Diesel popularity in the U.K.

[Penguin]

"Since it was introduced to the UK in 2000, BMW has sold 62,872 X5s, with diesel-powered versions accounting for approximately 95 per cent of sales."

Coventry Telegraph - Lifestyle - Motoring - X5 edition to mark big day

[XXX555]

Originally Posted by Penguin

"Since it was introduced to the UK in 2000, BMW has sold 62,872 X5s, with diesel-powered versions accounting for approximately 95 per cent of sales."

Coventry Telegraph - Lifestyle - Motoring - X5 edition to mark big day

I never would have guessed 95%.

[Edge647]

That's amazing - quite the trend.

However seems like the Diesel in gain popularity in NA as well - look at everyone waiting for their 35d!

[AzNMpower32]

In Europe, you'd have to be an idiot to buy the 4.8i when there's the 3.0sd available. The 3.0d is a better alternative to the 3.0si. So why buy a petrol?

[XXX555]

Originally Posted by Edge647

That's amazing - quite the trend.

However seems like the Diesel in gain popularity in NA as well - look at everyone waiting for their 35d!

That $4500 ecoCredit plus the $1800 Fed. Tax credit does not hurt the trend. Once removed, if it does not continue get ready to bend over when you try to sell your x5d in a few years, sadly.

[Penguin]

Originally Posted by XXX555

if it does not continue get ready to bend over when you try to sell your x5d in a few years, sadly.

I thought that historically diesel models have had great resale values, except for those Oldsmobile/GM converts in the early 1980's.

[XXX555]

Originally Posted by Penguin

I thought that historically diesel models have had great resale values, except for those Oldsmobile/GM converts in the early 1980's.

Obviously, I hope you are correct. However, those diesel Merc's were not as popular as their gas counterparts back then.

Its all supply and demand. We are clearly a niche of folks ordering diesel with a big green and torque push currently in the media (tv and mags) and the credit/tax $. If the electric hybrid thing is the most current niche (pun intended) in 4 or 5 years and diesels don't sell well by that time, we may have dino's to trade.

Also, KBB and the Blackbook won't forget to factor in these fat credit$ come trade in time...

[FunfDreisig]

Originally Posted by XXX555

That $4500 ecoCredit plus the $1800 Fed. Tax credit does not hurt the trend. Once removed, if it does not continue get ready to bend over when you try to sell your x5d in a few years, sadly.

For those of us who don't plan to sell our 35d "in a few years" or even in a decade. The popularity of the 35d in the resale market is really a moot point unless our 35d is totaled. Predicting resale 10 yrs down the road is a pretty tricky. The E53 4.4i was wildly popular when it first came out. Then its lack of reliability became widely know (e.g. Consumer Reports) and resale values dropped like a rock. I know because I recently "sold" one in fantastic condition to our insurance company.

FWIW I didn't even consider the resale value of our 35d when selecting it or even while selecting colors, packages, options, etc. Since we keep vehicles 10+yrs, getting it right for US was our top priority.

I am much more worried that the wacky un-resloved electrical issue, that has left several folks stranded with an X5 that was running fine one day and a dead battery the next, will make our X5 too unreliable to keep. BTW this issue does not seem to be restricted to diesels.

Funf Dreisig

[XXX555]

Originally Posted by FunfDreisig

For those of us who don't plan to sell our 35d "in a few years" or even in a decade. The popularity of the 35d in the resale market is really a moot point unless our 35d is totaled. Predicting resale 10 yrs down the road is a pretty tricky. The E53 4.4i was wildly popular when it first came out. Then its lack of reliability became widely know (e.g. Consumer Reports) and resale values dropped like a rock. I know because I recently "sold" one in fantastic condition to our insurance company.

FWIW I didn't even consider the resale value of our 35d when selecting it or even while selecting colors, packages, options, etc. Since we keep vehicles 10+yrs, getting it right for US was our top priority.

I am much more worried that the wacky un-resloved electrical issue, that has left several folks stranded with an X5 that was running fine one day and a dead battery the next, will make our X5 too unreliable to keep. BTW this issue does not seem to be restricted to diesels.

Funf Dreisig

Keeping the vehicle 10+ years would make resale value moot but keeping a vehicle that long is in the extreme for the great majority in the US. I buy every car thinking I'll keep it for 5 or more years but...

[Penguin]

Originally Posted by XXX555

Keeping the vehicle 10+ years would make resale value moot but keeping a vehicle that long is in the extreme for the great majority in the US. I buy every car thinking I'll keep it for 5 or more years but...

True... but for some of us, it is routine. As mentioned earlier, I still have my 1992 Ford Explorer with a bit less than 200,000 miles. I plan to keep the X5 at least ten years; however, I'm thinking its reliability and maintenance cost may stop me from doing this, particularly the Auto Transmission, which has a reputation for not uncommon failure at less than 100,000 miles.

I have my fingers crossed, but I doubt my new X5 will be anywhere near the reliability of a Ford.