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Originally Posted by Fraser
Thanks for the support. I'm not "trying to understand the US market" nor am I trying to predict whether the X5 diesel will be a success in the US. All that will play out in due course.
When diesel power first arrived in the X5 in Australia (in early 2003 in the E53) many people were sceptical that buyers would accept diesel in a luxury vehicle. But the diesel engine, and the subsequent diesels in both the E53 and the E70 (we have now had four generations of diesel engines in the X5 in Australia) have proved a run-away success despite the fact that we pay anywhere between 10% and 25% more for diesel than petrol (it varies all the time). And, like the US, not all fuel stations (especially in the cities) sell diesel. For most diesel buyers it's not simply a matter of relative fuel costs and economy, it comes down to the diesel's superior real-world drivability.
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Fraser, I do get your point, but each market is different. I do not know much about the market where you are, but I understand the V8 and the diesel versions of the X5 are much more expensive in Australia compared to the US. Therefore the price of admission is very different. For us on this side of the pond, it is probably a harder choice to make. With regards to the diesel performance versus gas, I am still skeptical about it. It is difficult to imagine that a V8 gasoline will not crush the diesel in real-world drivability. Reading what Barcius posted, he test drove both US spec cars in the factory here in the US and most of the drivers voted for the V8 as the better/superior car in most aspects. I believe BMW took the results and priced the diesel accordingly. I can give you my impression once I drive the diesel. I've been racing for years here is the US so I can give a honest and professional feedback once I drive it.