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I'm not sure how many of you are BMW drivers as well as Saab drivers, but I have to say, I'm beyond excited for the arrival of my on-order 2010 335d. I've been a diesel fan ever since I began renting cars in Europe, and love the low end torque, gas mileage and overall characteristics of the diesel engine. Most rentals were lower powered and manual transmission (Peugeot 406 HDi, Vauxhall Meriva 1.7CDTi, Jag X-type 2.0D and Honda Accord 2.2 CDT-i to name a few) but all were fantastic vehicles...the Honda in particular (Acura TSX to us in North America).
I test drove a 335d in August and was absolutely blown away by the entire package. The 425 lb/ft of torque makes the car ridiculously fast and I can't think of another car I've driven with more seamless passing power. The engine has a deep growl and is surprisingly rev happy for a diesel. Did I mention 36mpg on the highway in a car that does 0-60 in 5.3 secs? They are still super rare in the US, which is another draw for me(kind of like my Cosmic blue 9-5 Aero wagon...I've never seen another one!)
I'm swapping out a 335i convertible for it (which has had the well known fuel pump issue and a few other weird quirks). The car arrives in mid October. BMW offered a $4,500 eco credit in August (which sealed the deal for me), primarily to get the leftover 335d's off the lot, but they have extended it until November, so I think it's been a fairly successful program to get people to try a diesel car for a change. If I had the choice, I'd rather get a 320d or 330d (both available with a 6 speed manual...the 335d has too much torque for any BMW manual transmission so it's auto only), and forego the power in favor of MPGs, but we're stuck with what we can get from BMW USA. I don't think I'll be disappointed
I really hope Saab thinks about bringing one of its diesel engines to the US. I'd love a Saab 9-5 1.9TTiD wagon (or some iteration of it). Then again, with CAFE standards increasing in the next few years, my guess is most manufacturers will be forced into either hybrids or diesels to get closer to the 35.5 mpg number. Not a bad thing in my opinion.
Cheers,
Paul H.
posted by 68.127.169...
, Thu, 17 Sep 2009 12:08:36
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