[JSpira]

I had a lot of fun writing this piece, gathering statistics, and finding a picture of an Oldsmobile Diesel that I could legally use.

The Return of Diesel in America

From 1960 through 2002, over 20 car makers ranging from Audi to Volvo offered over 80 diesel-powered passenger cars in the U.S. Indeed, 1981 marked a watershed year for diesel car sales with 520,788 sold. 60% of those came from General Motors and included the company’s biggest sedans, the Cadillac Sedan de Ville and Fleetwood, the Buick Electra and LeSabre, and the Oldsmobile 98 and 88. The oil crises of the 1970s had scared new car buyers enough so that they would put up with the diesel’s noise, fumes, and somewhat iffy starting in cold weather.


Diesel car back at that time accounted for 85% of Peugeot’s U.S. sales, 78% of Mercedes-Benz’, 58% of Isuzu’s, and 50% of Volkswagen’s.

[The J-Man]

Nice article.

[j330xi]

Very nice Article.. I have waited almost 30 years to buy a diesel..

Tried to Get my Dad to buy a 1982 Audi 5000 Diesel... He eventually bought a Old's Cutless that have been converted to gas from diesel. (POS!!)

Love the E28 Diesel.... Could not afford one

I FINALLY bought a 2010 X5d and LOVE IT!

[777ER]

Well the problem is not every gas station in the metro area carries diesel...

If I had a diesel and went down my street, there's no diesel at this Mobil 1 station, go down to Shell, maybe you'll find one nozzle that's diesel, or go down to gulf and maybe or maybe not they will have it, it's a hit or miss.

I would have to say in my area, there got to be 1 in 5 that carries diesel.

[JSpira]

Originally Posted by 777ER

Well the problem is not every gas station in the metro area carries diesel...


I would have to say in my area, there got to be 1 in 5 that carries diesel.

But you only have to fill up 1/5 as often

[maswastage]

Originally Posted by 777ER

Well the problem is not every gas station in the metro area carries diesel...

If I had a diesel and went down my street, there's no diesel at this Mobil 1 station, go down to Shell, maybe you'll find one nozzle that's diesel, or go down to gulf and maybe or maybe not they will have it, it's a hit or miss.

I would have to say in my area, there got to be 1 in 5 that carries diesel.

That's odd, I've never had problems finding a diesel station. In fact, the other day I stumbled upon a Texaco just 2 minutes from my house that was selling diesel for 2.80 - 29 cents cheaper than the next cheapest station I've found in my area.

That's actually one of the things I love about diesel is that, unlike gasoline, I don't have to worry about which brand has the best quality fuel. I can just find the cheapest one and go with that.

[F32Fleet]

Originally Posted by maswastage

That's odd, I've never had problems finding a diesel station. In fact, the other day I stumbled upon a Texaco just 2 minutes from my house that was selling diesel for 2.80 - 29 cents cheaper than the next cheapest station I've found in my area.

That's actually one of the things I love about diesel is that, unlike gasoline, I don't have to worry about which brand has the best quality fuel. I can just find the cheapest one and go with that.

+1,

There are 6 stations within 1 mile which have diesel (4 within .5 miles).

[bsamoul]

Great article

[dpwr]

Originally Posted by Takashi

The problem with disel is not difficult to find a station; instead it is the cost of fuel. Here in NA, there isn't a significant difference in the cost of disel vs. petrol. In European countries, Disel is more economical compared to petrol thus it is difficult to "justify" for disel car.

it's the same price, but you go almost twice as further on one tank, how is that not justified ?

[maswastage]

Originally Posted by dpwr

it's the same price, but you go almost twice as further on one tank, how is that not justified ?

Exactly. And in some places, such as the Texaco I mentioned, the diesel is actually cheaper than premium. My last fill up was 2.80 per gallon,versus the same station's 2.91 for premium gasoline.

