How messy to fill the diesel tank?

[Bigfoot]

8 years ago I bought the 3.0 X5.
4 years ago I traded it for the 4.4 X5.
Now that the diesel engine is finally coming to America, I need to know if it is really as "messy" to fill the tank as they say.
I have read comments in passing indicating you need to wear a glove to refuel a diesel engine. Since the X5 is my daily driver, I need to fill the tank wearing a suit and tie (stupid USA fashion requirements).
I recently test drove the Mercedes ML 320 CDI and was quite impressed with the quiet power and low end grunt provided by the Mercedes Diesel engine. For those who have driven the BMW and Mercedes diesels, are they similar?
Would I regret dealing with the "mess" every time I need to add diesel fuel?

Thanks in advance for your response. It may influence my upcoming decision.

[Quicksilver]

What mess. It's no worse than gasoline.
As long as you don't spill it your fine.

Yes it is stronger than gasoline odor wise
but messy? Not at all.

[jamesboags]

Not that messy... usually truckers use the high flow pumps with a larger nozzle so the pumps are usually pretty clean.. however I keep a pack of wipes in the car to clean my hands after filling if needed.

[JCL]

Some odor, but no worries with a suit (unless you wipe your hands on the suit). As diesel does not evaporate the same as gasoline, residue on the pump nozzle often gets on your hand. Many stations offer disposable gloves; I don't usually use them but last week after filling a diesel Toyota, I did have to wash my hands to get rid of the smell. Depends how much it bothers you.

[X5_Newbie]

Originally Posted by JCL

Some odor, but no worries with a suit (unless you wipe your hands on the suit). As diesel does not evaporate the same as gasoline, residue on the pump nozzle often gets on your hand. Many stations offer disposable gloves; I don't usually use them but last week after filling a diesel Toyota, I did have to wash my hands to get rid of the smell. Depends how much it bothers you.

plus I "learned" Diesel should be more aggressive to the skin in terms of potentially causing cancer - that's another reason to use a glove or a tissue.

[Quicksilver]

I used to always keep a pair of gloves
in the trunk for the expressed purpose
of handling the pump and hose.

[Fastbuck]

I've never had a mess nor felt the need to wash my hands due to diesel odor.

[Naish]

This is really redicilous...

So you think that the mayor part of Europeans are messy

The major part of my working days are also in suit and tie and i need to refill the car then to... It's exactly the same as gasoline and all depends on the cleaness of the pump, but that depends on the station or not...

It is correct that the odour of diesel isn't nice (i like the gasoline smell) but as long as you don't spill, there shouldn't be an issue.

Without considering money or fuel economy I would even prefer an X5 3.0sd over an 4.8i.

[jamesboags]

And you will be filling up less so that is a big benefit of diesel of course !!!

[DEETZ]

get a driver and put him to work