The BMW's I'd like to have access to...
 

In the August BMW Car (the British magazine), they have the new E92 335i turbo coupe, and it's going to be wildly successful I'd guess.

But, also listed, are the full range of 3-series coupe models, including those we can't buy in America. The thread on ethanol, and by default on diesel powered vehicles, which had a lot of government references on it, did not touch on the fact that both the federal government and those of at least 4 states, are obstructing these efficient cars. The feds by not encouraging their importation in any way, and the states by not allowing purchase of the cars within their borders.

Here's a few of the specs:
335i (gas) listed for comparison to the two models below
weight: 1600kg
HP: 306 @ 5800rpm
torque: 295lbft @ 1300-5000rpm
economy: 29.7mpg

330d (turbodiesel)
weight: 1600kg
HP: 231 @ 4000rpm
torque: 369lbft @ 1750-3000rpm
economy: 43.5mpg

335d (twin turbodiesel)
weight: 1645kg
HP: 286 @ 4400rpm
torque: 428lbft @ 1750-2250 rpm
economy: 37.7mpg

All stats are from page 79, BMW Cars, August 2006, mileage figures are assumed to be imperial gallons.

We ought to be able to buy these cars here in my opinion.

I'd be content with that 330d... I wish they would sell 'em here.

335i (gas)
weight: 1600kg
HP: 306 @ 5800rpm
torque: 295lbft @ 1300-5000rpm
economy: 29.7mpg

This one is here I believe. Just hit showrooms about 2 weeks ago. I went with my brother who would like to buy one. This is the turbocharged engine.

Yes, I should have clarified that initially, I posted those specs for comparison to the two diesel models we don't get.

I had a 3 series diesel in Germany a few years ago. Loved it. I buy one, used, if it was available. The manual trans helped I'm sure, but at ~2k rpm it pulled like a train. I'm sure the new models are yet more refined.

I like a 528 IT just love all that space for the little kiddies.

Just bought the wife a 330I in July. Wish the 335 sedan had been out then. I really like her 330 so I can only imagine how nice the 335 is

I'd be content with any of those, IF I could actually afford it. Heck I couldn't even afford the insurance.

The E90/E92 models are okay, but I can't see myself in one, even one as awesome as the 335i. I'd still take an E46 330i with ZCP package, though I'd swap in a 3.46 limited slip differential to replace the stock 3.23.

If it weren't for the damn Government getting in our way.

the 330d shows you what kind of gas mileage people have acces to in europe with advanced diesel engines. And I should add that they sound and feel just like gas engines. The bimmer is not a really small car either. You can figure that if this kind of cars was sold in the US, the profits of oil companies would be cut in half very rapidly. This is why they won`t let you acces to them. The diesel smoke regulations are designed just for that.

Aurel