| Drive it as soft or as hard as you like - it's up to you. Seriously if you want to thrash the nuts off it make sure you service it well, if you want to drive it like a fairy, make sure you service it well - SIMPLE HUH?
These americans will not know anything about Diesels- I myself used to be a Bosche Diesel Diagnostic Engineer and spent my days cleaning out/replacing/testing diesel injectors and pumps on all manner of diesel engines (The state of some made you weep). At the end of the day modern diesels (particularly BMW diesels) are phenominal engines and can be run for over 300,000 mile with ease if looked after - you will have real problems breaking one - but then again you would have serious problems ttrying to break a BMW petrol I6 - Just keep up the servicing (independent is enough) and all shouold be well.
P.S diesels usually take a lot more shit so don't feel you have to lift off the loud pedal too often - she will take more than you can give her!!!! | 
