Comments on: BMW Four Cylinder Diesels Coming

By: Mirko Reinhardt

Mirko Reinhardt — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 11:47:55 +0000

2 liter diesel BMWs have successfully competed in touring car racing, so I don’t see your point – a fun to drive 4-cylinder diesel car is a perfectly contemporary interpretation of what a BMW should be.

By: Mirko Reinhardt

Mirko Reinhardt — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 11:44:53 +0000

I doubt the 3-series would need the urea system. BMW has a NOx trap available as a 1000€ option on the European 330d. That one would certainly be enough to meet California emissions with the 320d.

By: Mirko Reinhardt

Mirko Reinhardt — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 11:42:42 +0000

The 320d is about 2/3 the price of the 335d. It’s cheaper than any six-cylinder gasser 3-series.

By: Mirko Reinhardt

Mirko Reinhardt — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 11:41:19 +0000

More than 80% of European X3s are equipped with the 2.0L diesel engine. The rest are mostly 3.0L diesel ones.
I don’t see the madness there, except that I doubt the sanity of anybody who buys an X3 instead of a 3-series wagon.

By: PeteMoran

PeteMoran — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 00:36:52 +0000

Subaru have a 2L turbo diesel as well which we’re just about to get in Outback/MT only in Australia. We’ll be down for a drive.

By: th009

th009 — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 00:11:42 +0000

VW Jetta and Golf can get away without the urea system since they are light enough to still pass the emission standards; the Touareg uses the urea system.

I expect that the 3-series, too, would be heavy enough to require the urea system.

By: Bimmer

Bimmer — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 23:59:27 +0000

Not sure if it still affects new 2- liter diesel, but in 320d E46 there were problems with turbo failures and intake manifold swirl flap breaking and being sucked into the engine.

By: artmaltman

artmaltman — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 23:58:35 +0000

WHEN?!!!
How long could it take?
BMW already floods the rest of the world with these!!!

Definitely include AWD and manual, PUHLEEZE!

Art

By: dejal

dejal — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 23:12:26 +0000

I thought people bought BMWs for their racing heritage and performance?
http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/whats-wrong-with-this-picture-bmw-by-volvo-edition/
With diesels in the US and the F1 pullout it looks like even BMW doesn’t believe that crap anymore (if they ever did).

By: RetardedSparks

RetardedSparks — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 22:29:43 +0000

The discount really picked up sales.
I wonder if the lesson here is people will buy diesels if there is no cost premium, or just that of the 100 people who were going to buy the 335d, it took a discount to get the last 75 to actually pull the trigger.
BTW, I thought the deal was only for ’09s. If I knew you could order ’10s (or could still order ’09s in October!?) I might have bought one myself.

By: JLD2k3

JLD2k3 — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 21:34:50 +0000

Let’s talk TORQUE when discussing diesels. The E320 CDI/Bluetec is only 200 hp, but nearly 400 lb*ft. That thing’s a rocket compared to the 215 hp E320 with 221 lb*ft.

By: colin42

colin42 — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 21:26:33 +0000

A DPF prevents the release of diesel Particles Matter (soot) from entering the atmosphere. Periodically they need to be clean which can be done via either increasing the engine NOx and keeping the dpf reasonably warm or by making the DPF hot and using the oxygen in the exhaust to burn the soot.
The SCR is to reduce the engine out NOx – it generally does nothing for Soot (PM). To do this ammonia is required which is often delivered from a urea solution

The VW uses a NOx trap or NOx absorber – This traps a portion of the NOx but again needs to be cleaned; generally by running the engine at stoichiometric.

It is possible to vary the ratio of NOx to PM that the engine produces but in reality both NOx & PM after treatment are needed to meet the current legislation.

By: tedj101

tedj101 — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 20:40:02 +0000

>>The last 2009 335d’s left dealer’s lots with a $4,500 factory “eco-credit” incentive, as well as pretty substantial dealer contribution. With the incentives and discounting it became the cheaper 335 for a while.<<

The eco-credit has been extended twice and is now in place until January. I bought mine in October and there weren’t any in stock anywhere. I had to order one (it’s in shipment now). The discount really picked up sales.

