BMW diesels coming to North America in 2008, starting with the 535d
If you've been bemoaning the fact that you can't drive any of the nice BMW European diesels here in North America, listen up. The time for your whining has ended (at least for a while). Winding Road spoke with "an honest-to-goodness German big-wig at BMW" and got the scoop on how diesel bimmers will be here by late 2008. The official news will come at the L.A. auto show later this month, where BMW will announce its North American diesel strategy, led by the low-emission 535d.
Winding Road claims the strategy is to bring over all the six-cylinder diesels, starting with the 5-series. The real difficulty lies in getting the diesels ready for the stricter diesel emissions laws that kick in in 2009. Looks like Mercedes' push to get their BlueTec 320s onto showroom floors this year is having an effect. Also, Audi will announce at the NAIAS in January that Audi vehicles with VW's TDI diesel engines in them should be here by 2008. All right, feel free to get back to your bemoaning now.
[Source: Winding Road via our friends at Autoblog]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
dieseldude 4:45AM (3/21/2008)
Someone please explain why the Mini D has still not hit the states?? It gets 75mpg. What seems to be the problem? People contact everybody and start bitchin now.
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Rod 12:37PM (12/01/2006)
I'm really pleased that BMW, as well as other European manufacturers, are going to be importing their sweet diesels to the U.S. market. I'm a potential customer for the 2008 535xid Touring as shown in the picture. However, since we have been given permission by the author, Mr. Sebastian Blanco, to whine and/or bemoan, I'm bemoaning the fact that BMW consistently overcharges for its options. It then becomes a question of just how much BMW will charge for the diesel option, and whether it makes sense to pay a lot more for a diesel over the same model with a gasoline engine, unless the ownership is very long-term where diesel ownership really pays off. BMW has a great warrantee package which includes all maintenance for four years/50,000 miles. Considering that most U.S. BMW customers lease their cars, as do most luxury car *owners*, the value to most of their customers then becomes one of environmental considerations, rather than economic. When BMW tells us how much of a premium they expect us to pay for the diesel engine we can then determine if that seems reasonable. Ok, bemoaning over, I'll take mine in Saphire Black with the black interior, but please hold the engine for right now!
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Jesse 11:08PM (3/25/2007)
I'm not pleased. Why do they start by bringing the 5 series in diesel... why not the 3 series? that is a diesel many more could afford.
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parker 12:42AM (4/02/2007)
I think this is the year that the 5 series has a new body type. It makes sense to me that they would introduce the diesel option along with the new car.
That said, I agree it would be better as a 3 series option. I want one NOW. And I'm even considering getting an older one from Europe, and shipping it over, just not sure how hard it is to make it legal.
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lawrence 11:03AM (6/14/2007)
3 series Diesel you knuckleheads! Whos going to buy a Diesel station wangon! Nobody buys station wagons in the US!
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Ralph Smith 5:06PM (9/12/2007)
It is useless to talk to BMW. I dont think they listen to their potential customers. I have written BMW at least twice in the last 5 weeks and several times last year telling them I am poised to by a BMW with a TD .... but not a 5,7, or suv TD but a 1 or 3 series. I want a high milage well made rear wheel drive car. They have a wonderful new 4cyl Td that developes 200hp/300 ft/lbs torque which they could put in the 1, 3, or small SUV for that matter but choose to ignore their US customers only bringing them larger and more expensive gas motors in their cars. Who Cares. The new M3 ... is nice but I live in Texas and I can only drive 70 mph... I pointed this out to BMW ... they chose did not reply to that coment. I read that they do not want to bring a 4 cyl to the US so they can keep their performance image. I owned a 1974 2002. It only had 140 hp and it was a superior performer. Their new 4cyl TD has a huge performance edge over the 2002 and would be a wonderful performer in either the 1 or the 3.
Like someone else wrote .... I am not interrested in a 5 series and way less interrested in a 5 series wagon. They can keep them ... I will be forced to look elsewhere .... but as I told them ... great handeling rear wheel drive sedans are not offered ... VW is front wheel drive and MB only offers E class TD's not the C Class .. again not interrested. If anyone can get through to BMW please do. The moment they bring 1 or 3 series TD's ( preferably with the new 4cly TD ) I will put in my order ... may by two.
Thanks for your time
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Mike Wrigley 1:13AM (7/23/2008)
I agree with you Mr. Smith. The American business model of success is more like a two-year snare - don't move around or it'll just hurt more (think cell phones, media providers, auto dealerships...) Who are we kidding but our own selves. Forget "Where's the beef?", it's 2008! Where's the service and options? Not here, I regret to say.
Barbara 7:57PM (9/19/2007)
I was planning on getting a 335i through the European Delivery Program in Spring 08. I just recently heard BMW was going to offer diesels to the US market in 2008. I thought I would check into this to see when the 3 series would arrive. A google search brought me to this web site, only to find out they are sending a 5 series station wagon late 2008...ACK!!! How disappointing. Guess I'll go ahead with my original plans for this Spring.
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