Thanks again @kezo I’d previously seen the Sytner review of the 40d, as there are very few reviews of that model. Most YouTube reviews seem to be from the US, where they don’t sell diesel X5’s, but at least I was able to find loads of reviews of the M60i, which is quite common there due to their lower fuel prices and love of V8s, whereas that model is as rare as hens teeth in the U.K. (for the opposite reasons). I like the Sytner reviews (he does a good one on the M60i in Marina Bay Blue as well) but I’m conscious that he works for a BMW dealer so you have to keep that in mind. I’d love that Mora Individual colour on their 40d, but I’m damned if I’m paying over £5k just on paintwork!
The last review you posted was interesting and I hadn’t seen it, possibly because I haven’t been considering the 30d. The 30d engine is more powerful nowadays than the version I had in my 2010 530d 5 Series, but given the vast weight of the X5 I’d want the extra 54bhp and additional turbo charger of the 40d, especially as the fuel economy is the same. On that note, it was fascinating to see the fuel economy at a steady cruise at varying speeds. There’s no getting away from the fact that you can tell it’s a diesel from outside and even inside when idling (although he may have had the door or a window open) but under acceleration, from the few reviews I’ve found, it sounds decent. One of the options that I’d add is acoustic glass (triple glazing) so, in reality, I think I’m worrying unnecessarily. That said, it won’t sound like the V8, but I may find that the Active Sound Design (artificial enhancement to compensate for the mild hybrid neutering) is too much and the diesel could be the compromise. I’m now picking up the M60i tomorrow afternoon and have it until Saturday morning, so plenty of time to decide if it’s the perfect one for me, or too much. Engines aside, the seat comfort will also be a key decider.
