Fuel consumption: BMW 525d xDrive Touring (F11 / MY2012)

Model (Code / Model Year): BMW 525d xDrive Touring (F11 / MY2012)

Engine: 4-cylinder diesel engine (1995 cm³) - engine code: N47D20D

Transmission: 8-speed automatic transmission
Performance: 218hp / 450nm
0 to 100km/h: 7,3sec
Top speed: 228km/h (142mp/h)

Weight: 1.820kg
Fuel tank (US gallons): 70 liters (18.5 US gallons)

Doing a fuel consumption test in a BMW 525d xDrive Touring (F11 / MY2012). Aim of this test is not to give an exact specification of the fuel consumption of this car, but to show an approximation of the fuel consumption under real life circumstances.

In the video I did a test of the consumption at different speeds. Aim of this test is not to give an exact specification of the fuel consumption of this car, but to show an approximation of the fuel consumption under real life circumstances. As the result also depends on tyres, size of the rims, road condition, weather and equipment that may alter the exact weight of the car, your personal experience may differ from mine.

Picture update: BMW 530d xDrive LCI M Sport

BMW introduced its current generation 5-series, known by the BMW-code "F10", in November 2009. Production commenced in January 2010 and the first F10s have been delivered to the dealerships in March of 2010. Compared to its predecessor (the E60 / 2003 - 2010) the new 5-series was 4cm longer while its wheelbase was 10cm longer. In April BMW introduced the 5-series Touring, known as the "F11". 
Just as the 5-series E60, the new 5-series is produced by the BMW factory in Dingolfing, Germany. Not completely true, the Long Wheel Base 5-series (F18) is produced in Shenyang China, due to the fact that this specific version is only available on the Chinese market.

In July 2013 BMW presented its 5-series LCI (Lifecycle Impulse), more commonly known as a "facelift". As already available on the 1- and 3-series, BMW now also introduced its BMW Lines in the 5-series range, both the Luxury Line and Modern Line. Another new feature are the Full HD Headlights (featured on this 530d), while the xenon headlights become a standard feature instead of an option. Also the rear lights have had a small update.
Some of the engines have been adapted, so that now all engines adhere to the EURO6-norm. New engine (types) include the BMW 518d and 520d xDrive. 

Model (Code / Model Year): BMW 530d xDrive LCI (2014 / F10)

Engine: six-cylinder TwinPower-Turbo diesel engine (2993cm³)   Transmission: 8-speed automatic transmission Performance: 258hp / 560nm 0 to 100km/h: 5,7 sec Top speed: 250km/h (156mp/h) Weight: 1885kg Fuel tank (US gallons): 70 liter (18,5 US gallons) Production date: February 2014
Exterior colour: Carbon Black metallic (416) Upholstery: Black Dakota leather (LCSW) Interior trim: Aluminium Hexagon interior trim Wheels: 19" M Double-spoke style 351M alloy wheels

Optional equipment on this specific BMW 530d xDrive LCI:

€54.680,00 BMW 530d xDrive LCI F10

Included in the M Sports package

€0,00 8-speed Sport automatic transmission (automatic gearbox is standard)

€5.200,00 M Sports package

€980,00 Carbon Black metallic
€1.300,00 19" M Double-spoke style 351M alloy wheels
€0,00 Aluminium Hexagon interior trim
€1290,00 Black Dakota leather
€0,00 Headlining, Anthracite
€0,00 Exterior trim, High-gloss Shadowline
€1.630,00 Comfort seats, front
€0,00 M Aerodynamics package
€0,00 M Steering Wheel

€3.300 Navigation package ConnectedDrive

€0,00 Remote Services
€0,00 Concierge services
€0,00 Real Time Traffic Information
€0,00 Navigation system - BMW Professional
€0,00 ConnectedDrive Services
€0,00 Enhanced Bluetooth telephone with USB & Voice control

€2.000,00 Innovation package II

€0,00 Driving Assistant
€1.390,00 Adaptive LED Headlights
€0,00 Black panel display, full
€0,00 Head-up display
€0,00 Speed limit display

€2.000,00 Comfort package

€0,00 Loudspeaker system - BMW Advanced (HiFi-Lautsprechersystem)
€470,00 Air conditioning, automatic with four-zone control
€0,00 Rear-view mirror, auto dimming
€0,00 Lumbar support, driver and front passenger
€0,00 Seat heating, front
€0,00 Ambient lighting
€0,00 Park Distance Control

€350,00 Active protection
€---,-- High-beam assistant
€380,00 Sunblind - rear windscreen, electric 
€590,00 Sunblinds for side and rear windows
€3.240,00 Adaptive Drive
€480,00 Alarm system
€790,00 Comfort access
€1.250,00 Electric Glass Sunroof
€50,00 Smokers package
€390,00 Split-folding rear seats
€380,00 Seat heating, rear
€100,00 Through-loading ski bag
€0,00 TeleServices
€0,00 BMW Emergency call
€0,00 LED Fog lights, front
€0,00 Headlights wash
€0,00 Floor mats, velour
€0,00 Apps
€390,00 Exterior mirrors - folding, auto dimming
€0,00 12v power sockets

