Everything you wanted to know about BMW diesels...

I spent weeks driving BMW diesels as well as those from the competition.

If you still think that diesels are slow and noisy, and belch black smoke, you’re not alone—but you probably live in the U.S. Today, diesels in Europe account for roughly 50% of the market. In BMW’s home market of Germany, 70% of BMWs sold are diesels.

But in the United States, the market is minuscule, in part because diesel automobiles acquired a reputation for poor reliability thanks in part to diesel models from Cadillac and Oldsmobile in the 1980s. For some reason, the ultra-reliable Mercedes 240d never seems to be what comes to mind, despite the fact that these cars were typically able to last well over 100,000 miles. (Of course, getting one to start at 40 below was an interesting adventure. . . but what’s life without a little challenge?)

...

To see what’s changed, I spent over a month driving four diesel-powered automobiles: BMW’s 535d, the Audi A6 TDI, the Volkswagen Jetta TDI, and the Mercedes-Benz ML320 BlueTec. I also spent a few hours behind the wheel of a BMW 335d and a 123d. Here’s what I found.

Test list includes

• BMW 335d
• BMW 535d
• BMW 123d
• Audi A6 TDI
• VW Jetta TDI
• M-B ML320

Click here for the full article.

Thanks! Going to read it later

And, my job sucks compared to yours

I drove behind a new Audi A4 diesel yesterday. The thing looked pretty awesome with big wheels, body kits and lowered suspension aswell as dual exhausts. I got closer and saw that it was a 3.0TDI. He then raced against another car from a traffic light and left a long dirty trail of black smoke behind him that smelt aweful...THIS FROM A BRAND NEW CAR!!!

I would be too embarresed to ever drive a car that did that

Originally Posted by Beemaboy

I drove behind a new Audi A4 diesel yesterday. The thing looked pretty asweome with big wheels, body kits and lowered suspension aswell as dual exhausts. I got closer and saw that it was a 3.0TDI. He then raced against another car from a traffic light and left a long dirty trial of black smoke behind him that smelt aweful...THIS FROM A BRAND NEW CAR!!!

I would be too embarresed to ever drive a car that did that

None of the diesels I tested had any exhaust even remotely resembling that

No surprise. All manufacturers are using the same play book to get diesels 50 state legal.

The modern diesel technology has existed for quite a while, but American's have not been fans of diesels like the Europeans. I still doubt many diesels will sell without a very very large MPG increase.

The VW Rabbit diesel got 50MPG back in the 1970's. This is what will sell now. Not an X5 diesel that gets 10% better mileage.

It is sad that the car makes have to be pushed so hard to bring this technology to the market. They could have done it 20 years ago. Now that Europe is increasing air standards, auto makes have no choice.

Great write up. At our dealership we have VW's also and the Jetta is a great car for the money. It's not the performance car like the BMW but like you said good equipment and great value.
Drove the X3 Diesel at the plant this year and the 535d last year. The Torque is exciting. I'm sure once the Diesels hit the lots and after some test drives the car will be a great addition to the BMW family.

Nice article Jonathan, can't wait to hear your impressions of the new 7er.

Erik

Please BMW, bring the 123d to the US.

Originally Posted by Bruce

Please BMW, bring the 123d to the US.

I am hoping to get more time with this one - when I do, I'll post more details on it.

Originally Posted by JSpira

I am hoping to get more time with this one - when I do, I'll post more details on it.

Thanks....info on if/when it is coming would be nice too.

Originally Posted by Bruce

Thanks....info on if/when it is coming would be nice too.

I wish I knew. It was apparently in a parking lot accident and didn't make it to the NE when the other diesels came.

1 series diesels would be great. 1 series 5 door diesels would get me to the BMW dealer this week...

But are the new "common-rail" diesels have the same maintenance costs and issues as old reliable (eg: Merc's TDs prior to 2000) ones?

Originally Posted by JSpira

None of the diesels I tested had any exhaust even remotely resembling that

Were you driving in it or behind it? It only happens when you put your foot down though, not when cruising. But, from me, who likes to drive occasionally with my foot to the floor, I would be too embarresed to pass the other car chucking out black smoke

Cars are not supposed to smoke if they are healthy

Originally Posted by Beemaboy

Were you driving in it or behind it? It only happens when you put your foot down though, not when cruising. But, from me, who likes to drive occasionally with my foot to the floor, I would be too embarresed to pass the other car chucking out black smoke

Cars are not supposed to smoke if they are healthy

During my tests, I was of course in the car. But I have driven behind thousands of cars in Europe and not noticed any black smoke coming out of the diesel cars even when they accelerated.

Originally Posted by JSpira

During my tests, I was of course in the car. But I have driven behind thousands of cars in Europe and not noticed any black smoke coming out of the diesel cars even when they accelerated.

