Many thanks @BigDave and @kezo From both of your very helpful replies I am reassured that my usage, even in the winter when I don’t do as many longer runs, shouldn’t cause dpf issues. This gives me a further option should the petrol version not work out. Unfortunately BMW have dropped the 40i (3.0i 6 cylinder version) from the X5 in the U.K. and if you want a petrol (my preference) then it’s the 4.4 V8 version only. I’ve done my calculations on the V8 returning 23mpg, which I can live with especially as the bigger discount and higher residual value on that variant wipes out the higher running costs, but if my extended test drive shows that I’m more likely to be down in the teens then I think I’d look to the 40d instead.
Another, albeit a bit daft, consideration is colour. The M60i can be had in a very striking Marina Bay Blue, but I can’t get that colour in the 40d as it’s restricted to M and M Lite models only. My only reservation is that it might not look right on such a big car. Thankfully the one I’m testing this week is in this colour, so I can see for myself, as I’ve never seen an X5 in this colour on the road, or at a dealers. If I get the 40d my wife has a strong preference for Manhattan, which is a chameleon like sparkly colour, described as a green but, depending on the light, varies from khaki to bronze to gold to grey! Due also to the wheels that suit each colour best, the two cars look entirely different. My wife and both my daughters prefer the Manhattan one, so it may be a boy / girl thing 🤣
