I'm not your friend, buddy.

Notice I said "modern" diesels. Your 20 year old Jetta doesn't exactly count. Do a little research on the modern crap.

Given the realities of demand, it is much less elastic than gas. People can drive less in the US, carpool, combine trips, buy more efficient vehicles, etc. Trucking companies and transit firms can't and expect to get paid.

335d and 535d not count? Driven both many times. Low end grunt, then..nothing. Terrible exhaust note, no manual box, nothing. Fine for a commuter car, but a complete waste as a BMW.

Seems like more of a supplier issue. I mean, millions of semi trucks, and huge sales of full size diesel trucks seem to handle the US fuel without major issues, one would think that a global company like Bosch could provide a component solution to handle it.

When factoring for the up front price difference in the car, the additional cost to maintain the emissions equipment specific to the modern day diesel engine, and the ~$1.30/gallon price difference, they most certainly have.

The US has the exact same standards for ULSD as the UK and Europe, both have been the same since 2006.

Not likely. Diesel is in high demand around the ROW, as well as in constant demand in the shipping and heating sectors. There isn't going to be a "drop" like gas.

They sell a small, entry level hatch in the US.

What exactly are the "benefits" of diesel? They suck to drive, which frankly is reason enough, are more maintenance intensive, require additional emissions equipment, cost more up front, and cost more to fuel. Modern gas engines have practically eradicated the mpg gap, so without an EU-style subsidizing of fuel costs,…

Yea, as I said, general procedure for any competent body shop is to just outright replace the bed.

So, like practically every pickup truck ever built?

Driving a 15 year old Olds Alero certainly makes you PWT. Sorry bro.

Read from the top, then left to right. Not sure how much easier it can be explained?

So, live like a bunch of hill jacks? Someone driving a 2000 Olds Alero is also likely to be cruising CVSs and trying to steal sudafed.

So, live like a bunch of hill jacks? Someone driving a 2000 Olds Alero is also likely to be cruising CVSs and trying to steal sudafed.

It's disingenuous though. Saying "it's so much cheaper if you don't factor in X, Y, and Z" sort of blows it out of the water. Frankly for me the biggest part is the time factor.

You're eating the cost regardless on those items though. Are you going to present a buyer with a binder full of receipts for paying your insurance and keeping tags on the car in an effort to get an extra $1500 out of the sale? Just seems like an odd item to focus on.

The CLA, A3, etc aren't specials for the US market, they're the downmarket cars across the entire world.

You mentioned the M3, so I was referencing BMW's 50-60k "everything" maintenance deal. And frankly, I'm not sure I'd consider the $90-110 dealer oil changes on an ///M car "cheap".