I Did It... Just Traded My Diesel For A V8!

First of all... this is not my normal character to be careless with a purchase or money... however after purchasing my X5D three months ago, and driving it for 5k miles... it was time to go back to a gas vehicle... although i loved the idea of being greener and getting better gas mileage... the diesel negatives were in the end just too much... ( we should all have such problems!!! )

The biggest negative for me was the diesel hesitation and subsequent "bucking" that never seemed to get any better over time... i also could never get used to the sound of the vehicle while at a standstill.... and i guess i just missed the rumble of a big V8 under the hood. Don't get me wrong please... the Diesel had and still does have huge appeal to me too... i love the reliability and the mileage i will certainly miss... but life is short... and it was time to cut the cord so to speak.

Just took delivery of my new White/Tan X5 5.0 with Nappa Leather, 20 inch wheels, Headsup display, ACTIVE STEERING WHICH IS SIMPLY AMAZINGGGGGGGG... and all the upgrades possible except for rear seat video.... I have driven it one day... and love the sound of the engine, the pickup, etc... but sure hate seeing the gas needle move everytime i glance down at the gas tank. Maybe in a few years i will try a diesel again... it just was not my time right now i guess....

I have heard the MB Diesel has a quieter profile, and does not "buck" either... I have not driven a MB Diesel... can anyone comment.

Thanks for listening! Drive Carefully!!!

Congrats! I don't think we have a controversy here. If I could afford a 50i (initial purchase) and was willing to pay more for fuel, I would go for it as well.

Originally Posted by TopNotchWatch

ACTIVE STEERING WHICH IS SIMPLY AMAZINGGGGGGGG...

I had doubts on Active Steering but with very little seat time you get used to it and it becomes a must-have option. Doesn't lessen road feel but sharpens response. Congrats on the 50i!

Glad you resolved it. How do you like AD?

(Change your car on your profile too...)

v8 rumble is a beauty. I love it when I start the car in the morning.

Never fear Porsche is about to launch the cayenne diesel

That is a nice upgrade ...congratz!

Thanks Guys... i will post a picture soon... i just love having that power under the hood... ALSO the technology package with the speed in the windshield is amazing... i'm tall so i have to set the steering wheel low and that blocks my complete view of the speedometer... but never fear... with the Technology package problem is solved!

LOVE this bad boy

For others who want V8 performance but I6 gas mileage -- get the X5 35i and add the Dinan Stage II enhancement to it. Very impressive. Of course Dinan also offers the enhancement for the 50i too! Right up there with the X5M, or close anyway.

I am glad you are happy, it comes down to personal preference. My neighbor bought the
V8 about two weeks before I bought my diesel. We both love them for different reasons. I likes to drive his like a sports car and loves the sound. I am never in a particular hurry and I have other vehicles/toys that make cool sounds.

I drove the MB Blutec the same day I drove the X5, you know how it turned out. The MB was very uninspiring. I owned the previous version of the ML 350 gasser and loved it, so I was hoping for something special.

I don't drive the X5 much (wife's car) but so far we could not be happier with the diesel.

Originally Posted by tonka858

Never fear Porsche is about to launch the cayenne diesel

Yeah, but the specs on it are same as Tuareg TDI. Uninspiring...

Originally Posted by TopNotchWatch

i just love having that power under the hood... ALSO the technology package with the speed in the windshield is amazing... i'm tall so i have to set the steering wheel low and that blocks my complete view of the speedometer...

Hey TopNotchWatch.....
Congrats on the WHITE 5.0 I have a White 5.0 also so we are in the same boat. Looks like our trucks are similarly equipped. Did you get the Adaptive Drive?? I love the AD along with the Active Steering. Like you said in a previous post, AMAZING!! I love being able to maneuver that heavy vehicle without turning the steering wheel much. I too am tall (6 1) and I find the HUD helpful. Speaking of having power under the hood.....I know you just got the X, but have you thought about the Dinan Stage 1??? I just did this tune 4 days ago and I’m absolutely loving it!!! See me post....
click here

MB diesel is trash. Stay away. V6 is underpowered and worse on fuel.

intoxicated engine note (i dare say better the my E46///M3) and uncompromising power...never a hesitation! btw, "here she is...love this bad boy"...a transgender SAV- this is a true hybrid!

For any prospective buyers out there:

I have 35,000 miles on my X5 35D, and it has never "bucked" once. Not sure what the deal was with the OP's, but this is not a reason to avoid the diesel.

Don't get me wrong, the 5.0 is wonderful and a very nice choice. In addition to the more traditional sound, it's always easier to find a Premium Unleaded pump than a Diesel pump. (Good thing, too, because with the V8 you need one a lot more often than I do).

Two lovely choices. One size doesn't fit all. YMMV.

Oh god.. the diesel owners are getting defensive now

Originally Posted by Kzang

Oh god.. the diesel owners are getting defensive now

defensive, or just clearing up things that could make people shy away from a perfectly good powertrain... I suspect you know which one is actually happening.

Could the OP explain what "bucking" he experienced?

Jay

Originally Posted by Kzang

Oh god.. the diesel owners are getting defensive now

I forget your credentials. I have had 2 gasser X5's, and 1 Diesel. You?

Originally Posted by quackbury

I forget your credentials. I have had 2 gasser X5's, and 1 Diesel. You?

Ok

Originally Posted by caden

btw, "here she is...love this bad boy"...a transgender sav- this is a true hybrid!

+1

Originally Posted by quackbury

I forget your credentials. I have had 2 gasser X5's, and 1 Diesel. You?

quackbury -- you just have to learn to ignore the comments from those whom seem know everything, including what's best for all of us....not saying that I'm able to take my own advise...

To the OP -- great looking X5. Enjoy it!

As for the bucking that i posted... the vehicle would not shift smoothly from a stop. Once it got going it was just fine... but it was never smooth off the start... and in essence to me... it had a bucking... or slight jerky feeling... i just was not used to that at all and after five thousand miles said enough was enough. Oh well!

What would that Dinan tune add to my new 5.0? If it's power... if sure has enough as it is from the factory?

Originally Posted by TopNotchWatch

As for the bucking that i posted... the vehicle would not shift smoothly from a stop. Once it got going it was just fine... but it was never smooth off the start... and in essence to me... it had a bucking... or slight jerky feeling... i just was not used to that at all and after five thousand miles said enough was enough. Oh well!

That is DEFINITELY not normal behavior for a diesel. Or almost any BMW for that matter. In fact, the only current model which seems to suffer from that is the F10, which has the same 8 speed transmission as your X5 5.0. (There were so many drivability complaints that BMW has issued a comprehensive software update; unfortunately they are doing it as an SIB, only updating cars if / when customers complain - IMHO the issue was so widespread they should have done it as a campaign and fixed EVERY car).

Out of curiousity, what did your dealer say when you brought the car in?

As jashearer noted, my posting is for the sole reason of informing any potential diesel buyers that "bucking" is not an endemic problem. It's unfortunate that you "got a bad one.". There are plenty of other reasons why prospective buyers may prefer gas over diesel (noise quality, DEF, availability of fuel in their local area), but "bucking" is not a common issue.

I have hijacked your thread enough. Beautiful truck. Enjoy him / her. (Maybe you should nickname it Chastity / Chad?)