With regards to BMW 335, I found this article on
www.bimmerfest.com posted by SoCalRick. It's kinda interesting, hence it deserves a share:
I saw a Titanium Silver 335d at a local dealership late on Christmas Eve, but since it was almost closing time I told them I would have to return on another day to give it a test drive. Today I went back and took back to back test drives in both the 335i and 335d. I only got about 15 - 20 minutes in each (wish I could have had more), but it was enough to get a feel for some of the differences between them. My test drive loop was a mixture of about 80% residential/business (25 – 50 MPH zones) and 20% freeway.
Here are some of my observations/comments regarding the comparison between the two:
335i - this was a new MY 2008 (non-LCI) w/o sport package: There was plenty of power, but it was more noticeable higher up in the rpm curve than with the diesel. It gave the perception that it took just a moment for the power to kick in and push you back in your seat. I was trying to decide if I was feeling a little bit of turbo lag, or if this was just a natural transition to reaching it's powerband (not sure if this was TL or not). I might describe the 335i as being a bit rawer than the diesel. What I mean by that is; there is plenty of power on tap, and when it kicks in you really get moving, but it's a little more frantic, or "high strung" than the diesel. (I'm finding it difficult to put my perception into words regarding this aspect, but this comes close). I know others have referred to this car as a beast, and that's what comes to mind here.
I think everyone knows what the gasoline engine sounds like, which is pretty sweet. Personally, I'm past the age where I rev the engine just to listen to it, so there are not that many times during my normal driving where I really romp on it and wind the rpm's out. So the sound of the high-revving engine is not as big of a selling point for me.
Handling wise; the car felt very responsive, the steering was nimble, and it had great braking. Overall it’s a great handling car.
335d - MY 2009 (obviously) w/o sport package: First of all, the sound - The diesel engine was very quiet (non-diesel sounding). The engine sound inside the car didn't have that diesel sound to it (even with the windows down), but did have a lower pitched roar to it than the 335i did. It definitely surprised me; I expected to detect more of a diesel sound than was evident. When I got outside the car and listened to the engine noise up by the grill, I could detect a small diesel clatter right after the car was revved up and when it was decelerating again back down to idle. When listening at the rear tailpipes, I barely detected the same sound. It was definitely fainter.
When I stepped on the gas, it felt like the car responded just slightly quicker than the 335i. Like the "pedal to power response" was more instantaneous (it still wasn't 100% immediate, just closer to it than the 335i). It's hard to describe, but there definitely was a smoothness to this car that I didn't feel with the 335i. If I would compare it to my "high strung" comment for the 335i, I would say the diesel was more reserved, while not appearing to compromise on performance. I like the way this car handled when maneuvering in and out of traffic in 35 - 50 MPH zones. I tried a little ebbing and flowing/bobbing and weaving (e.g. speed up's and slow down's) in both cars and again I felt there was a little more smoothness in the response with the diesel.
With regards to handling, I tried to sense the extra weight in the diesel, but it just wasn't apparent to me. Maybe this is because I am currently driving a 5 series and I'm just more attuned to that weight of vehicle, so I might not be as sensitive to this as a 3 series driver might be. In my short drives I didn't notice a considerable difference between the steering and braking between the two cars.
Overall I really liked the diesel and I think I may get one on ED late this spring or early summer. Until then, I reserve the right to change my mind
So that's my $0.02 from today's test drive comparison; YMMV