Diesel vs Gas

[blakeusa]

Looking at getting an X5 and was considering a diesel.
Was looking at cars with 70k and less miles.

Any recommendations or feedback on the X5 Diesel's. I understand they can carbon up and may need service on this issue.

Car will be in USA Boston area.
Thanks

[blakeusa]

Bump ya

[RED_Y_]

Try search, this was discussed here sooo many times:
https://f15.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=1428510
https://f15.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=1652744
https://f15.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=1455676
https://f15.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=1559265
https://f15.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=1324994
https://f15.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=1788151
https://f15.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=1537422
https://f15.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=1583088
https://f15.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=1529054

[mikado463]

other than for reasons of towing is there really any merit to diesel ?

[RED_Y_]

Gas mileage, longevity, overall reliability.

[Ascotgrun]

Fuel mileage I am with you but my last diesel, an E60 535d, had so many issues it made me swear off ever owning a diesel again.

I did a lot to that car to eliminate the more prevalent trouble points such as the EGR and DPF, but even so I was glad to get rid of it. Reliability and longevity are two words I would never ascribe to it.

[RED_Y_]

M57 did have issues but N57 is way better IMO. BMW learned the lesson and fixed most common issues.

[Ascotgrun]

Good to hear, looked through that thread with the melted manifolds and can't help but think that they may have solved the old problems but seem to have developed a new one. Still, a melted manifold has to be better than an ingested swirl flap.

[RED_Y_]

Originally Posted by Ascotgrun

Good to hear, looked through that thread with the melted manifolds and can't help but think that they may have solved the old problems but seem to have developed a new one. Still, a melted manifold has to be better than an ingested swirl flap.

To be honest this is the first one I ever heard of, they did issue the recall a few years ago and I never paid a penny so doesn't bother me much.

[BDO]

BMW diesels are more reliable than petrol, especially when comparing N55/B58 vs N57 derivatives.

[mikado463]

Originally Posted by RED_Y_

Gas mileage, longevity, overall reliability.

when o0ne factors in the upcharge at purchase, price differential of gas vs diesel and considering longevity and reliability are both questionable I disagree.

[x5wntd]

the n57 w 74k miles on it. no any issues as far as I have it. about to do the ABC delete. only for fun (no any emission faults atm). the point is I was looking for it about 5 month (west coast). ended up w the f15 35d m pack, 7 seats, air susp, heated front/rear row, ventilation, sunroof, 360 cams, rear shades, leather dash, hud, ceramic sport shifter etc.. I like it so much!

[mrfochon]

Gas version has 0 recall unlike diesel.
Gas version last as long as diesel unless proven otherwise.
To me most important is first item.

[crystalworks]

Different horses for different courses. Costs for maintenance will be similar over time for the gas and the diesel. BMW's require more attention than your average vehicle, and perform better in most cases because of it so all variants will cost money to maintain (I budget $1000/yr per BMW). In general, the I6 gas motors will be a slight less expensive to maintain but also don't perform some tasks as well as the diesel or V8 variants. Choosing which to buy will depend on your needs. Don't buy a diesel if you drive to and from work only, 10 miles each day. Your emissions related bills will be high due to wear on the DPF and other components.

We have 2 diesel X5's currently and 1 4.8 N62 X5. We use them for different purposes and enjoy all 3 of them.

[napeHbNYC]

MPG wise, I’ve had a 2012 X5 35d before and found my current f15 35i xdrive at a BMW dealer 150 miles away. When I went to pick it up and trade my diesel in, I reset the mpg meter once on the highway, no traffic and smooth sale there I had 26.4 mpg average highway for diesel. I did the same thing on the way back with my 2018 f15 and with a smooth drive I got 24.7 mpg average at the end of the trip. Around the city the difference is a little more noticeable but overall I’m happy.

[RED_Y_]

For me the biggest difference is driving in traffic, I commute between different company offices around the SF Bay Area and I get 26-27 mpg in the traffic and if I don't push it too hard getting 32 mpg on the highway is easy. I would buy new BMW with diesel again, but they are no more in North America.

[Ascotgrun]

Originally Posted by napeHbNYC

MPG wise, I’ve had a 2012 X5 35d before and found my current f15 35i xdrive at a BMW dealer 150 miles away. When I went to pick it up and trade my diesel in, I reset the mpg meter once on the highway, no traffic and smooth sale there I had 26.4 mpg average highway for diesel. I did the same thing on the way back with my 2018 f15 and with a smooth drive I got 24.7 mpg average at the end of the trip. Around the city the difference is a little more noticeable but overall I’m happy.

The higher cost of Diesel fuel would quickly negate the slightly better economy.

[RED_Y_]

Not that big of a difference between premium 91 and diesel, in some areas diesel is actually cheaper than 91. N55 engine in traffic gets around 20-22 MPG so difference is quite significant, not even talking about V8.

[Ascotgrun]

I remember seeing a spreadsheet somewhere that listed the mileage point where diesel had a financial advantage over gas. I think you had to be doing over 15K per year to just even out.

Of course that was a few years ago and things like original purchase price and fuel costs have changed quite a bit.

It may seem that way, but I am not anti diesel. I've had two, a 330d and a 535d and I absolutely loved the power delivery. It's just that when the repairs started piling up that the love affair ended.

I actually drive a diesel now for work, but someone else pays for repairs which is handy when driving 150K+ miles a year.

[RED_Y_]

Well no repairs for me so far except the recall so I am happy.

[CanadianLurker]

Originally Posted by RED_Y_

Not that big of a difference between premium 91 and diesel, in some areas diesel is actually cheaper than 91. N55 engine in traffic gets around 20-22 MPG so difference is quite significant, not even talking about V8.

Indeed. Here in Canada (Ontario at least) the price for diesels tracks closer to Regular and home heating oil. In the summer diesel is often at or a fair bit lower than Regular while in the winter it's usually a little higher than Regular.

As a snapshot for today from a local station in CAD$ per Liter:

RUG = $1.309
MID = $1.419
PRE = $1.489
DIE = $1.229

Translated after currency exchange rate to US$ per Gallon:

RUG = $3.91
MID = $4.23
PRE = $4.44
DIE = $3.67


And despite the diesel fuel price advantage here in Canada the diesel take up rate for vehicles is probably only slightly higher than in the USA.

[pshooter]

So I'll throw this out there.
It depends what you're intended use is.

I looked for a diesel with air suspension, etc, etc. Specifically to tow my track car on an open trailer.
My GMC gets 10-12 MPG towing. The F15 gets 20-22 towing so far.
It has enough torque that it never breaks a sweat on hills etc.
In fact it has enough torque to make using it as a daily quite enjoyable.

If I were asked which to get I'd ask what you were going to use it for.

While the diesel may have some baggage you have to remember that people post their issues on the forums. The folks with no issue seldom do.