Topic: Road Trip: 2014 BMW 328d xDrive, Ottawa to New York City, Part 2

[Autos_Editor]

Paul Concludes his journey, viewing Vermeer's 'The Girl with the Pearl Earring' and finding the BMW 328d a companionable cruiser on the long, uneventful drive home.

Read More...

[sailor723]

Nice article. I love NYC and have driven there several times. It's surprisingly easy to get into town but be prepared to pay through the nose for parking in Midtown. ($75/night last time staying at the Times Sq Marriott)

Not sure if you can do something similar coming from Ontario but the trick to getting into NYC from the northeast is to get off the interstates well out from New York (just below Hartford in my case) and use the network of "parkways" dating from the 30's. These are 50MPH divided roads with relatively light traffic and no heavy trucks allowed. You'll come out on the Henry Hudson below the George Washington bridge and have a straight shot to the Westside Highway and Midtown.

[KD]

Nice article. I love NYC and have driven there several times. It's surprisingly easy to get into town but be prepared to pay through the nose for parking in Midtown. ($75/night last time staying at the Times Sq Marriott)

Not sure if you can do something similar coming from Ontario but the trick to getting into NYC from the northeast is to get off the interstates well out from New York (just below Hartford in my case) and use the network of "parkways" dating from the 30's. These are 50MPH divided roads with relatively light traffic and no heavy trucks allowed. You'll come out on the Henry Hudson below the George Washington bridge and have a straight shot to the Westside Highway and Midtown.

That's where I stayed last time in NYC...luckily didn't have to park though. I have driven through NYC a few times and it is relatively easy to navigate, but the traffic....

[safristi]

Yeah, but for some reason everyone paints their car YELLOW.... .

[SKYMTL]

I actually saw two of the 328d Touring with the M-Sport package (an add-on to the Sport Line option) on a hauler yesterday.  Man did they look good in the optional blue color. 

I'm just not 100% sure about getting a Sport package on a diesel car.  It just sounds mutually exclusive to me.....

[mixmanmash]

Looks like BMW has some cold weather glitches to solve on their diesel vehicles.

[OliverD]

I'm just not 100% sure about getting a Sport package on a diesel car.  It just sounds mutually exclusive to me.....

Why? The new diesels are quite quick and handle just as well as their gasoline counterparts.

I'd love a 328d wagon with the M sport package.

[SKYMTL]

I'm just not 100% sure about getting a Sport package on a diesel car.  It just sounds mutually exclusive to me.....

Why? The new diesels are quite quick and handle just as well as their gasoline counterparts.

I'd love a 328d wagon with the M sport package.

Because if you're buying a diesel, you're likely doing it for efficiency.  The Sport Line + M Sport package will set you back about $4300 if BWM's buggy configuration tool is giving me the right number. 

Assuming diesel and premium are the same price ($1.40/L) and you drive 24,000 KMs / year + average 6L/100KM on the diesel, the M Sport package on the Touring model will take about 5 years to pay off versus a 328i XDrive gasoline variant averaging 9L/100KM.   

[quadzilla]

Because if you're buying a diesel, you're likely doing it for efficiency.  The Sport Line + M Sport package will set you back about $4300 if BWM's buggy configuration tool is giving me the right number. 

Assuming diesel and premium are the same price ($1.40/L) and you drive 24,000 KMs / year + average 6L/100KM on the diesel, the M Sport package on the Touring model will take about 5 years to pay off versus a 328i XDrive gasoline variant averaging 9L/100KM.

Buying any option has nothing to do with efficiency. That would be like saying buying the sunroof will take another 2 years to pay off. Doesn't matter. If people were really interested in saving money they wouldn't bother buying a BMW and just buy something cheaper.

I'd also pony up for the sport package. Just because its a diesel doesn't mean I can't have some fun driving.

[SKYMTL]

That's true I guess....plus it looks damn good. 

[carcrazed]

Even the fuel-conscious drivers need SOME fun behind the wheel every once in a while. 

I think a lot of people buy diesel for its low-end torque.

[Noto]

Very well written article, Paul.  Fun to read - appreciated, given the crap I have to read all day

As good as your article makes the diesel sound, that little bit at the end about the problems is worrysome.  I'm not sure I could get over it and fork over any money for a Bimmer without some assurances (and a regular warranty wouldn't make me feel good if I have to frequent the dealership service department).

Excellent engine - it just goes to show why diesels do belong in Canada...and maybe just a little electronic blanket for the urea tank/lines would solve the issue

[sailor723]

This is this the first year for this model/engine in Canada isn't it?  Maybe just teething problems?
 BMW has been selling diesels in the X5 for quite awhile. If there was a freezing problem with the urea system I suspect it would be widely known by now.

[mixmanmash]

This is this the first year for this model/engine in Canada isn't it?  Maybe just teething problems?
 BMW has been selling diesels in the X5 for quite awhile. If there was a freezing problem with the urea system I suspect it would be widely known by now.

Yup.  Probably teething problems.  But as I recall, even the 5-series diesel is having similar issues.

[Sir Osis of Liver]

Hey look! Another glitchy, $60K+ German sedan!

They have heated urea tanks, as everyone does, but they didn't think about the exposed urea lines?

[mixmanmash]

I really want to buy this car but then I see the price and then no manual.  The E class diesel starts at 57.8k. I beat Merc will undercut this price substantially when the C class diesel arrives.

I agree.