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Detroit, 8:21 AM
Tue Nov 10
27 posts in the last 24 hours
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11/19/08
So all the concern about payback period might be a little shortsighted. Time will tell.
This thing would have to be priced a little lower than the 335i to sell in any decent numbers. I'd also expect real-world highway economy to top 40mpg. Combine that with "rolling start" speeds similar to the 335i (40-60, 60-80), and you've got a great package. Note that I've including a lot of supposition and speculation in that opinion. I'm hopeful that the right combination of stats is achieved.
Because even though diesel is not THE answer, we all stand to gain when the option gains a foothold here in North America.
11/19/08
That said, I love this car, and I do love me some diesel, but not for 45k. All that torque, and it still takes six seconds to sixty? I'm sure it handles amazingly and all, but all I need is straight line acceleration from hell and a Judas Priest CD to make me happy, and a five thousand dollar used Mustang will give me that. Plus, the Mustang badge really impresses everyone down at the firm.
Still, I applaud anyone who buys one of these, because torque is love.
11/19/08
Also, you can get perfectly wonderful handling, too, in plenty of old cars. I'd suggest a five-speed Contour/Mystique, for decent handling and economy, almost no cash, four-door practicality, and near-complete sleeperism.
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Yep, the payback for the diesel is FAR greater than most BMW owners will hang on to one for. And I agree, torque is great, but its slower still than the gasser.
Also, what's the weight penalty over the 335i and how's it affect the handling?
I guess I just prefer gas, and don't do enough miles to justify diesel, and having just bought a Silverado 2500 with no Duramax, I'm putting my money where my mouth is I guess.
11/19/08
I would tend to use one of these to ferry the family around in, so the torque is actually better for me than top end speed with HP. People who haul family, dogs, and the occasional dead body appreciate things like that.
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And you never Hassle the Hoff.
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404 error - Indicators not found.
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And there's no real excuse for this, since VW is selling them right now (the 2.0tdi, at least)
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And shoot iDrive, too.
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They make the 335d Auto only as they don't have a manual box which can handle that much torque. Even the M5 box won't do it.
11/19/08
I still prefer the simple touchscreen in my car, but then it doesn't do as much as iDrive does.
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However, the top class of the IRC uses spec transmissions and differentials to make an AWD rally car out of fwd cars like the Abarth Grande Punto and Peugeot 207. If the Diesel Civic performs well in the 2wd class, the awd upgrade will follow subject to an anticipated rule change in the IRC and FIA.
Can't remember where, exactly, I say that link.....(mutters about marijuana, short term memory, something, something)