x5 3.0d (previous model) and other diesel related questions

[Sixty-Nine]

hi, does anyone here own an x5 3.0d? could you relate your experience in owning a diesel x5? any problems? i understand that the quality of diesel in M'sia is poor. how does it affect the engine, performance and consumption? additional maintenance required? i dont see too many diesel x5s on the road and have never seen any for sale in the classifieds. would a 2nd hand diesel x5 be more or less expensive than the petrol version? the newer x5s come with a revised 3.0d which is more powerful and i'm guessing, xDrive. does anyone have this version? what's the difference? thanks.

 

[X5madani]

hi,

does anyone here own an x5 3.0d? could you relate your experience in owning a diesel x5? any problems?

i understand that the quality of diesel in M'sia is poor. how does it affect the engine, performance and consumption? additional maintenance required?

i dont see too many diesel x5s on the road and have never seen any for sale in the classifieds. would a 2nd hand diesel x5 be more or less expensive than the petrol version? the newer x5s come with a revised 3.0d which is more powerful and i'm guessing, xDrive. does anyone have this version? what's the difference?

thanks.

Hi Sixty Nine! :top:

As I have replied to Ben, I own an X5 3.0d which I bought brand new in July 2007. This model is longer by 7 or 8 inches compare to the previous model. The last 3rd row seat (2 nos) is only meant for small kids but equiped comfortably with air-cont. Road handling and cornering are superb, and the rear suspensions are fantastic even with full load of 5 adults with full load of luggage plus over-head roof rack carrier.

Perfromance wise, she runs smoothly at 172Km/h @ 3,000rpm and 143Km/h @2,500rpm (for comparison my 325i E46 runs at 142Km/h @3K rpm and Rexton xDi 270 {Diesel Turbo} 152km/h @ 3K rpm). In short, X5 3.0d is considered very economical for long distance.(http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xGz-WfZ2TXY) and (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P0waOOUNRHU)

The torque is great! No question ask!! You dont have to push the gear lever to the sport mode soon after tailing at the back of an overtaking slow down truck along the freeway. The kick down is as good as the X5petrol version or 5-series of the same class. If u are a bit impatient, pushing ur gear lever left to the sport mode makes the X5 tends to accelerate at any time without feeling the gear change. The gear swifts very smoothly even in the manual mode. Very responsive!! :topower to the body weight ratio is the only factor that differs your judgement.

On the diesel matters, so far my X5 does not face any serious problems even she has reached up to 60K Km (except a bit of slight noisy tappet sound or maybe the belting sound frm V-belt especially after travelling long distance). Good start at every early morning without requiring to wait for warm up and no jerking at low or high speed show that all the six injectors are doing well.

The bitter experience I have so far was about the turbo hose that displaced from the system pipe/housing soon after I was acceleration out from a toll plaza. As this happened, the whole power had been cut down and maximum speed I could drive off was only about 80Km/h @ 2500rpm. I was made to understand by the authorised workshop that the hose clip displaced from it's original position. The problem was fixed within less than half an hour by fitting a snug-tight brand new clip. Ohh..what a pitty!! After that, she runs perfectly well untill today.

The i-Drive is practically unbeatable by any continental cars/SUVs. The navigation systems are up-to-date version and very useful to be used in M'sia & S'pore. The system could tell perfectly on the arrival time provided you do a proper setting before hand, and you will not miss any single turn. The bluetooth system works almost with all latest cell phone models/makes with clear sound and totally hand free.

X5 3.0d is technically designed for comfort, performance and user-friendly gudgets.

TAQY - X5madani
Johor Bahru

 

[funfer_fahrer]

X5madani,

Thanks for your feedback. I've posted a similar question like what sixty-nine did quite some time ago but unfortunately no other X5 owners responded. Please keep us updated with your diesel experience.

 

[Sixty-Nine]

Thanks X5madani!

 

[nazrie]

just to add ... always use SHELL's diesel .. it is cleaner ... have bad experience with other operator's 'diesels' ...

