Review: 2007 BMW 330d

OUR TAKE:It’s a shame that the U.S. perception of diesels is so bad; Europeans love them, and for good reason. If you like having fun while driving yet still want some fuel efficiency, diesel power is the way to go, no matter what Toyota’s hybrid marketing machine has to say about it, and access to a not-for-U.S.-sale 330d would go a long way toward changing Americans’ attitudes toward the technology.

The great gobs of torque afforded by the turbocharged 3.0-liter will grab any enthusiast’s attention. Passing quickly in any gear, including sixth, is done without much effort; power just oozes from the right pedal.

And because of this engine comes in a 3 Series, whose chassis just shines, the car spent very little time on the freeway during our stint with it. The two-lanes beckoned; we took the fun routes home, the most winding roads where the chassis and its torque-monster motor could do their thing.

The best part: Nobody could tell it was a diesel independent of reading the banner on the windshield. Even from behind the wheel, the only giveaway is at idle when the faintest diesel clatter makes its way into the cabin.
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I95SPEEDINGTICKETS - 9/2/2007 7:50:36 AM

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The same Emission Emission Standards that the Wholly Inefficient NA Manufactured Engines & Vehicles Meet so Well ?

Or the Same Emission Standards that the Major Business Polluters are Expected to Adhere To ?

It was simply a way to allow the Domestic Manufacturers to survive a little longer as they had very little to offer in the Performance Diesel arena.

Most diesels with the Particulate Filters are much less polluting than any similar displacement Petrol engine. With much better MPG

EnnNorak - 9/2/2007 12:07:47 PM

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Now that sulphur in diesel fuel has been reduced to insignificant amounts, there is no excuse for BMW to withold this diesel from North America. A 3-series with diesel is about the only way BMW can get me to switch from Audi. I love the inherently-in-balance BMW straight six engine and would take the diesel in a heart beat even though I don't trust turbos.

1970toyotamarc - 9/2/2007 6:06:03 PM

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diesel fans keep saying wait for the emissions compliant diesels. Fine, we'll keep waiting, but stop asking us to buy into the diesel hype until they actually show up.

SevorbeupstryIsBack - 9/2/2007 5:04:47 AM

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What the **** are you trying to say here? This 330d will outrun ANY hybrid on the market! And still be more fuel efficient.

david989 - 9/2/2007 5:41:29 AM

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The Toyota Prius on its electric motor alone could pull a Boeing 747 without problems. Volkswagen needs a dirty V10 diesel to do that same feat. The Prius is clearly more sophisticated and advanced.

SevorbeupstryIsBack - 9/2/2007 6:35:18 AM

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Ignore that david989 **** face, he is just here to get on our nerves.

I95SPEEDINGTICKETS - 9/2/2007 7:59:33 AM

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And the 335d will outrun most V6s and still be more Efficient.

EnnNorak - 9/2/2007 12:10:00 PM

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Huu76, Audi has a 500 h.p. V-12 diesel Q7. Try to talk Audi into importing one for you.

EnnNorak - 9/2/2007 12:14:44 PM

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david989, go ahead and keep towing 747s with your Prius and see how long the battery pack will last. Bsides that, I don't think you understand the difference between speed, acceleration and work.

david989 - 9/2/2007 5:39:41 AM

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What a cheap and technologically unsophisticated way of trying to "save the planet". Diesels are the biggest polluters.

Look at Toyota and Lexus. Hybrids actually save fuel and help the planet because they don't emit such toxins like diesels.

The performance is not impressive of this BMW. An IS350 outhandles and outperforms it.

Htay7500 - 9/2/2007 8:15:53 AM

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"The Toyota Prius on its electric motor alone could pull a Boeing 747 without problems. Volkswagen needs a dirty V10 diesel to do that same feat."

the prius NEEDS A HELL OF A LOT OF TOURQUE to actually pull a plane!!! volkswagens "dirty diesel" as you like to call it has 550LBS ft of tq (correct me if im wrong) which is good to pull that 747. tell me when the prius did this? source?

XYZZ - 9/2/2007 7:02:38 AM

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...

