Does anyone know how exactly they tweaked the 3.0 d to get the .7 sec advantage...

I think its 0.5 sec.

Power and torque was bumped from 160kW/500Nm to 173kW/520Nm. I not sure how they achieved this exactly ... may even be just tuning to the fuel delivery system/turbo boost pressure etc rather than mechanical changes. I think it coincided with the name change from 3.0d to xDrive30d. At the same time the 3.0sd became the xDrive35d and it too got a small boost in power and torque.

Yep can't subtract...Thanks !!! I just don't get that Xdrive thing btw.. definitely a case for debadging...!!!

Didn't go much on the name change myself.

More on this. When the E70 3.0d first came out it was 173kW/520Nm in Euro spec but we only got a 160kW/500Nm version due to our diesel fuel quality (sulphur content basically). When the final stage of government's new standards for diesel fuel came into effect (Jan 1 2009 - sulphur content limited to 10ppm), we then got the full 173kW/520Nm version. All of which suggests that the tweak may be just engine management not mechanical.

Diesel fuel quality has always been a sticking point with Euro diesels in Australia. Before the first sulphur standard came in (500ppm in 2003), BMW said that they would not import diesels to Australia. When that first standard came in that's when they launched the first-generation 135kW/390Nm diesel in the E53.

nope .. official BMW time for 35d is 7 flat , your thinking of the pre 210kw version which was 7sec. check bmw site

Fraser - any views on best quality diesel brands in Aus i.e. Caltex, Shell etc ..or pretty much of a muchness ?

theplanner - might be firm in Bris with lots of freeway ..but in Syd and Melbourne burbs the 20's are just too harsh - we drove them all and my wife noticed and hated the 20's pothole experience and we decided on day to day basis it was too much of a tradeoff btw looks/performance and ride comfort... but as you say each to their own. I'm going to 19's to stike a balance (currently have 18's on my 35d.)

Spoke to dealer today about LCI ...

he was saying that 40d and 35i ONLY get sport option (no entry) .. therefore prices going up a fair whack ..30d will be new entry level volume seller like the UK ...anything over 30d becomes a personal choice on how much performance lift you want over 30d. I'd hate to be a 2009/2010 30i owner right now ..

what do you mean by sport option? as in sports pack?