BMW Announces Pricing on New Diesels
Both vehicles feature the same powertrain: a 265-hp, twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six producing 425 pounds-feet of torque, paired with a six-speed automatic transmission. BMW says the 335d will achieve 23/33 mpg city/highway, while the X5 xDrive35d will get 19/25 mpg. The gasoline-powered 335i gets 17/26 mpg, which makes the diesel roughly 30% more efficient — about equivalent to the difference in price between a gallon of premium and a gallon of diesel. The improved mileage also puts the 3 Series on par with most midsize four-cylinder sedans in fuel efficiency, yet it achieves 0-60 mph acceleration of 6.2 seconds. The X5 xDrive35d’s fuel economy is competitive with Mercedes’ Bluetec M-Class.
BMW announced the diesels back in January, and we’ll see production-ready models at the L.A. auto show next week. The pair marks the first diesel foray for BMW since the 1983 524td. Like Volkswagen and Mercedes, this is BMW’s way of combating higher federal fuel-economy standards and rising gas prices in the States.
The 335d and X5 xDrive35d will be 50-state compliant — passing even California’s strict standards — by using a filtration system similar to Mercedes-Benz’s Bluetec, which uses particulate filtration and a urea-injection system.
With that sort of performance and fuel economy coming from these diesel variants, the pair may be a tantalizing alterative to luxury hybrids from Lexus and Cadillac. When you factor in the IRS’ Alternative Motor Vehicle Credit — which offers a maximum credit of $900 for the 335d and $1,550 for the diesel X5 — you’re talking about a slim $1,000 price premium over the regular 3 Series and $2,550 over the standard X5.
We’ll withhold our final verdict until after the test drive, of course.
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Which equivalent gas engined model were you comparing MSRP's for?
While the diesel is a nice option, is there any new word whether BMW will start importing four cylinder cars?
I'm comparing the diesels to the 335i sedan with a automatic transmission and a base X5
This is a bad idea for the consumer and the environment. Does the 335d warranty cover the failure of fuel injectors due to the use of bad diesel fuel, fuel gelling, or improper use of biodiesel? Only BMW would charge a premium price for a Honda civic sized car with a backward technology. And Bloke, buying a four cylinder BMW is like kissing your girlfriend through a screen door. Buy a Cobalt.
Right, because the engine itself is the only thing that makes a BMW, a BMW. But I would also bet that BMW make a more powerful, more efficient four than others.
Hybrit,
If you don't like them then don't buy them and stop your endless ranting about why diesels are supposedly so wrong. And no you don't have to respond by listing why diesels are supposedly so wrong.
Bloke, you're probably right, but I remember the 318i's of the past as being lackluster fours. I would totally agree with you if they would offer a four cylinder in a car that weighs about 2300 lbs, but most Bimmers are heavy machines. Anonymous, I don't mind diesel in trucks or extreme high mileage cars. But the idea of replacing a high performance gas engine with a high performance diesel engine doesn't seem to make much sense, when the mileage savings are modest (just 17 percent better than a 328i), the initial price is higher and fuel costs are potentially much higher.
It is not just the engine that makes a BMW a BMW. I bought mine for the handling mostly. I wanted a car with rear wheel drive handling. I get better gas mileage in my BMW than most people do in their cobalts. Cobalts are just cavaliers which are cheaply made.