X3 Diesel

[Phil]

I just had the good fortune of driving a new X3 powered by a BMW turbocharged diesel.

If your conception of diesel power dates to those smokey, clattery, and pokey Mercedes from the 70s, then think again.

The Bimmer was fast, powerful, responsive, and smooth. You name it. And even pushed hard I got 9.5L/100km.

No wonder they're racing them now.

Definitely worth buying.

Sweet.

Phil

[bmwqc]

Phil,

What is the displacement size of the diesel? Is it the same motor offered in the X5 diesel?



I just had the good fortune of driving a new X3 powered by a BMW turbocharged diesel.

If your conception of diesel power dates to those smokey, clattery, and pokey Mercedes from the 70s, then think again.

The Bimmer was fast, powerful, responsive, and smooth. You name it. And even pushed hard I got 9.5L/100km.

No wonder they're racing them now.

Definitely worth buying.

Sweet.

Phil

[Emre]

What is the displacement size of the diesel? Is it the same motor offered in the X5 diesel?AFAIK, there are two diesel X3 models in Europe: The 177 hp 2.0d and the 286 hp twin-turbo 3.0sd. The 3.0sd makes something like 420 lbs/ft of torque from 2000 rpm. It should really scoot off the line.

[Phil]

AFAIK, there are two diesel X3 models in Europe: The 177 hp 2.0d and the 286 hp twin-turbo 3.0sd. The 3.0sd makes something like 420 lbs/ft of torque from 2000 rpm. It should really scoot off the line.

I drove the big guy.

I would not doubt the torque claims either.

Phil

[bmwqc]

I drove the big guy.

I would not doubt the torque claims either.

Phil


Now if only diesel fuel were sold at a more reasonable price and more readily available.

[Silverblades181]

AFAIK, there are two diesel X3 models in Europe: The 177 hp 2.0d and the 286 hp twin-turbo 3.0sd. The 3.0sd makes something like 420 lbs/ft of torque from 2000 rpm. It should really scoot off the line.

Yes, the torque and acceleration is awesome. They're also very enjoyable to drive with no noise or smell. I'd buy a 320d if they imported it.

I tried a 335d but it was a sport pack version with 18" potenzas and it was the middle of a snow storm so it was to the gas station 1 block away and back but I'm looking forward to trying it on clean tarmac. Unforthunatly it's only available with an automatic transmission :(

[blacksheep]

Unforthunatly it's only available with an automatic transmission :(most cars with huge torque and turbos are substantially faster automatic than manual

with lots of torque you don't need many gear ratios, and the constant load from the torque converter keeps the turbo spooled up

[Gregster]

Now if only diesel fuel were sold at a more reasonable price and more readily available.

Just think of the good times you can have talking about your "Rig" while you refuel at the truck stop. Jerry Reed playing in the background is also a must in any diesel powered machine.

[bmwqc]

Just think of the good times you can have talking about your "Rig" while you refuel at the truck stop. Jerry Reed playing in the background is also a must in any diesel powered machine.


I only like to listen to the sound of the engine while driving.

[Gregster]

I only like to listen to the sound of the engine while driving.

That gets boring quick for me. I am considering putting a radio back in the Neon . Signing to myself doesn't seem to take the place of an actual radio.

[bmwqc]

That gets boring quick for me. I am considering putting a radio back in the Neon . Signing to myself doesn't seem to take the place of an actual radio.


I very seldom play the radio as I find it distracts my attention. Two of my previous cars were ordered with the radio option deleted.

[Gregster]

I very seldom play the radio as I find it distracts my attention. Two of my previous cars were ordered with the radio option deleted.

I drive around 100km's a day, most of that drive is spent stuck in traffic. A radio in my case is needed :)

However when I am in town, it's usually off.. Too many crazy people on the road cutting in and out of traffic. One less distraction helps..

[sebdavid]

With a diesel, there ain't much of an engine sound to listen to...

[bmwqc]

With a diesel, there ain't much of an engine sound to listen to...


I hear these new diesels don't make as big a racket as the oil burners of old.

[Gregster]

I hear these new diesels don't make as big a racket as the oil burners of old.


Nope! Even the V8s in American trucks are silent.. the Cummins I6 in a Dodge is still rather loud but thats a commercial unit. The old GM 6.5L td and Ford 7.3L Powerstroke were very very loud

[bmwqc]

Nope! Even the V8s in American trucks are silent.. the Cummins I6 in a Dodge is still rather loud but thats a commercial unit. The old GM 6.5L td and Ford 7.3L Powerstroke were very very loud

Diesels are known for their longevity (as well as economical fuel consumption). With the current wave of diesels with high specific output, I am wondering if that advantage in durability might be compromised?

