Diesels...
 

Does anyone know which models BMW is bringing the diesel engines over on? I ask because my mom is thinking of getting a new car. She's in a 2005 Volvo XC70 right now. She likes it, but isn't a fan of the way it drives.. Also, things break and it's generally expensive to fix. She said she wanted a hybrid, but I talked her out of it. I think that a BMW 530xd wagon would be ideal for her. Good mileage, drives well, easier to make up the cost difference over the gas model vs. a hybrid... She's driven several BMWs that I've had as loaners. She liked the X3, but doesn't want an SUV (SAV), and the X5 is too big for her. Anyone know when the diesels are coming?!

LeMansX5 said 2008......

It's really funny, last year at the BMW NA HQ Club meet the director of all the brands said that diesels were a losing proposition....well sure enough BMW announces this year that they are going to start using them. Heck, I say great -- the better gas mileage would be awesome.

I don't think that they will run clean enough to pass Cal & NY air requirements

I doubt that the diesel X5 or X3 are more polluting than a diesel Ford F350 which are authorized trucks in these States.

Try any one of the mass transit buses in the US. Talk about polluting.

I think a Ford F350 is treated as a heavy truck don't think they treat a SUV the same way, but could be wrong.

Europe has new, much stricter requirements coming out in 2007 or 2008 for diesels.. I think they have to cut the particulate emissions from like 400ppm to 15ppm, like on the new MBZ E320 Bluetec. Seeing as BMW is a European company, I'm sure it will have the new "clean" diesels.

A little off topic,but I have a 2006 Honda Civic Hybrid, and I have only positive things to say about it. First of all, there is only a 12 gallon tank, and get at least 450-500 miles per tank. /the ride is smooth, and the car has great pick-up for 110 hp. Also, Hybrids hold their value. IMO. Plus when i purchased it, I recieved $4000 back in taxes for owning a environmentally friendly vehicle. Also registration cost me only $36, rather tan $500+.

Something like that is out of the question for my mom. She needs more space, and AWD is a must. Her only other real choice would be a Lexus RX400h, but she doesn't want an SUV...

Didn't know you looking for the space, then yes the BMW wagon isa good choice.:thumbup:

I agree but one reason why a same diesel engine would be more polluting in the USA is due to the quality of the diesel which in the USA is less refined than in Europe. However, I believe new environmental rules have been recently put in place which require a dramatic reduction in the sulfur content. This should very soon be reflected in the diesel sold in the USA.

A law just passed though mandating that they start selling the new low-sulfur diesel. By now 80% of stations are supposed to be selling it, eventually 100%. Even the Sunoco down the road from me sells it.

Traditionally, Europe and North America legislation has differed with respect to vehicle pollution regs. Regulating NOx vs particulates, for example. We got the cleaner low-sulphur fuel from October 2006 onwards, so that is no longer a show-stopper, but the new 2007 pollution regs will be a challenge for all manufacturers. It isn't that they can't meet the regs, it is that they can't safely guarantee that the vehicle will still be clean at 100,000 km or miles, depending on the jurisdiction. The liability issue is huge for the manufacturer, which is why, when diesels are released, they will likely be in very few models, and low volumes, until more experience is gained. Case in point: Mercedes is using urea injection in Europe, and BMW has announced plans to do the same. That approach will likely be used in North America. Will US owners replenish the urea tanks regularly? The vehicle will run fine without the ammonia injection, but it will pollute. Will owners ignore the warning lights when the tank is low? Will they accept a "can not drive further because it isn't legal" message? Will there be 'bypass kits' sold on Ebay? Only time will tell.

None of the European manufacturers want to introduce diesels in North America. I believe it is a losing proposition from a commercial perspective, until they have sufficient volume. Besides, they will have to retool plants to make more diesels, there is more cost. They would rather avoid the issue. They just don't want to be left out if their direct competitor (BMW, Mercedes, Audi, Volvo, take your pick) introduces a diesel. That is why, IMO, the availability dates keep changing. Promising to bring diesels here isn't the same as actually bringing them.

This might give some insight into what is going on in Europe with regard to emissions:

http://www.globalinsight.com/SDA/SDADetail7802.htm

At present we're on Euro 4 emission limits and certain options are not available on diesels. My wife has a 2005 E46 330 D MSport Convertible with the same engine as my 'X', but because it was made after April 2005 it had to meet the EU4 regs and no auto option is available as the auto version prevents it meeting EU4 emissions.

It has particulate filtering but the NOx limit is still breached on an auto so BMW did not make it available. The new version will be OK though.

Quite a shame. I'd love a diesel.. Much better economy, good power, and it would be nice to go 700+/- miles on a tank, especially considering the amount of miles I drive. :(