<i>LOWDOWN</i> - BMW 335d - GOOD CAR BAD CAR

We're no longer able to ascertain the size of a BMW's engine based on its badge. The same is true at Mercedes-Benz. Aforetime, one would have known that a BMW with a name of 335 indicated a 3-Series with a 3.5L engine. Nah. Now Canada's 323i uses a 2.5L, the 328i uses a 3.0L, and the 335i uses a turbocharged 3.0L. That brings us to today's Lowdown subject.

See, Lowdown is where readers find the five most important facts relating to a vehicle; in this case the BMW 335d, followed by five quick opinionated sentences from The Good Car Guy. Liking or loving or hating or wanting a car can't be all nailed down by cold hard facts, after all. Yet when it comes to BMW's diesel-powered 3-Series, the maker of the Ultimate Driving Machine is misleading us from the start. In some parts of the world, a BMW 330d is available. That engine has the exact same capacity as our 335d (and 20 less horsepower) but uses just one turbo. Because of that car and BMW's desire to liken the hefty diesel's power-making ability to that of a larger engine (like Lexus hybrid nomenclature), we are served the 335d.

This is why we have the Lowdown. How could life go on if GoodCarBadCar.net didn't set the facts straight? Get all the info you need on the BMW 335d below.

BMW'S FACTS

1 - Car & Driver's testing resulted in a 0-60mph time of 5.7 seconds for the 335d (4.9 for the 335i) with fuel economy of 28 miles per gallon. However, in real-world-top-gear driving, the 335d is almost two seconds quicker from 50-70mph.

2 - The Environmental Protection Agency has rated the BMW 335d at 23 miles per gallon in the city and 36 miles per gallon on the highway. Car & Driver saw 28 miles per gallon, suggesting the EPA's numbers are about bang-on.

3 - In the USA, the rear-wheel drive BMW 335d has an MSRP that pegs it as the most expensive non-M 3-Series sedan. In Canada, the all-wheel drive 335i xDrive costs an extra $1,800.

4 - While other 3-Series sedans and coupes and other BMWs with twin-turbocharged 3.0L engines are allowed to stretch their legs up to 155mph (535xi), 144mph (335i), 143mph (135i), the 335d is limited to 128 miles per hour.

5 - BMW offers no manual-transmission option for the 335d, heresy to any buyer of small BMWs in history. However, the six-speed automatic can be fitted with paddles for $100.

GOODCARBADCAR'S LOWDOWN

1 - It's easy to see that BMW was trying to impress with its first North American diesel in forever and a day. However, necessitating such a lofty price negates its fuel economy advantage. Car & Driver's calculations indicate 193,333 miles will be driven before the fuel economy differential pays off; compared with the 335i. That's a more powerful - but less torquey - and significantly less expensive alternative.

2 - One can't underestimate the novelty factor of the diesel-powered 3-Series. The first time a BMW salesperson instructs a customer to open 'er up on the highway, the slug in the back will be mightily impressive.

3 - The cost of certifying engines for the United States is exorbitant, elsewise BMW would likely be inclined to offer their vast fleet of amazingly efficient four-bangers and lesser inline-sixes. Again, Car & Driver suspects the 201-bhp/295 lb-ft 2.0L, twin-turbocharged four-cylinder which takes the 1-Series from 0-60mph in 6.7 seconds would achieve 35mpg in regular driving.

4 - Weight is the enemy. Based on that criteria alone, the 335d's additional 231 extra pounds above and beyond the 335i must make it the least sporting 3-Series available, although it's still one of the fastest.

5 - Attempts to avoid negativity have been made, but reality exists. Car & Driver's as-tested price for their 335d was $55,270. If BMW is going to decide the future of diesel-powered cars in America - in this economic climate - based on what happens with their ridiculously expensive superdiesel, the 335d, then the importing of a 123d or a 530d or a 330d doesn't look good. Although not financially aware, let us praise those who do purchase the 335d: they're paving the way for BMW (and many others) to test the market with less impressive and less expensive diesel cars.