X5. 50e Vs 40d
Discussion
Other half is in the market for replacing her f pace. It's been an ok car, only leaving us stranded once (JLR cheapo alternator belt) but have always regretted buying the 2.0d rather than 3.0.
Anyway, X5 seems like a great all rounder. I currently have a m340i so a big fan of the B58 hence the 50e appeal, which is basically a B58 plus electric plug in motor & small battery. Although saying that, had an e60 535d in the past and that was hugely impressive if less soulful.
Current plan is that the m340i will be chopped in for an A110 but thats tbc.
Oh yeah, we tow (a caravan!) too, so that is a factor. Diesel for torque, hybrid for extra towcar mass.
The X5 looks like an amazing all rounder to me. Based on extensive YouTube research, in the diesel corner we have Joe Achilles as enthusiastic advocate, and in the PHEV corner, Mr ESR - both making a strong case for either!
50e is a bit more expensive, slightly offset by bigger discount and air ride (which we would want) as standard.
In preferred spec, including discount, 40d comes in at 74,254, 50e at 76,130. I've not got PCP quotes yet.
What would be your choice?
Anyway, X5 seems like a great all rounder. I currently have a m340i so a big fan of the B58 hence the 50e appeal, which is basically a B58 plus electric plug in motor & small battery. Although saying that, had an e60 535d in the past and that was hugely impressive if less soulful.
Current plan is that the m340i will be chopped in for an A110 but thats tbc.
Oh yeah, we tow (a caravan!) too, so that is a factor. Diesel for torque, hybrid for extra towcar mass.
The X5 looks like an amazing all rounder to me. Based on extensive YouTube research, in the diesel corner we have Joe Achilles as enthusiastic advocate, and in the PHEV corner, Mr ESR - both making a strong case for either!
50e is a bit more expensive, slightly offset by bigger discount and air ride (which we would want) as standard.
In preferred spec, including discount, 40d comes in at 74,254, 50e at 76,130. I've not got PCP quotes yet.
What would be your choice?
cerb4.5lee said:
We didn't like the X5 45e that we test drove, and we ended up buying a brand new Merc GLE400d instead. So for me personally I'd go in the direction of the 40d.
Interesting, what didn't you like about it? Drivetrain specific? I believe the 50e has a bit more of a usable motor/battery and is the LCI interior etc (marmite but I like it). imagine it's fairly gutless on full EV mode but probably good enough for local use. I was initially really attracted to the B58 engine, however when I actually drove it, it didn't feel as quick as the on paper figures suggested, and it really felt its weight to me.
However...I believe that the 50e is a big step up over the 45e though, both in electric range and performance in comparison.
However...I believe that the 50e is a big step up over the 45e though, both in electric range and performance in comparison.
I have a 45e and tow a twin axle caravan. Absolutely cannot fault it to be honest. Tows incredibly well. Yes, the fuel tank is smaller than a 30 or 40d so range is less but has never been an issue.
Mine is a company car as the BIK made it a no brainer. My commute is done on battery alone.
Is the 50e worth the extra over the diesels for a private buyer? Not sure if I’m honest.
Best car I have owned.
Mine is a company car as the BIK made it a no brainer. My commute is done on battery alone.
Is the 50e worth the extra over the diesels for a private buyer? Not sure if I’m honest.
Best car I have owned.
rix said:
Oh yeah, we tow (a caravan!) too, so that is a factor. Diesel for torque, hybrid for extra towcar mass.
OP, I currently have a X5 40D, the X5 is a very good tow car. My 4th, Diesel wise, the 40D can tow at high 50's mph in 8th. 30D less so. M50D was a breeze, the only reason I’m not in an M50D currently is it was pinched off the drive. I have never driven the 50E, but have put some thought into if I could make it work as a tow car. It came down to how far I would be towing. If I was only towing in the UK, it would be good. Since I'd fill battery and tank for the trip and probably would not need to refuel for most trips.
I do tow regularly to the south of France, and this is weak point for me. The 50E has a 70 litre tank, I believe and in reality it would not be charged enroute. I currently travel 250 miles on a 85 litre tank, full range is 300 miles, but I rarely push that limit when towing. If the 50e does the same MPG then max range is 247 miles. I suspect MPG will be worse, therefore the practical range could be 150/175 miles. So stopping and filling up every 2.5/3 hours. Just to add I have no experience what the towing petrol only mpg is. This was deal breaker for me. Carrying a battery 2,000 miles with no benefit, a “small” 70 litre tank and worse MPG.
one thing you should be aware of is the tow weight capactity of the hybrid 50e is 2.7T v the 3.5T for the rest of the range.
