DubVBenz

Reasons not to:
My car has treated me exceptionally..
No Urea
No runflat bull****
not stupid electronic issues which seem to be prevelent across the BMW line
30K trouble free miles (minus a lower ball joint)
My sunroof hasn't exploded yet
I have a pano roof (not available on the 3 series)
Two turbos, does that mean twice as much **** to break?!
BMW reliability, will this thing be a piece of **** by year 4 like older 3 series?

Reasons to:
335d is a beast
can mod it to 300+hp easy
2011 is way newer than 2007
3 series is way smaller
Nav/Gadgets are much better if I get them (which I would).
Mileage is slightly better, but not a huge amount
Newer model, won't look as old
Probably have to pay 12K for the privilege...

Carsy

Depends on how much you value 12 G & putting up wth a stiff ride. !!

lkchris

Since you've "modded it," its trade-in value is now zero.

listerone

I owned a "d" and loved it.Two service visits in almost 3 years and 30K miles.DEF is truly a non-issue (at least during the free maintenence period) and even after that it takes 10 minutes and $35 once a year to deal with it.Reliability wasn't an issue for me.And yes,it *is* a beast.

I traded because I needed something bigger.The back seat of the "d" isn't fit for adults.

OTOH if your E320 is treating you right that would argue against trading.And,as noted,the mods would probably decrease its value in a trade.

harkgar

I agree. Why risk trading in a reliable non-urea car for one that needs urea? Furthermore the new 3 series is not available for another year at least.

There are also tuning boxes available for the non-urea V6 diesels.

DubVBenz

I should have clarified, I have a tuning box. My intent was to show that it's not the typical slower bluetec.

DubVBenz

I'm single, in my 20s, and have a person in my back seat about once ever 2 months. If I could purchase a diesel coupe, I would. As much as I love my e320, I feel like I'm being artificially "old" (mileage over power). I think the 3 series might be the best of both worlds, but I am very worried about the reliability of a BMW. It seems like BMW sells the same crap without fixing it for years and years (See previous subframe tearing, N55 engine, HPFS, etc), and while my E320 is kinda boring, it has also been incredibly reliable.

I don't want to move from one car to another simply for excitement sake and then have the new one be a total POS...

Carsy

Save up for when you have a wife, lots of kids & a morgage .

Don't #iss your money against the wall for short term pleasure. You sound as if you are bored.

Regards,

Carsy,

Your financial adviser .

listerone

OK,so scratch *that* negative off the list.
The fuel pump isn't an issue with the diesels,only the gassers.As I said,in 30K miles (not a lot,really) I had two service visits.That's more than zero...but I don't think it constitutes "POS" territory.But I *can* assure you that the "d" is *not* boring.It has more than enough torque,for example,to *easily* pin you back in your seat.

It seems to me that like most decisions the one you're faced with has plusses and minuses on both sides.But I assure you that the only thing I don't miss about my "d" is the back seat.

listerone

I think he's referring to the 335d which is currently available.They're out of production but as of yesterday there are still plenty of leftovers available (I checked on "cars dot com").My hunch is that there are pretty good deals to be had on them.

The new 3 Series will not feature a diesel,at least initially.But there's a strong rumor of a soon-to-be-available 380hp,520 ft lbs torque BMW diesel appearing in Europe.There's no word if it will be available to us on this side of the Pond though.

DubVBenz

Yea, I figured there would be some good deals around since its the end of the production run. The real good deals will hit as the new 3 series start to arrive on the lots. That new triple turbo looks sweet, but I bet we won't see it in the states for at least a few years. In Europe (at least initially), it's only being offered in their SUVs.

ImInPA

As quick and nice as the 335d is, it is not an E class. The rear seat comfort is almost non-existent in the 335d compared to the E. I have a co-worker that has a 335d and he is always telling me that he really likes the room my car has. It is a tick upscale as well in my opinion. My E350 Bluetec will easily pin you to the seat, giving the impression of great power, albeit less performance than the gasser. It feels great anyhow. Keep the E.

mi benz

I've not seen anything on this triple turbo engine potentially going into a 3 series. Only the 5er and X6. Please share any links you might have about it being considered for the 3. thanks.

harkgar

Dear Financial Adviser:

I have been there and agree with your analysis 100%. I would not mind one of those 650 horse Ford Mustang GT 500 coming out next year though. As Rolls Royce snobs used to say, our engines have adequate power.

harkgar

I think most of us buy diesel cars for fuel economy as well as their driving characteristic of low down torque. The European 530d with the twin turbo puts out 300 bhp and 455 Pound Foot yet returning 40 mpg. If this is not enough power than go for one of the many available American muscle cars like the Camaro ZL-1.

