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      09-29-2017, 02:02 PM   #1
Kdawg1966
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Pluses/Negatives to a Diesel?

Hi all,

I am still looking to become a new owner of a used X5 (2014+). I've never owned a diesel before and know that they are not like the diesels of old. I am aware of the increase in torque as well as gas mileage.

Are there any negatives to owning a diesel? For some reason I was avoiding them early on in my search but now I'm wondering why. Thanks for any input as it will be greatly appreciated.
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      09-29-2017, 02:42 PM   #2
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I've owned diesel cars for the past 10 years - these are now very common in the UK. The technology has improved so much with the engines and the performance against petrol can be as good or better - torque for example.
I have the M50d and certainly out performs most petrol cars.
I would say the only draw back is the lack of exhaust tone comparing 3.0d to a 3.0 petrol however this is sacrificed by better mpg and running costs.
I suggest you try both options before buying. You will find the ride incredibility smooth in the diesel.
Good luck
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      09-29-2017, 04:27 PM   #3
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Kdawg1966 View Post
Hi all,

I am still looking to become a new owner of a used X5 (2014+). I've never owned a diesel before and know that they are not like the diesels of old. I am aware of the increase in torque as well as gas mileage.

Are there any negatives to owning a diesel? For some reason I was avoiding them early on in my search but now I'm wondering why. Thanks for any input as it will be greatly appreciated.
I have a 35d and i love it. I get about 24 MPG and the torque... oh my... 400 lbs or torque at 1900 RPMs...
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      09-29-2017, 05:26 PM   #4
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We don't really have petrol options for the X5 in the UK, but considering the performance and economy from a diesel, I wouldn't choose a petrol engine. I have a 30D and it accelerates from 0-60MPH in 6.7 seconds and returns 32 UK MPG around town. I am even considering an upgrade to a 40D as the 0-60 comes down to 5.9 seconds with very little economy loss. The downside is the fact that the 'green' lobby are anti diesel as they don't understand that there are clean diesels such as those produced by BMW - particularly those that have the Adblue system.
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      09-30-2017, 10:29 AM   #5
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Would buy another one in a heartbeat, in fact waiting for the new body style. So playing with my current F15 35d. BavAudio added, seat worked to add some cushion/comfort, Eibach springs to be put on with DWS06 tires, and RaceChip Pro.

Mileage has dropped a bit, but still 28-30mpg.
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      09-30-2017, 12:02 PM   #6
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The F15 was the first diesel of any kind of ever owned. The thing is a beast with torque and sips fuel. On both my 2014 and 2017 (M-Sports) I averaged 30 mpg with mix of city/highway; that's a range of 650+ miles.

No real complaints about either - If I had to force one to paper it would be the gasoline nozzle lockout. While it is great at preventing smaller diameter gas nozzle from fitting in the neck during refueling, not all gas stations use the larger nozzles for diesel. That can make it a bit of pain sometimes. It has a filler attachment in the trunk for such instances, but that it a bit of rub too.

To me, I am amazed at the size and luxury of the X5 and the ability to putter along on fuel with ample torque for passing.
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      09-30-2017, 12:58 PM   #7
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I can only think of one and that would be if you commute 5 miles or less and don?t take any weekend trips, then your dpf will probably become clogged sooner than others.

