The pricing is about where I expected it given all the technology associated with new diesel engine, including twin turbos and extensive emissions controls. The torque is amazing. For me is has always been a choice between the diesel and the 4.8 gasoline engine, and it looks like the diesel base price is $3,000 less than the 4.8. (What remains unlcear is what will come standard with the diesel vs. the 4.8.)

As for diesel fuel prices, that is something that BMW obviously can't control, but I do think the gap will eventually close as more diesel refinery capacity comes online (e.g., the new Marathon refinery; but of course no one truly knows what prices will do). But I do not think it wise for BMW sacrifice proft margins and subsidize the diesel versus the gasoline engine to account for fuel prices differences. It wil be interestig to see how the U.S market reacts.

I was impressed with the conference and remain interested (but I'd like to know the answers to your questions as well, plus when it wil be available with the new iDrive).