You might not be aware of the advantages of this engine type if you have never driven a car with a modern diesel engine. Fuel economy is the primary factor to take into account when choosing a diesel engine for your next BMW. Some calculations place the efficiency of diesel engines at 30% higher than that of gas engines. They are therefore an excellent option for drivers who have a lengthy daily journey.
If you’re sick of making frequent trips to the gas station, you should think about buying a BMW with a diesel engine.
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Overall Costs: Long-Term Financial Savings
The first thing you might notice when calculating the cost of owning a diesel automobile is that these vehicles cost more to buy. They typically cost approximately $700 more than their gasoline-powered rivals, according to CarsDirect. If you keep your car for a long enough period of time, you can recover the majority of this expense at the gas pump.
The fact that a diesel engine lasts a very long time improves your car’s trade-in and resale value, which is one of its major advantages. In reality, according to Deanna Sclar, author of Auto Repair for Dummies, 2nd Edition, there are many Mercedes-Benz diesel-powered automobiles with original engines that have logged more than 900,000 miles.
Long-term financial savings from your car are likely to occur if you keep it for a long time and perform routine maintenance on it frequently. However, purchasing a diesel automobile may wind up compensating for or costing you more in the long run if you are careless with the maintenance due to the higher expense of having a diesel mechanic operate on it.
To sum up:
- Benefits: Less expensive fuel, higher resale value, and a more durable engine
- Cons: Diesel automobiles cost more and diesel mechanics cost more.
You’re not alone if you’re hesitant to purchase a diesel vehicle in the wake of negative headlines, increasing tax rates, and news concerning clean air zones.
Simply said, if you frequently travel long distances at high speeds, such as a daily commute on the highway rather than making numerous small journeys, you should choose a diesel vehicle. Diesel vehicles offer better fuel efficiency than their gasoline counterparts and more available torque for towing and other uses.
Due to the recent demonization of diesel due to its negative effects on human health and the environment, diesel automobile prices are currently declining. Used diesel car prices are so alluring, but they are only appropriate for a certain kind of driver. If a diesel car is used improperly or an older model is purchased, you may quickly incur high costs and be prohibited from operating a vehicle in urban areas.
To learn everything you need to know about deciding between a gasoline and a diesel car, keep reading. You might also want to look at our recommendations to the best hybrid and electric vehicles, and if you’re considering parting with your vehicle, why not use our free online car appraisal tool.
Purchase cost
In almost every situation, a diesel car is more expensive than an equal petrol car, but not always significantly more so.
For instance, the suggested factory price for a petrol BMW 520i in M Sport specification as of August 2022 is PS44,980, while the price for a diesel 520d M Sport is PS46,080.
There are several reasons behind these higher purchase prices. One of these is that diesel engines must be more powerful because diesels ignite gasoline by compressing it to extremely high pressure rather than utilizing a spark plug. Costs are also increased by emission-control devices like diesel particle filters and AdBlue.
Is a gasoline or diesel BMW better?
Because of their supposed lower operating costs, diesel engines are frequently explored. But depending on the driving circumstances, diesel may not always be less expensive to operate. Diesel is normally preferable if you frequently drive longish distances, although gasoline is typically better for city driving.
If you take fuel efficiency statistics into account, all the automakers tout these incredible numbers on their vehicles. Only if you are continuously driving at a steady speed of 97 km/h when parked on the freeway would you have the same results. In fact, you’re probably making a lot of short journeys with a cold engine, occasionally you’re driving the car aggressively, and if the engine is clogged with soot in a diesel vehicle, the fuel consumption might vary greatly.
Even so, as of October 2018, BMW asserts that the engines in the brand-new BMW 3 Series Sedan, which includes four-cylinder petrol models, four-cylinder diesel models, and six-cylinder diesel models, have a combined fuel consumption of 5.8 – 4.2 l/100 km.
If you abuse a 330d, your fuel efficiency will be poorer than someone who drives a 330i sensibly. The driver is ultimately the determining element. You can get 6 liters per 100 kilometers or even less out of a 330d, but it depends on your regular driving habits and mannerisms.
When compared to more fuel-efficient vehicles like the 118d and 120i, the 118d can achieve up to 4 l/100 km or an average of about 4.7 l/100 km. However, these statistics apply to out-of-town/long-distance travels, which are typically made with a lighter foot. Remember that vehicles with poor maintenance use more fuel.
Do BMW diesel vehicles have issues?
What kinds of issues does a BMW X5 typically encounter? In this article, we’ve listed all the critical features you should watch out for while shopping for an X5. But let’s start off with a brief response:
The most frequent causes of stalling engine issues in the BMW X5 are fuel system issues, electrical issues, or timing chain issues. Additionally, transmission and air mass sensor issues are frequent. Finally, the battery may prematurely wear out if the automobile has coolant or sunroof leaks.
That, however, does not fully convey the situation. The remainder of the post will go into more detail on each issue. We’ll also explain how to spot it, how to remedy it, and how much it will cost to fix. Read on!
