Keeping X5 long term. Diesel or petrol?

[Flyer1234]

If I am to keep the F15 X5 for over 6-7 years, is the petrol version a better choice?
1. Better resale value than Diesel engine?
2. Petrol engine is "cleaner" so easier and less expensive to maintain?

Your advice is much appreciated.
Thanx.

[Jenya B]

diesel

[SpeedN8]

Originally Posted by Jenya B

diesel

agreed

I'm hoping for the same myself. Wife has 335d and i have x5d as primary.

[wjbender]

Originally Posted by Jenya B

diesel

+1 at least here in the USA the oil burner has had better resale. The diesel engine has the reputation for longevity as well. It is tough to wear out a diesel engine.

[Alan l.]

How proven is the diesel engine used in the F15? All i know is that the N55 has been used since 2011 in a lot of BMW models so it should be a pretty solid power plant at this point after many tweaks and revisions.

Alan

[CrockettHood]

Diesel

[mrboon]

Diesel will be more reliable + cheaper to run due to better fuel economy. U'll be visiting the pump less

[tnikolov]

100% Diesel. Much more efficient gas-wise. BMW is known to make one of the best diesel engines that exist. Plus I have owned a 30d engined car for 150,000km/5 years now. No troubles with the engine whatsoever. Not that I've had any troubles with my gasoline engine as well, just much more expensive to drive.

[Ray knight]

Another +1 for the 35D. Its really an amazing engine and has MUCH better resale here. Better resale than the 50i even though its less expensive. m sport package as well. Makes for one awesome ride! 28-32mpg is nice too

[bronch]

I can't comment on resale. But, I have a '12 diesel and have not only enjoyed it, but saved fuel money over the time I've had it, so that it actually justified the higher vehicle cost. My wife changed jobs and now the mileage has literally dropped to less than a third of what it was. For this reason, our new '15 X5 will be gas when it comes in a few weeks. Diesel is much more expensive, at least here and I can't personally justify the the higher cost of both vehicle and fuel. Although, I will miss the torque. But, just a factor to consider.

[c3uo]

The real question for you guys is:

Ignoring any savings (it's a $70K vehicle and for my driving the savings will be negligible), what drives nicer a 35i or 35d? I know the 50i drives best, but is out of my range.

I ordered the 35d (mid-range torque as I rarely redline my vehicles), but have been having doubts. There is no 35d to test drive, so I'm going in blind (I am very familiar with the N55 as I have that drivetrain in my wife's X3).

[BarryB]

Diesel cost a lot more than premium now. Also need to factor the cost diff of the vehicle itself. I'd say it's 50/50 and went with the proven x3.5i.....

[Bo2Shelby]

I decided to go with the diesel based on the research done largely on this site along with a test drive of gas and diesel. I'm also purchasing the vehicle and plan to keep it for 6 to 8 years and may do some towing as well. The other major factor was the mileage as I do quite a few trips in the 2 to 4 hour range each year. This is my first diesel vehicle but I think it was the right decision based on my circumstances. Good luck with your order! My vehicle just went into production on Friday, Nov. 21st, two weeks earlier than initially expected! Hopefully looking at a mid-December delivery!

[paicapo]

diesel no doubt but gasoline is still going to be strong in NA market, seems that the NA market whit consumers in some ways is going the same way as the EU market have been in the last decade whit diesel cars growing in new sales and have over 50% on new sales today. the difference of potential for the diesel is mostly the gasoline price therefor the diesel will whit current differences in gas price between EU and NA not be as successful as in the EU market.

[Trojanlaw]

The bottom line is that you should go with which ever one you enjoy driving more. For me, I liked the torque of the diesel far more. Plus, with the addition of the Racechip, it has the same if not better acceleration than the in line 6 at higher speeds. If you like a smoother feel through the gears, go with the gas version. If you like the feel of being pulled with each shift, go with the diesel. Both should retain their value equally in the US market.

You can't go wrong. Enjoy whichever you choose.

[Socal2025]

Diesel.

[MattBianco]

Originally Posted by c3uo

The real question for you guys is:

Ignoring any savings (it's a $70K vehicle and for my driving the savings will be negligible), what drives nicer a 35i or 35d? I know the 50i drives best, but is out of my range.

I ordered the 35d (mid-range torque as I rarely redline my vehicles), but have been having doubts. There is no 35d to test drive, so I'm going in blind (I am very familiar with the N55 as I have that drivetrain in my wife's X3).

I don't think you will be disappointed with your choice. It is a very powerful engine and you have to remind friends who might take it for a drive that it is a diesel. Most passengers never know.

[42pilot]

For me, the real question is what the vehicle will cost to operate and maintain once out of warranty.

Most likely, you will have to stick with a dealer to work on the diesel (in the US since not many smaller shops are familiar with this technology yet), but you can choose a good independent shop with a gasser. So look to pay a premium on shop rates for the diesel.

I don't think either engine will crap out on you, but things like sensors, cat converters, required maintenance at major milestones will eat your lunch. A fuel filter change on my SL550 is $550 alone and it's due soon. Yikes...

[BXdriver]

I think the situation, local laws/taxes and fuel prices in YOUR country is the main factor here. (I am not familiar with HK car-system, even I have been there many times and love the place :-))

Just as the situation in i.e. the US is VERY different from certain countries in Europe.

So...I can only speak from my country, Norway - and here - an X5 with GAS engine would be almost UNSELLABLE later (OR, you would almost have to "give" it away), so the diesel in a no-brainer.
Only a very few people would choose a gas X5 here, and the kind of people that does, would probably go for the "real thing" 50i anyway, and not look at the wallet.

Only smaller city/wife-cars are selling better with gas here.
And the gas price here is much higer (ca 10%) more than Diesel.

That said, my personal choice would be a Diesel anyway because I prefer the torque/sticky pulling power of it - completely apart from price and economy.

Best
Bent

[MattBianco]

It will climb up Magazine Gap Rd with a breeze, passing comparably sized gas engines. It will shoot straight up May Road (mui do).

HK is full of diesel taxis and trucks, and has plenty of good mechanics. But, you should expect failures to be items dealers can repair easier (sensors and electronics). HK dealers are notorious rip offs on repairs, and that aspect of ownership is unaffected by gas v diesel.

[BillK]

We just got our first diesel back in August so admittedly, I don't have much experience with them, but so far we love ours. I don't know if I'll ever go back to gas. My wife's favorite thing about the car is the long range. It goes about 650 to 750 miles per tank depending on driving style.

[Flyer1234]

Originally Posted by MattBianco

It will climb up Magazine Gap Rd with a breeze, passing comparably sized gas engines. It will shoot straight up May Road (mui do).

HK is full of diesel taxis and trucks, and has plenty of good mechanics. But, you should expect failures to be items dealers can repair easier (sensors and electronics). HK dealers are notorious rip offs on repairs, and that aspect of ownership is unaffected by gas v diesel.

Thanx all for the feedback. I just don't have any prior BMW driving experience. I have seen a few X5 30D driving around in Hk and only one 35i. It seems like the majority of the suggestion is to go with diesel.

MattBianco, you are right. Mechanics here charge way more than those in USA. I just want to choose the version that gives me the best reliability.