I rarely disagree with JCL but some of these comments are generalities.
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Originally Posted by JCL
Diesels make more mechanical noise (not music, noise) but to some fans it is music. Others call it noise. There is no correct answer to this one.
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In a X5d, you hear some clatter at idle and I have read that BMW actually engineered a little extra engine noise; more so than the other manufacturers. With enough sound insulation (which the X5 has plenty of), you could virtually completely mask the sound. Standing outside of it while it idles or as a driver at idle and getting up to speed you can hear some noise that doesn't exactly sound like a gas engine but it doesn't really sound like clatter either; you have to experience it. You can't hear the diesel at all at any cruising speed. Through a whole passenger experience, I have to answer the same question. "Are you sure this is a diesel?".
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Originally Posted by JCL
Diesels are less refined, they are a little coarser with respect to vibration, but some owners like that. They identify with Kenworth drivers. Some owners secretly wish they could have a Mack truck bulldog hood ornament.
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Extra vibration doesn't exist in an X5d because it's a diesel. It is as smooth as a gasoline car.
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Originally Posted by JCL
Diesels use smelly fuel. This only matters when you fill it up, but it really matters when you spill some on yourself. You may find yourself carrying a pair of gloves for refueling.
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Maybe it's just me but I like the smell of diesel better. It's not as pungent and concentrated as gasoline and while I was refilling for the first time, I has to lean over and smell the filler neck just to experience what it smelled like. If you read the forums, you hear a lot about unkempt pumps and pump handles that are covered in diesel. This really isn't the case at regular gas stations. I've gone to a truck stop once and it was a little more unkempt but it still wasn't bad. In this neck of the woods, I just asked for the "car pump" because the truck pumps have larger nozzles. "Spilling some on yourself" may occur if you try to use a truck nozzle in a car like the 35d because it doesn't fit right and if you use the little "nozzle converter" that comes with the car, the pump doesn't shut off automatically. Hence, you're more likely to spill some on yourself. This doesn't happen with car pumps. Car pumps work just like gasoline pumps.
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Originally Posted by JCL
BMW dealer technicians in North America don't know much about diesels (but they are learning more every day)
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Haven't had service done yet as I'm just over a month but it could be true. Since I read somewhere that diesel X5s are outselling its gasoline counterpart, if this hasn't changed already, it will quickly.
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Originally Posted by JCL
Diesels have more torque, but fewer revs.
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The low revs were a bit of a surprise. The first week, I was trying to drive very lightly to not hit over 3,000 rpms for break-in and quickly figured out that you won't hit above 3,000 rpms by just driving normally (normal meaning you don't gun it from light to light).
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Originally Posted by JCL
Diesels get better mileage.
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I am enjoying some excellent gas mileage from a 5,000 lb tank that puts almost all SUVs and many cars to shame. The new 35i is no slouch in this department either though. I haven't seen some real world gas mileage from a 35i but you can take a look at
my Fuelly stats for a new 35ds fuel mileage.
BigX5er, maybe you can use Fuelly too so we have a couple of comparisons?
Hope this helps.