3 series diesel
- Thread starter longshanks
- Start date
Hey guys,
I drive a BMW diesel (2003 330d). And there are quite a lot of gas stations that supply diesel, once you start looking for it like me you notice a lot of them. And yeah, (although I cannot compare with Europe, I imported the car from Holland and I'll be taking it back in a couple of weeks) I think the quality of diesel is a little bit lower over here. (cold start means blue smoke......and a vibrating rpm from 800-950 until I start driving). In the wintertime they put additives in the diesel fuel (in Holland). I don't now if Shell U.S.A. does that too. Might be a reason for the RPM fluctuations. And donmbmw, with fuel prices rising, there might be a market in the U.S. for BMW diesels if they do something with the fuel quality (although you might be able to do something with additives by yourself, haven't and won't try it.... I'll let the dealership check out my fuel filter at home). It drives pretty good (duh)
![[hihi]](/images/smilies/icon_smile_hihi.gif "Hi Hi [hihi]")
I drive a BMW diesel (2003 330d). And there are quite a lot of gas stations that supply diesel, once you start looking for it like me you notice a lot of them. And yeah, (although I cannot compare with Europe, I imported the car from Holland and I'll be taking it back in a couple of weeks) I think the quality of diesel is a little bit lower over here. (cold start means blue smoke......and a vibrating rpm from 800-950 until I start driving). In the wintertime they put additives in the diesel fuel (in Holland). I don't now if Shell U.S.A. does that too. Might be a reason for the RPM fluctuations. And donmbmw, with fuel prices rising, there might be a market in the U.S. for BMW diesels if they do something with the fuel quality (although you might be able to do something with additives by yourself, haven't and won't try it.... I'll let the dealership check out my fuel filter at home). It drives pretty good (duh)
Dutch said:
Hey guys,
I drive a BMW diesel (2003 330d). And there are quite a lot of gas stations that supply diesel, once you start looking for it like me you notice a lot of them. And yeah, (although I cannot compare with Europe, I imported the car from Holland and I'll be taking it back in a couple of weeks) I think the quality of diesel is a little bit lower over here. (cold start means blue smoke......and a vibrating rpm from 800-950 until I start driving). In the wintertime they put additives in the diesel fuel (in Holland). I don't now if Shell U.S.A. does that too. Might be a reason for the RPM fluctuations. And donmbmw, with fuel prices rising, there might be a market in the U.S. for BMW diesels if they do something with the fuel quality (although you might be able to do something with additives by yourself, haven't and won't try it.... I'll let the dealership check out my fuel filter at home). It drives pretty good (duh)
I drive a BMW diesel (2003 330d). And there are quite a lot of gas stations that supply diesel, once you start looking for it like me you notice a lot of them. And yeah, (although I cannot compare with Europe, I imported the car from Holland and I'll be taking it back in a couple of weeks) I think the quality of diesel is a little bit lower over here. (cold start means blue smoke......and a vibrating rpm from 800-950 until I start driving). In the wintertime they put additives in the diesel fuel (in Holland). I don't now if Shell U.S.A. does that too. Might be a reason for the RPM fluctuations. And donmbmw, with fuel prices rising, there might be a market in the U.S. for BMW diesels if they do something with the fuel quality (although you might be able to do something with additives by yourself, haven't and won't try it.... I'll let the dealership check out my fuel filter at home). It drives pretty good (duh)
![[:p]](/images/smilies/tongue.png "Stick Out Tongue [:p]")
Well, Phatbimmer, the only reason for me thinking that there is a difference in quality is that I've never seen a BMW (or Mercedes, Audi or another German brand) on diesel start with a real cloud of blue smoke on cold days (like mine does over here, and it has only 8000 miles on it) in Holland. That's something for real old diesels. On warmer days I have no 'problems' at all. Since diesel fuel is self-burning (it doesn't need ignition plugs) and is known for having problems with self-burning/igniting at cold temperatures I know they put in additives in the wintertime in my own country (so-called winterdiesel). But once the engine gets a little bit warm, no problems with U.S. fuel at all.
The specs are: Inline 6 cylinder, 24 valve turbo diesel (common rail with intercooling), 2.993 liters, 204 hp @ 4000 rpm, 410 nm from 1500 rpm on. That will give it a top speed of 242 km/h (330i has a top of 250) and from 0-62 mph goes in 7.2 seconds. But it's power lies in quick sprints in almost any gear while already cruising. I have an average of approx. 35 mpg.
The reason why a lot of people drive diesels in Europe (well, at least in Holland) is that fuel prices are REALLY high (around 5 dollar 20 for a gallon of Euro 95 gasoline) and diesel is a little bit cheaper (around 3 dollar 80). Reason for that is that all the big trucks drive on diesel and a higher diesel price will kill a lot of companies. They do tax you more on a diesel car, but since it does more mpg and I drive a lot it's a lot cheaper for me on diesel.
The specs are: Inline 6 cylinder, 24 valve turbo diesel (common rail with intercooling), 2.993 liters, 204 hp @ 4000 rpm, 410 nm from 1500 rpm on. That will give it a top speed of 242 km/h (330i has a top of 250) and from 0-62 mph goes in 7.2 seconds. But it's power lies in quick sprints in almost any gear while already cruising. I have an average of approx. 35 mpg.
The reason why a lot of people drive diesels in Europe (well, at least in Holland) is that fuel prices are REALLY high (around 5 dollar 20 for a gallon of Euro 95 gasoline) and diesel is a little bit cheaper (around 3 dollar 80). Reason for that is that all the big trucks drive on diesel and a higher diesel price will kill a lot of companies. They do tax you more on a diesel car, but since it does more mpg and I drive a lot it's a lot cheaper for me on diesel.
The diesel gas in Europe is lower in sulphur. Apparently, that means it's better and doesn't cause diesel engines to act up the way they did in the 80s. The US has some law that says we're supposed to change to a lower sulphur content grade of fuel which will make it easier on the current high tech diesels out right now.
The problem is our emissions requirements. The particulate (actual pieces of junk floating in the air like ash) part is much stricter than in Europe and currently are too stringent for even the current high tech diesels to handle. For diesels to really go big, we'd either have to lower the emissions requirements for diesels or a technological breakthrough would have to happen. Unfortunately, the trend in the US is to work towards hydrogen as the next alternative fuel. So, diesel's future in the US is a bit shaky.
The problem is our emissions requirements. The particulate (actual pieces of junk floating in the air like ash) part is much stricter than in Europe and currently are too stringent for even the current high tech diesels to handle. For diesels to really go big, we'd either have to lower the emissions requirements for diesels or a technological breakthrough would have to happen. Unfortunately, the trend in the US is to work towards hydrogen as the next alternative fuel. So, diesel's future in the US is a bit shaky.
Codex is right on point again. It's the sulfur and the new standards are supposed to be kicking in at some point in the next few years or so.
As far at the particulates go, there is new technology to trap it. Bush says hydrogen...but that's even further away--about on par with going to Mars.
When the new sulphur standards take effect...get ready for more torquey diesels popping up. VW is offering theirs now.
As far at the particulates go, there is new technology to trap it. Bush says hydrogen...but that's even further away--about on par with going to Mars.
When the new sulphur standards take effect...get ready for more torquey diesels popping up. VW is offering theirs now.