[SchlauCow]

Hey,

Just want to get your take on the availability of diesel in the U.S., and also the east coast states such as Maryland.

Is diesel more common than a few years back, or about the same?

I've been in Germany for a while and really didn't pay attention to the availability of diesel pumps in the U.S. within major gas stations or those tiny gas stations in the middle of nowhere.

I am really eye-balling a 335d.

Thanks!

[cb1111]

Diesel is available at about half the stations. You'll be fine unless you like to run your tank dry and only gas up at the last minute.

Even some stations on base have diesel now.

[kcgman]

I agree that about 1/2 (maybe a bit less) have diesel in my area (the Midwest). That said, the stations usually position the diesel pumps (which also have gas) near the entrance. They tend to be the first pumps to be taken. On occaison (3 times in the year and a quarter that I've owned the car), I've had to sit and wait or come back another time when other gas pumps were available. On a long highway drive with my family, I struggled a bit to find a station with diesel. (Like the previous person said, don't wait to fill up until you absolutely need it). That said, I would not let any concerns about diesel availability stop you from getting a 335d.

[ctt335i]

Anecdotally, I'd say diesels are more prevalent now than years past.

At our neighborhood Christmas party, the guys talked diesels for over an hour. Several of my more environmentally conscious neighbors have purchased diesels lately. Based on the discussion a lot of folks are saying.. "my next car will be a diesel." Clearly, the focus was better fuel economy without compromise... not necessarily performance first.

Lately, just in my neighborhood, there are 2 MB E320 Bluetecs, a Jetta TDI wagon, a GL320 Bluetec, two ML320 Bluetecs, an Audi Q7 TDI and 2 E90 335ds. Actually, now that I think of it almost every new car purchased in my neighborhood lately has been a diesel.

However, I live in a yupp'd out liberal bubble. If Volvo starts bringing diesels to the US things are going to get out of hand!

To be honest, if I had it to do over (no 335d in 2008), I would get the 335d, no question.

[Quasimodem]

I would say a quarter or less of the gas stations in Northern California have diesel. You need to establish a favorite diesel station near home and one near work. That will usually be a name brand station with a good price, so expect it to run out of diesel frequently and have a secondary station in mind for when you pull into your favorite station and all the green pumps have out of order signs on them.

If you are in the boondocks, look near freeways and always have the adapter handy on long trips. You might want to wear latex gloves when refueling, I don't and I take a papertowel to hold under the tip of the pump when I remove it because it always wants to drip on my paint.

Our diesel pumps here aren't as sophisticated as the gas pumps so I have stopped filling up until the pump is supposed to shut off, and I manually shut it off when I know it is near full.

[Philm35]

If you have an iPhone, download an app called "Diesel", which will show you all of the diesel stations in your area. Here in the Cincinnati area, I'd say that about 1/3 of stations offer diesel.

[pantherfan69]

i would say 50-75% here in NC have diesel, i havent had a problem at all finding it, even took a trip to indiana, and had no problems, though i can almost make it from nc to indiana on one tank lol

[F32Fleet]

Majority of stations where I drive have diesel. In fact there are 7 stations within 2-3 miles of my house which have diesel.

[Coolieman1220]

my droid has gasbuddy which works well for finding diesel. at interstate exits you'll find diesel and in commercial areas.

[RoadRash]

I'm in Maryland and have no trouble finding diesel. Agree with the prior posts - don't wait until your tank is on oil fumes and you'll be fine. Get the diesel - it's amazing.

[maswastage]

There's 4 stations within 10 minutes driving distance of my house that carry diesel. And the one that's about a mile down the road has it cheap to boot; it hasn't been more expensive than premium in the past 6 months. I can see it being a problem if you live somewhere secluded, but in the DC Metro area especially you shouldn't have trouble finding a place to fill up.

[meeksdigital]

I haven't had any trouble finding diesel. Just hit 1200 miles on my 335d after my third fill-up, and I've found that about 65% of the stations locally have diesel fuel. Most are priced below Premium.

I'm so happy with my 335d... I think you'll absolutely love the car!

[cssnms]

I live in MD and there are plenty of diesel stations in our neck of the woods. I would venture to say that diesel is more commonly found at stations today then it was 10 yrs ago.

[dtc100]

Originally Posted by Quasimodem

I would say a quarter or less of the gas stations in Northern California have diesel. You need to establish a favorite diesel station near home and one near work. That will usually be a name brand station with a good price, so expect it to run out of diesel frequently and have a secondary station in mind for when you pull into your favorite station and all the green pumps have out of order signs on them.

If you are in the boondocks, look near freeways and always have the adapter handy on long trips. You might want to wear latex gloves when refueling, I don't and I take a papertowel to hold under the tip of the pump when I remove it because it always wants to drip on my paint.

Our diesel pumps here aren't as sophisticated as the gas pumps so I have stopped filling up until the pump is supposed to shut off, and I manually shut it off when I know it is near full.

That was part of my concern when I decided against a 335d. Also I gas up at Costco or Sams, most discount pumps do not have diesel, which makes diesel expensive since I can get 91 gas for $0.20 less from a retail pump.

[Sailor737]

Originally Posted by Philm35

If you have an iPhone, download an app called "Diesel", which will show you all of the diesel stations in your area. Here in the Cincinnati area, I'd say that about 1/3 of stations offer diesel.

Thanks! As soon as i get outta work i'm downloading this one!

[jaybird124]

In the South, 80% of the stations carry diesel. I've never had a problem finding a station, even when I was running on fumes.

The only thing I've noticed is most stations only have 1 or 2 pumps. This mean's while some dude named Paul is pumping gas in his Honda, you have to wait till he's done (because he's blocking the pump).
Just means a lesson in patience, but I wouldn't change my choice of cars at all. Love it.