 

[E39er]

I disagree. My director has a 530d and just got a WEC X5 3.0d. Shell diesel makes the engine run very rough and after a while green sulphur rings formed around the tailpipes of his X5. He was advised to switch to Petronas diesel and the sulphur rings never re-appeared. He find the engine runs smoother too.

 

[funfer_fahrer]

I disagree. My director has a 530d and just got a WEC X5 3.0d. Shell diesel makes the engine run very rough and after a while green sulphur rings formed around the tailpipes of his X5. He was advised to switch to Petronas diesel and the sulphur rings never re-appeared. He find the engine runs smoother too.

When did this thing happen?

 

[X5madani]

I disagree. My director has a 530d and just got a WEC X5 3.0d. Shell diesel makes the engine run very rough and after a while green sulphur rings formed around the tailpipes of his X5. He was advised to switch to Petronas diesel and the sulphur rings never re-appeared. He find the engine runs smoother too.

So far, with the latest version of diesel fom Petronas and Shell, my X5 does not face any problem. No worries mate!!

 

[funfer_fahrer]

Shell diesel comes from natural gas. Therefore, it is cleaner.

 

[E39er]

When did this thing happen?

Got the X5 in Nov. Green rings appeared after in Dec after running exclusively on diesel cap kerang. So much for the new and improved formula :stupid:

 

[X5madani]

Diesel Quality

Shell diesel comes from natural gas. Therefore, it is cleaner.

Let us ponder what we have in Malaysia compare to our neighbouring countries; Thailand and Singapore in terms of quality diesel.[/I]

This is what quoted by Paul Tan about Shell diesel product in Malaysia; (http://paultan.org/archives/2008/08/14/shell-launches-new-diesel-fuel-with-improved-formula/)

As for sulphur levels, Shell Malaysia says the diesel fuel is compliant with Malaysia’s current MS123 diesel standards. The previous proposal by the government to bring our fuel quality up to Euro II has been postponed. MS123 calls for a maximum sulphur content of 3000ppm while Euro II calls for a max of 500ppm.

Now, let us see what Shell Singapore says about diesel quality in that tiny island;
September 24, 2005
Shell Diesel Comes Clean.

SHELL HAS INTRODUCED Ultra-Low Sulphur Diesel at fuel stations across the island, as part of an initiative to improve air quality in Singapore.

The fuel’s sulphur content is below 50 parts per million, making it 10 times cleaner than diesel from rival petrol companies, and about 100 times cleaner than diesel from Malaysia.

Using the new fuel in an existing diesel car could cut emissions of noxious gases like nitrous oxides and carbon monoxide by over 70 percent, and reduce particulate matter (PM) emissions by as much as 80 percent.

PM2.5, or particulates smaller than 2.5 microns, are a problem in Singapore, says National Environment Agency chairman Simon Tay. Our air doesn’t meet international guidelines for healthy levels of PM2.5, which is linked to illnesses like bronchitis and asthma. “We’re failing,” says Professor Tay candidly, adding that diesel vehicles are responsible for half the amount
of PM2.5 in the air.

Shell’s move should bring us closer to passing. Sulphur molecules are large and tend to agglomerate, adding to PM emissions, Shell’s Eric Holthusen told CarBuyer. This means ULS diesel is cleaner in itself.

Its introduction also paves the way for Euro4-compliant diesel engines to be used here. These have fine soot filters which would become clogged if used with regular diesel. Currently, the only such cars here are Mercedes-Benz E 220 CD and Skoda Superb 2.5 TDI taxis. Singapore is the first country in the region to have both the cars and fuel necessary for Euro4 compliance.

At $1.098 per litre, Shell’s ULS diesel costs nothing extra over rival fuels, despite the fact that it costs more to produce. Mr Holthusen says removing the sulphur is “an expensive process”, involving an extra step at the refinery. Shell’s launch comes a full year ahead of the October 2006 deadline for mandatory introduction of ULS diesel in Singapore. (http://www.carbuyer.com.sg/2005/09/24/shell-diesel-comes-clean/).


