[silverbmwz3]

Filled up for first time today, had a bit of a worry about which Diesel to use. Went to Shell and they had "Low Sulphur Diesel" (which I assumed was bog-standard diesel).....they also had Super-V Diesel or something like that. I went for bog standard ("Low Sulphur Diesel") but does my 335d deserve better?? Does it make a difference.

Another question....I used to use gear changes to do engine braking in addition to using the breaks when approaching roundabouts. Presumably with an Auto you can't really do that... does that mean automatic cars tend to need the brakes replacing sooner than a manual car with the same driver if you see what I mean?

[ChrisMWard]

In the past with autos I have found that the brakes do tend to wear out a little quicker. The 335d however has much more engine braking than any other auto I have driven due to the low rpm at which the torque converter locks up. I have shifted down (with the paddles) when descending hills and it has behaved just a regular manual box.

It is by far the best auto box in terms of closeness to a manual experience that I've driven.

Regards

Chris

[NFS]

Originally Posted by silverbmwz3

Filled up for first time today, had a bit of a worry about which Diesel to use. Went to Shell and they had "Low Sulphur Diesel" (which I assumed was bog-standard diesel).....they also had Super-V Diesel or something like that. I went for bog standard ("Low Sulphur Diesel") but does my 335d deserve better?? Does it make a difference.

Another question....I used to use gear changes to do engine braking in addition to using the breaks when approaching roundabouts. Presumably with an Auto you can't really do that... does that mean automatic cars tend to need the brakes replacing sooner than a manual car with the same driver if you see what I mean?

The auto trannys in new BMW's actually use 'engine braking' so you should not see any significant difference in brake wear compared to a manual.

[silverbmwz3]

But, surely engine breaking can only be done when I choose to change gear and slow the engine - how does the auto box know that I want to slow down? Foot off the accelerator ?

Any idea re: which diesel fuel?

[Dave_3]

Originally Posted by silverbmwz3

But, surely engine breaking can only be done when I choose to change gear and slow the engine - how does the auto box know that I want to slow down? Foot off the accelerator ?

Any idea re: which diesel fuel?

The box doesn't "know".

But as it is locked-up direct drive most of the time you are underway (noticeably in the updated ZF in the 335i/D) it engine brakes exactly like a manual - because your rear wheels are connected directly to the engine (and vice versa). Foot off the accelerator means the engine is dragging directly on your drive train exactly like a manual.

Older Autos went through a "looser" torque converter and didn't have such a direct link. More like a big rubber band sometimes !

Don't have the option of different Diesel here, can't help you there.

D.

[NFS]

Originally Posted by Dave_3

The box doesn't "know".

But as it is locked-up direct drive most of the time you are underway (noticeably in the updated ZF in the 335i/D) it engine brakes exactly like a manual - because your rear wheels are connected directly to the engine (and vice versa). Foot off the accelerator means the engine is dragging directly on your drive train exactly like a manual.

Older Autos went through a torque converter and didn't have such a direct link. More like a big rubber band sometimes !

Don't have the option of different Diesel here, can't help you there.

D.

The transmission still has a torque converter - it's just fully locked up more, so the engine brakes the car as the revs drop whenever you are not accelerating.

The earlier ZF steptronic tranmission also engine braked, but as the new 'sport auto' box locks up faster (which is good) it will be more apparent.

[Dave_3]

Originally Posted by needforspeed

The transmission still has a torque converter - it's just fully locked up more, so the engine brakes the car as the revs drop whenever you are not accelerating.

The earlier ZF steptronic tranmission also engine braked, but as the new 'sport auto' box locks up faster (which is good) it will be more apparent.

Yup, aware of that

The earlier ZF 6HP26 box had some BIG glitches with some of the earlier versions of software and oil specs (Lurching). I knew about it all too well on my S-Type - same box as used in the 5 series, which also experienced this lurching/slam. I had a "bit" of a fight with Jaguar about it.

I was thus very hesitant about risking it again with a ZF box, but have been delighted with my 335D so far. One trick box. No regrets at all.

D.

[peppernick]

Originally Posted by silverbmwz3

Any idea re: which diesel fuel?

