Originally Posted by deutsch100

In response to Quiksilver, I have driven new, modern BMW and MBZ Diesel models in Germany (S320 CDI, 530d, A180 CDI and an Audi A4 diesel).

They are NOT noisy and they sound just like a gasoline engine...if you really, really listen you can probably tell it's a diesel, maybe, but it is nothing like years ago.

They were fast as hell, and NO sooty exhaust at all...even during hard acceleration. 260 km/hr in the S-Class auf der Autobahn, and it was still accelerating

Maybe an X5 Diesel will not pay for itself quick enough, but a 3 or 5 Series Diesel, or a C or E Class diesel will pay for itself quite quickly.

2008 Mercedes E-Class numbers:

E320 Bluetec Diesel 400 lb-ft torque 23/32 mpg

E350 Gasoline model 258 lb-ft torque 17/24 mpg