Having said that I do hope that MB would upgrade all diesel engines to the current ML 350 Bluetec's 240 bhp - 455 Pound Foot specification. I am sure this is a cheap upgrade for MB.

DubVBenz

The new bluetec's 240 bhp is a result of a new twin scroll (single) turbo. I have no idea why mercedes isn't going to the twin turbo route a la BMW, but I can only assume they know something BMW does not.... OR they were completely caught off guard when BMW released their Diesel shortly after MB's and MB simply budgeted this engine's lifecycle to be 10 years and will not bother to release a new design for a few more years. Either way.. it sucks that I'm even considering a BMW since I'm aware of their reliability issues and I've always been a benz guy.

ImInPA

In addition to the twin scroll turbo the new engine also has plasma coated cylinder linings in lieu of sleeves to reduce friction. Unless MB will mate the newer engine with 4Matic, more torque is pointless, as my lowly 210 hp 400 ft-lbs of torque can light up the rear wheels on demand.

harkgar

4Matic may not be in the works due to the Bluetec's tree-hugging bias. The full tank of urea and all the tree-hugging filters pile on the weight to the magnitude of over 300 pounds (over other gasoline E class with the 4Matic). This additional weight would negatively impact on the fuel economy. So when it is time to choose safety (4Matic) or the tree Mercedes had decided it is better for it to be "green" while its stupid customers skip off the wintery roads.

FWhite

Get a S350. New engine and 4Matic in one package.

listerone

I think few people in North America are in a position to make such a blanket statement (assuming you're in NA too).However,I must say that of the two diesel engines *I've* been exposed to (as noted below) I'd say that the BMW is noticeably better...although the M-B ain't too shaby.

ImInPA

I wish MB would bring over a short wheelbase S to the US. In any event, 4Matic would be required to use any additional power from the new diesel. The current Bluetec has plenty of power.

DubVBenz

Mercedes' didn't choose to go "green" for the hell of it, that's what they have to do to sell the car in the states. And the majority of the extra weight in that 300LBS you quoted is actually due to the heavier engine.

NoFoolyn

Unless I'm nutz, the literature ( and website ) for MB says 2012 ( in USA ) offers Bluetec E Class in both rear wheel drive and 4-Matic. I went HUH!! when I saw that, as last AUG buy of '07 BlueT has it in the garage all winter ( for safe keeping ) with nasty Massachusetts winters > hah, today is first day of winter and temp will be almost 50F.

Car, as is, for me, has enough grunt. I'm getting so old ( 67 next March ) that I am now in full safari hunt mode for well preserved, or partially restored 1970 - 1971 280SE coupe ( 3.5 liter M-116 V-8 ). Last, last MB with old school board room wood and big comfy overstuffed seat interior.....if the leather has not mummified. Used to make my jaw drop when I saw one .... had a BMW 2800 CS at the time... and THAT was nice too, but the MB? No comparison. I just missed one ( flipping cherry ) in Dallas, TX. $60K. Had I been there, I'd have dropped my drawers and handed over my wallet.

But' a little secret ... I'd like to see the 455 lb-ft V-6 in my car. It'd be like 1960's, with muscle car needing skill to control on start with optimal wheel spin, while it ***** 30 degrees off the left. MAKE ME SMILE.

2slowcdi

What I did was to ask myself why do I want a diesel?
1. I wanted something that was going to last.
2. With as few problems as possible.
3. I like to drive, most years I drive to Seattle WA. for backpacking 2200 miles one way.
4. I do not like ethanol.

Mileage was just a plus for me , my company pays the fuel bill.

I have driven some very fast cars the M5 was the most liveable on a day to day bases.

If you don't drive many miles I see no point in owning a diesel as upkeep on gassers is cheaper over all.

isstay

This is what I want to see in States:

http://www.worldcarfans.com/10908252...linder-s-class