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Originally Posted by JCL
I haven't driven an X5 3.0D, but I have been in BMW diesel saloons many times, including recent models.
I didn't rent the Disco, I leased it in the UK five years ago. I paid the leasing company a significant sum to take it back early when the UK government introduced employee benefits taxation based on company car emissions (2002?). It wasn't the VM diesel, that was in the series 1 Discovery. I had the series II, refreshed in 2001, the longer wheelbase model with the raised tail lights. To be fair to the BMW engine, it wasn't quite as bad as the rest of the truck, or the dealer.
I am not anti-diesel. The company I work for is an international dealership/distributor for the largest manufacturer of medium speed diesels in the world (who is also one of the largest manufacturers of high speed diesels). They are the yellow ones from Peoria. I have worked with high pressure direct injection systems on large diesels since the mid eighties (the automotive manufacturers took decades to catch up). Look up the 797 truck, high altitude version (with a 3500 hp V24) to see some real turbo technology.
Anyway, I am sure the 3.0d X5 is a great truck/car/SUV/SAV. It is the best combination of torque and fuel economy currently available in an X5. I would just rather have a DI petrol version, turbocharged, with similar power as the diesel, but quieter, cleaner, higher revving, no fuel smell, and no clatter on a cold morning. IMO, investing in that technology is a better payback for BMW than diesel, for passenger car applications. Diesels are the undisputed leaders in the Class 7/Class 8 on-highway truck, and off highway equipment, markets, for very good reasons. It is just that while those engines are great in tractors, I want something different in my personal car.
I suspect you know what I mean. Otherwise, you would be looking for a diesel M3 or F355, and I suspect those aren't on your wish list. 
Cheers
Jeff |
"Fire up the Td5 and its quietness and lack of diesel clatter is instantly noticeable. The engine revs very freely and feels comparatively effortless where as the Tdi always had you working harder to get the best out the engine. The smoothness of the engine is another aspect that is instantly noticed. Its easy to use the rev range of the new engine as well as it revs so easily."
This is what 4wdonline.com had to say about Bmw 2.5 td engine in the car you say you drove!Doesnt sound like the car you drove, does it?
As I said,first drive an X5 3.0D,then make your comments!
I am surprised though that since you say you have driven recent Bmw diesels and you are still not impressed by the smoothness of a 330D,535D or 740D,or whatever one say you drove!I have driven all these and because they are AWD ,they are even smoother than the X5 Diesel!
"DI petrol version........better payback for Bmw than Diesel,for passenger application!"
You are obviously not aware of current Bmw sales figures for Diesel cars???
The years of investment Bmw made in the Diesel sector seems to have paidback bigtime!Lets hope that DI can follow suit!
If you say you are not anti-diesel ,why do you say that you wish that the X5 Diesel never comes to the US???Fortunately,your opinion is not shared by a lot of US members here!
I can understand why you like the I6 engine because it is probably one of the smoothest engines I drove when I had my 325i but on the X5 the I6 just doesnt have enough torque!Once you are used to
500NM(600Nm in my case!)@2000rpm,having
just 290Nm@3500rpm as in the I6,it just isnt enough!
Huge torque is the main reason why us Dieselheads love their X5s.
Why would I be looking for Diesel M3 or F355.when I have the X5?All 3 give me different driving pleasures!Its really a personal issue!Years ago,I used to love driving high revving cars with little torque that only "came on cam" at 4-5000rpm(bit like the M3 and F355) and today,although I still take my other cars out,it is the X5 and its 1000-4500rpm torque that gives me more pleasure.
Always enjoy a good argument with you!I still remember the TUrbo and intercooler one!
Fernando