I chose to order my X5D over the X5M if that tells you anything. I just love modern diesels, and am so glad BMW has stuck with it.
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      09-30-2017, 01:00 PM   #8
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I love the X5 diesel and have owned two of the F15 variety, a 2014 and a 2016 (current); note I also have had the Dynamic Handling Package in both; drive 95% in Comfort Mode, 5% in Sport Mode; get 34 mpg on average on the US autobahn. Next vehicle will either be another X5 diesel or a Tesla Model X.
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      09-30-2017, 02:49 PM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ianfp View Post
We don't really have petrol options for the X5 in the UK, but considering the performance and economy from a diesel, I wouldn't choose a petrol engine. I have a 30D and it accelerates from 0-60MPH in 6.7 seconds and returns 32 UK MPG around town. I am even considering an upgrade to a 40D as the 0-60 comes down to 5.9 seconds with very little economy loss. The downside is the fact that the 'green' lobby are anti diesel as they don't understand that there are clean diesels such as those produced by BMW - particularly those that have the Adblue system.
I don't think they don't understand it. I think there's more to that. I think there are issues with diesels - not necessarily related to BMW per se, but there are issues. I love diesels for their economy, but they are not inherently cleanest engines and under certain circumstances they do pollute. Not all owners do a proper maintenance - that's just for starters. Not all owners plan to keep it stock (don't want to open a can of worms here, but I hope you understand what I'm talking about and what kind of pollution such modded engines can have). Then there's a diesel fuel manufacturing issues - another story. Anyway, my point is that "lobby" people aren't all idiots
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      09-30-2017, 10:00 PM   #10
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What is considered ‘proper’ maintenance?
I love my diesel. It’s been rock solid, the torque blows me away in that when I climb into my m3 I have to re-acclimate myself, and the mileage is amazing- 26 city and 30 highway.
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      10-01-2017, 03:28 AM   #11
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Just to put it in perspective - difference between a monster 50i V8 4.4 TwinTurbo and 35d in terms of fuel cost - averages around $60 more per month for my style of driving. Does that $60 worth the amount of joy I'm getting from my 50i? Hell yeah! On the other hand I can understand a 35d owner calmly commuting back and forth to the work and saving his $60 per month on lets say a extra cell line for his/her kid or extra launch for two once a month. I get that. It's just for me - we live only once to not enjoy that V8 while we still can (not too long before we all cave in for a boring slow electric appliance hybrids)

If M50d was an option in US - I might have bought it instead, but unfortunately it isn't
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      10-01-2017, 03:56 AM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by DuSh View Post
Just to put it in perspective - difference between a monster 50i V8 4.4 TwinTurbo and 35d in terms of fuel cost - averages around $60 more per month for my style of driving. Does that $60 worth the amount of joy I'm getting from my 50i? Hell yeah! On the other hand I can understand a 35d owner calmly commuting back and forth to the work and saving his $60 per month on lets say a extra cell line for his/her kid or extra launch for two once a month. I get that. It's just for me - we live only once to not enjoy that V8 while we still can (not too long before we all cave in for a boring slow electric appliance hybrids)

If M50d was an option in US - I might have bought it instead, but unfortunately it isn't
You couldn't pay me enough to step into electric/hybrid territory. Long live V8!
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      10-01-2017, 07:53 AM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by DuSh View Post
Just to put it in perspective - difference between a monster 50i V8 4.4 TwinTurbo and 35d in terms of fuel cost - averages around $60 more per month for my style of driving. Does that $60 worth the amount of joy I'm getting from my 50i? Hell yeah! On the other hand I can understand a 35d owner calmly commuting back and forth to the work and saving his $60 per month on lets say a extra cell line for his/her kid or extra launch for two once a month. I get that. It's just for me - we live only once to not enjoy that V8 while we still can (not too long before we all cave in for a boring slow electric appliance hybrids)

If M50d was an option in US - I might have bought it instead, but unfortunately it isn't
I wish here in Europe we had similar low fuel costs - you can double that figure per month. Thats why there are very little 50i around and the majority of X5s here are diesels. I would love a X5M but the miles I do can't justify the extra cost hence why I've gone second best X50d
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      10-01-2017, 06:03 PM   #14
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Quote:
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You couldn't pay me enough to step into electric/hybrid territory. Long live V8!
I used to say the same thing. Then we bought an i3. The instant torque is addictive and makes it easy to create converts. I do love my 50i too though.
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      10-01-2017, 08:32 PM   #15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Kdawg1966 View Post
Hi all,

I am still looking to become a new owner of a used X5 (2014+). I've never owned a diesel before and know that they are not like the diesels of old. I am aware of the increase in torque as well as gas mileage.

Are there any negatives to owning a diesel? For some reason I was avoiding them early on in my search but now I'm wondering why. Thanks for any input as it will be greatly appreciated.
No negatives so far after 3 cars (8 years total)
Torque is crazy, fuel economy ridiculous low, go for it
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      10-01-2017, 09:56 PM   #16
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Been driving my 35d for close to 6 months now and it is fun. As almost all have mentioned here the torque is simply great, the second best after electric vehicles.

Fuel economy wise am not able to get more than 20mpg, as I mainly use it for daily commute back and forth to work in rush hour traffic. Add the Racechip Ultime to a diesel and you will see a next level in torque (500+ ft-lb), it does affect fuel economy further though. If you mostly do long drives on freeways then you easily get 28-30mpg. I waited for months to build a new diesel back in late 2016 as they had temporarily stopped diesel productions until early 2017.

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