2009 BMW 335d: Fuel-efficient clean-diesel with BMW style

Written by Steven Macoy
Wednesday, 14 October 2009 09:57

American drivers have never really warmed to the diesel cars that are so wildly popular in Europe. Blame it on the old Mercedes-Benz diesels, which were noisy, smelly and slow. Or the General Motors diesels, which were all of the above, plus unreliable. Diesel fuel isn’t always easy to find in out-of-the-way places, and the fuel has been more expensive than gasoline in recent years.

Nevertheless, the major European makes are pushing their clean-diesel technology in the U.S. market. They’ve figured out how to get rid of the foul odors and racket, without compromising diesel technology’s high fuel economy.

Still, it’s a surprise to see BMW in the fray. BMWs are drivers’ cars, famous for their crisp handling and sparkling performance, qualities not usually associated with diesels. Anything less than sharp, responsive delivery of power threatens the BMW performance image.

But it’s not as if BMW is new to the game. The German automaker has been building diesel engines since 1983, so the power plant in the 2009 BMW 335d sedan has been thoroughly tested.

Like the Mercedes-Benz E320 BlueTec we test-drove a couple years ago, the 335d is odor-free, unexpectedly smooth and powerful, and exceptionally fuel-efficient. On a drive from Bethel to Waterbury, along Interstate 84, we broke 40 mpg. The car is rated at 36 on the highway.

The heart of the rear-drive 335d is a 6-cylinder, turbocharged diesel that sends up a muted roar on hard acceleration but seems no noisier than a gasoline engine in normal driving. And it’s certainly muscular, with 265 horsepower and 425 lb.-ft. of torque. The basic 3-Series sedan’s 230-horsepower gasoline engine has less than half the diesel’s torque.

Inside, it’s all BMW, with form-fitting yet comfortable bucket seats, flawless road manners, and consistent high quality in the switchgear and materials. The trunk is roomy, with an ample opening, and even the rear seat is habitable for tall passengers, so long as the driver and front passenger move their seats forward a bit.

A Mercedes-Benz 240D we once owned never let the driver forget it was a diesel; this BMW is satisfied never to let you forget it’s a BMW. If you forget it’s a diesel BMW, that’s just fine.

Less forgettable is the price. Our 335d started at $43,900 and reached $49,020 with options. The base 328i model, with gasoline engine, starts at $33,600, or $32,850 for 2010. The two models are similarly equipped except for the automatic transmission that’s included in all 335d models, dynamic cruise control, dark burl walnut trim and xenon headlights, optional on the 328i. Still, BMW aficionados on a budget will sacrifice the novelty and exceptional fuel economy of the diesel to get comparable performance and accommodations in the 328i for a much lower price.

It remains to be seen whether Americans will go for a diesel version of the iconic 3-Series, but the 335d certainly meets the high standards of its nameplate.

Price: $49,020
Engine: 3.0-liter turbocharged inline 6 diesel, 265 horsepower, 425 lb.-ft. torque
Transmission: 6-speed shiftable automatic
Drive: Rear-wheel
Weight: 3,825 lb.
Suspension: MacPherson strut front, multi-link rear
Wheels: 17x8 inch alloy
Tires: 225/45R17 run-flat
Seating capacity: 5
Luggage capacity: 12 cu. ft.
Fuel capacity: 16.1 gallons
Fuel economy: 23 mpg city, 36 mpg highway
Fuel type: Diesel

Steven Macoy ( This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ) is a longtime car enthusiast and full-time editor who lives in Bethel, Conn.