I actually drove my wifes route to work this weekend and I would say that 8 out of 10 stations along the 5 mile route had diesel, so I am not too worried about the availability anymore. I live in the southeast, so maybe there are more stations that carry diesel seeing as there are a lot of people who love their F-250's? I want to say the diesel prices were about on par with premium or a little lower.

I actually have the GasBuddy app on my phone as well. That in addition to Siri, should help her find a diesel station quickly if she gets into a jam in an unfamiliar area.

I did get to drive an 09 35d this weekend. I was pretty impressed. I didn't notice any diesel odor and it was fairly quiet. You could tell a slight difference from inside the car, but it was outside the vehicle that I notice it most. Especially, when the sales person punched it a little as he drive it away. Overall, first impression of the 35d in general were very positive. I will have to say that it was a little strange seeing the tachometer top out at about 5,000 rpm. I am used to looking at my e46 my tach which is useable to 8,200 rpm and reads to 9,000. The tach in the 35d reminded my of my parents e30 325e.

Diesel is all about providing the torque at the low end, no need to scream to 9000 like a little Honda.

There's no fine for filling it yourself in NJ.

I'm looking at a '12 35d as well. $4500 eco credit, $1000 credit for participating in the Olympics event today, and a good relationship with the local dealer should get me a pretty loaded 35d for about $9k under MSRP. I test drove it today and the torque is insane, my only issue, and it purely subjective, is that the interior hasn't changed a bit from my '08, and compared to the Q5 2.0T I'm driving now, it's like being in the 80's. I have to think about it more, but reliability and longevity aren't a concern, it's more about "should I spend the $$$$", but a deal like this is hard to pass up.

Its got a new iDrive, the LCI is supposed to have over 900 changes, also if you chip it you can get another 50hp and 120nm torque? make sure you get Adaptive Drive also.

Coming from an '07 335i and from a "very brief moment in a" 2012 BMW X1, I do say that I love my BMW Diesel.

You have to get used to see people telling you: Wow, I didn't know BMW did Diesel" or turning around when you back up in a steep hill, but for the rest, and mainly for the low-end torque and fuel economy, it was fully worth it.

When you step on it, it changes less on the fuel consuption than it's gas counterpart. So I can push on it more, without being penalized with much higher consuption, thank you high torque !

To the contrary of most of you guys, the X5's for me, the wife will finally get her 135i conv. soon.
I love to look down on people (truck height solely), than to have someone look at the top of my head (no, i'm not bald), but it's me. :D

how often does the urea tank need to get refilled?

Mine has only needed to be filled when I get the oil change when iDrive says to get the oil change at about 11,000 miles. It has never needed any between oil changes.
Chuck

Thanks. How much does it cost to refill when not covered under maintenance?

If you get it truck stops or at an auto parts store and do it yourself it is very cheap. It is the same stuff that BMW sells at a lot more. I have not had to do it myself yet and I don't remember what the price is.
Chuck