I am currently not driving a diesel, but a friend of mine has a BMW 3-type diesel car in Germany, and I really like it. I just hears that a Diesel for BMW might be available for next year, and I would seriously consider buying one of those. But I have a few questions that hopefully someone in this forum could answer:

1) Up here in the Rockies, cars suffer from a 20% power loss due to the lower O2 content of the air. This also applies to a Diesel. But most Diesels have Turbos, and I am wondering if a turbo recovers that loss. do they?

2) If they do, they would do so only at higher revs, when the Turbo is more effective. What effect does that have on the mileage?

3) With diesel about 20% more expensive than gas, do Diesels actually have an advantage when it comes to cost? Even if the additional cost for the engine is taken into account?

4) Is there a noticeable loss of power when you drive a diesel from, say, Denver to the mountains?

thanks for your advice.

 

Your not gonna notice too much of a power difference at all. And diesel's are really not any better on the wallet. If anything right now its worse. I stick with diesel for the power aspect. Wait till you drive a diesel with a lot of torque. Most gasser torque shows up around 5,000 RPM. Diesel torque is at 1500. It really makes you smile

 

It's a no brainer. The oil burner (diesel) will generate gobs more torque (the number you actually drive) all the while getting at least 30% better fuel economy in the process. What is this power loss you speak of - maybe in a 1980's diesel but not the modern ones.

The car will likely cost the same as that of a comparable V6 or small displacement gasser that has a turbo (1.8 or 2.4L T) but will kick some serious butt in the process.

Fuel may cost more now but if you plan on keeping an oil burner long after the warranty has expired then you are driving for nothing really. The service intervals are far less and further apart so it is cheaper in that sense as well. Parts can be pricey but you simply don't destroy things like you do with a gasser.

If you can get your hands on the BMW 3 go for it.