CAR WARRIORS: BMW 740Ld xDRIVE DIESEL

Thursday, October 23, 2014

BMW 740Ld xDRIVE DIESEL

While Mercedes-Benz has let us Americans buy diesel versions of its flagship sedan from time to time, BMW has kept a number of versions of the 7-series from our shores, among them diesel 7-series models. That changes with the arrival of the 740Ld later this spring.

The 740Ld will be powered by a 3.0-liter inline-six diesel engine with a single turbocharger using variable vane turbine technology, making 255 hp and 413 lb-ft of torque, and will be coupled exclusively with BMW's xDrive all-wheel drive system. The diesel 7 will be available only in long-wheelbase form, signaling that this is perhaps a car for commuters who are interested in a little more range rather than sportiness. Acceleration from 0 to 60 will be a bit slower than the current 740Li gas model: 6.1 seconds instead of 5.4 , though that slight disadvantage is perhaps moot in real-world conditions.

Back then, BMW didn’t participate in the energy-crisis-fueled race toward diesels. The brand was famous for its silky-smooth, naturally aspirated straight-six gasoline engines, and it took the company until 1983 to reluctantly offer its first diesel in the European-market 5-series. In fact, BMW tried everything to avoid diesels, including developing the low-revving, torquey eta gas engine.

Relegated to insignificance in the U.S. until a few years ago, diesel engines have developed polished manners and considerable muscle. Today, BMW’s straight-six turbo-diesels are among the finest on the market; in Europe, sales of 3-series, 5-series, and crossover SUV oil burners dominate over those of gasoline-powered versions. The turbo-diesel is a commonly chosen powertrain option in the 7-series as well, due to its generous torque even at low revs and a drinking habit that is far easier on the wallet than those of its gas-powered siblings.

This year, BMW has decided America is ready for a compression-ignition 7-series. Enter the 740Ld xDrive, whose clumsy model designation denotes a 3.0-liter, long-wheelbase, diesel-powered, all-wheel-drive model. The U.S.-market 7-series diesel gets the 740d moniker even though it serves up barely more power than the 254-hp European-market 730d. The U.S.-bound 740Ld is rated at 255 horsepower, available at 4000 rpm. Europe’s 740d makes 300 horses, and the triturbo M750Ld cranks out a healthy 376. The relatively low power rating of the U.S. version is partly due to the exhaust treatment, which consists of an NOx storage catalyst, a particulate filter, and a selective catalyst reduction system with urea injection—all required to comply with U.S. emissions regulations.

Riding the Torque Wave

But as with many other diesel engines, don’t let the relatively low power rating fool you. What matters in everyday traffic is this engine’s healthy 413 lb-ft of torque, which is available in a broad band from 1500 to 3000 rpm. That generous grunt is accessible virtually at any road speed, thanks to the car’s wide-ratio eight-speed ZF automatic transmission. From a standstill, the 740Ld xDrive takes off with a vengeance. We estimate it will charge to 60 mph in just under six seconds and continue to ride the wave of torque up to its governed top speed of 130 mph. It is absolutely unnecessary to put the driving-mode selector into the Sport setting; this engine appreciates and rewards cruising at low revs.

In the city and at low speeds, there is no mistaking this diesel-powered vehicle for a gas-fed one, but its rumble is subdued and reassuring. At highway speeds, what minor combustion noise you might have heard around town is drowned out entirely. The best part about the diesel, of course, is its fuel efficiency. It is EPA-rated at a conservative 31 mpg highway, and we found it easy to top this figure. You can rest assured you won’t need to refuel this diesel nearly as often as you would a gasoline-powered 7.

The current 7-series is a heavy car, and this particular one, with its all-wheel drive and long wheelbase, should tip the scales at a whopping 4700 pounds. But it is still one of the best-handling full-size luxury sedans, and it feels competitive enough that it’s somewhat surprising that the next-generation 7-series will appear at dealerships in 2015. We hope BMW won’t wait until the last year of the model run to bring in the diesel the next time around.

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KNOWING ABOUT YOUR POWER-TRAIN WARRANITY

A powertrain warranty is a form of assurance offered by the manufacturer of an automobile. When a consumer purchases a vehicle, at the time of sale, he or she will be given a powertrain warranty, which will cover all or part of the powertrain of the underlying automobile. When a mechanical problem occurs to the powertrain the costs associated with repair or replacement are covered in the powertrain warranty—the manufacturer or dealer whole sold the automobile will pay to have the car fixed. That being said, what parts are covered and the extent of the repayment associated with fixing the car will vary greatly based on the powertrain warranty offered.

Depending on the manufacturer, a powertrain warranty will provide different forms of coverage based on interpretative differences; for example, one manufacturer’s definition of an engine can be referred to as a ‘long block’, meaning the engine, as well as everything attached to it cannot be removed. Another definition of an engine can be a “short block” meaning only part of the engine—typically the piece below cylinder head—cannot be removed. As a result, the coverage abilities will vary between these two warranties if the engine proved to be faulty.

In addition to the engine, the type of automobile will necessitate different variables within the powertrain warranty. For example, if you purchased a manual transmission vehicle, the warranty may exclude repairs or replacements for important pieces, such as the clutch—an extended warranty for a manual transmission will typically only provide coverage for the driveshaft and the axles.

A powertrain warranty will last for a certain number of years or for a maximum number of miles. In most instances, the powertrain warranty will last longer than a typical car warranty; the basic powertrain warranty is offered as a 10 year or 100,000 mile warranty, or whichever comes first.

