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LA Times goes on a quest to find the best midsized premium sedan powered by a diesel engine. They pit the BMW 535d against the Audi A6 and Mercedes-Benz E250BlueTec, and the BMW wins! The diesel vehicle produces 255 horsepower and a remarkable 413 lb-ft of torque. It comes paired only with an eight-speed automatic transmission, and 0 to 60 mph comes in just 5.3 seconds. Here is an excerpt of the review result:
First Place: BMW 535d
The best part of this BMW is the engine, one it shares with the X5 SUV and a 7-Series sedan. A turbocharged, 3.0-liter inline six-cylinder engine pumps out 255 horsepower and 413 pound-feet of torque. It’s bolted to an eight-speed automatic transmission that routs the power to the car’s rear wheels.
lRelated Passion and love drive Jay Leno to fill a 130-car garageEverything about this drivetrain is silky smooth. There’s no rough idle or vibration during acceleration, and the car has more than enough power to validate BMW’s performance credentials.
Although its 5.8-second run from zero to 60 mph is 0.3 second slower than that of the Audi, it’s a more engaging experience and feels faster than those numbers suggest.
The Environmental Protection Agency rates the BMW 535d’s efficiency at 26 miles per gallon in city driving and 38 mpg on the highway, making the car 25% less thirsty than its gas-powered twin. After 350 miles of testing, in more city driving than highway, we averaged 28 mpg.
