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Subscribe to this threadBMW 520d beats Prius in gas mileage
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Duncan @ Mar 23rd 2008 4:48PM
@psarhjinian Right, it's 15% not 10%. Diesel is also easier to produce than gasoline, so it's not quite 15% more expensive to produce. Like I mentioned, the price difference in the US is do more to demand/refinery capacity (supply) than being more difficult or expensive to manufacture than gasoline. Remember that recently diesel was cheaper than gasoline. The move to ULSD brought the price up slightly, as has demand.
While diesel engines are more expensive to manufacture for the reasons you mention, hybrids of course also add complexity. In addition, the diesel, properly maintained, should provide a more consistent level of performance over it's lifecycle than will a battery-assisted gasoline engine (which won't be reaching the same mileage numbers after 100k-200k miles).
There's tradeoffs for both. And this is really an apple-oranges comparison since the 5 series isn't really in the same size or price class as the Prius. I don't think many people are going to be cross shopping a $45k+ mid-sized sedan against a $24k compact.