I've tried both standard diesel and 'super' diesel. IMO, no difference. Diesel engines are frugal, just pour more fuel in and it'll make more power.

[dxb335d]

i only stick in the best diesel, v-power or ultimate diesel

they did a few tests with petrol and found BP ultimate was very efficent and with a petrol turbo car made a small bhp difference, they made significant gains on a turbo porsche with this fuel with just a re-map.

Would be nice if one of the magazines did such a test with the different diesles about and a perfect car to use would be a 335d

[silverbmwz3]

Originally Posted by peppernick

I've tried both standard diesel and 'super' diesel. IMO, no difference. Diesel engines are frugal, just pour more fuel in and it'll make more power.

Thanks, i'll stick with standard diesel then as it is cheaper.... I'm guessing that is what Shell call "Low-Sulphur Diesel", car seems to be working since I put it in anyway!

[dxb335d]

it will work with any diesel and probably with chip fat also. dosent really mean its any good for it...

[peppernick]

Originally Posted by dxb335d

they did a few tests with petrol and found BP ultimate was very efficent and with a petrol turbo car made a small bhp difference, they made significant gains on a turbo porsche with this fuel with just a re-map.

That's because petrol engines have knock sensors. Timing is advanced with the used of higher octane fuel. Not the case with diesel engines. To go faster, just pump in more fuel.

[mikem]

I thought diesel engines adjusted to diesel with a higher cetane rating as well ?

[NFS]

Originally Posted by Dave_3

Yup, aware of that

The earlier ZF 6HP26 box had some BIG glitches with some of the earlier versions of software and oil specs (Lurching). I knew about it all too well on my S-Type - same box as used in the 5 series, which also experienced this lurching/slam. I had a "bit" of a fight with Jaguar about it.

I was thus very hesitant about risking it again with a ZF box, but have been delighted with my 335D so far. One trick box. No regrets at all.

D.

I read a lot about the 'transmission slam' on when I had my 530d. Fortunately I never experienced it. What I did struggle with was the momentary delay when pulling away from standstill. It seemed that this was in equal parts down to the interface between the transmission and DSC (i.e thinking time) and torque converter delay. It was faster with DSC off altogether, but with 500nm of torque that's not the most practical option all of the time.

To get around it I found that I needed to drop into 'manual' and engage first gear as I decelerated to a stop .. the converter then seemed to be 'locked up' ready to pull away.

Is there any sign of this delay in the new transmission? Hopefully not since the lock up is meant to be much faster.

[Dave_3]

Originally Posted by needforspeed

Is there any sign of this delay in the new transmission? Hopefully not since the lock up is meant to be much faster.

Not for me, but then I am driving pretty sedately most of the time. So whether it takes off in 2nd doesn't bother me. The hesitation when selecting a gear to take off in was a HUGE failing in some of the earlier boxes (Example). Compared with my Jag this new box is night and day !

The new box does learn VERY quickly your present style. Some days I notice the revs hanging a little bit higher as I have been driving briskly, then other days when I have been "pootling" it is lazy and changes early.

It is definitely MUCH more direct than the previous box, I wouldn't go so far as to say snatchy, but direct.

D.

[NFS]

Originally Posted by Dave_3

Not for me, but then I am driving pretty sedately most of the time. So whether it takes off in 2nd doesn't bother me. The hesitation when selecting a gear to take off in was a HUGE failing in some of the earlier boxes (Example). Compared with my Jag this new box is night and day !

The new box does learn VERY quickly your present style. Some days I notice the revs hanging a little bit higher as I have been driving briskly, then other days when I have been "pootling" it is lazy and changes early.

It is definitely MUCH more direct than the previous box, I wouldn't go so far as to say snatchy, but direct.

D.

In the previous box the 'learning' function was essentially an 'on the fly' switching between 2 sub programs for each selector position (economy / extreme economy in 'D' and sport / extreme sport in 'DS')

The system monitors cornering forces, acceleration, braking and steering inputs to 'sense' your driving style and hot switches accordingly. The switching process restarts every time you come to a complete standstill.

