Before spending a week with the 2014 BMW 328d, the allure of diesel escaped me.

I was surprised, at least, and very pleasantly so.

Itll be a challenge to adjust to life without this diesel dreamcar.

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The new 328d is powered by a 4-cylinder TwinPower Turbo Diesel engine that offers hair-raising acceleration and fuel-efficient cruising.

Thanks to its diesel heartbeat, the 328d is one of the rare modern vehicles that offers both.

Diesel naturally provides high-power, high-efficiency driving, and the 328d is geared for optimal interstate performance.

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The result is about 45 mpg on the highway with a range of up to 675 miles per tank.

For long-distance driving, diesel remains the king of the road.

There are a lot more virtues behind diesel driving, but Ill stick to the stand-outs.

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Youll often pay less to fuel the 328d, and you receive much higher mileage in the process.

Second, diesel vehicles tend to hold their value better than gasoline (and even hybrid) counterparts.

Last, if youre worried about finding a station to fill up your tank, dont.

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I found nearly 100 diesel-equipped gas stations in my mid-sized home city of Tampa, Florida.

You dont notice how ever-present they are until you drive diesel.

The Experience

I had a full week to get to know the new 2014 BMW 328d.

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I drove it everywhere I could and in every manner possible.

The 328d is a gem to drive.

While the power was instantly recognizable, the stand-out functionality of the car was its xDrive system.

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The moment you take your foot off the brake pedal, the engine re-engages and acceleration continues.

I was invited to drive the sport wagon model of the 2014 BMW 328d.

The leatherette interior is spacious, comfortable and packed with amenities.

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Beyond the eco/wallet-friendly virtues of diesel driving, it was impossible to forget that youre driving a BMW.

This presents a rare contrast, a vehicle that is both exciting and economical and always a BMW.

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