Don't know about the import costs but over here you can get a e53 euro spec for $4,000-$6,500 USD and we used to pull the engines out of cars and ship them back stateside as parts in HHG shipments. Back in the day...:dunno:

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^Would love to get an e70 x50d... but have a few more years before that will be legal. :(

There's one for sale on the compound for $13,300 USD Alpine White/Creme Beige

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Oops it's not a D it's a Xd50i

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Legal? Why is that?....and why do I want one now? :eeps:

That whole stupid crap of having the extra tank for the sulfur reduction chemical. It kinda bit VW in the ass since they used programming to make their stuff US qualified. European models don't have them and Germany won't allow that setup. (or vice versa) can't remember exactly.

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Can't import Euro vehicles for 25 years after model year. :(

And you want one because three turbos: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X3BS_SUDY0o

Well technically you can import them on day 2 but they already have to meet US EPA standards before they'll issue the permit. Not sure if shipping as parts (engine, transmission) in separate container from body still works:dunno:

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In Oz we had both the M50d and the 50i available,
and although on paper the 50i was only a few tenths of a second quicker in a standing start to 100km/h, that doesn’t tell the true story-

In the real world, having driven both back to back, the 50i destroys the M50d - especially in passing acceleration at speed; the diesel just can’t rev out and relies on its massive torque, but it’s power just completely falls off a cliff as it nears 5k rpm...

BMW X5 M50d (F15) vs BMW X5 50i xDrive (F15) : Duel 48394864

Certainly believe that. But with a tune it'd be a monster and still deliver respectable gas mileage. The 50i I imagine barely does better than my 4.8is in the mpg dept.