, over 25.000 a year, at least here.
As gas prices shall rise the diesel would become more present and the engine is quite good, not as good as they pretend. in diesel is another joke.

[- Paul -]

Originally Posted by N1

as it burns oil and generally the diesel owner dont speak about that, normally 1 liter by 6.000 km !

No oil topup in mine as yet - a year on and 13000 miles. Yes - I do check it.

If you want a car for the track, then get the petrol. No argument..... unless there are limited fuel stops

[GuillaumeSoete]

Originally Posted by Paul330d

I will only do about 7000 miles a year in my 330d, so fuel economy isn't an issue. I bought it over the 330i (identical price), because it IMHO it is superior in areas that are important to me (ie. range pick-up). It has the same torque as the e39 M5 and that's before I get the ECU remapped. If they made a 335d or a M3d I would get one! Driving a petrol powered car is like eating a delicate salad, a diesel is like chewing a steak

Man tell me you're kidding! An M3 is supposed to be sporty and normally aspirated for obvious reasons...

And I have to say I've been pretty disappointed when I drove my friend's 120d (still looking for that huge amount of torque...), now I'm sad for 318d buyers (less power/torque and more weight).

Guillaume

[N1]

I agree with you, fuel stops are a finantial problem, especially if we make a great number of miles and increasingly worst.
Its great to know your car doesnt burn oil over the normal consumption, i hope mine shall be the same, but the diesel engine in theory as that angle. And the 320d was made by BMW as a sport car, with turbo because without turbo forget it

[Paul330d]

Originally Posted by GuillaumeSoete

I've been pretty disappointed when I drove my friend's 120d (still looking for that huge amount of torque...)

Drive the 330d and then get back to me.

[GuillaumeSoete]

Originally Posted by Paul330d

Drive the 330d and then get back to me.

No wonder about that, but let me smile when 320d/318d owners are going mad about their machines.
Don't get me wrong: there is torque, but I'm disappointed because all I read here and in magazines was so eulogistic. IMHO, there is no comparison with the pleasure of reving a gas straight six...

Guillaume

[Paul330d]

I guess that's where we differ: I really get no pleasure from revving the nuts off an engine and wouldn't want to go above about 4000rpm even if I could. I have driven the e46 M3 on several occasions and don't like it. The e39 M5 was wonderful, however, but that's because it has the same torque from its V8 as the 330d straight six.

I am more into "force tranquille", as the French say, but I guess we should be grateful we have the choice: petrol for rev junkies & diesel for torque junkies

[mali_panj]

Originally Posted by Paul330d

I guess that's where we differ: I really get no pleasure from revving the nuts off an engine and wouldn't want to go above about 4000rpm even if I could. I have driven the e46 M3 on several occasions and don't like it. The e39 M5 was wonderful, however, but that's because it has the same torque from its V8 as the 330d straight six.

hm... please dont get me wrong, but why dont by Renault Laguna next time, very comfy ride, new 2.0dCi with 175 hps? you could save lots of money ...

BMW is a freude am fahren, balanced car that can go straight from car saloon to a race track and for the money gives the best driving pleasure on this planet... only after 4000 rpm the song starts

[Robin_NL]

Nice thread. I 've had a 330d E46 manual gearbox(5) with 184BHP and 390Nm and a E46 330i 231BHP/300Nm 5 speed manual. Actually I liked the 330d more because of the torque IRL driving.
I've also driven a 120d 6 speed manual for about 6 months waiting on the E90 to arrive:A blast, very sporty etc. Torque makes you feel good, though a hig revving petrol engine suits me better for track/driftdays to have a larger powerband. And dieselfuel is cheaper here but that wasn't my mainreason. I really would consider a 335d twinturbo 272BHP and chiptune it to 320BHP and 650Nm or so. My dealership has a chipped 535d with 320BHP and 650+Nm of torque.

i've also had a E46M3. Comparing the E46 M3 to the diesel BMWs is comparing Claudia Schiffer to Cher or Barbra Streisand

No comparison, E46 M3 is one of the best cars ever built.Period.

Do Porsche and Ferrari have dieselengines?

Call me old fashion if you want but the only way,I'm buying a BMW with a diesel engine is for fuel economy not for performance.Sorry Paul you've lost me on this one.I'm sure Diesel engines have come a long way,IMO still no pleasure there but I guess you can't teach old dogs new tricks.I find it odd,one would buy a diesel BMW for performance.

"Le plaisir de conduire" with an engine note that sounds like someone is making popcorn under the hood is a new concept to me.