XYZZ - 9/2/2007 7:12:14 AM

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S...back:

"What the **** are you trying to say here? This 330d will outrun ANY hybrid on the market! And still be more fuel efficient."


outrun, yes. (altho' the prius is still good for 106 mph; 137 mph slightly mod'd for bonneville.)

more fuel efficient? NO WAY! most prius drivers get about 45 - 55 mpg everyday. hypermilers can stretch that to 109 mpg!

SevorbeupstryIsBack - 9/2/2007 8:33:52 AM

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And I suppose the Prius is in the same class as the 330d?

XYZZ - 9/2/2007 7:27:54 AM

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from the thread about the Supra HV-R:

"But Toyota and its Earth-loving ilk may yet have the last laugh as they cultivate encouraging new advances in ultracapacitor technology that promise to one day put hybrids in the driver's seat.

The greatest victory so far for the cars, fueled by a combo of electricity and gas, came just weeks ago when an ultracapacitor-equipped Toyota Supra HV-R coupe became the first hybrid to win the 24-hour endurance car race held at Japan's Tokachi International Speedway. The hybrid Supra finished 616 laps of the 5.1-kilometer (roughly threemile) course—19 more laps than the second-place nonhybrid Nissan Fairlady Z."

and further BEHIND these leaders, were a few Porsches, among other "traditional" fast cars.

SevorbeupstryIsBack - 9/2/2007 8:34:59 AM

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There is definitely a future in hybrids.

In diesel hybrids that is.

I95SPEEDINGTICKETS - 9/2/2007 7:52:18 AM

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I am very interested in the Ultra-Capacitor News

Seems this is where the Hybrid-Tech might get its advantage from.

Bill - 9/2/2007 1:56:47 PM

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You have to admit, David989 is so dumb it's hilarious.

M53R - 9/2/2007 2:55:13 PM

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I did laugh more than once at his comments... I would like to know his preception of the word 'performance' because to him every Lexus and even Toyota is a performance car :S.

Htay7500 - 9/2/2007 3:29:40 PM

0 Boost

oh well.

mscottc1 - 9/2/2007 5:59:19 PM

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Useful information if anyone is paying attention (hopefully people don't see david989 commenting & close the window like always...):

The version of the 3-er Autoweek was allowed to test for this specific article was intentional- its not the 335d, but the 330d. THAT is the diesel 3-er we are going to get this coming spring. The 335d's engine will go into the X5, and that will hit dealerships first, possibly early spring, followed shortly by the lesser-tuned diesel 3-er.

See, there can be rewards for ignoring the dumba** Lexus fanboys & continuing to read a thread.

indoctrin8ed - 9/3/2007 9:57:48 PM

+1 Boost

Huu doesn't disappoint us, once again, in how stupid he really is.

Fact: Prius 0-60 is 9.9 seconds. BMW 330d is 6.5 seconds. BMW is faster.

You put a 10,000:1 gearbox on my hand cranked pencil sharpener and it could pull a 747, but it wont outrun anything. The airplane point is moot.

The prius motor makes 295 ft lbs of torque, its engine makes 82, totalling 377 ft peak lbs (which cannot be sustained long), and it still only gets 0-60 in 10 seconds. The BMW makes 369, just 7 less than a prius's motor, but 200 more hosepower, usable at a wide range of RPMs.

The BMW is certainly quicker, and could pull an airplane.

The BMW certainly is a lot more fun to drive than a Prius.

SevorbeupstryIsBack - 9/6/2007 5:36:27 PM

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America, the greatest country in the world.

Porschinator - 9/4/2007 5:55:46 PM

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It is hilarious how naive people are about US regulations. The article is idiotic because the perception of US auto buyers regarding Diesels is much less significant than those Diesels actually not passing US emission standards. That being the main reason a lot of Euro Diesels are not sold here. Yet Europe Diesel emission standards are less stringent.

XYZZ - 9/11/2007 7:02:02 AM

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...

XYZZ - 9/11/2007 7:06:35 AM

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SuckedUpisBack:

"And I suppose the Prius is in the same class as the 330d?"


YOU were the one who put both in the same sentence. with the idiotic claim the 330d actually got better mileage. which i said it definitely DID NOT.