To those who knock BMW for not offering a stick – I was one – they can’t since they don’t produce a manual that can handle the torque of the 335d’s engine. (They don’t sell one in Europe either for that reason.) By contrast, they do sell most of their 32od’s with a stick in Europe. I only wish that they had the 320d available in this country now. It would have been perfect for me. On the other hand, I am looking forward to the 435 lb/ft of torque in my new ride which should be here just in time for my birthday.

By: jet_silver

jet_silver — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 20:37:26 +0000

Seconding asapuntz – the day they say AWD diesel wagon is the day I jump ship from Subaru.

By: cdotson

cdotson — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 20:28:17 +0000

How does a particulate filter replace urea injection? I thought the latter limits NOx emissions. NO2 can be used to clean the filter, but …

It don’t think that it does. A DPF controls soot (particulate emissions). If you use a DPF you can use a reduction catalyst to control NOx. I’m pretty sure without a DPF the cats would clog and quit working, but urea injection can scrub out the NOx if you don’t need secondary reduction of soot.

A diesel wagon with AWD and a manual transmission would hit the Auto Enthusiast Quadfecta of Perfection. It will never sell.

By: werewolf34

werewolf34 — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 20:16:48 +0000

I’ve driven a 320d. Very nice car for every day driving

By: asapuntz

asapuntz — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 20:00:32 +0000

Among US-market BMW cars, only the sedans get the diesel. Not the wagons, and not the AWD. You’d think diesel types would appreciate the practicality of a wagon, and that AWD penalties would be offset by the diesel’s torque and fuel economy qualities. I guess crossovers are what sell here :-(

How does a particulate filter replace urea injection? I thought the latter limits NOx emissions. NO2 can be used to clean the filter, but …

By: RetardedSparks

RetardedSparks — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 20:00:24 +0000

I’m sure BMW is not prompted by the sales numbers (dismal, at best) but rather by the looming CAFE standards. I assume their hybrid system is way too expensive, and heavy, for the 3’s and 5’s, so diesel is their only choice for keeping performance at reasonable levels and boosting mileage. Getting rid of Pee-Drive in favor of a VW-style regenerating cat system for emissions will probably help sales, too.
I rented a 520d Touring with a six-speed stick in Germany a couple years ago and it lacks for nothing in normal driving. I think it got over 40 mpg, too.

By: vvk

vvk — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 19:54:23 +0000

Watch them dimwits offer it with automatic only.

By: The Comedian

The Comedian — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 19:47:12 +0000

The last 2009 335d’s left dealer’s lots with a $4,500 factory “eco-credit” incentive, as well as pretty substantial dealer contribution. With the incentives and discounting it became the cheaper 335 for a while.

I think there is demand for high end diesel passenger cars, but the 335d configuration was an odd first import choice with limited build choices available. No manual transmission, sedan body style only, high price and rear wheel drive only.

I think that they may have had a bigger win with a smaller engine or a larger chassis.

I was waiting a few 335Ds out for a good discount on the local lots in September/October. Back to back opposite coast excursions took me out of the market for a few weeks and when I looked again they were all gone.

By: hurls

hurls — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 19:47:06 +0000

Gimme one in a touring and my now getting a bit creaky 323iT is on the trading block!

That’s assuming this isn’t going to be 50 grand… so maybe I ought not to speak too soon.

By: segfault

segfault — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 19:41:32 +0000

A two-liter diesel in an X3/X5? Have they gone mad?

By: Tosh

Tosh — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 19:24:40 +0000

I will accept one in my 120d 5-door hatch…

By: TrailerTrash

TrailerTrash — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 19:22:54 +0000

Does anybody know how well(?) their last diesel, the 335D, is selling?
I was under the impression that the numbers weren’t good.
So why more?
Myself, I would LOVE to own a kick ass diesel like this, but the pricing will always keep me looking with nose pressed to the dealer window.
I know God’s not listening because no prayers go answered. And I know my need for this engine is most important.
I guess I’ll just work on Santa.