Biodiesel is definitely a superior fuel in many ways, and any of its drawbacks are significantly reduced in blends. The old fashioned and real serious "cogs" in the system have a tough time accepting the fact that an engine can run on anything that isn't a refined petroleum product. It makes an engineers life more difficult if they actually have to design it to perform up to all the modern standards and still have it be reliable in real world standards. It doesn't seem like bio does well in DPF equipped vehicles (oil dilution, etc) and and that's the major concern for manufacturers. At least the newest diesel pickups have moved from B5 to B20 certified!

I think the disconnect between European standards and North American fuel quality is one of the biggest drawbacks to getting those nice euro diesels over here... which is a shame and maybe the only way diesels will break, since the big three know that most consumers over here aren't wise to the no-spark-life yet and are focusing their efforts on improving gas pots.

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1981 300SD - 283,000 KM's at purchase, 360k+ now. Engine replaced at 311k. 16" CLK wheels, w126 gen II cosmetic upgrades, late w126 leather interior. RIP. Parted and gone due to fire

1987 300SDL - 243K miles and counting. In winter hibernation!

2001 Ford F250 Super Duty "Platinum Edition" Lariat 4x4 7.3L turbo diesel, 295k+ miles, various mods for reliability and performance.