Performance diesel SUVs? You bet! We have received both the X6 M50d (read driving impression here) and X5 M50d in quick succession, and whereas the powertrain and underpinnings are shared, their portrayed images cannot be further apart. The athletic-looking X6 is definitely the poser’s choice while the X5 offers more substance and a slightly less imposing demeanour. I took the X5 M50d on a road trip to experience its real-world charm.
The route
Leaving Cape Town, the X5’s nose was pointed in the direction of Hermanus. Just before Hermanus we turned left on the picturesque road running through the Hemel-en-Aarde valley towards Caledon. The final stretch home involved mostly motorway cruising on the N2 towards Cape Town. Total distance around 330 km.
The vehicle
For a base list price of R991 105 you get the top of the range diesel powered X5; the only diesel (bar X6) with the famous M-badge on the boot available locally. As part the of the current X5’s swansong (new one due in January 2014) it is fitted out as the highest spec 3,0-litre tri-turbo unit currently in the BMW range. This unit delivers an astounding 280 kW and 740 N.m (your double-cab bakkie has how much power?) and is capable of propelling this two-tonne vehicle from standstill to 100 km/h in less than 6 seconds. The top speed is limited to 250 km/h, so in other words, fast enough to warrant the tri-colour M badge. The specification levels inside are fitting of a vehicle almost costing R1 million and includes plush leather/Alcantara trim, quad-zone climate control and our test unit was fitted with a (optional) centre-rear DVD entertainment system.
The experience
Everyone with small children would agree that one can never have enough space when it comes to packing a vehicle for a trip. Luckily the M50d has plenty and the split electrically operated tailgate made it easy to load all of the kid’s paraphernalia with some room to spare.
The driving position is excellent, being commanding enough to offer a good view of the road but not so high as to make you feel detached from it, and the seating very comfortable. Good cabin insulation ensured that road noise was kept to a minimum, so it was easy to have a conversation with my wife sitting in the second row while attending to one of our children.
Traversing the steep Sir Lowry’s pass required just gently leaning on the accelerator. The steering has quite a heavy feel to it but the firm suspension ensures that the vehicle feels planted when rounding bends at speed. The engine noise under acceleration makes the M50d one of the best sounding diesels around as the brawny soundtrack is music to the ears.
The fact that the road to the turn-off to Hemel-en-Aarde valley flew by with little drama is testament to the M50d’s long-distance travel potential. I encourage anyone that has not visited the Hemel-en-Aarde valley to do so at earliest opportunity. The mountainous scenery is spectacular with vineyards in the foreground. An obligatory stop at a posh wine farm marked the halfway point of our trip. Here the M50d garnered quite a few looks of admiration from the aristocratic crowd.
The route to Caledon soon changed from tar to dirt – not the type of surface the M-division’s wares are famous. The loose surface did nothing to unsettle the M50d, bar the inevitable tinkle of gravel in the wheel arches. The firm suspension and 20-inch wheels do, however, mean that the low-speed ride is compromised at times.
Passing Caledon on the way back home, the children reached their road-trip limit (read moaning, crying etc.) The DVD system with their favourite characters soon brought peace back to the cabin! Overtaking pace with all the power on tap is devastating. A slight initial lag is substituted by a thump in the back and the eight-speed automatic ensures that the shove is continuous.
During the trip the average fuel consumption readout hovered around the 10-litres per 100 km mark, but I am sure with careful driving that would easily dip lower – very impressive for such a large, heavy vehicle.
Summary
The X5 M50d is overkill in many areas and maybe the lesser 4,0d makes more sense while saving some capital. But if you have the means to stretch the budget, the M50d is an absolute treat.
Specifications:*
Model: BMW X5 M50D
Engine: 3,0-litre, six-cylinder turbodiesel
Power: 280 kW from 4 000 r/min
Torque: 740 N.m from 2 000 r/min
0-100 km/h: 5,4 seconds
Fuel consumption: 7,5 L/100 km
CO2: 199 g/km
Top speed: 250 km/h
Price: R991 105
Maintenance plan: 5 years/100 000 km
*According to the manufacturer
Test results:
0-60 km/h: 2,8 seconds
0-100 km/h: 6,0 seconds
100-0 km/h: 2,92 seconds (average of 10 braking tests)
CAR fuel index: 9,0 L/100 km
CAR fuel run: 8,6 L/100 km