X5 35d -- serious tow vehicle w/ a split personality?

[JCL]

Thanks for the comments. My experience was that I had no effective retarding force with my Passat 1.9 TDI and manual transmission, or my Landrover Discovery TD5, when compared to their gasoline-powered equivalents.

I agree that a 5000 lb trailer with functioning brakes is not an issue behind an X5, diesel or gasoline. It is just that as I live in the mountains, and often see Dodge, Ford, or GM diesel pickups pulling large loads equipped with some form of aftermarket engine brake to avoid brake overheating, that I would hesitate to call the X5d the ultimate tow vehicle. At reasonable loads I am sure it will be great.

[Fraser]

Originally Posted by JCL

Thanks for the comments. My experience was that I had no effective retarding force with my Passat 1.9 TDI and manual transmission, or my Landrover Discovery TD5, when compared to their gasoline-powered equivalents.

I agree that a 5000 lb trailer with functioning brakes is not an issue behind an X5, diesel or gasoline. It is just that as I live in the mountains, and often see Dodge, Ford, or GM diesel pickups pulling large loads equipped with some form of aftermarket engine brake to avoid brake overheating, that I would hesitate to call the X5d the ultimate tow vehicle. At reasonable loads I am sure it will be great.

If the X5 35d isn't the ultimate BMW tow vehicle, any suggestions what it might be?

[vinuneuro]

These days they do because of EGR. On-highway engines too.

Originally Posted by JCL

There is an interesting question on the suitability of the 35d for towing, as diesels by design generally don't develop much retarding force due to the fact that the throttle is always wide open

[JCL]

Originally Posted by Fraser

If the X5 35d isn't the ultimate BMW tow vehicle, any suggestions what it might be?

Not sure how to interpret your question. Are you asking what the 35d is, or what is the ultimate BMW tow vehicle?

I think the 35d is a the ultimate diesel X5 for now. I think the rumoured triple turbo 354 hp diesel will outpull it. It isn't planned for North America, but it should be very popular in Europe and other geographies.

I think the ultimate BMW tow vehicle would be a gasoline powered twin turbo X5, such as the X5M. It has an electric swivel tow hitch, as an example, and lots of low end torque. Fuel cost would be higher, naturally.

[Fraser]

Originally Posted by JCL

Not sure how to interpret your question. Are you asking what the 35d is, or what is the ultimate BMW tow vehicle?

I think the 35d is a the ultimate diesel X5 for now. I think the rumoured triple turbo 354 hp diesel will outpull it. It isn't planned for North America, but it should be very popular in Europe and other geographies.

I think the ultimate BMW tow vehicle would be a gasoline powered twin turbo X5, such as the X5M. It has an electric swivel tow hitch, as an example, and lots of low end torque. Fuel cost would be higher, naturally.

Sorry, the question was ambiguous. That's what you get when you post after one too many of Mr. Heineken's finest! What I meant to ask was what you considered to be BMW's best tow vehicle, which you have answered.

It would be interesting to see what sort of consumption the X5M would get when towing, as that would be the make or break issue for me. The consumption of the atmo V8s (4.4 or 4.8) can blow right out when towing big loads (2500kg+) whereas the turbo diesels (30d or 35d) don't suffer anywhere near the same percentage increases.

[FunfDreisig]

Originally Posted by Fraser

...The consumption of the atmo V8s (4.4 or 4.8) can blow right out when towing big loads (2500kg+) whereas the turbo diesels (30d or 35d) don't suffer anywhere near the same percentage increases.

I was always amazed at how much lower the gas mileage on our lately departed 2001 X5 4.4i was, when towing an EMPTY 5x9' trailer w/ solid 2ft sides. I always put it down to the windage on the front of the trailer. But I never really did know for sure what caused the drop from the low 20s mpg to under 17 mpg when towing an empty 5x9' trailer at Intertsate speeds limits (e.g. 70mph) on fairly level roads. FWIW fully covering the trailer or removing the tail gate made no measureable difference When loaded it would drop below 15 mpg.

Funf Dreisig

[Fraser]

Originally Posted by FunfDreisig

I was always amazed at how much lower the gas mileage on our lately departed 2001 X5 4.4i was, when towing an EMPTY 5x9' trailer w/ solid 2ft sides. I always put it down to the windage on the front of the trailer. But I never really did know for sure what caused the drop from the low 20s mpg to under 17 mpg when towing an empty 5x9' trailer at Intertsate speeds limits (e.g. 70mph) on fairly level roads. FWIW fully covering the trailer or removing the tail gate made no measureable difference When loaded it would drop below 15 mpg.

Funf Dreisig

You would have to assume that it would come down to extra aerodynamic drag rather than the extra rolling resistance which shouldn't be all that much for an unladen trailer at constant speeds on "fairly level roads". Even at 70mph aerodynamics are very important.

[FunfDreisig]

Originally Posted by Fraser

You would have to assume that it would come down to extra aerodynamic drag rather than the extra rolling resistance ...

Agreed. When you look a the back of the X5 with a trailer attached, it looks like the efficient shape of the rear of the X5 probably concentrates/dumps most of the air flowing around and over the X5 onto the front of the trailer. Depending on the tongue length, the front of the trailer may be at (or near) the area of maximum trailing turbulence. Of course, my utility trailer (a 5x9x2' box on wheels) is not very aerodynamic. So its a little hard to tell which is the biggest culprit.

Funf Dreisig

[Meiac09]

Whoever suggested a ML320 should be shot. You have to floor that thing to get out of the parking lot. What a piece, he had to move the car to a less busy road before I could even drive it.

IMO, that would make an excellent tow car. I can't tell from experience, we are on backorder to get our E53 a hitch (which means it will have a short lifespan or become a highway beater). However, we towed our 1930 Ford Model A with our V6 Touareg all the time. If you want something cheaper than the X, look into the new V6 TDI, but if you can spend the dough, go for the E70

[vinuneuro]

Check with BMW of Bloomfield. They have a bunch of hithces on ebay.