Diesel Value

[Lubehead]

I'm on my 2nd X5 which is a '10 35d, the first being an '08 gas job. At 123,000 miles, I have decided to sell it. It has been very good with no repairs required between 50k miles until 107k except rear air spring replacement. Brake rotors and pads were replaced at 80k miles as well as complete transmission/rear end/transfer case fluid change at 75k but those are maintenance tasks.

At 107k miles, the EGR cooler and a valve required replacement within 2 weeks of a failed # 5 injector (which is a common issue). Now at 123k miles, the NOX sensors required replacing and 2 days later the glow plug control module needs replacing. It is now in the shop and although I don't know the final tally on this job, over $5,000 will have been spent since the 107,000 mile mark.

My goal was to get to 150,000 miles, but I realized I have been here before, and I should listen to the warnings. My 1992 MB 300SD developed a problem ( albeit at 190k) that simply could not be diagnosed, and my 2003 GMC Duramax developed an issue that could not be resolved at 117k. Although I am obviously a diesel die hard, this situation with my present vehicle is making me question the overall cost effectiveness of diesel ownership. While I cannot deny the great mileage and torque diesels provide along with my favorite benefit, that being the substantially reduced fuel stops, the dollar savings in fuel have been negated by the costs incurred since the 107,000 mile mark.

In retrospect, I should have sent her down the road at 100k and called it a day. I am now on the verge of ordering another X535d and am trying to come to grips with my decision. I am hooked on the torque, great towing capacity and of course super efficient fuel use, but any thought that the diesel is in fact a long term cost effective solution to the high mileage user has been put to rest as a myth in my opinion. I am now thinking ( and I hate to admit this because it goes against my grain), that the "smart" 35d buyer gets rid of it somewhere between 50 and 100k miles. This of course is exactly as BMW would have it and that rubs me wrong as well.

I am trying to have an open mind and have decided to look at other vehicles as well ( a Cayenne diesel?/), but my confidence of owning modern clean diesels cost effectively well into the 200k range just isn't there. That "truth" calls into question my love for driving vehicles like the X and makes me wonder why in the heck I can't be satisfied with a Subaru or Honda.

There is no question here, simply a sharing of my situation. Fortunately, I can purchase another X, but the financial manager asks why?? I know it's not about the money, but at some point one has to look hard at the reasons why we are driven to drive these cars.