BMW diesel beats the Prius

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Mar 21, 2008 | 10:55 AM

#16

xp8103

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From: Maine

Quote:

Originally Posted by 96_12V

Certainly a little chip out of old Prius's block.

It would be interesting to see what a 120d with a 6-speed would do in the same test.

Too bad we will only be getting the 3.5L diesels when they arrive later this year, but at least it's a start.

Man do you have that right!! I've bought exactly ONE NEW car in my car-buying life but I would HAVE to consider trading my E30 IX for a 120d. Just imagine a 120Xid!!!!! WOO HOOO!!!!

Mar 21, 2008 | 12:00 PM

#17

HOHN

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From: Cummins Technical Center, IN

Quote:

Originally Posted by xp8103

Problem is, the "Prius crowd" will puff up their chests and say, collectively "Yeah.... Well, our emissions are cleaner!" It's always about emissions when someone brings up just how much the Prius DOESNT live up to it's MPG claims.

The problem is that the Prius egomaniacs only look at the environmental impact of the car WHILE THEY OWN IT.

They ignore the fact that while it's in production, the car consumes FAR more energy than even a Hummer. The process of making a Prius involves circumnavigating the globe!

The nickel for the batteries is mined in Canada, shipped to Europe for smelting, then the batteries are made in Japan and the car shipped to the US for sale.

So when you look at the TOTAL energy a vehicle represents, from it's manufacture to its expected lifespan to the cost of disposing/dismantling, the Prius is an environmental nightmare.

When measured by this more accurate perspective, the most environmentally friendly vehicle on the road is the Scion xB.

Mar 21, 2008 | 12:23 PM

#18

mmurray

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From: Mississippi Gulf Coast

That's a very interesting point...

what happens to those batteries when they go bad?

Mar 21, 2008 | 12:37 PM

#19

tmleadr03

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From: Englewood, CO

Quote:

Originally Posted by pronstar

Yes but the Jetta/Golf platform is significantly smaller than the BMW 5-er platform. The two noteworthy things about the BMW in the article are the MPG's, of course, and the size of the vehicle.

The other thing to think of is that the Prius driver turned off his AC and radio to make the trip, the BMW had his AC on, radio on and was in the lap of luxury.

Mar 21, 2008 | 02:14 PM

#20

Marine

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From: Canuckistan

I had a BMW diesel 320 in Germany and I really liked it. The only bad thing with BMW's is they don't have cup holders lol. At least they didn't 3 yrs ago....

Mar 21, 2008 | 02:24 PM

#21

ian515

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From: an Alaskan living in Des Moines Iowa....

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marine

I had a BMW diesel 320 in Germany and I really liked it. The only bad thing with BMW's is they don't have cup holders lol. At least they didn't 3 yrs ago....

haha, thats funny, cause VW's assembled in germany didnt come with glove boxes...I wonder why they do that.

Mar 21, 2008 | 02:34 PM

#22

Marine

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From: Canuckistan

I think their philosophy is that they would rather have 2 hands on the wheel rather than 1 on the wheel and 1 on the coffee cup lol. Especially at autobahn speeds.

Mar 22, 2008 | 10:34 PM

#23

96_12V

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From: Northern Iowa

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marine

I had a BMW diesel 320 in Germany and I really liked it. The only bad thing with BMW's is they don't have cup holders lol. At least they didn't 3 yrs ago....

Hmmm...must be a European market option. My 1993 325i had two between the front seats, they weren't well designed, but then...I didn't but it for the cupholders...

Mar 23, 2008 | 01:17 AM

#24

biododge1

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From: illinois

Quote:

Originally Posted by mmurray

That's a very interesting point...

what happens to those batteries when they go bad?

the dealer takes them and charges you a fortune for new ones---about 5 large when done.

don't ask how i know

Mar 23, 2008 | 02:29 PM

#25

LVTony

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Joined: Sep 2006

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From: Las Vegas, NV

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marine

I think their philosophy is that they would rather have 2 hands on the wheel rather than 1 on the wheel and 1 on the coffee cup lol. Especially at autobahn speeds.

Yeah, that's the BMW/German philosophy of driving. No cup holder and initially they didn't want ashtray (but thanks to the addictive powers of nicotine...). They barely tolerate a radio/cd player. When driving you're supposed to be driving, not drinking, eating...

There was a commercial for the X5 awhile back that went on about all it's great features, but they kept coming back to how many more cup holders it had than the competition. I have to imagine that really annoyed the German BMW engineers.