Total price in Germany: €82.120,01*

*Prices are the German prices in September 2014

Carbon Black metallic with the blue tone in the sun

Full LED Headlights

19-inch style 351M alloy wheels

M Steering wheel

Navigation system Professional & front automatic air conditioning

Black Dakota leather & Comfort seats

Sport automatic transmission

Aluminium Hexagon interior trim

Dual zone automatic air conditioning in the rear, including seat heating

Some pro's and con's on the BMW 530d xDrive LCI M Sport:

Pro:

Good interior finish

Good HiFi system

Good grip on the steering wheel

Good engine with excellent performance

Excellent 8-speed Sport automatic gearbox + nice leather at the base of the gearshift lever (opposed to the plastic part with the standard automatic transmission)

Excellent Comfort seats

Excellent 3d navigation system

Excellent full HD Headlights and high-beam assist

Con:

Bad location of the cup holders, right in front of the airconditioning

Handling of the xDrive model is more neutral then of the rear-wheel drive model

Fuel consumption in combination with the xDrive is above average, about 0,5l ~ 1,0l / 100km more then the standard 530d 

The button to open the trunk is located in an incovenient place

Storage space for personal items is scarce

Steep price

More pictures of this BMW 530d xDrive LCI M Sport can be found here, please click and scroll down.

Other BMW 5-series F10 media:

• Pictures of a Space Grey Metallic BMW 525d xDrive can be found here.
• Pictures of a Titanium Silver Metallic BMW 520d Touring can be found here. 
• Pictures of an Alpine White BMW 520d can be found here.
• Pictures of a Sophisto Grey II Metallic BMW 530d xDrive can be found here.
• Pictures of an Imperial Blue Metallic BMW 520d Touring can be found here.
• Pictures of a Black Sapphire Metallic BMW 520d Touring can be found here.

Video update: BMW 525d xDrive Touring (2012 / F11)

Also known as the F10 (sedan) and F11 (Touring), the current BMW 5-series has been available since early 2010. The car is produced in BMWs Dingolfing plant in Germany, but also in Shenyang in China, where next to the standard 5-series the F18 - Long Wheel Base - 5-series is produced that is only available on the Chinese market. 

Initially 6 engines have been available (four petrol engines and two diesel engines), while a four-cylinder diesel engine (520d) with 184hp was introduced later in 2010. In an effort to reduce CO2-emissions, BMW has replaced several six-cylinder engines with four cylinder engines. Thus the BMW 525d (204hp, six-cylinders) became a 525d (218hp, four-cylinders), the 523i (204hp, six-cylinders) was replaced by the 520i (184hp, four-cylinders) and the 528i (258hp, six-cylinders) became a 528i (245hp, four-cylinders). 
Apart from these changes, BMW also introduced a 530i (until the LCI, after which it was dropped again) and a 520d "Efficient-Dynamics Edition". Changes from the standard 520d include a longer rear-axle ration, tires with a low rolling resistance and improved aerodynamics.

Optional is the eight-speed automatic gearbox, that due to the large spread between the gears lower the torque and decrease both noise levels and fuel consumption. Even though the gearbox has two extra gears compared to the six-speed automatic gearbox used before, no extra parts were necessary, while the total weight of the gearbox only increased marginally. The gearbox is produced by ZF Friedrichshafen.

In Juli 2013 BMW introduced the LCI (LifeCycle Impulse) - also known as a facelift - for the F10-range. Changes included the BMW Lines, previously known from the 1- and 3-series, like the Luxury and Modern Line. Another new element was the full-LED headlights, while the xenon headlights now have become a standard feature, rather then being optional equipment. Another new element is the introduction of the x18d into the 5-series, now available as the BMW 518d.

Model (Code / Model Year): BMW 525d xDrive Touring (2012 / F11) Engine: four-cylinder turbocharged common rail diesel engine (1995cm³) / engine code: N47D20 Transmission: 8-speed automatic transmission Performance: 218hp / 450nm 0 to 100km/h: 7,3 sec Top speed: 228km/h (143mp/h)

BMW 525d xDrive Touring Walkaround - Exterior and interior shots of the car

BMW 525d xDrive Touring Fuel Consumption Test - testing the fuel consumption under real life conditions

BMW 525d xDrive Touring Flatout - Putting the pedal to the metal on the German Autobahn

Picture update: BMW X5 xDrive30d LCI (2012 / E70)

In 2006 BMW introduced its second generation X5 (in the US, in Europe in 2007), known by its BMW code "E70", and has been in production from 08/2006 till 08/2013. It was preceded by the E53 (1999 - 2006) and has succeeded by the new X5 F15 (since 2013). Production of the E70 took place in Spartanburg, United States, but kits have also been assembled in Toluca, Mexico and by Avtovor in Kaliningrad, Russia.

The BMW X5 E70 underwent a "Life Cycle Impulse" (LCI) update in 2010, which debuted at the New York Auto show in April 2010. Changes included revised styling, primarily of the front and rear bumpers, air intakes and headlights, but also included new exterior and interior colours and BMW's latest infotainment system. Apart from these changes a new range of engines was also introduced, while other engines received updates and the new 8-speed automatic gearbox was available for the X5.

