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Diesel Fuel Dilemma

3K views 2 replies 3 participants last post by  X5Sport 
#1 ·
Hi there. I am planning to get an X5 3.0 diesel and I've heard that in certain countries where the diesel quality is poor it will cause problems with the combustion and exhaust systems. I am currently residing in Malaysia. I would like to know if anyone is familiar with the recommended Euro rating for the diesel that the 2007 X5 should use and what is the best Euro-rated diesel available in Malaysia.

Thanks for any information/feedback.
 
#2 ·
Forget it! Not a chance.....E70 diesel engines have EURO 4 specs for emissions, that simply translates into finner ingectors and higher pressure in the injection system. That also implies higher quality diesel fuel, low on sulfur and particles... (I don't know exact specs but is only available in Europe). To get a diesel car in a country not having such high quality diesel fuel, your dealer must make a special order to the factory for the engine to have EURO 3 emission specs, ie. having the old injection system and some othe parts in the engine. (That was available up untill the E53 (previous X5). Now, with diesel engines increasing in power the tolerances are getting higher, and if you don't put the right diesel quality you will glog it in seconds. So the dealer will not provide you the warranty. Also, with the backlog of diesels version in production, the dealer will tell you that it is impossible to secure you a car with EURO 3 specs, even if it is already homologated in th emarket (min. 400 units produced), because these engines are used for other cars X3, 3 series etc.... This is also why SD versions are sold only in Northe Europe (where there is guarantee of diesel fuel quality) and, diesel version in general not still avialabel in the US. Understand that the success of BMW diesel engines is so high that due to production limitations (shortage) of engines, everything is for the European market. Dealers elsewhere are not keen to disturb the flow......
 
#3 ·
European Diesel Fuel specifications

The Euro (II, III, IV etc) specification refers to the emissions from the engine, not the fuel itself. Within the EU, it is likely that all diesel for road going vehicles must now be ULSD (Ultra Low Sulphur Diesel). In the UK we can now only buy either ULSD or biodiesel (5% biofuel, 95% mineral fuel) It must meet (or exceed) the following minimum specifications:

The quality of automotive fuels in the European Union is specified by standards developed by the European Standards Organization (CEN). The first set of standards for automotive fuels, ratified by CEN on 16 March 1993, became mandatory in all Member States by September 1993. Three standards cover automotive fuels quality: the EN 590 for diesel fuel, the EN 228 for gasoline, and EN 589 for automotive LPG. The standards are periodically updated to reflect changes in specifications, such as the mandatory reductions in sulfur content.

To provide options for different climates, the EN 590 standard specifies six Temperature Climate Grades of diesel fuel (Grade A...F) which differ in the CFPP value. In addition, there are five Arctic Classes of diesel fuel (Class 0...4) characterized by different properties. Each country shall detail requirements for a summer and winter grade, and may also include intermediate or regional grades as justified by national climate conditions.

Mandatory environmental fuel specifications are introduced by EU Directives. The following are the most important steps in the evolution of EU diesel fuel specifications:

Effective 1994.10, a maximum sulfur limit of 0.2% (wt.) was introduced for all gas oils, including diesel fuel. The minimum cetane number was 49.
1996.10: A maximum sulfur limit of 0.05% (wt.) = 500 ppm for diesel fuel.
2000.01: A maximum sulfur limit of 350 ppm and cetane number of 51 for diesel fuel.
2005.01: A maximum sulfur limit of 50 ppm for diesel fuel. ***8220;Sulfur-free***8221; 10 ppm sulfur diesel fuel must be available for highway vehicles.
2009.01: A maximum sulfur limit of 10 ppm (***8220;sulfur-free***8221;) for diesel fuel for highway and non-road vehicles.

If you can get diesel that meets these standards then you're OK. If not then don't buy a European diesel engine.
 
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