BMW diesel ad - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Honus · #1 10-04-2011, 01:50 PM

BMW is running a commercial pushing its new diesel X5. The commercial shows several diesel vehicles belching smoke, trying to make it up a hill, etc. Then is shows a shiny new diesel X5 zipping down the road. One of the old-timey diesel cars it shows is a Benz. I think it was a W123, but I only got a quick look at it. I'm sure the new BMW diesel is nice, but they are on thin ice if they are bashing the OM617 cars. The OM617 is the diesel of diesels in the automotive world, IMHO. Obsolete, sure, but for its time...

cscmc1 · #2 10-04-2011, 02:06 PM

Yeah, it's a W123. That ad has been around a while, and has been discussed here before.

SwampYankee · #3 10-04-2011, 03:37 PM

Yep, it is. Although in their defense the old 123's are comparatively slow, smelly, loud and many of the ones I see driving on the road are poorly tuned and smoky. Precisely what draws me to them.

Skippy · #4 10-04-2011, 03:56 PM

Swamp, you're sick. That's okay. I am too

Rafi · #5 10-04-2011, 05:21 PM

If BMW still had an old running diesel they would have used it. Only old MB are still around in large numbers. So BMW and VW puts them in their adds

SwampYankee · #6 10-04-2011, 05:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skippy

Swamp, you're sick. That's okay. I am too

Quite!

SwampYankee · #7 10-04-2011, 05:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rafi

If BMW still had an old running diesel they would have used it. Only old MB are still around in large numbers. So BMW and VW puts them in their adds

This isn't necessarily directed at you, Rafi, but maybe you know the answer. I really don't know anything about the old BMW diesels other than they dropped some in some Lincolns. Why was MB able to essentially "corner" the market on diesels in the US for so long, especially back in the 80's? I know there were plenty of VW's that probably disintegrated, but why wasn't BMW more of a player? Were their diesels popular in Europe but just didn't carry over here with their "sporting" image? Were they just not as robust?

Skippy · #8 10-04-2011, 06:14 PM

I think because BMW has a more sporty image and diesels didn't tend to fit that image until recently in the U.S., they didn't try as hard to push their diesel offerings here. They did sell a 5-Series diesel here briefly, but they didn't sell very many.

SwampYankee · #9 10-04-2011, 07:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skippy

I think because BMW has a more sporty image and diesels didn't tend to fit that image until recently in the U.S., they didn't try as hard to push their diesel offerings here. They did sell a 5-Series diesel here briefly, but they didn't sell very many.

Could very well be. I see 524td's for sale on occasion. I've never driven one but I've heard they are pretty spirited (as are the Bimmer-powered Lincolns).

spdrun · #10 10-04-2011, 07:31 PM

But the BMW trucklet out-uglifies any sedan or wagon, old or new.

tjts1 · #11 10-04-2011, 08:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spdrun

But the BMW trucklet out-uglifies any sedan or wagon, old or new.

BMW UGLY knows no bounds. They managed to ruin their entire lineup. It started with the old 7 series.

I take the most beat up smoke belching W123 diesel of over this garbage and I don't even like diesels.

kip Foss · #12 10-04-2011, 09:46 PM

Anyone know how much the Diesel option will cost?

pawoSD · #13 10-04-2011, 09:59 PM

617's are not obsolete, you can drive one every day and get to where your going in perfect comfort, reliability, and very good (compared to tons of vehicles on the road currently) fuel economy. Not to mention the extremely low operating costs.

Honus · #14 10-04-2011, 11:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pawoSD

617's are not obsolete, you can drive one every day and get to where your going in perfect comfort, reliability, and very good (compared to tons of vehicles on the road currently) fuel economy. Not to mention the extremely low operating costs.

The 617 motors are obsolete in the sense that they could not meet today's environmental regulations and therefore could not be used in new cars. They also would not meet consumers' desires for smooth, quiet power and very low fuel consumption. Otherwise, I agree with you. I keep my 85 300D for the motor. I like listening to it, especially when it has a new valve adjustment. My favorite motor ever.