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http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/2/AmericanFlag.jpg What happens when the Ultimate Driving Machine comes in contact with a group of Hypermiler’s ;) (cleanmpg.com/forums/showthread.php?p=199258)

http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/501/2009_BMW_335d_Front_End.jpgWayne Gerdes – CleanMPG (cleanmpg.com) – April 7, 2009

2009 BMW 335d - $43,900 to start and 08 EPA rated at 23/36 City/Highway.

Chicago, IL -- The 2009 BMW 3 Series Sedan includes not only an updated exterior and interior styling, new technologies and enhanced ergonomics but more importantly includes BMW’s latest 50-state compliant, Advanced 3.0L turbo-diesel.

Later today, the BMW 335d will be put through a special type of review. That being a trip from Chicago to New York for the 2009 NY Autoshow and some miles back to see what it is really worth on a single tank of fuel.

The route will be similar to the Chicago to NY drive last May as documented in the hour by hour Prius - Chicago to New York on a single tank (http://www.cleanmpg.com/forums/showthread.php?t=11136). Fortunately, the mighty Beemer has a 16.1 gallon tank and 49 mpg is all that is needed to make it to NY City. Ken (Slowhands) and I will be pushing the super-diesel to meet that 49 mpg minimum to the best of our abilities...

Doable? Surely it has to be... I hope ;)

BMW 335d Advanced Diesel

High-performance via performance oriented 3.0L twin-turbo and High-efficiency coming about because it’s a diesel.

The all-new 335d Sports Sedan represents a significant step forward in combining high performance with high fuel efficiency. The predecessor to the 3.0-liter, twin-turbocharged inline 6-cylinder diesel engine powering the 335d has been widely acclaimed in Europe yet is completely new to the US. What makes it truly special to the American marketplace is BMW’s BluePerformance Urea injected SCR CAT (Selective Catalyst Reduction Catalytic converter) and a DPF (Diesel Particulate Filter) emissions-control technology.

Among the turbodiesel engine’s advanced attributes are aluminum construction, high-pressure direct fuel injection with piezo-electric injectors, and a turbocharging system that employs both a small and larger turbocharger for optimum response at low and high speeds.

Given the stringent emission control and fuel economy that will be tested later today, one might expect performance to suffer. On the contrary as the all-new powertrain produces 265 HP and an impressive 425 lb-ft of torque allowing the vehicle to propel itself to 60 mph in 6.0 seconds while still allowing 36 mpgUS on the highway!

Safety

The BMW 335d’s list of standard passive and active safety features and attributes are truly impressive.

To begin, the 335d is equipped with Xenon Adaptive headlight technology that “steers” along with the front wheels. The headlights also auto-level which maintains accurate aiming with changing vehicle loading, acceleration and braking so as to reduce glare to oncoming motorists. Additionally, cornering lights direct an angled beam at each front corner to assist in situations of low speed and sharp turns. Both of these lamps illuminate when reverse gear is engaged. In the rear, adaptive Brake Lights will flash upon hard braking.

Included in the mix are Active front head restraints, 2-stage, optimally configured front-impact airbags; front-seat side-impact airbags; a front-to-rear, curtain-type Head Protection system deployed from the interior ceiling and front safety belts with automatic pretensioners.

Additionally, Anti-lock brakes (ABS), Dynamic Stability Control (DSC), Brake Fade Compensation, Start-off Assistant, Brake Drying, and Brake Stand-by features, with Dynamic Traction Control (DTC) are all standard equipment.

Interlocking door anchoring system helps protect against door intrusion in side impacts and an Impact sensor that activates Battery Safety terminal disconnect of alternator, fuel pump and starter from battery; and automatically turns on hazard lights and interior lights, and unlocks doors.

All said, a very impressive machine and one we are both looking forward to driving for a very lengthy period.

I assume this is a manual transmission vehicle?

BMW's are amazingly efficient cars for what they bring to the table.

Anything less than high 50's and I'll be disappointed in your abilities:)

This should be interesting. I'll have a mini challenge in my lil' avenger going to NY. I'll be lucky if I pull something over 40mpg:p

Hi Sean:

___Unfortunately, BMW will not bring the MT to the states so its a std. AT and non-FASable at that :(

___Good Luck

___Wayne

Sean, I believe its an automatic, I read somewhere that this turbo diesel puts out too much torque for their current manual transmissions to handle :D

Well that stinks. :(

Usually it is the AT that can't handle the torque...

Usually it is the AT that can't handle the torque...

Dodge had the same problem with manuals when they first brought out the V10 Rams.
The built in slip of the auto can handle the low end torque of the diesels better (and that V10 was built with a similar torque-to-RPM profile).

Even without FAS available, the mountain ranges in PA and northern NJ will allow plenty idling time during the long coasting down the mountain. And diesels use less fuel at idle than gas engines, so it won't be all that bad.

Winds out of the west at up to 15mph down here until tomorrow morning, so your "air speed" will be closer to 30-45mph for much of the trip.

