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  #1  
Old 08-02-2012, 04:04 PM
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Diesel vs. gas e70

I figured I would end up purchasing an X5 with a conventional gas engine. However, I am now considering getting a 35d. My knowledge of diesel engines is limited at best, so is there anything I need to be aware of before going the diesel route with regards to reliability or maintenance? Do they require more maintenance? Are there major components associated with diesel engines that make them more expensive to repair or require more frequent repairs? I know finding a gas station with diesel may be harder depending on location, but am I overlooking anything when I am comparing a diesel to a regual gas X5?

Compared to the 30i, the 35d has HUGE torque figures and a much better range per tank, which seems very nice.
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  #2  
Old 08-02-2012, 04:16 PM
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I stayed away from the turbo and especially the diesel because of the long-term unknown of it--not enough data yet to support it (I keep my cars 7-10 years). And though I don't have actual numbers, it seems there are more issues/recalls on the X5 diesel just from people's posts on here (and yes, I know, a message board isn't a statistical sample size). My $.02.
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Old 08-02-2012, 05:25 PM
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Pay attention to the noise. My 35d is the noisiest clean diesel I've driven. Other than that my experience with diesels in general has all been good, BTW: turbo diesels have been around forever and IMO they are no less reliable than the non turbo kind. The torque at low rpm is addictive - all that grunt available over a wide range of engine speeds . . . priceless!

If you decide to get a diesel my advice would be to get it now before the new model starts production. This one is free of most if not all bugs by now and it has a super proven engine and tranny combo. From the spy photos I've seen of the new model this one looks much better too
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Old 08-02-2012, 08:08 PM
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I love my X5 35D. I think the engine is quiet. Compare it to a Ford pickup diesel.
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Old 08-02-2012, 08:21 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 1HOT BMR View Post
BTW: turbo diesels have been around forever and IMO they are no less reliable than the non turbo kind.
Turbo diesels have been around forever---but not on an X5. Only time will tell if THIS engine, with turbo and with this diesel will be reliable. There is simply no data yet because it is too new.
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Old 08-02-2012, 09:20 PM
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Seth, strictly fwiw, I actually got to drive one at the hillbillyheaven snarky dlr a couple weeks ago...that would be Asheville BMW, so full of themselves all the staff must be 'anchored' like helium balloons or else they will float to the ceiling...I digress.

I got to drive one about 10 miles with a sales idiot, (sales advisor, ), and I liked it a lot. Not esp an E70 fan, driving wise, but this was a cool car, and I wish they had a diesel of some kind(s) across more X series.

Would I buy one soon? NFW...pricey for my retired budget and our '01 runs fine. But, it is an interesting 'pkg', and while under warranty, it might fill the bill for many people.
My 10Cts of a not nearly 50Cts opin.
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Old 08-02-2012, 09:27 PM
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The E53 X5 was available with a 3.0 turbo diesel in other markets (as was just about every other BMW model). While the twin-turbo setup in the US-market E70 and E90 is a few years old, it, too, is under the hood of other BMW models in other markets. Bottom line is that the technology is a very well proven; one would hardly be a guinea pig with an X5 35d.

The 35d may be quiet compared to an American pick-up, but compared to my 2006 MB CDI, the diesel clatter is VERY loud (not that I mind).
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Old 08-02-2012, 09:53 PM
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Thanks for all your replies. I will pay attention for the diesel "clatter" when I drive it. I am actually looking at a 2010 model with 3.5 years and 55,000 miles left on the certified pre-owned warranty, so I feel fairly comfortable with that protection. Although this particular X5 would have a warranty, I still want to be aware of any common issues or diesel specific quirks.

Just so I know what to expect when I test drive it, are we talking cut the engine off at drive thru clatter (aka Ford F250 diesels) or just louder than a normal BMW engine clatter? I am assuming the latter.
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Old 08-02-2012, 10:16 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by FSETH View Post
Just so I know what to expect when I test drive it, are we talking cut the engine off at drive thru clatter (aka Ford F250 diesels) or just louder than a normal BMW engine clatter? I am assuming the latter.
It is super quiet for a diesel, any diesel . . but, the new clean diesels like BMW, Mercedes, Audi and VW are selling now are quiet to start with. The BMW as implemented on the X5 is the loudest of the lot - but still quiet. Ford F250s and the rest of the "common" diesels are much louder. BTW, this 35d is loud only for a moment when accelerating from a stop - once you are on the highway it will not be any louder than a gasoline engine.
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Old 08-02-2012, 10:20 PM
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I drove both 2008 4.8 for 35K miles, and now 32K on 2011 3.5d. I love D's fuel economy and range, and while I agree that diesel is not as easily available, I've never had a problem finding filling station (I start looking for one when 1/4 of tank, to be on safe side). On highways most stations have diesel, since they need to tend to trucks and buses. In cities, experience could be different (I suggest you survey your area and see how far is closest station).

From reliability point of view, I'd say all bimmers are more or less the same, so it is a crap shoot. While diesel engine itself has lesser number of parts, there are other emission "accessories" bolted on top of it, so perhaps total number of parts is about the same with a gaser, give or take (and think of reliability is something reverse-proportional to number of parts, simpler design typically lasts longer).

In general diesel core engines are built "tougher", as compression ratio is much higher, so they need to withstand some extra abuse. But then D engines are used in buses and 18-wheelers, and I presume they last forever there if maintained.

In my 2 years/32K on 35d, I only had minor issues with emission component (EGR valve), which didnt get me stranded (just a CEL). On 2008, on the other hand, I had problems with battery discharge (I think it was more or less fixed on 2010+ models), and driver's door latching mechanism - door would not latch in very low temps. As you can see, problems werent related to engine type at all...

Quite frankly, I visit this bboard a lot, see many complaints about "problem here and problem there", but no trends correlated to type of engine. It is usually other things around it that break!

Hope this helps.
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