Diesel BMW Engine Programming alert

[anatolych]

I think they have you fooled. By overpricing it at first, they made everyone believe its a technologically superior engine, while in reality their gas engines are as advanced. Eco credit created a sense of urgency for those who did not mind the diesel, which is what BMW wanted to achieve. Mercedes and Audi also rolled out their diesels, but I don't believe they are as successful as BMW. Maybe its because I have not visited BenzWorld in a while, but I doubt it. I don't mind these games as long as they bring out more diesel users to spread the word. If they are successful, resale on diesel will be awesome, which is my bet.

[m5james]

Originally Posted by anatolych

I am convinced that BMW is on the mission to change Americans' misconceptions about diesel. I agree with them and it feels good to participate.

America's misconception? That's a pretty broad generalization.

I've owned two F350's, and driven countless F250-F650's, Peterbuilts, etc in the past. Diesels have and probably always will outlive their gas engine counterparts. They are generally easier to rebuild by removing and replacing a sleeve, lower maintenance (in exchange for more expensive oil changes) and gas mileage leaders in truck when compared to gasoline engines due to the greater amount of torque available in towing applications.

I think the problem is that diesel particulate emission whiners, ethanol pushing people in oval office is what has kept more diesel based cars out of the states for so long. I can't wait to see someone start using biodiesel in their X5.

I was trying to find the video showing how the BMW diesel was made, but w/ no luck...yet I came across this - YouTube - Fifth Gear: Worlds first diesel Grand Tourer, the BMW 635d.. I wish BMW would pull it's head out and bring these over also.

[Penguin]

Originally Posted by anatolych

I think they have you fooled. By overpricing it at first, they made everyone believe its a technologically superior engine, while in reality their gas engines are as advanced.

So you are saying they purposely over-priced and planned a US launch failure, because their grand strategy was to then later drop the price and make everyone think they were getting a bargain?


Having worked in the past in Product Planning at an auto manufacturer, and been in a lot of planning meetings with Corporate Marketing types, I'm not sure if I buy into that idea... For one, if I was in Corporate planning such a strategy, I would make sure each dealer had more than 1.5 diesel vehicles in inventory when I dropped the price...

[anatolych]

Penguin, I guess you are right. I never was in a product management role, but I find it strange that BMW boards are all full of excitement with the diesel, but not as much excitement in the Benz or Audi boards. Of the two X5's at PCD both were diesels (including mine). Also, all three German manufacturers ask about $4K premium for the diesel compared to the gas version before incentive. I have no idea how they came up with that number, bu tit can't be a volume issue if you believe that 70% of European sales are diesel. But in the end its less important if somebody got the invoice price wrong as long as they are committed to building and moving the product in the end at the right price. I really want BMW to be behind the diesel.
m5james, I am with you. From the practical perspective, there is no doubt diesel makes sense. Professionals who depend on their trucks for business and care about cost of ownership and durability embraced diesels. Unfortunately consumers are not there. Yet...

[Penguin]

Originally Posted by anatolych

Also, all three German manufacturers ask about $4K premium for the diesel compared to the gas version before incentive.

I had thought the others had a preium of around $2K, but I must admit I haven't checked it out and am just recalling comments I remember some reviewers making. If the others are a similar premium, I guess I can't fault BMW for doing the same.