Anyone using Biodiesel in their X5?

[flyingchunk]

Hi there.

I'm interesed in Biodiesel in my X5 for a number of reasons.

Number one being price!

I'm also thinking of producing my own in my garage at home.

Anyone else doing this or using any kind of Biodiesel in their X5?

I've surfed the net on this subject and found everybody using it in every car possible, except an X5.

Thanks for all your replies.

[Wagner]

Quick hits from Google:

http://www.grmotorsports.com/backissues/biodiesel.php
^ BMW racer in 1985 running Bio-Diesel

http://www.discoveralternatives.org/...Technology.php
^ What a car can generally run without changes to fuel components.

There isn't really anything particular that says the X5 can run it. So unless you have tons of cash laying around to replace the motor components, I wouldn't do it.

[X5SA]

My X has a sticker by the filler that says no Bio Diesel. I will take a picture later and post it.

[flyingchunk]

I know it's not meant to be used. But I'm aware that plenty of people do use it in their cars, usually with great results after an initial filter change as it clean out the tank and pipe like stink!.

I have found someone using it in their 330cd sport and is very pleased, is this the same enigne as the X5 does anyone know?

[JCL]

Sure you can use it. The worst you can do is cause an engine failure.

The warning label to not use it is simply because there is no spec for what bio-diesel is, any particular bio-diesel fuel can be anything from a clean commercial fuel to a witch's brew mixed up in a garage. BMW is simply saying that you are on your own in the event of consequential damage. If you feel that the rewards outweigh the risks, by all means give it a go.

[flyingchunk]

Very true.

I'd just like to find out if anyone is using ANY kind of Biodiesel, and their experiences.

I've found a guy who is using B100 in his 330cd sport with great results, but I'm not sure if it's the same engine asmy 3.0d X5.

Anyone else know?

[Scottie]

I wouldn't use bio diesel that's been refined

never mind home brewed vegetable oils

[ruraldev]

I've just bought a 2006 X5 3.0d (19,000 miles) to replace a 2000 530d with 172,000 miles on it, run on 100% biodiesel produced from a Green Fuels biodiesel system for the last year, approx 25K miles and no problems at all.

In fact the only problem I had with the car in 172,000 miles was a cam shaft sensor (apart from wear and tear parts of course).

We make the biodiesel from waste vegetable oil from local schools.

I also know someone running a Range Rover diesel (think it's the same engine) on B100 without problem.

I hope my X5 is as good as the old 530D and then I'll be a happy guy!

[Fraser]

Unless your biodiesel comes with some sort of quality assurance I wouldn't even think of using it. Why risk potentially expensive engine damage to save some money on fuel? I can think of better ways to gamble.

[flyingchunk]

Thanks for the replies. The fact that it worked fine in the 530d is encouraging as the x5 engine is the same.

Just wondering if anyone is actually using bio on an X5 and what their experiences are before I shell out 2k for a homebrew kit to make BP100