Diesel BMW 335d, Out in November, Will Be 2009 Model

There was word out this morning in the blogosphere that diesel versions of the BMW 3 Series and X5 SUV would be delayed until next year. Those rumors have turned out not to be true. According to BMW spokesman Tom Plucinsky, the 335d was always planned to be attached to the freshened-for-2009 3 Series that we told you about a few weeks ago. They will start production in September with sales to start in November.

However, Plucinsky says the 335d will not be at full production capability at that time, so availability may be limited until early 2009. The X5 35d will also go on sale in November, but probably not until after the 335d reaches dealerships. 

Plucinsky says the 335d is BMW “dipping its toes in the water” as far as the demand for diesel cars in the U.S., but he says early feedback for the product is strong. Both models will make their official U.S. debuts at the Los Angeles auto show in November.