I dont know then. Maybe I have just driven behind people who dont take car of their diesel cars...
I do know that personally I will never buy a diesel car until the technology had progressed far enough that there is not even a slight hint of smoke coming out the exhaust. I am just a stick for a car that does not have anything visible coming out the exhaust...

i was wondering how BMW would force owners to comply with the emissions law once the urea tank runs out

so, according to USA Today who just reviewed the 335d, the car warns you 1,000 miles before urea tank is empty that the car needs service, that's it...

then, once you pass 1,000 miles, the car WON'T RESTART

so, if my wife ignores the warning for a few hundred miles too long, which almost everyone does with service indicators, and once you dismiss the warning I don't know if it comes back, you could be stranded

better hope that warning interval doesn't ever malfunction, or that you don't dismiss or forget the warning, or your wife doesn't, and then you find out too late and you're not close enough to a dealer to get the tank re-filled

or god forbid an emergency situation arises and the computer locks you out

***********************************************

BMW diesels headed for the U.S. will also be idiot-proofed with a special valve in the fuel inlet pipe that stays closed so no fuel can be dispensed from anything but a regulation 24mm diesel fuel nozzle. Woe be the poor idiot who runs out of gas alongside the road, though -- better carry a gas can with a 24mm neck, possibly made of metal, to close the two contacts that release the fueling flap. (Only 43% of gas stations in the US currently carry diesel, and it is currently about $1.00 more expensive than its premium counterpart in many areas).

The selective-catalytic reduction agent that Mercedes calls AdBlue is known as Diesel Exhaust Fluid in the BMW service department, and it'll cost roughly $10/gallon after the free-maintenance period (4 years/50,000 miles or with a 6 year extended plan available at extra cost). The car will illuminate a yellow warning lamp with 2.5 liters remaining (roughly 1000 miles of driving). The driver is warned that the engine will not restart again after the range drops to zero.

The fill time is about a year so it should co-inside with regular maintenance. It's like locking your keys in the car. You USUALLY only do it once and then you learn your lesson.

Didnt want to create a new thread

I found interesting PDF from other forums. LINK

Originally Posted by Beemaboy

I do know that personally I will never buy a diesel car until the technology had progressed far enough that there is not even a slight hint of smoke coming out the exhaust. I am just a stick for a car that does not have anything visible coming out the exhaust...

your 335d is at the dealership smokelessly waiting

Originally Posted by pilotman

i was wondering how BMW would force owners to comply with the emissions law once the urea tank runs out

so, according to USA Today who just reviewed the 335d, the car warns you 1,000 miles before urea tank is empty that the car needs service, that's it...

then, once you pass 1,000 miles, the car WON'T RESTART

so, if my wife ignores the warning for a few hundred miles too long, which almost everyone does with service indicators, and once you dismiss the warning I don't know if it comes back, you could be stranded

better hope that warning interval doesn't ever malfunction, or that you don't dismiss or forget the warning, or your wife doesn't, and then you find out too late and you're not close enough to a dealer to get the tank re-filled

or god forbid an emergency situation arises and the computer locks you out

.

so if the drivers of your vehs are that irresponsible, just buy a 20.00 bottle of ad blue and keep it handy, do your vehs drivers run out of gas alot???? I just dont get an arguement that having a warning count down for 1000 miles isnt adequate to get the def refilled esp not when you can do this yourself easily

Originally Posted by pilotman

so, according to USA Today who just reviewed the 335d, the car warns you 1,000 miles before urea tank is empty that the car needs service, that's it...

then, once you pass 1,000 miles, the car WON'T RESTART

so, if my wife ignores the warning for a few hundred miles too long, which almost everyone does with service indicators, and once you dismiss the warning I don't know if it comes back, you could be stranded

How did one thousand miles turn into "a few hundred miles?"


But I would agree that if you are the sort of person who ignores service indicators for a thousand miles, you should probably not buy a diesel.

I still think ds should have indicator showing DEF level. My run warning came on on Toronto on the way back to home from Quebec at 5k. - problem with recirculating pump. When I got home I had more than 500miles left, getting it to the dealer took few day and at the end it had left 300miles. I don't complain 1000 miles is plenty to get DEF topped off, but if it happened at the beginning of my trip (I did 2500miles) I would have to top off active tank few times. Indicator would be great, something similar to fuel level.......

Originally Posted by tlak77

I still think ds should have indicator showing DEF level. My run warning came on on Toronto on the way back to home from Quebec at 5k. - problem with recirculating pump. When I got home I had more than 500miles left, getting it to the dealer took few day and at the end it had left 300miles. I don't complain 1000 miles is plenty to get DEF topped off, but if it happened at the beginning of my trip (I did 2500miles) I would have to top off active tank few times. Indicator would be great, something similar to fuel level.......

May be electronic gauge would make more sense or even better may be physical gauge in side DEF filler cap in addition to 1000 miles warning. Before starting on long miles trip you can see level same way we test our dipsticks, tire pressures
But frankly 1000 miles warning is more than enough unless you are going to North of Quebec(like in tlak77's case)

Originally Posted by bimmerdiesel

Didnt want to create a new thread

I found interesting PDF from other forums. LINK

BTW my reason to post in this old thread (last updated in 2008) because title of thread matched what I was searching. Some thread where we can store diesel related technical info and general articles.