Thursday 18th August 2011

BMW Diesel M Car Confirmed (Almost)

M-tuned 5-series diesel looks to be a 'racing cert'

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BMW seems almost certain to introduce an M-tweaked 5-series diesel within the next 12 months - possibly as soon as the Geneva motor show in March next year.

As we reported last week, there have been whispers for a while that BMW's new tri-turbo 3.0-litre straight-six diesel will be dropped into an M-treated 5-series.

Now, BMW's global marketing manager for M cars, Brian Watts, has all-but-confirmed the car's existence, telling The Detroit Bureau that the project is 'under consideration' but hasn't been confirmed.

That sounds to us like marketing-speak for 'yes, it's coming, but we're not ready to tell you about it yet'.

As for the nitty-gritty of the car, while nothing's confirmed there, we expect a power output in the region of 400bhp, with torque of up to 650lb ft.

This heavy torque output could mean that BMW plumps for four-wheel drive, a theory that is backed up by the M550dX moniker spotted in our previous story.

It's also unlikely to be a 'full-on' M car; BMW knows its market and won't risk compromising the perceived purity of the brand, so expect this to be a halfway-house between a full-on M model and an M Sport spec. And M car purists shouldn't worry too much either - the V8 petrol-powered M5 is still on its way...

So, a four-wheel-drive diesel M car, eh? Sacrilege or a step forward? We'll let you decide that one (and we suspect you'll have a lot to say about it)...

[Mermaid]

It was a question of when, not if.....

I suppose this will be like a chipped 535dM.

[StottyZr]

Step forward in my eyes. It may not seem right, but BMW have to change with the times or they'll get left behind.

[Laird]

Had to happen I guess.

I've only seen one petrol F10 since they were launched and that was a JRG 550i SE strangely. Every other new 5er has been a 520d.

The times they are a changing.

[Maldini35]

It might not be a real M car but I bet it'll be a bloody good one.

[minicab]

Put that in the estate version, and you have yourself the perfect vehicle for blasts to winter ski resorts....

Estate for luggage - tick
Four wheel drive - tick
Diesel for economy - tick
Chassis for mountain roads - tick
Enough oomph for overtaking - tick

[bigtrev200]

You can't argue with 650lb ft!

[Zwoelf]

Mermaid said:

It was a question of when, not if.....

Basically that. They once said M cars would never use forced induction, four wheel drive or automatic transmissions. They do now. It's progress and what the market seems to want.

(By "the market", I'm referring to the people who actually buy these things new, rather than the armchair enthusiast pining for outmoded technology)

[thinfourth2]

Considering M cars started off as handbuilt speacials, then moved to main assembly line, the birth of M-sport badges, the X5M is it really a surprise a diesel has turned up?

[oola]

minicab said:

Put that in the estate version, and you have yourself the perfect vehicle for blasts to winter ski resorts....

Estate for luggage - tick
Four wheel drive - tick
Diesel for economy - tick
Chassis for mountain roads - tick
Enough oomph for overtaking - tick

Agreed. The only car you'll ever need.

[kambites]

I cringe whenever someone says something wont be a "real M-car". It makes no sense, the brand has constantly evolved from a genuine motorsport division to what is essentially just the top of the range version of each model that BMW sell. To me, this is a completely logical next step for the brand.

[Zod]

650 lb-ft of torque? If that's true it could tempt me into a diesel X5 next time. I thought the 450 lb-ft in mine with 400 bhp was a lot.

[Zwoelf]

thinfourth2 said:

the birth of M-sport badges

Minor point, but the M-tech/Sport/M Sport brand has been around as long M cars have been built - actually other than the M1, about 5 years longer than the birth of M3 or M5.

[forzaminardi]

Sounds excellent to me. Maybe not quite the purity that M-cars stand for (supposedly) but then it's not going to be a pure M-car if the assumptions are right. Assuming they get it right it'll be a winner.

[Riggers]

doogz said:

Touring model please?

Have a look at the blue-circled bit in the list pictured in the article. Says F11, which means Touring, so I think you get your wish.

[911tur8o]

I would definitely buy one, 650lb ft of mid range grunt will be something else!

[Quacker]

kambites said:

I cringe whenever someone says something wont be a "real M-car". It makes no sense, the brand has constantly evolved from a genuine motorsport division to what is essentially just the top of the range version of each model that BMW sell. To me, this is a completely logical next step for the brand.

This. All over.

[Mr Whippy]

Laird said:

Had to happen I guess.

I've only seen one petrol F10 since they were launched and that was a JRG 550i SE strangely. Every other new 5er has been a 520d.

The times they are a changing.

Is it more to do with company car tax rules than anything, and what companies will offer their drivers?

What if the tax rules change?

I'm sure plenty would prefer a 530d or something, but they get screwed on co car tax, which is the real deterrent.

Come resale of the stock, I bet 530d's would retain more value for feeding into the 2nd hand private market, than base spec 520d's too.


Not saying you are wrong. Times are changing, but it's the tax strategy forcing the changes. I'm sure most people would actually pay a bit more on fuel to have a nicer car, but not more on fuel AND more on co car tax etc.

Dave

[Laird]

Mr Whippy said:

Laird said:

Had to happen I guess.

I've only seen one petrol F10 since they were launched and that was a JRG 550i SE strangely. Every other new 5er has been a 520d.

The times they are a changing.

Is it more to do with company car tax rules than anything, and what companies will offer their drivers?

What if the tax rules change?

I'm sure plenty would prefer a 530d or something, but they get screwed on co car tax, which is the real deterrent.

Come resale of the stock, I bet 530d's would retain more value for feeding into the 2nd hand private market, than base spec 520d's too.


Not saying you are wrong. Times are changing, but it's the tax strategy forcing the changes. I'm sure most people would actually pay a bit more on fuel to have a nicer car, but not more on fuel AND more on co car tax etc.

Dave

I don't recall mentioning that this was a personal choice from the drivers of such cars

[drewbagz]

bigtrev200 said:

You can't argue with 650lb ft!

That's enough to take TWO fat americans up a steep hill!

[soad]

Mermaid said:

It was a question of when, not if.....

Very true