Diesels are finally getting a little credit in the U.S. thanks to steady prices and federal tax credits. A new report by Edmunds.com data analysts shows that the payback time for a diesel vehicle is far shorter than a typical hybrid. Much of that has to do with the premium that most hybrid vehicles currently command over their standard counterparts, which is now almost double what it is for diesels.
In fact, in some cases, diesels offer an immediate payback over traditional gasoline-powered vehicles. Take the Mercedes-Benz GL. The 320 CDI variant is currently selling for around $2,000 less than the gasoline-powered GL450 when you add in federal tax credits. Add in its superior mileage and it's a compelling prospect.
Does that mean buyers are flocking to diesels? Hardly, but if the trend continues, look for the now-minuscule diesel segment to finally take hold.
AutoObserver: Diesels Paying Back Quicker than Hybrids, Edmunds.com Reports
blueguydotcom says:
09:28 AM, 07/29/09
Looking at the 320d it's hard to understand why anyone would opt for the far less efficient, more expensive 450.
MB and VW did it right with their diesels. BMW did it wrong. If they sold a 330D at 2k-3k over the 328 they'd sell 'em like crazy. Instead they offer the lame 335d for more than the 335i. Bad, bad decision.
redliner says:
09:45 AM, 07/29/09
Yes, to get people to buy the diesel, it must be priced very close to the standard model. Americans that are not familiar with diesel are not going to pay thousands more for somthing they feel inferior.
DLu says:
09:55 AM, 07/29/09
who's that in the picture? can one really drive wearing THOSE shoes?
how much of a pain in the behind is it to own a diesel and fuel up? i think i'm too lazy to have to find diesel stations. i just like a long per-tank range.
chemeng says:
09:55 AM, 07/29/09
I was very excited about the BMW 335d until I saw the price. Too much change for me.
I traded my 2005 BMW 325i on a 2009 VW Jetta Sportwagen TDI and I consider it one of the smartest purchases of my life. I love VW's 2.0 TDI engine. It is smooth, quiet and powerful. It is just as smooth as the inline-6 in my old bimmer.
dougtheeng says:
10:04 AM, 07/29/09
"who's that in the picture? "
Agreed. Who is she? Very cute.
blueguydotcom says:
10:15 AM, 07/29/09
@chemeng - I liked it quite a bit on a test drive. Looking back the TDI sportwagen would have been a very smart buy. But of course I'd have to spend a grip modifying the suspension.
What kind of mileage are you seeing?
@DLU - all the diesel owners I know pretty much catalog in their heads where local diesel stations are. I'm such a creature of habit I tend to buy 90% of my gas from the same station.
greenpony says:
10:21 AM, 07/29/09
What a hot... vehicle
e46fanatics says:
11:17 AM, 07/29/09
@blueguydotcom, I understand why you dislik bmw idea of 335d, but you have to understand that bmw is very concerned of their image as performance being top priority in the US. Therefore they had their diesel in the 335d, otherwise if they had put it in the 328 and under it would be the slowest of the bunch yet more expensive than a low base 3-series. Also most people in the US that purchases a bmw, aren't really concerned with mpg. What bmw doing is that they are making a slow transition into a greener environment. With all that said the 335d is a fantastic automobile. One of the best all around car to date.
alman08 says:
11:21 AM, 07/29/09
this is the best pic that this site has to offer in a long long long time...
chemeng says:
12:19 PM, 07/29/09
@blueguydotcom: The TDI sportwagen gets great mileage. When I drive around town (60% city, 40% highway), I get about 38-39 mpg average for the tank. On a long trip, 100% highway driving, I see 52-53 mpg average for the tank.
@DLu: In northern NJ, finding a diesel station is not a problem. And right now, it is the same price as regular unleaded!
arumage says:
01:35 PM, 07/29/09
Every gas station around my area has diesel. Lots of farmers around so there's a constant market for diesel.
bbechtel16 says:
02:05 PM, 07/29/09
She's not a daughter of an Edmunds employee is she? In that case we're all in trouble!
yellowmiata says:
02:30 PM, 07/29/09
I'd guess she's the passenger as the passenger door is open and the shoes. So the real question is who's taking the photo...
blueguydotcom says:
02:31 PM, 07/29/09
@e46
The 330d will put up numbers similar to the 328. With tax credits it'd be cheaper than a 328 too or close to about the same. Additionally, until about 2007 Bimmer lovers didn't talk about straight-line performance as the mark of the BMW was in handling not acceleration. The 330d handles just as well as the 328/335i. Throughout the e30, e35 and e46 run Bimmer fans talked about prowess on the street and track, not how fast the car is when a moron with a steptronic slams his foot down on the go pedal. Guess things change. Ultimate Driving Machine had nothing to do with 0-60. And still doesn't.
So while the 335d may be fantastic in your eyes, the 330d would have moved far more units by far. By far.
carswapper says:
02:53 PM, 07/29/09
Who cares if she can drive in those shoes....I want to know what else she does in those shoes. You walking and such ;)
lvranger says:
05:06 PM, 07/29/09
Wow, I suddenly want a diesel. Marketing people, pay attention!
rallyandbosox says:
01:58 AM, 07/30/09
Why did it take so long for someone to figure out that Diesels are better than Hybrids? Forgetting the environmental 'smug' aspect of it, the premium hybrids carry over similar petrol cars isn't worth it. Gimme a VW TDI any day of the week.
jriz says:
09:00 AM, 07/30/09
"She's not a daughter of an Edmunds employee is she?"
Oh how I wish that was the case. I'm pretty sure that's Emmy Rossum.
I actually have no idea what this post was about. Just the picture of Miss Rossum is enough to keep my attention.
flicmod says:
09:41 AM, 07/30/09
Yeah, I think you're right, jriz:
http://www.bing.com/images/search?q=emmy+rossum&FORM=BIFD
DLu says:
12:54 PM, 07/30/09
@ yellowmiata,
keen observation ... so the driver -- and i'm going to be sexist here -- is some rich dude who drives a cool car, gets a hot chick, AND can get her to pump gas for him? dang ...
i guess if i had actually been driving a diesel, i'll notice diesel stations a lot more. it's like after i bought my Mazda6 in '04, what i thought was a rather uncommon car all of a sudden started coming out of the woodwork.
compliance says:
01:57 PM, 07/30/09
I was thinking Kat Dennings, but she'd have to have lost a good amount of weight to be that skinny.