[Gregster]

Diesels are known for their longevity (as well as economical fuel consumption). With the current wave of diesels with high specific output, I am wondering if that advantage in durability might be compromised?

Maybe European or Japanese diesels are good on gas but the American V8s aren't (The 3.0CRD in the Jeep is a Mercedes engine). They get the same consumption as their gas counterparts.

I doubt the durability will be compromised, diesels are built much stronger then gas engines since the compression ratio is so high. Diesel engines also rev very low compared to gas engines.

[johnmdanskin]

New diesel owners talk about 200,000 mile maintenance intervals. Old diesel owners talk about high maintenance costs. Maybe this is dated. My impression.

On the other hand, the diesel owners seem to be getting nearly -twice- the towing mileage I get on my gas silverado. I could have paid for the difference in just about 2 years even with the 20% fuel surcharge. Oh well.

[Andrei]

No radio? Only if you drive 15 minutes at a time.

When going long distance on the autoroute with cruise control the radio is essential.

And my X5 Xdrive 35d (yeah, that's the full name) has the iPod connector. No need to look for CDs under the seat.

Big Detroit diesels are more frugal than their gasoline equivalents. You just need to tow 10,000 lbs behind the truck to start seeing a big enough difference. With an empty truck they are about the same.

As for prices for the fuel I just filled up the X5 and it was 1 cent per liter cheaper than regular gas (at Esso on Nun's Island). But this is due to the crazy gas price jump here.

But it was always close to the price of premium gas. So on an X5 you are paying about the same per liter because you'd be filling with premium if you had a gasoline powered X5.

So are they bringing X3 diesel to Canada? That would be great as I'd be looking for one for my sister.

[blacksheep]

Diesels are known for their longevity (as well as economical fuel consumption). With the current wave of diesels with high specific output, I am wondering if that advantage in durability might be compromised?with a fuel pump putting out 30,000 - 80,000 psi of pressure and ultra-precise injectors, I wouldn't want to have to repair one out of warranty

[Gregster]

with a fuel pump putting out 30,000 - 80,000 psi of pressure and ultra-precise injectors, I wouldn't want to have to repair one out of warranty

On Fords to change injectors you need to do a complete cab off. Basically lift the body off the frame$$$. Haven't seen many fuel pumps fail, they are mechanical and timed to the engine. I have seen lift pumps and injector pumps fail.... Newer Fords such as the POS 6.0L diesel have electronic pumps, the Duramax I think still is a mechanical pump along with the Dodge.

Diesels might cost more to fix because the local corner garage won't touch them. So then you are stuck going to a truck repair shop, 100$+ an hour. All the air needs to be sucked out of the system as well if work was done on the fuel system. Ford systems are self priming though, most new systems are. Older systems came with a primer.

I've worked on powerstrokes, cummins and the old GM diesels with well over 500k on the clock. They leaked a ton of oil but they still ran good.

I would be more concerned with buying a VW with 65 000kms rather then a diesel truck with 165k..

[bmwqc]

So in ONE word....... who make the best diesel engines?


On Fords to change injectors you need to do a complete cab off. Basically lift the body off the frame$$$. Haven't seen many fuel pumps fail, they are mechanical and timed to the engine. I have seen lift pumps and injector pumps fail.... Newer Fords such as the POS 6.0L diesel have electronic pumps, the Duramax I think still is a mechanical pump along with the Dodge.

Diesels might cost more to fix because the local corner garage won't touch them. So then you are stuck going to a truck repair shop, 100$+ an hour. All the air needs to be sucked out of the system as well if work was done on the fuel system. Ford systems are self priming though, most new systems are. Older systems came with a primer.

I've worked on powerstrokes, cummins and the old GM diesels with well over 500k on the clock. They leaked a ton of oil but they still ran good.

I would be more concerned with buying a VW with 65 000kms rather then a diesel truck with 165k..

[Gregster]

That I can't say.. however I have always liked the Cummins engine found in the Dodge trucks.

[bmwqc]

I should have been more specific. I meant for passenger cars, not them big rigs.



That I can't say.. however I have always liked the Cummins engine found in the Dodge trucks.

[Gregster]

No idea, I don't have any experience on passenger car diesel engines. Mercedes is the way to go I guess?

Every time the Americans tried putting a diesel engine in a passenger car it was a disaster... Just look up Oldsmobile diesel.

[bmwqc]

Every time the Americans tried putting a diesel engine in a passenger car it was a disaster... Just look up Oldsmobile diesel.

That's because GM tried to cut corners by converting an existing 350ci gas engine to diesel instead of designing one from the ground up.

[Gregster]

hahaha I almost forgot the Ford Tempo Diesel, Escort diesels!