Is diesel dead - BMW X5 M50D

[thebullettrain]

I need a larger family hack. I was originally looking at the m50i variant but the v8 4.4 got a lot of bad press. So I started looking at straight sixes instead.

They aren’t many suitable 6 cylinder 3 litre engines. So this has got to me a X5 M50D. It’s the 3 litre, quad turbo diesel.

The car itself is 2 years old and expensive. I do like it, but am concerned about buying a large expensive engine/car (this would work for a large petrol too).

However, the bigger question is whether diesels will become even more outdated and I’ll be stuck with an impressive but undrivable car, thoughts?

[Baldchap]

Diesel isn't going anywhere soon. Virtually every van and truck is diesel.

It might be a bit unfashionable these days, but to get rid of it would basically destroy the economy.

[2ZZ Top]

In a car that size, it's the only sensible choice.

Have you considered the last of the Cayenne V8 Diesels? 2016-2017 cars are Euro 6, and have monster torque. I don't know what I'd swap mine for, it's brilliant. A bit more dated than the X5, but still a lovely interior, and did I mention the torque?

Compare warranties too. Porsche warranty is bombproof, BMW warranty is a waste of the paper it's written on.


EDIT: Actually, forget that recommendation. You've got me looking at X5 M50Ds now to replace the Cayenne! Newer, bigger boot, not that far behind on torque, ZF box...

Edited by 2ZZ Top on Monday 27th June 11:19

[SeekerOfTruthAndPies]

For anything of this size, I would agree that diesel is the sensible choice.

The only thing I can forsee in the immediate future is the possibility of more towns and cities introducing congestion/emission zone charging for diesel vehicles.

[kiethton]

Why not look at the 45e - we've got one on order but they're the best of both worlds (provided you do mixed driving, not all motorway and have somewhere to charge it overnight)

[swamp]

With fuel prices currently around the £2 mark and not likely to fall, diesel cars like this make a lot of sense (over their petrol variants).

And don't worry about emissions restrictions: it's a Euro 6. You may have to pay 50p an hour extra to park in Islington, but that's it.

Edited by swamp on Monday 27th June 10:15

[thebullettrain]

kiethton said:

Why not look at the 45e - we've got one on order but they're the best of both worlds (provided you do mixed driving, not all motorway and have somewhere to charge it overnight)

They are10k over budget

[Vixpy1]

the 40i is all the car you ever need

[raspy]

It all depends WHERE you are driving the X5 M50D. If it's mostly urban use, you may find yourself stuck with higher parking/toll charges in years to come as more cities try to incentivise switch away from diesels.

If you hardly drive in a city, then get it.

[GreatGranny]

There seems to be loads of X5 3.0d and 4.0d models on Atrader.

Are they wrong spec, price etc..?

[thebullettrain]

GreatGranny said:

There seems to be loads of X5 3.0d and 4.0d models on Atrader.

Are they wrong spec, price etc..?

Very few have the active cruise that I want. That said even a 30d and 40d raise the same diesel question as the 50d does.

[ZX10R NIN]

Go for it diesel isn't going anywhere & on these types of vehicles they make great sense.