[Blackadder]

Originally Posted by Takashi

The problem with disel is not difficult to find a station; instead it is the cost of fuel. Here in NA, there isn't a significant difference in the cost of disel vs. petrol. .

But if you only have to fill your vehicle half as many times with diesel than you do with gas, then there are your savings.

[HoustonScott]

Nice piece. I think diesel is coming in greater numbers than anyone thinks. I believe it's the only way a car company can met EPA mileage standards that kick-in in 2016. How is anyone's fleet going to get 39mpg and each car get no less then 36mpg with out going to HP diesel, it's the only way.

HS

[HoustonScott]

Nice piece. I think diesel is coming in greater numbers than anyone thinks. I believe it's the only way a car company can met EPA mileage standards that kick-in in 2016. How is anyone's fleet going to get 39mpg and each car get no less then 36mpg with out going to HP diesel, it's the only way.

HS

[JSpira]

Originally Posted by Takashi

True; however, how long do you think the savings in gas can offset the extra cost of the car?

There is no real extra cost for the diesel now.

[Ron1n]

Originally Posted by maswastage

Exactly. And in some places, such as the Texaco I mentioned, the diesel is actually cheaper than premium. My last fill up was 2.80 per gallon,versus the same station's 2.91 for premium gasoline.

I *wish* diesel was 2.80 here......man..

[Blackadder]

Originally Posted by Ron1n

I *wish* diesel was 2.80 here......man..

In Canada we are paying .96c a litre for diesel ($3.63 gallon). I pop down once a week to Sumas, Washington and pay $3.03 gallon (.80c a litre).

I'm still happy lol

[JSpira]

Originally Posted by Blackadder

In Canada we are paying .96c a litre for diesel ($3.63 gallon). I pop down once a week to Sumas, Washington and pay $3.03 gallon (.80c a litre).

I'm still happy lol

Apparently, taxes on fuel must be higher for you. That accounts for a good part of the disparity in diesel fuel pricing.

[stressdoc]

IMO BMW missed a huge PR opportunity by opting to bring the 335d and not the 320d. A 50+mpg 3 series would shock the USA market. Some of the hyper-efficient tiny models that are in the pipeline will also bring in an entirely new demographic into BMW showrooms.

[stressdoc]

IMO BMW missed a huge PR opportunity by opting to bring the 335d and not the 320d. A 50+mpg 3 series would shock the USA market. Some of the hyper-efficient tiny models that are in the pipeline will also bring in an entirely new demographic into BMW showrooms.

[magbarn]

Originally Posted by JSpira

There is no real extra cost for the diesel now.

Yup with the on-going eco-credit + $900 tax rebate, the 335d is actually cheaper than a step 335i. (IF you buy cash, as the 2010 335i's 0.9% APR is quite sweet, OTOH the 2011 335i don't get the $2500/0.9% while the 2011 335d's do come with the $4500 eco-credit as of now)

[JSpira]

Originally Posted by stressdoc

IMO BMW missed a huge PR opportunity by opting to bring the 335d and not the 320d. A 50+mpg 3 series would shock the USA market. Some of the hyper-efficient tiny models that are in the pipeline will also bring in an entirely new demographic into BMW showrooms.

I suspect it had something to do with getting an additional engine certified.

[maswastage]

Originally Posted by stressdoc

IMO BMW missed a huge PR opportunity by opting to bring the 335d and not the 320d. A 50+mpg 3 series would shock the USA market. Some of the hyper-efficient tiny models that are in the pipeline will also bring in an entirely new demographic into BMW showrooms.

I respectfully disagree. The US has already seen the likes of small, ultra-efficient diesels from VW and Audi, but their offerings aren't exactly high performance. Another such diesel from BMW wouldn't have been very remarkable. The 335d was needed to come in with a bang and show the US that fuel economy and performance are not mutually exclusive, making the US public more open to diesels and opening the door for the slower and more fuel efficient models to come along in the future.