X5 US Diesel

[Steffi]

We get 33 on Euro roads (130 kph motorway) and 27 around town (UK galon). I think the diesel sounds great, our friends mistook it for a V8. BMW have done a good job on the exhaust note I think. I agree about the missing tail pipes, would be nice to have some.

[Scottie]

The diesel ain't to shabby and when you throw a remus exhaust on it sounds

You have to laugh at the not passing USA Emission Laws aren't you guys the biggest single reason for Global warming

[Steffi]

Fiona, how much is that exhaust? Do you get tail pipes?

It is strange how some US states have a problem with diesel, when you think the average HDI produces 25% less carbon emmissions than its equivelent petrol.

[X5Jay]

I'll be interested in the diesel if the performance is on par with at least today's 4.4. Anything less just won't do it for me, regardless of the mileage...

[JCL]

Originally Posted by Scottie

You have to laugh at the not passing USA Emission Laws aren't you guys the biggest single reason for Global warming

Leaving the global warming comments aside, North American emissions laws kill the diesel on particulates. That, and the requirement that they still be clean years after initial sale. Particulate traps and similar technologies that require maintenance hang the manufacturer on liability several years down the road.

The diesels that have been sold here in cars (leaving aside pickup trucks and heavier vehicles, which incredibly are not covered by most emissions laws) are the low-tech, underpowered ones that most won't buy in Europe. You have access to the VW 1.9 tdi at something like 90, 95, 105, 110, and 130 hp. We got it at 90 hp, that's it. I had the 130 hp red badge Passat in the UK, and it was fine, FOR A DIESEL. There is no way that it is as refined as a petrol engine. Same for the various rental cars I get every month in the UK. Nice mileage, but drive the two back to back and see the lack of refinement in the diesel. I had a LR Discovery diesel (BMW engine?) that was about as refined as my brother's antique Ferguson tractor. OK, it was the 2.5 litre, not the 3.0, but it was embarrasing on a cold start.

Personally, I hope BMW never brings a diesel to North America. I would much rather see them invest in further generations of DI technology, and possibly the petrol/steam hybrid (co-gen) technology they are working on.

Jeff

[Steffi]

VW's latest 2 lt HDI now produces 170bhp! Not bad for a small 4 cylinder. I think the latest HDI's are very refined and give power where most people drive... the mid range. TD's produce much higher torque than petrol so pull very well in this middle rev range. It is a fact though that the three big Euro car companies have gone the diesel route, whereas the US market has stuck with petrol, more than lickely due to the GM debacle when it thought it could just convert a petrol engine into a diesel and buggered the market for a long time.

Over here the disel is winning the battle. The Japanese and US owned giants have had to play catch up, but have done so quickly. VW does still seem to have the edge though with the two French companies close behind. As for 4X4's, Europe is 95% diesel.

[Scottie]

Originally Posted by JCL

Leaving the global warming comments aside, North American emissions laws kill the diesel on particulates. That, and the requirement that they still be clean years after initial sale. Particulate traps and similar technologies that require maintenance hang the manufacturer on liability several years down the road.

The diesels that have been sold here in cars (leaving aside pickup trucks and heavier vehicles, which incredibly are not covered by most emissions laws) are the low-tech, underpowered ones that most won't buy in Europe. You have access to the VW 1.9 tdi at something like 90, 95, 105, 110, and 130 hp. We got it at 90 hp, that's it. I had the 130 hp red badge Passat in the UK, and it was fine, FOR A DIESEL. There is no way that it is as refined as a petrol engine. Same for the various rental cars I get every month in the UK. Nice mileage, but drive the two back to back and see the lack of refinement in the diesel. I had a LR Discovery diesel (BMW engine?) that was about as refined as my brother's antique Ferguson tractor. OK, it was the 2.5 litre, not the 3.0, but it was embarrasing on a cold start.

Personally, I hope BMW never brings a diesel to North America. I would much rather see them invest in further generations of DI technology, and possibly the petrol/steam hybrid (co-gen) technology they are working on.

Jeff

You pick a very poor example in the od 2.5 diesel discovery that engine is crap and in auto it can't go any where fast for anything like power you need the manual.

The X'er 3.0d is very smooth and refined for a diesel.

I could go through a whole line up of very smooth diesels available here. Obviously the Skoda diesel engine or a Mondeo diesel engine or a peugot Diesel engine is now where in the league of Merc Bmw Audi VW Diesel Engines.

[Scottie]

Originally Posted by Steffi

Fiona, how much is that exhaust? Do you get tail pipes?

It is strange how some US states have a problem with diesel, when you think the average HDI produces 25% less carbon emmissions than its equivelent petrol.

Hi. It was from memory about £270.00 yes you get twin double exit tail pipes

[powers1]

Originally Posted by Brad_p

diesel drivers are not cool , the sound will never be that great as petrol engine

We are very cool!A few of us, also have M3s and F355GTBs!So why do we like to drive the 3.0D so much?Well,you really have to try one to know!the 500nm of torque(easily upgradeable to 600nm++) will bring a smile to your face!

Re the sound ,you obviously never heard one!It has a hardly noticeable clatter at idling (mine doesnt since I have the injector timimg reprogrammed!) but after that its very V8 smooth accompanied by the caracteristic WHOOOSH sound of the turbo!My X5 is frequently mistaken for a petrol version and not just because I have the 4.8 silencers !
It will never sound like my F355 on full throttle but then again not many do?

[Scottie]

Originally Posted by powers1

We are very cool!A few of us, also have M3s and F355GTBs!So why do we like to drive the 3.0D so much?Well,you really have to try one to know!the 500nm of torque(easily upgradeable to 600nm++) will bring a smile to your face!

Re the sound ,you obviously never heard one!It has a hardly noticeable clatter at idling (mine doesnt since I have the injector timimg reprogrammed!) but after that its very V8 smooth accompanied by the caracteristic WHOOOSH sound of the turbo!My X5 is frequently mistaken for a petrol version and not just because I have the 4.8 silencers !
It will never sound like my F355 on full throttle but then again not many do?

Your so right Powers1 and the best bit for pure quality of sound is driving with window down in a NCP while looking for a space.