2008 Detroit Auto Show: 2008 Diesel BMW X5 xDrive35d, 335d

• Competes with: Mercedes-Benz M320 Bluetec, E320 Bluetec
• Looks like: Identical to the X5 and 335, besides what’s under the hood
• Drivetrain: 265 horsepower, 3.0-liter inline six-cylinder
• Hits dealerships: Late 2008

It seems luxury automakers are hopping on the diesel bandwagon long before everyone else. Instead of affordable, high-mileage diesel engines showing up in high-volume models, BMW — like Mercedes before it — is bringing clean diesel to two of its most popular models.

Both the X5 and 3 Series will get a 265 horsepower, 425 pounds-feet-of-torque six-cylinder diesel engine capable of 0-62 mpg in 6.2 seconds. That’s accompanied by a fuel economy of 23/33 mpg city/highway. We like all that torque, but most Americans are looking to diesels for savings at the pump. A gasoline powered 335i gets 17/26 mpg in comparison. That’s roughly 30% better, but the numbers still won’t impress too many greenies. To be fair, a Mercedes E320 Bluetec gets 23/32 mpg. And BMW’s tagline for the effort is “The world’s most sporting inline-six diesel,” so they’re obviously aiming at those torque fans.

For those who remember the old-fashioned diesels of the 1970s and 1980s, BMW delivers this bit about how clean the new diesels are: They’ll emit just 1% of the particulates of a 1983 BMW diesel model. They also meet the most stringent pollution laws, like those in California.

We’ll have more on the two models at the Detroit auto show in two weeks.

Comments

Excellent, but me thinks the 3 series could use a smaller diesel for improving the mileage offered by the larger diesel that BMW plans on marketing.

BMW have plenty of smaller diesel engines, but it makes sense to go for the high end to start with, to avoid the inevitable "it's too slow" comments if they started with a smaller one and worked their way up.

One point that is rarely mentioned in these types of articles is that diesel fuel (at least here in the Chicago suburbs) is averaging about $3.75 a gallon vs. about $3.10 a gallon for regular 87 octane ($3.30 for 91 octane).

So while the diesel's comparable MPG is about 30% better as noted in the story you are paying about 65 cents a gallon more for that added efficency (or 45 cents if compared to premium gas).

So I would not get too excited one way or the other as net fuel costs will not be that much lower, plus you have to worry about the station you are stopping at even having a diesel pump. Factor in the likely premium cost for this model vs. a like compared gas powered X5/335 and I just don't see the big advatange (other then a crazy amount of torque I guess - but I still would prefer the peak top end power curve of the gas 3.0 engine which is one of the best V6's in the class IMHO).

While I agree with you in part, Jack, the diesel still has nice advantages. If we're dealing with identical tank sizes (16 gal for ex.), it'll cost $52.80 to fill a 335i petrol at Chicago rates of $3.30. Where as with a 335d, $60 at $3.75 per. Only a 7.20 cost difference. However, the mileage difference is about 112mi using the 16gal example, in favor of the diesel. That cost, in petrol to cover 4.3 gallons to cover 112mi, or $14.21. Total petrol cost to match the mileage of the diesel= $67.01 (+$7.01). If you have a 20 mile commute to work roundtrip, the diesel could save up to an extra 3-4 days of driving, or better.

Now, it's all theoretical based on driving styles and tank size. But the diesel's life-span will probably far exceed the petrol's. My aunt bought a then new '86 524td and had it until 2004 and 510k+ miles. It was a champ to the end!

I say bring on the diesel! :).

Which other 5000+lb vehicle can get 25mpg Highway while producing 425 lb-ft of torque?

This Diesel is not purely about fuel economy and it shouldnt be either. BMW is first and foremost, a performance/luxury brand, and this powerful diesel engine is ideal for its target market. Penny pinchers dont buy BMWs, they buy Toyotas.

Assuming the X5D comes in around $2-3k more than its 6-cyl Gasoline counterpart, i think it clearly offers the better deal. For a little bit more money upfront you're getting an additional...
200 lb-ft !!! (425 vs 225)
5 bhp (265 vs 260)
10% better mpg (19/25 vs 17/23)

According to BMW, The new diesel engine weighs only about 150 lbs more than the Gasoline Inline-6 (228kg vs 161kg), so the overall weight penalty of the Diesel X5 should be about 200 lbs over the Gasoline X5, which is not be too bad either.

Now consider the fact that this Diesel engine is about as quiet and as environmentally clean as the Gasoline counterpart, and BMW has a real winner on their hands.

Bravo to BMW for bringing over the PERFORMANCE diesel rather than the weaker, more fuel efficient diesels they have in Europe.