[visualguy]

Originally Posted by Jim-Bow

Whilst horsepower is measured and yup pretty much defines the 0-60 time and top speed of a car, its not something you can feel - torque is and gives you the 'sensation' of acceleration (its an amount of delta/change vs the measurement of overall work):

In practice high torque makes a car "feel" powerful and effortless even if the 540i next to it would beat it to the 1/4 mile every time.

If youve not experienced it itd be certainly worth a test drive.

Yes, I can see how it could feel faster while being slower because the engine doesn't have to rev as high, but I would still rather drive the car that actually accelerates faster than the car that only feels like it's accelerating faster...

[Jim-Bow]

For bragging rights and the traffic light grand prix the horsepower wins - but damn that torque is addictive. (Id swap for a 550i if i could have one though)

[Pierre Louis]

Originally Posted by M3 Number 86

love my wife's f10 535d. diesel was so cheap too. But for some strange reason right now in socal, I see diesel is more expensive than 91 octane. so probably a no go on her next car when lease expires this august.

Originally Posted by visualguy

I was asking for reasons not related to economy. Even the economy part isn't obvious because the car itself is more expensive (in the US), and diesel is actually more expensive than premium for many. For example, in California, which is the most populous state in the US, diesel is more expensive than premium.

If the nearly equivalent diesel gets 10 mpg better, the difference in price has little effect. Fuel economy makes diesel less expensive.

The argument should compare a 540i to a 540d (in the US). Getting a 530i comes closer to being as economical as a diesel but not really in mpg's.

PL

[leo_du_garde]

Very exciting. Good move BMW. Now just wish we could get a rear wheel drive 540d with the suspension of the M550. And bring the wagon. Would be a nice market share grabber.

[M3 Number 86]

Originally Posted by Pierre Louis

If the nearly equivalent diesel gets 10 mpg better, the difference in price has little effect. Fuel economy makes diesel less expensive.

The argument should compare a 540i to a 540d (in the US). Getting a 530i comes closer to being as economical as a diesel but not really in mpg's.

PL

It went from 2.xx to 4.xx for some reason. So double the price almost. Just feels wrong lol

[omg618]

Originally Posted by aghanta

Hi,

I just checked with them(BMWUSA), they admitted it was a mistake, they are correcting it now.

It's been corrected to 5.1...I'll take it.

[aghanta]

Originally Posted by omg618

It's been corrected to 5.1...I'll take it.

I still wonder how that can be the case. The European 530d Xdrive does 0-60 in 5.4 secs. They are claiming the same engine to do that in 5.1 secs here in the US.

[Cortexiphan]

Originally Posted by visualguy

I was asking for reasons not related to economy. Even the economy part isn't obvious because the car itself is more expensive (in the US), and diesel is actually more expensive than premium for many. For example, in California, which is the most populous state in the US, diesel is more expensive than premium.

I don’t think there’s any reason to get the diesel if you ignore economy. I mean I guess if you’re a big fan of low rpm torque or if you’re pulling a huge caravan most of the time, it would be nice, but that’s about it.

[omg618]

Originally Posted by Cortexiphan

I don’t think there’s any reason to get the diesel if you ignore economy. I mean I guess if you’re a big fan of low rpm torque or if you’re pulling a huge caravan most of the time, it would be nice, but that’s about it.

Please continue to spread this message because unfortunately diesels aren't depreciating as much as I'd like. Not BMWs, who continue to produce new models, and definitely not MBs or Audis. The latter companies' diesels aren't depreciating at all. But hey, they're garbage and must age poorly.

[Pierre Louis]

For those who like to live at gas stations, trade their cars in early, rev up the motor to get a good vroom vroom sound, hey, gassers are great.

My 535d gets a steady 36 mpg overall and feels bulletproof. Over 500 miles to get to 1/8 of a tank. The engine purrs. The transmission doesn't hunt for gears due to the massive torque.

PL

[Fugly M3]

Originally Posted by Pierre Louis

For those who like to live at gas stations, trade their cars in early, rev up the motor to get a good vroom vroom sound, hey, gassers are great.

My 535d gets a steady 36 mpg overall and feels bulletproof. Over 500 miles to get to 1/8 of a tank. The engine purrs. The transmission doesn't hunt for gears due to the massive torque.

PL

As much as I love my 230i and the feeling of gas-powered turbo cars, I do miss my 2015 A3 TDI...the way I describe diesels to people...endearing...they just have this endearing quality. They're like a Labrador...he may not be the fanciest dog or the showiest dog or even the smartest dog, but if you're going to get a dog, he's the one you'd pick. Unfortunately, the breeders aren't churning out enough of them for us. Full disclosure: I have two Chocolate Labs, neither of which comes close to my late Yellow Lab.

[bailyhill]

Originally Posted by bimmer456

Not very good mileage for a diesel, would expect closer to 40 MPG. Lots of torque, a bit pricey near M3 territory.

I'll bet this thing will do 40 MPG in Eco Pro+ down the highway at reasonable speeds.

My X3 is rated at 34 mpg hiway in usa, but I get 44 in eco pro + on the hiway.

[bailyhill]

Originally Posted by aghanta

I have gone through the specs of the new 540d, that will be sold in the US.

It has the same engine as the European 530d, but some how the 0-60 time is being stated as 4.5 secs, whereas the European motor does that in 5.4 secs.

The online configurator is now available on BMWUSA.com.


Just got an update from BMW, I have reported this to them, they have confirmed that it is an error, they are correcting this on their website now.

2/1/2018

I have seen it that the standard US 0-60 test uses a 2 foot rollout before starting the clock. This may account for the difference between the 540D and the 530D European spec.? even though they have the same engine?

Bailyhill

[remmib]

Originally Posted by aghanta

I still wonder how that can be the case. The European 530d Xdrive does 0-60 in 5.4 secs. They are claiming the same engine to do that in 5.1 secs here in the US.

Here in Europe it's 5.4 sec 0-100 km/h and that's 0-62 mph.

[aghanta]

Originally Posted by bailyhill

I have seen it that the standard US 0-60 test uses a 2 foot rollout before starting the clock. This may account for the difference between the 540D and the 530D European spec.? even though they have the same engine?

Bailyhill

Thank you Baily for that clarification. Do they test the gas/petrol versions in the same way?