2008 4.8 or 2010 35d

[ZheHbKa]

Originally Posted by AKX3

WOW!!! I had no idea, I priced them with the Original bmw, etc.... Thanks for the great find, I never thought of replica wheels, Conti tires, flares, even the exhaust! I stand corrected...

original parts are ridiculously expensive, the only downside to wheel replicas is that they are more fragile but with stock size tire its fine. conti dws is light years better then stock rft's

overall i found that bmw's are relatively cheap to mod, alot of vendors on the market

[jayjay_dee]

I agree with most here, 35d... dont worry too much about the diesel sound, you wont hear it as much when you're listening to good music.... lol...

Ive driven my 35d to Toronto (from NJ) several times last year (almost every month), one full tank each way, I dont think its possible with others esp 4.8

[bluetec]

Originally Posted by gwinder

2008 4.8 or 2010 35d

Curious why the different year models? If they are specific vehicles you are looking at, maybe you should have included mileage on each. I'm certainly biased, but I would choose the diesel. MPG is not the sole consideration, but I sold a gas guzzling SUV that was fun to drive, but cost a fortune at the pump. Loaded '09 Yukon Denali, 6.2L that required premium. Tried running regular a few times with poor results. I could not wait to unload it, although it was a beast and one of the best long distance highway cruisers. During the summer I would sometimes fill it twice a week. On my way to the X5d, I also passed on a beautiful loaded 550i for the same reason. We are a two diesel family and very happy. In the end, the test drives should help cement your decision. The broad power band and effortless power of the twin turbo diesel from 1500 RPM still makes me smile.

[Mitch P.]

I'm pretty sure that the diesel credit is no longer available past Dec 31, 2010 according to Fuel Economy.

[AKX3]

Originally Posted by Mitch P.

I'm pretty sure that the diesel credit is no longer available past Dec 31, 2010 according to Fuel Economy.

according to this article, that you linked, apparently it's History...

Federal Tax Credit for Diesels

[4MoJoe]

I cut my fuel bill by $150 a month with the diesel by selling my 2004 4.4i V8. Like others the diesel Eco-Credit made the purchase decision a no brainer. Even with the cost differential between premium and diesel I'm still saving money. Although there is no sense in why diesel is more than gas.

It's a shame that the process to federalize a diesel engine in the US is such a (political) process for manufacturers. So many great options are available across the pond that it's a shame.

[JCL]

Originally Posted by 4MoJoe

I cut my fuel bill by $150 a month with the diesel by selling my 2004 4.4i V8. Like others the diesel Eco-Credit made the purchase decision a no brainer. Even with the cost differential between premium and diesel I'm still saving money. Although there is no sense in why diesel is more than gas.

It's a shame that the process to federalize a diesel engine in the US is such a (political) process for manufacturers. So many great options are available across the pond that it's a shame.

Interesting topic.

Diesel fuel contains 10% more energy than gasoline (by volume) so it should cost 10% more, just considering the energy value. We are just conditioned to think in terms of litres and gallons, not in terms of energy.

Beyond that, US refineries have been designed to produce a certain percentage of diesel compared to gasoline. We have had predictable consumption (relative to each other) for years. Now we have increased diesel demand, and so there will naturally be higher prices. Add to that the push for low sulphur fuels, and the investment required there, and I would say that not only are higher diesel prices justified (not liked, just justified) but that they will go higher in the medium term, relative to gasoline. I don't know if people buying diesel vehicles are budgeting for that or not.

I don't know that the process to federalize a diesel engine is any more political than a gasoline engine. Our respective government agencies have just targeted different pollutants than Europe does. EPA and Euro emissions regulations are both moving in the same direction, ie more strict, but they are alternately leapfrogging each other due to program timing differences. The limits to US introductions of diesels, and why manufacturers are going slow, is that there is still a limited market for diesels, and manufacturers need to recover their investments. You can only give away diesels with introductory credits for so long before it comes home to roost.

I would be interested in comments from others on this.

[phillymb75]

I didn't see it mentioned, but one major thing for me is the updated navigation system in the 2010 vs. the 2008, much better and quicker system. I'm also biased towards the diesel having just upgraded my 2006 3.0 to a 2012 3.5D. Have less than 2,500 miles, but amazing difference from the old one.

[AzNMpower32]

My feel is that the US governments and people in general are so focused on electricity as a fuel source for vehicles that diesels and hydrogen get no attention. In certain areas diesel is catching on but a general lack of interest doesn't help.

Our state government has been installing free charging stations at a few rest areas within North Carolina for electric cars, yet NC still does not have labeling laws on the cetane of diesel (unlike VA).

[JCL]

Diesel is a short term alternative IMO

Hydrogen isn't an energy source, it's a storage medium. We can't drill for hydrogen, and producing it from natural gas is a losing proposition due to the negative energy balance

Natural gas is a better medium term solution