Originally Posted By: JimFitzpatrick
Just test drove a BMW 335d today and loved it! What a rush! I have several reservations though.1)I've heard diesels referred to as "oil burners".If that was ever been true is it true of today's European diesels (BMW,VW,Audi,etc)? 2)Unrelated to oil...is it true that diesel fuel can be problematic in cold weather (New England winters),making them difficult to start?
Also,it looks like BMW recommends oil changes every 15K miles.If I pull the trigger here would it be wise to go,say,every 6 months/7.5K miles?
TIA!
For those not familiar with diesels, you would have to change your way of thinking for sure. But simple measures can prevent real problems. As has been stated, just add a good diesel anti-gel during the winter and make sure you are buying fuel from a solid retailer. Plug the engine in when it gets real cold to help with starting. Make sure and change the fuel filter regularly.... at the very least, just before winter. Even though might seem a pain early on, your dismay at having to do extra things will soon disappear when you look at your average mpg compared to a gasser. Even when diesel spikes above gas prices, you will still be ahead of the game. Diesel would have to be almost 30% more than gasoline to reach a break even point for the end user. Diesel engines, by their very nature of manufacuring and metalurgy, will far exceed the life expectancy of a gasoline engine. Heck, there are still some BMW's and MB's that were manufactured in the 70's running around the countryside and haven't had a major overhaul. You take care of it and watch how you drive it, and a diesel auto will more than pay for itself many times over.