How messy to fill the diesel tank?

[BruinMan]

Originally Posted by Penguin

> Not sure if the X5 Diesel is available in the USA or will pass DOT?

The one being launched in the US this Fall using Blu-tec technology will be and does.

Can you say Beta Tester? Good luck with 1st year production.
I myself always seem to buy new technology and only to find the next years model so much improved. Ha! I have two iPhones. The second one is so much better.

[autoque]

I had a chance to test drive both X5 3.0si and 3.0d. No matter how much diesel engine technology has improved so far, you cannot compare the refinement, smoothness and responsiveness of the gasoline engine with the diesel engine. Diesel is "fine" by itself, but rough idling and coarse sound (all relative to the gasoline counterpart) makes it apparent that it's a diesel engine. Of course, driving a diesel is all about low fuel consumption, and you can't argue with that! And strong torque is a plus.

[Penguin]

> Can you say Beta Tester? Good luck with 1st year production.

It may not be as bad as it typically is with new stuff, as the diesel is not new to BMW or the plant at all, simply the blutec system and emissions modifications.

[soldmystang]

Originally Posted by Penguin

> Can you say Beta Tester? Good luck with 1st year production.

It may not be as bad as it typically is with new stuff, as the diesel is not new to BMW or the plant at all, simply the blutec system and emissions modifications.

unfortunately the emmissions modifications could in fact turn out to be a total nightmare. (see Ford F450 shooting flames from tailpipe)

the larger diesels are using a regeneration mode to burn off build-up. Ford and Chevy are having issues with their respective models.

hopefully this will not be a BMW issue. my understanding of the Blutec system is that it is not entirely the same technology as Ford and Chevy.

emmissions controls have really screwed the American made diesel.

[jimsaq]

I had a chance to test drive both X5 3.0si and 3.0d

Try the 3.0sd - you'll never even see the 3.0d in the US. You absolutely _can_ compare them, and the 3.0sd will blitz the 3.0si every time. You'll forget all about the 3.0si and it'll be the 4.8 that you'll find yourself comparing the 3.0sd to.

The only negative, if you could even call it that, is the idle sound.

[autoque]

Originally Posted by jimsaq

Try the 3.0sd - you'll never even see the 3.0d in the US. You absolutely _can_ compare them, and the 3.0sd will blitz the 3.0si every time. You'll forget all about the 3.0si and it'll be the 4.8 that you'll find yourself comparing the 3.0sd to.

The only negative, if you could even call it that, is the idle sound.

Yeah, I really wanted to testdrive the 3.0sd, only it wasn't available. But I think I know what you mean with regard to the performance of 3.0sd. Even the 3.0d had a strong torque to propel the heavy beast, and I guess 3.0sd is, well, more so, all the while giving super fuel economy.

Still, I think I'd still get the 3.0si though. I guess I just love the free revving nature of petrol engines and their refinement even at the high rpm range. To each his own...

BTW, I think the idle sound of BMW diesel engines might be a little more noticeable than other brands'. Here's an excerpt from Top Gear: Link

"There's also the normal criticism of a BMW diesel, namely that it's not all that quiet at idle - there are less noisy oil burners out there, including the twin-turbos that sit in the 3- and 5-Series and will come to the X5 in late 2007. The X5 is also likely to get a bit greener from that point on, as it will get a few tweaks to drop the CO2 and put it into a lower tax band.
But, to be honest, this engine isn't the stand-out feature of this car. It's the chassis that really marks it out..."

[jimsaq]

That article is a couple of years old now and was referring to the 3.0d and even admits that the twin turbo variant (3.0sd) is quieter.

If you're a US resident, it's almost pointless talking about the 3.0d when making comparisons because you won't get it on the market there - you'll get the latest, quietest version of the 3.0sd.

The 3.0sd isn't noisier than other brands in my opinion. I test drove the diesel ML/G 280/320 and the Audi Q7 3.0tdi before I settled on the X5. But, you can definitely still tell it's a diesel at idle I won't argue that. But gee it sounds nice when you give it some boot

[autoque]

I was talking about the 3.0d in terms of the noise, not the 3.0sd, which I'm sure is quieter as the article suggests.

BTW, what did you think of the Audi Q7 3.0tdi? When I was shopping for mine, I also thought about the Q7 3.0tdi, but was concerned that it might be underpowered even with the diesel engine, 'cause of the massive weight of the Q7. I have no regret, but time to time, I sort of wonder what it could've been, you know that feeling? The ride must've been more comfortable though. Oh, and I'm not a US resident.

[soldmystang]

i have an F-350 6.0 Superduty. the noise is good for your soul. if you fear it, then i say you got no stomach for it. stick with cars old top.

[jimsaq]

autoque I thought exactly the same thing as you just said about the Q7. I prefer the look of the Q7's a little over the X5's but it just wasn't a 'driving' car and it also felt a little too cheap on the inside for the money, I thought. That and the fact that I knew they were going to release a 4.2 V8 turbo diesel in the next 12 months or so sealed the deal for me There's no way I wanted to buy their 3.0 knowing a better diesel was just around the corner. Few days later BMW called up and said "hey you know that new diesel X5 we told you about? We just got the bulletin and are taking orders"

As for the diesel being messy (back on topic!) it's not an issue for me, I've driven diesels for years and use both the high-flow truck pump on my nissan patrol and the regular pump on my X5. The truck one is obviously a bit messier but the normal one is usually easy to use without needing to wipe your hands.