BMW Says All Future Diesel Models for U.S. Will Be All-Wheel Drive

[LeMansX5]

BMW Says All Future Diesel Models for U.S. Will Be All-Wheel Drive | Straightline Blog on Edmunds' Inside Line

[AzNMpower32]

That's stupid. I'm going to stop buying BMWs if they're going the "Audi" route. Who are the marketing people that conduct the market surveys?

[JCL]

The conclusion I would draw is that the 335d has not been successful in the NA market.

We may see diesel 3 or 5 series still, but only in the x versions. Pretty much the same story as the touring versions which ended up being limited to x versions in many cases.

BMW seem to be taking the approach that the less sporting features (heavier, lower reving, diesel, AWD, automatic trans only) will be grouped together. This may protect their traditional products somewhat.

Too bad, because a 320d would be a brilliant vehicle.

[Meiac09]

They make 320d xDrive, and they're actually quite popular. I think that the "forced xDrive" is retarded though. I'm getting ready to drop mine with the warranty expiring because IMO, its just one more thing to break (and I don't really need it anymore). RWD is better, I needed AWD when I lived in Maine, and it served me well. It still eats tires, gas and handling, and isn't diesel supposed to save gas?

[FSETH]

I really just don't get diesels. At least in the US. With the prices of fuel here and the availability of hybrids, there really isn't a point, IMO.

Compare the WV Jetta diesel to the Ford Fusion Hybrid for example. The Fusion has a lower annual fuel cost even if you drive 80% of your miles on the highway (where diesels have the advantage), is faster 0-60 (I think), has a lower carbon footprint, is just as safe and is American made? Where is the advantage to owning a diesel?

Back to BMW diesels, I think I read in a magazine that with our gas prices it would take 5-10 years to recoup the initial cost of buying a 335d diesel with the fuel savings over a regual 3-series.

[AzNMpower32]

For the umpteeth time, diesel prices vary by state and taxation. In VA and most of NC, diesel is cheaper than mid-grade, sometimes regular. In addition, most petrol stations charge a lot more for premium versus the other grades; a $0,35-0,40 differential is the norm.

[Quicksilver]

3 Series Diesel is too small for me.
5 Series Diesel? I might consider it.

imo Diesel driving is just a different
experience. You can feel the torque,
the low RPM on the highway. It's hard
to explain but my Peugoet 504 seemed
to have a love affair with the road.
Once it really got going it was like there
was no stopping it.

Of course the fact that it had a 40 gallon
fuel tank capacity and about 1500 mile cruising
range helped a lot.

I must confess though I
haven't driven the new Diesel cars
for any length of time but if I had
somewhere to put it, A Ford F250 4WD
diesel would be one of my toys.

I have driven those and I got the same
feeling. Effortless torque and a feeling
of brute power waiting to be pushed to
the limit.

[FSETH]

Originally Posted by AzNMpower32

For the umpteeth time, diesel prices vary by state and taxation. In VA and most of NC, diesel is cheaper than mid-grade, sometimes regular. In addition, most petrol stations charge a lot more for premium versus the other grades; a $0,35-0,40 differential is the norm.

OK. I just went to www.fueleconomy.gov and put in the average fuel costs for diesel and regular gas for my metro area. Based on those fuel prices and driving 15,000 miles per year with 75% being highway, the annual fuel cost for the Jetta diesel would be $1,007 and the Fusion hybrid would be $924. Fairly close, but still a win for the hybrid. The carbon footprint for the Fusion is lower as well. The Fusion has an annual fuel consumption of 9.0 barrels compared to the Jetta's 10.3. Seems like the hybrid is a better choice for the environment. Also, if you drive less than 75% highway, the advantage grows for the hybrid (depending on fuel prices in your particular area).

[X5rolls]

It doesn't add up for me to only offer AWD for diesels. Maybe they are trying to lower the number of unique vehicles and thereby save some money. Otherwise, the two don't really relate to each other that make sense for an entire US market to me.

[Quicksilver]

I didn't read the data but what would be of interest is how BMW arrived
at the conclusion that this would be a good thing.