Hi Chris:

___The Press Vehicle handling company called me about 2-hours ago and said the car would be in the drive between 11:00 AM and 12:00 Noon CST. It is now 12:40 PM and I am still waiting :(

___And like you said, their will be a lot of NICE-On's with a 64:1 A/F ratio at idle to bring us on in ;)

___I cannot wait and even night driving with those steerable Xenon's sounds like something to look forward to actually!

___And the strong winds are from the west for the most part although temps in the high 30's and low 40's suck big time.

___Good Luck

___Wayne

Hi All:

___She arrived, she’s SG-II equipped, pressed up and loaded up. The only thing left is to add some CleanMPG decals to the rear windows and I am on my way to pick up Ken.

___The List on this little beauty is over $55,000. Can you believe anyone would allow anyone of us to drive a $55,000 automobile for a review??? Holy smokes! This is going to be fun... I hope :)

2009 BMW 335d

http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/523/Drivers_Side_Front_Static.jpg
http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/523/Drivers_Side_Rear_Static.jpg

___Good Luck

___Wayne

Oh yeah! GOodluck Wayne! Last one to the City is a rotten egg!! :p

Shouldn't that be, "first one to the City is a rotten egg?" :p Good luck, guys!

Let me know if I can be of any help while you are on the trip.

Just so you know, rotten egg smell from diesels hasn't been around for a couple of decades now. ;)

That's a seriously sweet looking ride! Where's the BEV version? :D

Many people don't like the look of current BMW's, but I think the 3 is a nice looking car. Pictures don't always do them justice but it is looking pretty sharp in the pictures above. Good luck for the trip, and have fun! I am very interested to see what this car will do.

Ken is right about the transmission, none of the BMW 35d's anywhere in the world are available with an automatic. The next step down, the 30d's, can be had with a manual.

UPDATE!!!

I just talked to Wayne for the second time. He called a couple of hours ago as he was out to get fuel and pick up Ken. Talk about excited! He was cruising with a 15 mph side wind at 63 mph and it was getting 52 to 54 mpg on the instantaneous.

At 4:22 they were crossing into Indiana and the BMW 335D was hitting 55 to 60 mpg at 55 mph. He said it drove like a dream. It virtually drives itself. With the way the toe in is set up, there was no pull or wander. You set the wheel and it goes there. 800 miles to go and I can see big numbers coming.

The lean burn is working as described. It renders the Scangauge useless as far as mpg is concerned. Sounds like another x-gauge is needed.

The design of the interior is impeccable as the integration is phenomenal! The nav, controls and cup holders are all top notch.

UPDATE. We just passed Elkhart IN 96 miles. Tank at 15/16 , inst at 50.0. Getting hard to hold mpg as temps are dropping but still have some tailwind.

Some grille-blocking perhaps?

DAS

Wayne just called with an update. 110 miles out, they were at 51.2. Temp is at 36 degrees as they just passed Toledo and the FCD is at 50. It's getting hard to hold the mileage as the temp drops!

Opps we were 220 miles out temps dropped from 39 to 34 degrees during last segment.

Nice numbers! I'm looking forward to the review once you two finish and get some sleep.

Update at 12:45am...
Wayne and Ken are just outside of Lordstown, OH. 435 miles to NY, 442 miles DTE so it will be close. Weather is 31F and light snow, wet/salted roads. Checking the weather ahead of them, temps gradually warm and winds from the west gradually build, so hopefully the improving conditions will bring the FE up a bit. They are holding on at 50mpg!

Update @ 12:18 a.m. cst: They just passed the halfway point of 400 miles and 9/16 left in the tank. Still hanging on to 50mpg but struggling with conditions. It's cold and they just passed through a snow squall. The 335d is chugging hills and swallowing like a diesel. It doesn't sound like lean burn is happening much now.

Update: got thru the climbs in PA. Down to 48 but back up to 49. Navi gives us making it by about 20 miles except NYC traffic will probably change that. Looks like arrive about 9:30 or so.

I can't believe there's no MT offered. It's just not a BMW then to me. Looks like great numbers for an auto in those conditions.

Update 7:45am cst:

It has been a long night. Below freezing temps and snow all night long have beat the average down to 49mpg. A little less than 1/8 tank less and the low fuel light is on.

According to the BMW Media info:
The sequential-turbo 3.0 diesel engine powering both models employs both a very small and a larger turbocharger combined with an innovative intake system enabling the engine to develop 265 hp. Even more impressive are the torque characteristics. Fully 80% of the torque is available from 1100rpm to 4200rpm. The peak torque is 425lbs-ft at 1750rpm-almost as much as BMW's 6.0 liter V12. The performance is what the enthusiast would expect from a BMW. The 335d is capable of sprinting from 0-60 mph in six seconds flat. The X5 xDrive35d will do it in 6.9 seconds. No other diesels in the US will perform like this pair of BMW Advanced Diesel models.

Coupled with this performance potential is impressive fuel economy for a car that tips the scales at over 4500lbs. The EPA mileage estimates for the 335d are 23 city and 36 highway. The 335d can go approximately 579 miles between stops with a 16.1 gallon capacity.


We know that the 579 miles has been smashed since they were at 675 miles when I spoke to them earlier.

Udate 9:38am cst:

Bad News: They missed a couple of turns and they are at 806 miles.

