I guess to have the best of both worlds you have to buy both vehicles. I drove both the 3.0si and the 4.8. I liked the power of the 4.8, but didn't like the gas mileage. The 3.0si had better fuel economy but I found it a bit weak in the performance department. I'm hoping the diesel will be "just right". Not fast, but not slow and torque right where one needs it for daily urban driving.

As for the wheels; I drove a 4.8 with the sport package and couldn't wait to return it to the dealership. The ride was harsh and the tram lining was horrible (OK, the roads in my city have a fair bit of rutting in the asphalt). If I want to wrestle, I'll do in on the mat, rather than behind the wheel. The 3.0si with the standard wheel setup was perfect for me.

With fuel economy at 11.5L/100 city and 7.5L/100 hwy, the 35d will get the same fuel mileage as a Honda Accord V6, but will have much more utility and be more fun to drive. Hopefully I won't be in the dealership every week with problems.

Are there pictures of the wheels (or size/description)?

I read the 09 brochure wrong. Same wheels for the 30i and the diesel. Style 212 19" for the sport package 19x9.0 star spoke.

Craig

Any pricing yet?

My dealer told me pricing would come out in 10-12 days from when I talked to him on 11/03/08 for the diesel..

Craig

My dealer says the same and expects the diesel to carry a $2,000CAD premium over the 3.0si. I guess we'll have to wait and see.

I've heard between $2800-$3000 more for the diesel over the 30i.

All we can do is wait to see what the price really is. Everything else is just speculation...

Dealers are taking orders now, but I'm wating until pricing comes out. No reason to get in a hurry. Cars aren't flying off the dealers lots right now.

Craig

I agree about waiting. In fact I'm going to place an order for the first March production slot I can get. I'd like to have the new CIC.

This is a fairly significant change in the E70, due in March I believe. Do you think the March production will be an early 2010 model to avoid confusion with the 2009 model?

It's hard to know. Do you remember what happed with the '08 5 series LCI? I believe it was introduced in the summer of '07 as an '08 model. It had no bodywork changes, but included upgrades to the interior.

If the CIC is part of March production as rumored, then it wouldn't surprise me if it was a 2010 LCI that would hit the dealerships in April/May (similar to the 5 series, I think).

In any event, I kind of need a vehicle now as mine was written off. I may be able to use a spare vehicle at work until spring, but if the LCI won't happen until a 2010 introduction next September then I either take a diesel/CIC March production or buy/lease something entirely different.

I always like to have the latest and the greatest (which is why I would try to wait for the CIC), but I can't wait a year. Timing wise for me it's a bit of a pain; the new 5 series was a consideration, but no one really knows when it will hit the showrooms either and I don't really want an end of cycle car.

Time will tell, I guess.