Do I really need a diesel?

[Motion4]

I would like some assistance in seeing if I have dumb aspirations.

I currently have a very tired ford escape that is incapable of towing anything substantial, and an F82 M4, which with me in it and a half tank of gas is at 3880lb, (3620 no passenger) I'd like to replace the escape with something that isn't a truck because imo, they're too big for something that (for me) isn't going to be hauling all the time.

I think, an x5 35d would be great for towing the M4 around as needed to track events, I'm hoping to be doing 5 or so long haul trips with it this year, and probably around ~10 that are around 200mi round trip. But I also would be using it as a daily driver. I'm in a metropolitan area, I live across the street from my primary office so I walk, but the other offices are ~25-35min 50/50 hwy/city, and local driving is like maybe 10-20 minutes at most.

Is that enough driving that it wouldn't cause issues with the DPF systems, and enough hauling to justify the diesel?
I have poked around but haven't found any good comparisons of 35i - 35d cost-to-own, and I'm on edge whether my use case is good enough not to cause long term carbon/maintenance issues with a diesel.
But also, diesel make super fun spooly noises, especially when tuned , and possibly long lasting, also big BMW towing small-er BMW to track events seems fun to me.

[callmebigpapa]

Just get a diesel and delete the DPF and you’re good to go.

Imo other than exhaust sound diesel is always better. But the 6 cylinder diesel in these sounds fine from inside the cabin so it’s ok

[LateParty2018X535d]

Diesel 100

[Variante Alta]

Ya, the F15 diesels are simply amazing vehicles. The combo of efficient, comfortable (dare I say luxurious?), powerful (6,000 lb towing), and build quality are really hard to beat. I’ll put 300k miles at least on mine (and love every one of them). Mine’s a loaded 2015 (MSport, ACC, B&O, LED headlights, third row, night vision, ventilated seats, plus all my own upgrades/coding). I just love the thing!

All that being said, to make these viable long term, you have to deal with the tempermental emissions systems and accept that the ‘ABC’ delete is a necessity for long term efficient running. These diesels get amazing fuel efficiency and are quite clean (once they’re running hot) with the addition of a DOC in the exhaust.

If you prefer to keep the oem configuration, long trips, frequent oil changes, quality fuel and realistic repair budget are all required. The payoff is long term ownership (which saves you thousands)…the 35i just won’t compete long term and will cost you a fortune eventually. Few cars these days are built to last - the F15 diesels are an exception (emissions systems not withstanding).

Best of luck with your search…be picky - there are awesome examples out there but can take patience / travel to get them.

[callmebigpapa]

Originally Posted by Variante Alta

Ya, the F15 diesels are simply amazing vehicles. The combo of efficient, comfortable (dare I say luxurious?), powerful (6,000 lb towing), and build quality are really hard to beat. I’ll put 300k miles at least on mine (and love every one of them). Mine’s a loaded 2015 (MSport, ACC, B&O, third row, night vision, ventilated seats, plus all my own upgrades/coding). I just love the thing!

All that being said, to make these viable long term, you have to deal with the tempermental emissions systems and accept that the ‘ABC’ delete is a necessity for long term efficient running. These diesels get amazing fuel efficiency and are quite clean (once they’re running hot) with the addition of a DOC in the exhaust.

If you prefer to keep the oem configuration, long trips, frequent oil changes, quality fuel and realistic repair budget are all required. The payoff is long term ownership (which saves you thousands)…the 35i just won’t compete long term and will cost you a fortune eventually. Few cars these days are built to last - the F15 diesels are an exception (emissions systems not withstanding).

Best of luck with your search…be picky - there are awesome examples out there but can take patience / travel to get them.

Very well said! I just got mine and I look for every excuse to drive it anywhere lol. I wish I found one with ventilated seats (I’m Australian would have been nice) but I don’t and that’s what it is. What coding have you done that you recommend?

[Variante Alta]

There are many excellent coding options - probably easier to search these forums for 'F15 coding options' - there are a number of comprehensive lists.

In terms of some my faves? UN-decoding for my LED headlights for Variable Light Distribution and Anti-Dazzle (basically active LED like ROW w/LED lights), changing the speed of the trunk closure (slowing as it goes to avoid the dreaded 'slam'), ACC distance memory at startup (so it's not @4 every time), added a couple dash splashscreen options, added 12" sub under the trunk with adjustment knob in the armrest, disabling the startup warning in the idrive, night vision spotlights, Traffic Jam Assist to 100 km/hr, expanded range to empty in cluster to 1200 kms, read full email/text messages in drive, display steering wheel heat activated/deactivated in cluster, added rear fog light.

Here's a great resource list of possible coding changes in e-sys (there are other ways to code) for the F15 (there are more coding options still). Being careful with coding and do one at a time and test before moving on.

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets...it?gid=0#gid=0

[tlow98]

From a 35i owners perspective… it tows great. I did an 8 hour stint towing 4k pounds including crossing the Angeles crest. No issues. 16 mpg.

I’m not sure about the comment of the 35i costing a ‘fortune’ in the long run. It’s easily the most reliable combo of the f15 range. N55 is a sweetheart with every DIY well documented and far fewer problems than any other powertrain.

If pure towing or lots of highway, sure the diesel is great. But short trips thrown in there, too, n55 all the way. 120k miles and no powertrain issues thus far.

No timing chain or head gasket issues with the n55…

Just change your trans and transfer case fluids and good to go.

[Clifton]

Agree with Variante Alta, tlow98, and others. The F15 Diesels are amazing vehicles. Love mine to death and I'm on my second one (2014 & 2017) totaling 11 years of driving them. Biggest fault with the N57T is the government mandated emission components that will fail. Everything else is well built with next to zero issues.

[9mmkungfu]

Originally Posted by Motion4

Is that enough driving that it wouldn't cause issues with the DPF systems, and enough hauling to justify the diesel?

Yes. Get the diesel.

[Kolianovskyi]

Get cybertruck.

[Motion4]

Originally Posted by Kolianovskyi

Get cybertruck.

No

[who is this noob]

Mostly long trips on highway? Diesel.
Mostly shorter trips around town? Petrol.

[m4forum]

The diesel is not only for the towing which is much better than gas and wont compare but the pleasure to drive a vehicle which responds to throttle inputs w/o screaming (X5 weights just over 5000lbs).
Would be very important to have driving cycle that allows DPF to regen .... between 200-400 miles the DPF needs to regen what requires 10-15 miles of constant speed driving.
Dont need to delete anything if proper care and maintenance is provided. But certainly intake soot cleaning will be required @100k