Introduction and request for advice

[ndj]

Lots of great feedback here, some I've already considered, some not, so all much appreciated.

One question that's come up. Some of you have referenced the 40d in regard to performance, etc. When I do an AUC search almost all Diesel cars are either 30d or 35d. What is the real world performance differences between these and the 40d?

Cheers.

[Benstan]

My 2012 30d will do 0-60 in about 7.5 secs, which I think is the same as the (now discontinued) 35d and about a second slower than the 40d.  Economy is broadly similar I think (probably within 10% of each other) but mid-range shove may be a better test (40-60mph for example).  There's nothing lagging about any of these cars - I think my 30d flies, but it's all relative to what you're used to.

[X5Sport]

40d vehicles arrived in 2010 with dissimilar sized turbos.  They have a slight power & torque increase over the 35d but are cleaner burning and so cheaper on VED and also have the 8-speed transmission.  This makes them an effortless drive in power terms.  It's very easy to embarrass many a 'hot hatch' even though the car weighs over 2-tonnes.  The speed limit comes up very quickly, and with three or more gears still to play with..

Economy improvement is alleged to be 10% over the 35d, but I doubt the figures in the real world.  I average low to mid 30s on the motorway, though steadier driving takes that up a bit - albeit you're sticking to 60mph!!

There are going to be a lot more 35d cars about than 40d, though as we get to the 3-year old point then I expect that to change as 40d owners look to change.

Richard

[snipez999]

3 years?! It's a relic by then

[leosayer]

[quote="Benstan"]
I think there's an issue with driving low miles in a diesel isn't there?  Someone told me that the engines need a few miles to warm up and burn the particulates - if they don't burn off, they clog up which is an expensive fix.

Someone will probably understand the point and either clarify/endorse or correct me!  My commute car only covers 15 miles a day to and from the station and I was advised to stay petrol for that reason.

[/quote]

Depends on how the low mileage is achieved. 2 miles every day is not good.

100 miles every weekend good.

I've never heard of anyone having DPF problems on an X5.

[Nat]

Hi,

Little known fact.................DPF can be cleaned, but this is not common knowledge. Manufacturers just want to sell you a new one.

I have motorbikes and std carb cleaning procedure is to have then sonically cleaned. You can do exactly the same with DPF.

You just need a machine big enough to take the part.

Considerably cheaper than a new one...................

[X5Sport]

If you do a long(ish) run then the on board DPF regen cycle should kick in and that will burn off most of the soot as you drive.  If it does not complete whilst you are driving, then it's one of the reasons that the engine fans keep running after switch off as the airflow is needed to ensure that car does not catch fire as the DPF can heat up to 800degC. 

Richard