[MachineDriver]

I like this engine but adblue is a pain. I'd vote for the TDI. I like the 6AT but the few Americans who would want to drive this in stick probably are capable of doing so without burning out the clutch. Personally, I wouldn't buy a compact vehicle with a slushbox again.

[Ron1n]

You buy the TDI for the gas mileage. You buy the 335d for the drive, AND the gas mileage. :P

[Quasimodem]

Originally Posted by MachineDriver

I like this engine but adblue is a pain. I'd vote for the TDI. I like the 6AT but the few Americans who would want to drive this in stick probably are capable of doing so without burning out the clutch. Personally, I wouldn't buy a compact vehicle with a slushbox again.

Even if an MT driver "knows" how to drive an MT without burning out the clutch fast, they probably wouldn't care less about the repairs. They are (mostly) concerned about speed and control.

[DnA Diesel]

Cleaning the EGR valve on my TDI (even VAG'd to min EGR duty cycle) is more of a pain that I ever think watching the dealer fill the adblue tank is, to be honest. Re: the AT, I know it's not an SMG, but for all intents and purposes, it feels like one, albeit with slight softer shifts, but once it gets into a gear, it's as though the converter is locked-up...very tight. FWIW.

Cheers
Duey

[PJPHughes]

Not directly related, but I'm in the UK for Christmas, and while in a cab in central London the other day, I noticed a private bus/coach drive next to me, and I saw in big letters, a fuel door with "AdBlue" on it.

I know Europe is becoming very environmentally aware these days, but I was surprised to see that some diesel buses in the UK are using Ad Blue as well. It's not just a US thing....

It does make complete sense....especially if it removes NOx emissions. Allthough I do know that in the UK, tax brackets for cars are based on CO2 emissions and AdBlue actually increases C02 output a bit...which is why the Bluetec cars aren't sold here, and the 335d doesn't need AdBlue here.

[F32Fleet]

Originally Posted by PJPHughes

Not directly related, but I'm in the UK for Christmas, and while in a cab in central London the other day, I noticed a private bus/coach drive next to me, and I saw in big letters, a fuel door with "AdBlue" on it.

I know Europe is becoming very environmentally aware these days, but I was surprised to see that some diesel buses in the UK are using Ad Blue as well. It's not just a US thing....

It does make complete sense....especially if it removes NOx emissions. Allthough I do know that in the UK, tax brackets for cars are based on CO2 emissions and AdBlue actually increases C02 output a bit...which is why the Bluetec cars aren't sold here, and the 335d doesn't need AdBlue here.

IIRC..Adblue is used only for the larger diesels. Manufacturers can't get the emissions down without them unlike their smaller I4 breathern. Basically any diesel which is 6 cylinders or more will have a SCR (Urea) system.

[creepy coupe]

Originally Posted by PJPHughes

Not directly related, but I'm in the UK for Christmas, and while in a cab in central London the other day, I noticed a private bus/coach drive next to me, and I saw in big letters, a fuel door with "AdBlue" on it.

I know Europe is becoming very environmentally aware these days, but I was surprised to see that some diesel buses in the UK are using Ad Blue as well. It's not just a US thing....

It does make complete sense....especially if it removes NOx emissions. Allthough I do know that in the UK, tax brackets for cars are based on CO2 emissions and AdBlue actually increases C02 output a bit...which is why the Bluetec cars aren't sold here, and the 335d doesn't need AdBlue here.

The only reason some vehicle use Adblue is because some Cities have a congestion zone around them and all HGV's and heavier vans have to use the stuff by law.

Some companies made a small fortune converting these vehicle over a few years ago.

[F32Fleet]

Originally Posted by DnA Diesel

Cetane levels in North American diesel are generally lower than in Europe, probably due to little demand for automotive high-cetane diesel (vice on-road diesel for trucks, or off-road for construction/trains, etc...)

Correct. The min cetane in the US is 40. California is higher (50?) which is the min for Europe. The pumps in the US do not have to post the Cetane rating and the rating may actually fluctuate 2-3 pts from month to month, season to season.

BMW recommends BP/Amoco diesel for US Customers because BP/Amoco sell a "premium diesel" with a Min Cetane of 47.

[F32Fleet]

Originally Posted by Ron1n

I'd be interested in a poll for this.

I'm 33.

I'm 37

[F32Fleet]

Originally Posted by MachineDriver

I like this engine but adblue is a pain. I'd vote for the TDI. I like the 6AT but the few Americans who would want to drive this in stick probably are capable of doing so without burning out the clutch. Personally, I wouldn't buy a compact vehicle with a slushbox again.

I looked at buying a the TDI, and although VW put together a great options package but I couldn't buy it because at the time: #1 Recall on DSG gearbox (spouse was not happy), #2 Faulty fuel pumps (crumbling) coupled with shoddy dealer service.

VW changed the spec on their oil for the TDI beginning with 09' and there were lots of reports where service dept's were overfilling and/or using wrong oil.

[DnA Diesel]

Originally Posted by Socom

I looked at buying a the TDI, and although VW put together a great options package ....

...coupled with shoddy dealer service.

+1

Why many TDI'ers do things themselves. Amongst other things, many of us were hung out to dry on the MAF sensors packing it in, then charging us North of $400 for a new non-warranty-covered TDI MAF sensor. That was the first and last time I ever got into it with my VW dealer...everything else after that was thanks to personal mechanical inclination and the folks over at TDIClub.com. I solved the MAF sensor problem by transplanting an M-B CDI320 Bosch sensor into the TDI, at $75 (fit, form, function compatible...go figure).

[Dubbedoutbimmer]

Originally Posted by MachineDriver

I like this engine but adblue is a pain. I'd vote for the TDI. I like the 6AT but the few Americans who would want to drive this in stick probably are capable of doing so without burning out the clutch. Personally, I wouldn't buy a compact vehicle with a slushbox again.

compact?? that would be a Mini

and the adblue is topped off at normal service intervals not really a hassle

if I knew I could mod the 335d to turn some HP numbers similar to the 335i I would be it in 3 month when im off lease

[Ron1n]

Originally Posted by Dubbedoutbimmer

compact?? that would be a Mini

and the adblue is topped off at normal service intervals not really a hassle

if I knew I could mod the 335d to turn some HP numbers similar to the 335i I would be it in 3 month when im off lease

You can, without question.

http://www.vacmotorsports.com/catalo...mw-diesels.htm
http://www.diesel-performance.co.uk/...ails.php?id=10
http://www.diesel-performance.co.uk/...tails.php?id=1

If you look at what the Euro tuners have been able to do, it's well within reach..not to mention, you've already got the base torque #'s that beat what you'll achieve even with a tuned 335i (95% of the time).