Now, let us check what our Malaysian friend says about Petronas diesel, (http://mt.m2day.org/2008/content/view/9303)

It is now proven by all European Governments that modern car turbodiesel engines (Euro 3 and Euro 4 standards) are more efficient and less polluting (CO emission per km) compared to similar vehicles with similar petrol engine capacity. Nearly all European car manufacturers are now pushing more diesel engines. Even Honda and Toyota produce very efficent small and large cc diesel engines.

Why are the current diesel cars in Malaysia emitting thick black smoke? Firstly, because the engines in them are about 10 to 20 years old. On the newer enginers, like the Mercedes 320 Cdi and BMW 530d, don't blame the vehicles, blame the dirty diesel if you still see thick black smoke. Our diesel has heavy sulphur content and it is this sulphur that causes a car to emit thick black smoke.

The diesel engine car is very efficient. So, now, if you spend RM100 and it gave you about 400KM, with Diesel, you spend the same RM100 (assuming Diesel and Petrol is the same price) and yet, you get about 700 to 800 KM of mileage.

Why isn't Petronas or the Government promoting cleaner diesel and also diesel Cars?

What choice do I have??

Regards with sad smiles

 

[initialM]

Shell diesel comes from natural gas. Therefore, it is cleaner.

What do u mean by diesel from NG? I thought it from crude oil. NG as its name is natural CH4 (methane). Care to explain?

Diesel 100 times better in SG?? huh no wonder the air are fresher even at busy city street

 

[kevster30]

None of our diesel meets EURO 2 standards. That's a fact.

For those who wish to run and own these new 'green' diesel engines, change your particle filter regularly and all will be fine.......

 

[X5madani]

None of our diesel meets EURO 2 standards. That's a fact.


For those who wish to run and own these new 'green' diesel engines, change your particle filter regularly and all will be fine.......

Hi Kevster30,

My X5 just exceeded the 60K (the free service period) but still within the warranty period (3yrs). Therefore, I can hardly experience any problems related to the substandard diesel.

However, based on my experience driving my xDi270 Rexton (now almost 175K KM), I agree with your suggestion that changing the partcle filters regularly would make the engine (especially the 5 nos injectors) runs smoothly. Some Rexton owners, in fact, modify the bracket/housing & add one more additional filter on top of the two existing particle filters in the diesel pipeline system.

Since, this BMWClub is an official set up, well respected by other automobile associations, may I suggest our honourable President and the committee members to officially request our M'sian Government to look into this matter seriously, and suggest SIRIM to enhance & upgrade the MS123 for a better and quality diesel.

Thanks for sharing your ideas.

 

[mrcontenderasia]

there was an article in NST cbt by the editor who visited petronas.

petronas is ready and able to provide euro current diesel std. But the govt has no implementation so waiting for it.

also said the sulphur reducement in euro diesel is mainly for environmental reasons. So m'sia diesel is no good to for health and the surrounding. (standing in busy street in KL and singapore can sure smell the difference!)

Sulphur is corrosive and is a very good cleansing agent and is not all bad. cbt recommends regular filter change in m'sia. unfortunately not many diesel owners know and particularly lorries who don't care.

 

[initialM]

So m'sia diesel is no good to for health and the surrounding. (standing in busy street in KL and singapore can sure smell the different

That's why once in a while I like to drive to SG just to feel the fresh air, enjoy scenery & driving on smoother road. In M'sia not only diesel vehicles not maintain well, also same for all vehicle contribute to pollution. Thanx to corrupted govt.:stupid:

 

[hwcmok]

Not sure how's the quality of diesel in Malaysia atm, probably the best thing to do is go around service centres and get their 2 cents from feedback from other oil-burners. I'm thinking of changing from X5 4.8 to current X5 3.0d....makes sense in the current climate right?

 

[r37720]

I am using Shell diesel for my 530d. I think it is better than petronas.

 

[funfer_fahrer]

What do u mean by diesel from NG? I thought it from crude oil. NG as its name is natural CH4 (methane). Care to explain?

Diesel 100 times better in SG?? huh no wonder the air are fresher even at busy city street

Read here.

http://www.wired.com/science/discoveries/news/2005/05/67534

http://www.theaustralian.com.au/bus...-but-one-problem/story-e6frg8zx-1225804352317

 

[inox96]

can tell how much the road tax x5 4.4petrol