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BMW 3 Series diesels: are they dependable?
In our most recent reliability survey, which included 31 manufacturers, BMW as a brand managed to place ninth overall. The 3 Series has proven to be more dependable when running on gasoline than when running on diesel, with gasoline placing fifth and diesel placing tenth out of 19 in the executive class.
BMWs powered by diesel last longer?
Diesel is a light oil that lubricates engine parts when it is burned and utilized as fuel by a vehicle, which is why these engines run longer. Consequently, the engine’s lifespan is increased.
Why did BMW discontinue producing diesel vehicles?
This choice is influenced by lower demand, stiffer restrictions, and an emphasis on plug-in hybrid vehicles.
Better move quickly if you want a brand-new BMW with a diesel engine. After the 2018 model year, the German automaker is set to stop selling diesel vehicles in the US.
BMW representative Alexander Schmuck told The Car Connection, “We are putting all of our eggs in the PHEV basket.” When contacted by Roadshow for response, Schmuck reaffirmed, “We’re working on PHEV.”
Since the Volkswagen Group “Dieselgate” affair, the demand for diesel vehicles has been declining, particularly in the US. Mercedes-Benz, a premium rival, also opted to discontinue selling diesel passenger cars in the US.
The X5 SUV has been one of the most well-liked BMWs with a diesel engine in US-spec. But when the new 2019 X5 goes on sale this autumn, it will only be available with gasoline.
What does a diesel BMW have a high mileage?
Although the average BMW can travel between 100,000 and 250,000 miles, excessive mileage is actually regarded as being a little less than this. Most dealers won’t carry BMWs with mileage over 100,000, and some even think 60-80,000 is a high mileage range for these vehicles.
Therefore, you’ve reached the high mileage area if you’re looking at BMWs with between 60 and 80,000 miles on the odometer. Keep a watch on this because it demonstrates that there are high mileage BMWs available with vastly different mileage estimates.
How long does a diesel BMW X5 last?
The BMW X5 has an average lifespan of 150,000 to 200,000 kilometers, depending on how it is used, how carefully it is driven, and how well it is maintained. Based on annual mileage of 15,000 miles, this translates to 10 to 13 years of use before needing major repairs.
Mercedes still produces diesel vehicles?
Diesel “doesn’t fit” into the luxury brand’s US portfolio due to little consumer interest.
Put the blame on Dieselgate or the rising popularity of electrification. Regardless, Mercedes-Benz is apparently going to stop offering diesel-powered passenger vehicles for sale in the country.
Ola Kallenius, head of research and development for Mercedes’ Car Group, reportedly told The Detroit Bureau that although the company has created a new diesel engine that satisfies the new European emission rules, the powertrain won’t be sold in the US due to a lack of demand.
At its peak, diesel only made just 3% of total Mercedes sales in the US, according to Kallenius. According to Kallenius, “the diesel doesn’t fit into our portfolio in the US.”
Mind you, this is hardly a major shock. Mercedes decided to halt the certification of its 2017 model-year diesel vehicles in the US just one year ago. The C-Class car and GLS-Class SUV were initially intended to be oil-burning models, but both were scrapped due to stricter certification requirements as a result of widespread emissions trickery (thanks, Volkswagen Group!).
When asked for comment, a representative from Mercedes-Benz USA told Roadshow:
“Yes, as previously said, we have temporarily halted the certification process for diesel passenger automobiles. The release of our MY2017 Sprinter is proof that we will keep providing the diesel in our Sprinter. In the US, diesel engines for passenger cars are a niche product; diesel automobiles’ market share as a percentage of all sales is considerably less than 1%. Naturally, we keep the option open to reinstate diesel engine certification for our passenger vehicles, but this will primarily depend on demand.”
Of course, not all of Mercedes’ US goods will be impacted by the death of Daimler diesel. Diesel powertrains will still be available for the incredibly practical Sprinter van. In reality, the production of the next-generation Sprinter will begin soon at Mercedes’ brand-new vans factory in South Carolina.
Don’t let this information raise doubts about diesel’s prospects in the US. Mercedes has stopped using these powerful engines, but other businesses are increasing their diesel product lines in our market. For the F-150 pickup, Ford just unveiled a new six-cylinder diesel engine. With the Ingenium family of diesel engines, which are now available in the Jaguar XE, XF, F-Pace, Land Rover Discovery, Range Rover, Range Rover Sport, and Range Rover Velar, Jaguar Land Rover has had some success. Even BMW, a major German competitor of Mercedes, provides diesel engines in the 3 Series and X5, and more are on the way.
General Motors offers diesel power in the Chevy Colorado pickup, Equinox crossover, and Cruze compact, and a new inline-six engine is being developed for the Silverado pickup. These vehicles are considered to be less expensive. GMC also offers diesel options in vehicles that are comparable.
Update, Jan. 5: A statement from a Mercedes-Benz representative has been added to the article.
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