Other Warranites Usually available to car buyers:

Basic: Also known as "bumper-to-bumper" coverage, this is the general coverage that would pay to repair defects in factory-installed parts. Tires are not typically included because they're usually covered under a separate tire manufacturer warranty.

Corrosion: Covers rust that causes holes in sheet metal in parts such as the doors or side panels.

Roadside assistance: Provides help with towing and tire-changing if the car breaks down while traveling.

It's best to check with dealers for specifics, but here is a list of seven top auto companies that offer among the best car warranties, despite the fact that many are rated safe cars by independent research firms.

Car Insurance Tips

Find out what’s covered and what isn’t. Get your quote in writing and confirm the accuracy of each vehicle and driver you are insuring, as well as the coverages you requested. Ask about free, value-added features, such as emergency roadside assistance. Check to see if repairs are guaranteed for as long as you own your car, and find out what kind of payment options are available.

To see if you’re getting credit where credit is due, it's a good idea to find out all the discounts available to you. Some simple ways to save money on your auto insurance include maintaining a clean driving record, being a good student and the inclusion of certain safety features when buying a new car can save you money on your policy.

Your state sets forth the minimum liability coverage you must maintain, as mentioned above. But these are just the legal minimums and might not give you the coverage you need. You'll have to decide what you want to buy beyond these minimums. Keep in mind that you are looking to find the balance between having adequate coverage and overpaying.

According to Consumer Reports, a general guideline for adequate bodily injury liability limits is $100,000 per person and $300,000 per accident, plus $100,000 for property damage. These amounts are what your insurer will pay to someone you are in an accident with. For uninsured motorist coverage, you should get the same amount as for bodily injury liability, as this covers your medical costs when someone who is not insured hits you.

Auto insurance tip #1
Understand why you need auto insurance
In short, you need car insurance to protect your car, yourself and your passengers. You also protect any assets, like your home and savings, as well as comply with state law.

Auto insurance tip #2
Know your current coverages-but be willing to adjust
Use your current coverages and limits as a starting point; you can refer to your declarations page for this information. Then, adjust your coverages as necessary to match your lifestyle-which might be different than it was when you first bought the policy.

For example, if your teenager starts driving next month, you might consider adding him or her to your policy now. Or, if you just bought a new car, you might choose loan/lease payoff coverage, so that if your car is stolen or declared a total loss, you'll have help paying off your loan or lease.

Auto insurance tip #3
Decide what you want to protect, then choose your coverages

Auto insurance tip #4
Use deductibles to your advantage
Your deductible is what you agree to pay out of pocket when you use your car insurance. In general, the higher you set your deductible, the less you'll pay for your policy. And conversely, if you set your deductible low, you'll pay more for your policy, but less when you have a claim.

Auto insurance tip #5
Know that certain things affect your rate
Insurance companies evaluate a variety of things when they calculate your rate, from your driving record to where you live and how many miles you drive on average. Keep this in mind when you see your rate.

More alternatives:

Raise your comprehensive and collision deductibles to at least $1,000, which lowers your premiums and prevents you from filing small claims that could jeopardize a claims-free discount. Add some more money to your emergency fund so you’ll have the cash to pay the deductible if anyone in your family does have an accident.

Drop collision and comprehensive coverage entirely on older cars that are worth little more than the deductible. You may be paying more in premiums than you could ever get back from the insurer, even if the car is totaled.

Tell your insurer if your child goes away to college. If your child goes to school more than 100 miles away and does not use the car, you can usually get a big break on your premiums but still have coverage when he or she comes home for vacation.

Ask about other discounts for teenage drivers. Some insurers offer discounts for driver-safety programs, cutting costs if the kids take a special class, watch a DVD, or read a driver-safety book and take a test. Ask your insurer what your kid needs to do to qualify.

Make the most of multi-policy discounts. You’ll usually get a break on your auto insurance and your homeowners insurance if you keep both policies with the same company. You may get an additional discount if you include an umbrella policy, which provides extra liability coverage beyond your auto-insurance limits and can be particularly valuable when you have a teenage driver.

Some insurers offer much better deals than others for teenage drivers, so it’s important to compare costs. The insurance company that offered the best rate for you and your spouse may have some of the highest rates when you add a teenage boy to the policy - and it’s almost always better to add the child to your policy rather than have him get his own policy.

You can get price quotes from several online insurance companies like Progressive or AllState or get personalized service from an independent insurance agent who works with many companies. You may not want to switch from a longtime insurer just to save a few dollars, however, because your current company may be less likely to raise your rate or drop you if your child has an accident. If you stay with the insurance company you currently have there more room for forgiveness and benefits of such various programs. Also keep in mind that if you have been getting a multi-policy discount, your homeowners-insurance rate might rise if you take your auto-insurance business elsewhere.

One thing you don’t want to do in an attempt to reduce your premiums is skimp on liability coverage. recommends liability limits of at least $250,000 per person, $500,000 per accident and $100,000 for property damage or a policy with a “combined single limit” of $500,000, when available, which does not limit the coverage to $250,000 per person involved in the accident. Young drivers are more likely to have accidents, and lowering your liability limits could leave you on the hook for tens of thousands of dollars in expenses if your child does hit another car or injure someone.

CAR WARRIORS

Thursday, October 23, 2014

BMW 740Ld xDRIVE DIESEL

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