In this post we take a closer look at a 2012 BMW X5 xDrive30d LCI and compare it to a pre-LCI BMW X5 3.0d, but equipped with the (optional) M-package. 

On the left a pre-LCI X5 and on the right an X5 that already has the LCI specifications, which include revised spoilers and different angel eyes (instead of beige they are white). 

Model (Code / Model Year): BMW X5 xDrive30d LCI (2012 / E70)

Engine: straight-six diesel engine (2993cm³) with variable geometry turbochargers  / engine code: N57D30OL Transmission: 8-speed automatic transmission Performance: 245hp (180kW) / 540nm 0 to 100km/h: 7,6 sec Top speed: 222km/h (139mp/h) Weight: 2125–2380 kg Fuel tank (US gallons): 85 liter (22,5 US gallons) Production date: August 2008, Spartanburg USA

2012 BMW X5 xDrive30d:

Exterior colour: Alpine white (300)
Upholstery: Tobacco Nevada leather (LUF1)
Interior trim: Fine-wood trim bamboo grain dark
Wheels: 19-inch styling 223M alloy wheels (part of the M-package)

Most notable changes compared to the pre-LCI (left) are the different exhaust pipes and the introduction of the L-shaped LED-taillights.

Most notable changes in the interior is the new software and the new iDrive controller that features more buttons that take you to the respective menu. 

Optional equipment:

The optional M-package includes the following equipment:

• Interior trim fine-wood bamboo grain dark, Exterior aluminium, roof rails high-gloss aluminium, 19-inch alloys styling 223M, comfort seats with memory, anthracite headliner, M sport steering wheel (with paddle shifters), M sport bumpers, special exhaust pipes, Adaptive Drive suspension
• Alpine white exterior colour
• Tobacco Nevada leather

Tobacco Nevada leather with fine-wood trim bamboo grain dark

M-sport steering wheel with paddle shifters

19-inch styling 223M alloy wheels

Oval exhaust pipes are part of the M-package, otherwise they are only fitted to the X5 4.8i or xDrive50i (V8 petrol engines)

Sport seats come standard with the M-package, but for a small price it is possible to upgrade to comfort seats

Separate optional equipment:

• Active steering
• Adaptive Drive*
• Automatic tailgate operation
• Comfort access
• Soft-close automatic doors
• Backup camera and Top view
• Panoramic glass sunroof
• Extended storage package
• Sunblinds for side windows
• Floor mats, velours
• Exterior and interior mirrors - folding, auto-
• Rear-view mirror, auto dimming
• Smokers package
• Comfort seats with memory*
• Ski bag
• Lumbar support, driver and passenger
• Storage package
• Seat heating driver / passenger
• Seat heating, rear
• Headlight wash
• Xenon headlights
• Adaptive headlights
• Automatic air conditioning
• Auxiliary heating
• Cruise control with brake function
• Light package
• Supplementary 12v sockets
• High-beam assistant

Park Distance Control and backup camera

Park Distance Control and top view camera

• Navigation system Professional - with bluetooth preperation
• BMW Assist
• Internet, preparations
• Expanded BMW Online Information
• BMW Online
• BMW TeleServices
• USB / Audio interface
• Speed Limit Info

Navigation system Professional - satellite view

Navigation system Professional - showing traffic information, including police speed traps

• Head-up display
• Voice control
• Preparation, mobile phone, business
• HiFi System Professional DSP
• Headlining anthracite*
• Innovation package
• Comfort package

Head-up display including the speed limit info

Some pro's and con's on the BMW X5 xDrive30d LCI:

Pro:

• Refined and powerful (diesel) with an acceptable fuel consumption
• Smooth 8-speed gearbox
• Park Distance Control combined with top view camera make parking a vehicle of this size easy
• Up-to-date navigation and entertainment system
• Three passengers have enough room in the back
• Large booth

Con:

• Previous generation interior layout
• Previous generation HUD
• Smaller navigation screen compared to current generation BMWs
• Build quality is ok, but of a lesser standard then "German" BMWs

Despite its age and being of the previous generation BMWs, the X5 E70 in the later years still is a relatively modern vehicle. Continuous updates to the vehicle, for example the new soft- and hardware for the navigation system, the use of high quality backup and topview cameras and the introduction of BMW Online / Teleservices, have resulted in a product that still feels up-to-date.

However, when compared to the newer generation BMWs (7-series F01, 5-series F10) there is a notable difference, making the X5 E70 feeling somewhat outdated. The cockpit layout is still of the previous generation BMWs, the screen size is smaller then that of the current generation BMWs, the HUD only has two colors and has a lower resolution, and there is no digital speedometer. But overall the X5 E70 is still a very enjoyable car.

More pictures of this particular BMW X5 xDrive30d can be found by clicking here.

Other BMW X5 E70 media:

• Spotlight: BMW X5 3.0d (2009 / E70)
• Video update: BMW X5 xDrive30d LCI (2012 / E70)