I agree with what you have said. This BMW X5d really changes the SUV landscape. Sort of a "have your cake and eat it too". Previously, you had to choose between two priorities. Performance OR Economy.

Hybrids deliver the economy (mpg not necessarily value) but this BMW turbodiesel delivers both.

My wife just got a 2010 Lexus RX450h and I can't wait to compare apples to oranges....

Mine did it again today. It doesn't last long and I just left the garage door open for a few minutes and the smell was gone. I wouldn't go out and purchase a fan, just leave the door open for a few minutes and the smell will go away. When it was cold last winter, I just shut the door and went in the house. The smell was gone the next day. My car doesn't run rough when this happens like the manual says.

Craig

I rather appreciate this oddity as a bit of character. Kind of how a Harley motorcycle vibrates at idle. Some look at it as rough but its just part of its character.... Kind of anti-Lexus...

What a great opportunity to compare the strengths and weakness of these two top tier contenders in the clean diesel vs hybrid debate. This could be very interesting :)

Funf Dreisig

Even the Funf Dreisig AG super cool, carbon fiber, black as sin, 10th anniversary, triple-turbo ////M edition with the monster air scoop?

Funf Dreisig

LOL, sure go ahead and get a trade mark and patent while you're at it...

Regards,

Craig

FunfDreisig provided the text from the owner's manual, but here is some more info on the BMW diesel particulate filter.

• It goes into a regenerative mode every 300 to 2000 km, automatically. The engine computer decides when to do the regen cycle based on how hot the vehicle is, how fast and how far you have driven it, etc.
• If it completes the cycle while you are driving it, you may never notice it (apart from the rough running and reduced power)
• When in regenerative mode, the engine management is altered to keep the revs up (like driving in DS). You may notice in manual mode that the vehicle won't go into 6th.
• Fuel management is altered, so the engine may be sensed to be running roughly during the regenerative cycle
• Regenerative mode provides additional restriction to intake air, so power can sometimes be sensed to be down slightly. Throttle response is also reduced, ie it can feel more sluggish
• The regenerative mode burns off the particulates trapped in the DPF. It does this at 600 C. No visible particulate emissions should be there, but the smell will be, as a residual effect of the process
• The smell is described as caramel, possibly slightly burnt. Heavy, sweet, not like raw fuel odour.
• E90 35d owners report that during the regenerative cycle, it is very easy to burn your fingers opening the hood due to the amount of heat retained. If you suspect the vehicle is in a regenerative cycle (which is normal, but perhaps you want to prove it to yourself), touch the airbox under the hood. It will be very hot to the touch. Not sure where the DPF is on the X5, it may be further back in the exhaust.

All part of the joy of BMW diesel ownership. Not sure I would call it a character stamp, perhaps more of an undocumented feature.

I ran into this situation....was almost waiting for it to happen and for my wife to say "WHAT IS THAT?!?!?!". I had the "don't worry dear..." answer.

Thanks all.

When in doubt........blame the dog. Amazing how many situations this fits.

Mine just did this for the first time. We were sitting at a stop light and thought a car was on fire somewhere. It was raining, snowing, and miserable so that must have restricted the air moving around.