I don't know, it's certainly possible, but who knows. All I can say is that my TDI, which is the newest diesel I've ever owned, has also been the most reliable one among those that I've owned. Old cars may be simpler in design but old age and wear and tear will make you spend more time fixing them, at least that's been my experience.

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2004 VW Jetta TDI (manual)

Past MB's: '96 E300D, '83 240D, '82 300D, '87 300D, '87 420SEL

That BMW diesel looks WAY complicated. Too many parts to achieve the same thing a much simpler setup can do. I wouldn't want one. I'd take a gasser (like a M103/104) before I'd take a way-complex diesel like that. At least the gasser technology is proven.

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-diesel is not just a fuel, its a way of life-
'15 GLK250 Bluetec 118k - mine - (OC-123,800)
'17 Metris(VITO!) - 37k - wifes (OC-41k)
'09 Sprinter 3500 Winnebago View - 62k (OC - 67k)
'13 ML350 Bluetec - 95k - dad's (OC-98k)
'01 SL500 - 103k(km) - dad's (OC-110,000km)
'16 E400 4matic Sedan - 148k - Brothers (OC-155k)

Proven? Car companies in Europe have been selling high-tech diesels for years; more than half the cars there burn oil. My TDI, too, has been more reliable than my MB.

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'91 300D 2.5 Turbo 330K
'00 VW TDI Golf, 190K
'67 BMW R50/2
'73 Norton Commando Interstate

From what I've read the purpose of the dual turbochargers is to virtually eliminate turbo lag. Those of you who've driven it, how would you rate the lag? I'm sure the torque of that engine must feel pretty good.

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2004 VW Jetta TDI (manual)

Past MB's: '96 E300D, '83 240D, '82 300D, '87 300D, '87 420SEL

The new MB motor has two turbos on it too. What I see in the picture is a smaller turbo and a larger turbo. This is emmisions driven. They want an even or constant cylinder pressure at all RPMs.
Tom

Cylinder pressure = torque. Thats how engines make power. Its not possible to maintain a constant cylinder pressure.

Both, after driving the bimmer, I went next door and drove a TDI VW. It was smoother and quieter. I like the sound of diesels, it grows on you after a while. When you buy a $60k car (especially a BMW) you expect it to be dead smooth and silent. I don't care if it's a diesel or not. Even if the VW and the BMW were the same price, I would go with the VW because it feels and sounds more like a Eurpean luxury car than the BMW does for half the price! And that's just sad.

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My Primary Driver - '85 300CD - 4-speed conversion, 2.47 rear, lowered, euro headlights, rebuilding (not restoring so much)

Wife's - '08 Saab Sportcombi Aero

Riding a '03 Yamaha Warrior

I didn't notice any lag at all, however while I was making a turn, the second turbo came in; very unsettling.

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Dan
1981 240D
1987 300D Turbo
1973 220
Das Beste Oder Nichts

I'll have to take a listen to the BMW diesel sometime. The new clean-diesel TDI is indeed smooth and quiet, probably the quietest diesel ever, even quieter than the Bluetec (while standing in front of the vehicle with the hood up). If the TDI at half the price is really smoother and quieter than the BMW I agree that's sad. As to the price I thought the BMW was $40K something rather than $60K. Did it have a huge mark-up?

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2004 VW Jetta TDI (manual)

Past MB's: '96 E300D, '83 240D, '82 300D, '87 300D, '87 420SEL

Unsettling in a good or bad way?

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2004 VW Jetta TDI (manual)

Past MB's: '96 E300D, '83 240D, '82 300D, '87 300D, '87 420SEL

The BMW 335d has a invoice price for pick up in Munich at around $37K but a few extras (met paint, leather etc.) run it up to 41K. They don't charge for service throughout the warranty period which may be worth $2K. It also qualifies for a $900 clean air credit.

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Dan
1981 240D
1987 300D Turbo
1973 220
Das Beste Oder Nichts

It's a very nice solution for turbo lag.

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Kent Christensen
Albuquerque
'07 GL320CDI, '10 CL550. '01 Porsche Boxster
Two BMW motorcycles

I would drive a TDI.....or a cdi.....but I'm not so sure about a BMW diesel.

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-diesel is not just a fuel, its a way of life-
'15 GLK250 Bluetec 118k - mine - (OC-123,800)
'17 Metris(VITO!) - 37k - wifes (OC-41k)
'09 Sprinter 3500 Winnebago View - 62k (OC - 67k)
'13 ML350 Bluetec - 95k - dad's (OC-98k)
'01 SL500 - 103k(km) - dad's (OC-110,000km)
'16 E400 4matic Sedan - 148k - Brothers (OC-155k)

$4500ish staring after shipping and paint. You want leather, that's another $1500. Add a few other options +TTL, you have around $60k. Who really gets a base model of one of these anyways? Still with all that cash, you still don't get a manual if desired.

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My Primary Driver - '85 300CD - 4-speed conversion, 2.47 rear, lowered, euro headlights, rebuilding (not restoring so much)

Wife's - '08 Saab Sportcombi Aero

Riding a '03 Yamaha Warrior

For anyone who's interested, this is a pretty good recording of a 335d, it doesn't sound as "smooth" as the guy says... probably not too familiar with diesels

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jOPFWefjpWc

I will have to admit the the newest Jetta TDI does sound smoother.

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Jason

00 Subaru Legacy (fun wagon)
96 Nissan Sentra (disavowed)
82 300SD (garage queen, will run again hopefully)
87 300DT (Gone: 10/15/2010)