More bad news: Nav show -16 miles to empty and they still have 4 miles to go to the gas station!:eek:

They need our Prayers!

THEY MADE IT - About 10:48am I guided them to the Mobil station up at the corner and they are at the Diesel pump now. Filling up and then heading over to park the BMW in the driveway and then we'll head into the car show after Ken and Wayne rest a bit.

Way to go guys. I know you could make it.

Congrats guys

Not only did they make it from Chicago to New York on one tank of gas, Wayne and Ken actually made it down to Long Island! :D

This was definitely a challenge and I must say I am impressed what with the weather they experienced. Good JOB GUYS!!!

Hello All:

-Wayne and Ken are finally here!

-The figures are in at a trip of 812.8miles and 16.485 gallons which resulted in 49.305mpg.

-These guys are gutsy and that was an amazing trip!

Good to hear they are there safe and sound. Make sure Wayne gets some sleep -- he tends to avoid napping when he shouldn't. ;)

Good to hear they are there safe and sound. Make sure Wayne gets some sleep -- he tends to avoid napping when he shouldn't. ;)
Huh? Wayne avoiding sleep?;):p It's good to hear they made it ok.

Hello All:

-Wayne and Ken are finally here!

-The figures are in at a trip of 812.8miles and 16.485 gallons which resulted in 49.305mpg.

-These guys are gutsy and that was an amazing trip!

I thought it was only a 16.1 gal tank. They must have hidden some gas in the tank or something.:D

The filler neck is a wonderful location for that. My 14.5g tank in the Elantra holds 17g. ;)

Just for reference, it is a VERY SHORT filler neck...first click was at 16.18 gals, so we sure weren't able to hide very much fuel...

A more full write up to follow, but lets just say that the phrase 'TRUST ME' was uttered several times ;) among a few other choice exclamations like "GLIDE HERE no GLIDE NOW NOW NOW...!!" :D

Just for reference, it is a VERY SHORT filler neck...first click was at 16.18 gals, so we sure weren't able to hide very much fuel...

A more full write up to follow, but lets just say that the phrase 'TRUST ME' was uttered several times ;) among a few other choice exclamations like "GLIDE HERE no GLIDE NOW NOW NOW...!!" :D
I can very easily visualize that scene Ken. I think I've been through it before myself.:D

Good job, gentlemen!

RETURN TRIP - Long Island NY to Chicago IL

Wayne (xcel) and Ken (SlowHands) left here about 4:15pm in the BMW in sunny 56 degree weather with light southwest winds. Ricardo (JusBringIt) left about 5 minutes before they did and he will likely benefit more from those light winds as he heads just about due north.

I will post any updates if they contact me along the way.

I just altered the thread title to reflect the return trip.

Sounds like their weather is MUCH better on that end. I think they will run into rain by the way the radar looks.

Udate 9:38am cst:

Bad News: They missed a couple of turns and they are at 806 miles.

More bad news: Nav show -16 miles to empty and they still have 4 miles to go to the gas station!:eek:

They need our Prayers!Mike,

are you taking script out of the TopGear episode Jeremy took a diesel Audi 800 miles form Edinburg to London with some melodrama? :D


Congratulations!

Melodrama? No--"Just trust me!" :D

No melodrama, but the drama was there. They were about 15 miles over their intended distance, and still arrived at the filling station with a smooth idle and no fuel starvation.

I was on the phone with Wayne as he got within ten miles or so, and I had the MSN gas buddy open and checking zip codes as they zipped along, looking for gas stations near the expressway that had diesel - just in case. Let's just say the gentle downhill glide just past the Jericho Turnpike exit helped to bring them here in a nice long glide.

Like msirach said, "trust me". I'm sure Wayne will provide the details from the "inside the car" perspective, but sitting here and waiting to see a silver-blue hood and kidney-bean grille heading down the block definitely had me a little on-edge. When they made it to the fillup, I looked at Ricardo and said, "Now I know why that guy is the king of hypermilers. I don't know anyone else who'd have the {guts} to head into the city with the low fuel warning already on for a while, and keep pressing on to the destination."

Wayne called shortly after Ken sent these pics. He was totally amazed with the performance of the BMW 335d tonight. They are driving at a speed of 65 to 70mph and it is mantaining 49 to 50 mpg. As described in the text below, it was still churning out 49 mpg on a climb! The tremendous 425 ft. lbs. of torque performs outstanding by keeping an unbelievable mpg average possible.

The car was delivered without an owner's manual so they have been learning features as they drive. BMW has spared NO expense with the quality and fitment of components.
Another feature he discovered was the power lumbar support. On cars with lumbar support, the placement does not make it comfortable for all sizes of drivers. BMW has solved this problem by giving the driver the ability to adjust the support height. You can adjust it from your derrière all the way up to mid back position.


Quote from Ken:
This was from the PA border . Temps from 46 to 55 and we're at 51 now.
We started at elev 300', climbing up to 1200'. The pic was at elev 550' at exit 212. The winds were nearly zero or slight headwind. Look at the average speed...Holy MPG Batman!!

http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/591/segment.JPG