I agree that you really have to drive it, to decide. It is different.

For my part, I would never buy one. I would (and have) bought diesels, I just wouldn't buy a BMW diesel, not that there is anything particularly wrong with them. I have had a VW diesel Passat that got 50 mpg, a LR Discovery diesel (which was rather crude), and I almost bought an F350 with a Powerstroke (I drove lots of them at work). More importantly, I made my living for 24 years working with large yellow diesels from Peoria in trucks, boats, and mobile equipment, from 50 hp to 8000 hp. I love the sound of diesels, I just don't want to hear it in my BMW. I associate it more with a tractor. Part of what I love about driving a BMW is the tactile experience, the sound, the engine response as it revs. A diesel just doesn't do it for me in a BMW, I feel like I might as well buy something much cheaper. Part of that is the limited rev range, and subdued throttle response. Torque doesn't do it for me, I can get torque with gears.

Others find that they like the BMW experience with the 35d, and don't mind the different engine note. It isn't worse, just different. To each their own. There are two camps on this, though.

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2007 X3 3.0si, 6 MT, Premium, White

Retired:
2008 535i, 6 MT, M Sport, Premium, Space Grey
2003 X5 3.0 Steptronic, Premium, Titanium Silver
2002 325xi 5 MT, Steel Grey
2004 Z4 3.0 Premium, Sport, SMG, Maldives Blue