2011 X5 Diesel
 

Hello

Am thinking of moving up from a 2004 X5 3.0 to possible 2011 X5 Diesel
what is the thoughts on the BMW 35d and the Diesel X5 in General ?

thank you
Jim

You should really just do a search. There are tons of discussions on the 35d that you can learn from.

Basically, people who buy diesels generally like them.

They won't save you money vs a 35i, due to their lower reliability and extensive issues with carbon build up and emissions failures. Most diesel owners exaggerate their fuel economy results, they are real world about 10-20% better than the 35i. The 35i is faster and quieter and has more hp. The 35i is really the low cost option on an x5. Generally I'd say the diesel and the v8s are equally as expensive to maintain. There are lots of mods for all x5 engines, and most of the emissions problems can be fixed by modding, if you live in a non emissions checking area.

I own a diesel, and like it. But it's had extensive problems with the emissions and after spending a lot to remove them, it's finally reliable for a BMW. Some people are lucky, but hey not every 48i has bad valve stem seals and a valley coolant leak right?

With that said, I never bought another diesel after this one, thought about one for my x5, but opted for a gasoline v8 which has been more reliable than my diesel. Both 48i and x5m have had fewer engine issues than my 335d. But I love my 335d and drive it frequently

2011 X5 Diesel
 

Hi everyone,
First post here, I have had my 2009 x5 35d for 2 years now, previously had a 4.8i, was a nice car to drive, but the diesel has the m sport pack and feels like a much chassis. Fuel consumption is good, 38mpg cruising on a flat road (actually, no exaggeration) but city driving 20mpg roughly and a heavy foot will still use a lot of fuel. If I remember correctly The N57 diesel engine was released in 2010, there may be some issues there, search around. Also depending on your budget and if you want more power, I believe the 40d was out in 2011 and the M50d in 2012. They could go by a different name in the U.S.

I had a 2012 CPO X5D. After 3 months of ownership and 900 trips to BMW it finally decided to put itself out of its own misery and caught fire. It was a blast to drive when it ran properly.

haha, I feel your pain. My diesel spent more time in the shop than out of the shop. My family was always interested in what loaner I would have next. I used to joke the SES light was the car indicator that I've driven too far from the BMW service bay.

Seriously though in the 1st year of ownership (I bought it used and under warranty), I only had it out of the shop for maybe 12 weeks. I want through CBU, multiple EGR (5x) valves, (4x) EGR coolers, 2x diff pressure sensors, 4x nox sensors, 5x exhaust pressure sensors, vacuum hoses, 5x MAF sensors, SCR catlyst, DEF tank, DPF, haha, in less than 45K miles. Now it needs a vibration damper, just replaced the battery, diff whine.

But it is my unicorn (e90 diesel) and in spite of its total lack of emissions reliability I still like it. But that is why I went GAS for my next vehicles. Now I've spent several thousand tuning and removing the emissions equipment. P.S. most of these reliability issues were never solved by the factor other than extreme CBU. DEF tanks are a 50K service item typically. That is why I say you wont save money on a diesel compared to the 35.i

maybe it's just me but it seems there is possibly more pain and suffering to be had as a first owner who steps into the unknown with a low mileage car. where as someone who buys a car with say 150k miles and in good condition is buying a tried and tested vehicle that already had a lot of the kinks worked out by some poor soul who had to put in all the time and effort taking it into the dealer.

ultimately maybe it's not the v6 gas or the Diesel or the V8 that one has to worry about but whether that car has had a service history of nothing but problems.

I bought mine 2012 35D with 28k miles and according to the service records it has had a few short trips to the dealer. I put 40k+ more miles in 2 years and I have had some intermittent issues here and there, nothing that had stopped the car from running. Now with the tune it is equal or slightly faster than 50i, but still gets 20 mpg mixed with my super aggressive driving. I drove 50i for a month last year and i get 12-14 mpg at best. YMMV ;)