I believe the new box operates in a similar way.

[silverbmwz3]

Would love to hear what other diesel owners are putting in their car fuel wise (as long as it is sensible and diesel related !) to get some kind of pattern of who uses what and why.

[mjh93sa]

I'm currently experimenting with diesels.

When I got the car I was using BP Diesel from a particular station close to work. I noticed that the car took longer to start than my sister's little skoda and switched to the same BP station she used.... and lo and behold the car started quicker. When Ultimate Diesel became available I started using that. There was a slight improvement in economy, slightly smoother, quieter running and less visible soot when booting it.

However, with the switch of the local garage to Esso I started using another garage for the Ultimate and have noticed a roll off in economy, roughly equivalent to the increases previously seen. So, being of a suspicious engineering type I'm trying a few different diesel types and putting about 1000 miles of each through the car to see what happens.

So far I've compared Total, BP ultimate and am in process of looking at Shell Diesel Extra. Each is given 2 tanks fulls, so about 1000miles and I'm looking for comparisons to the data for BP from the last 18months that I have.

Total diesel seems to be indistinguishable from the BP Ultimate. Fuel consumption is near identical (43-45 on my commute) and it seems to drive just the same.

Shell Diesel Extra isn't bad, but I have my suspicions that it will not quite return as good economy (only 1-2 mpg though) and the car occasionally idles roughly after starting.

The next possibilites for eval are Murco, Q8, UK, Esso, Texaco and Gulf. I have previously tried Esso on the Isle of Man and was unimpressed. the car drove fine, but was noticably down on torque at low revs so that'll be one to test last.

[silverbmwz3]

Thanks. I thought Shell was called "Super V Diesel" - unless that's something different. Or maybe it was an Esso garage. I dunno - they all look the same Was just paranoid I'd put the 'wrong' thing in and want to look after the car, I presume I'm not damaging it in any way however small by using cheaper diesel?

[en1gma]

I used to to use just the 'normal' Shell diesel but have recently used the 'normal' Total diesel regularly. The Total fuel seems to give better mileage (I do around 4-500 miles a week); although I haven't noticed any actual difference in noise/oomph.

Never tried the V-Power/Ultimate stuff. Agree with dxb335d that it would be good if a magazine (or even 5th/Top gear on the telly) did some tests. I remember reading in evo a year or two back that the higher octane petrols did make a difference. Have no idea if these higher spec diesels make a difference: the steeper prices do put me off trying, though...

[NFS]

Originally Posted by silverbmwz3

Thanks. I thought Shell was called "Super V Diesel" - unless that's something different. Or maybe it was an Esso garage. I dunno - they all look the same Was just paranoid I'd put the 'wrong' thing in and want to look after the car, I presume I'm not damaging it in any way however small by using cheaper diesel?

You can get 'shell diesel extra', but now also 'shell v-power diesel'

http://www.shell.com/home/Framework?...roduction.html

My car lives off v-power petrol (99 RON)

[mjh93sa]

Originally Posted by silverbmwz3

Thanks. I thought Shell was called "Super V Diesel" - unless that's something different. Or maybe it was an Esso garage. I dunno - they all look the same Was just paranoid I'd put the 'wrong' thing in and want to look after the car, I presume I'm not damaging it in any way however small by using cheaper diesel?

As NFS states Shell do a Diesel Extra and a V-Power Diesel.

Shell Diesel Extra was introduced at around the same time as BP Ultimate Diesel, with similar claims for engine cleaning, but not making any claim about better economy. Forums of the time suggested that BP Ultimate was worth something like 2-5mpg, but that Shell diesel-extra was only cleaner, and gave no economy benefit.

BP have continued to maintain a price difference between the normal and ultimates, but shell (at least locally) have the diesel-extra at normal diesel prices and is infact the only diesel on the local forecourt.

Shell V-power diesel is Shell's new high performance diesel that is only available in the south east. It's supposedly based on the fuel used by the Audi R8 at LeMans and is supposed to be cleaner more economical and so on.

Rest assured that your car is designed to run on the bog standard diesel. It's just that a better blended one might give you a slight performance or economy advantage.