For me, the drivetrain would depend on your use case - if you are doing any local journeys on a regular basis, then a hybrid may suit best, otherwise you may as well go 40d, the drivetrain suits the type of car and that use case IMO.
I test drove a 50e recently, and as its meeting my requirements that is what I have ordered. If I was doing regular longer journeys I have no doubt I would have gone 40d
For me, the drivetrain would depend on your use case - if you are doing any local journeys on a regular basis, then a hybrid may suit best, otherwise you may as well go 40d, the drivetrain suits the type of car and that use case IMO.
I test drove a 50e recently, and as its meeting my requirements that is what I have ordered. If I was doing regular longer journeys I have no doubt I would have gone 40d
Thanks guys, yes most of the time it would be local and maybe id use it for my 50 mile (round trip) commute which might optimistically be within the EV range?? Towing is probably one trip a month at most, and generally within 100 miles although sometimes further. My mild hybrid B58 m340i is really decent on fuel and I can see 500 miles on the range occasionally (usually nearer 400) after filling on what is apparently a 59l tank. Obviously the weight and aero of the X5 would certainly diminish that some what!
I had a 50e as loaner a few weeks back, very impressive car but I couldn't help but think a 40d engine would have suited it better, once the battery has gone it's very thirsty sub 20mpg and the EV range seemed to disappear very quickly, if you can charge from home and the tax advantages suit you then the 50e probably works if those don't align then the 40d is probably the better bet.
We have had our 40d for a couple of months now and I can categorically recommend it. It has loads of power/torque and will happily do mid to high 30’s mpg. It has a range on long trips in excess of 700miles on a tank.
I did consider a 50e but the potential increase in power is barely noticeable in normal driving and I struggle with the need of hauling around a heavy battery pack that on long trips becomes largely irrelevant.
On the plus side the 50 has the obvious tax benefits if it’s a company car and there are advantages in ulez areas.
Either way the latest x5 is a brilliant bit of kit!
I did consider a 50e but the potential increase in power is barely noticeable in normal driving and I struggle with the need of hauling around a heavy battery pack that on long trips becomes largely irrelevant.
On the plus side the 50 has the obvious tax benefits if it’s a company car and there are advantages in ulez areas.
Either way the latest x5 is a brilliant bit of kit!
flight147z said:
I think it's a shame what's happening with diesel - big straight six diesel engines are perfect for large SUVs, less so for the smaller city cars they were packaged into from 2008-2015!
I feel similar too, and I'm a really big fan of the 3.0 straight six twin turbo diesel engine that is in the GLE400d we have. I was a big fan of the 3.0 straight six twin turbo diesel engine in the 640d we had as well. I've driven a 2016 X5 40d, and I rated that for sure. I think that if I'd test drove a 2021 X5 40d...instead of the 2021 X5 45e...I'd have been back in an X5 again now.
cerb4.5lee said:
flight147z said:
I think it's a shame what's happening with diesel - big straight six diesel engines are perfect for large SUVs, less so for the smaller city cars they were packaged into from 2008-2015!
I feel similar too, and I'm a really big fan of the 3.0 straight six twin turbo diesel engine that is in the GLE400d we have. I was a big fan of the 3.0 straight six twin turbo diesel engine in the 640d we had as well. I've driven a 2016 X5 40d, and I rated that for sure. I think that if I'd test drove a 2021 X5 40d...instead of the 2021 X5 45e...I'd have been back in an X5 again now.
flight147z said:
I used to have a 435d so same engine as your 640d. Struggle to see how a PHEV is better than that, albeit my commute is 120 miles round of which 110 miles is motorway so perfect conditions for diesel and presumably terrible for a PHEV
Agreed, and I think(presume) that hybrids work really well if you only do short runs. I don't see them as high mileage/long distance cars really. The 50e is a very quick car near 500hp but the drivetrain seems too sporty for a big SUV the step off is a bit urgent if you stab the throttle, whereas the 40d has that lazy but powerful gait that suits a big car and the B57 isn't to be confused with the previous N57 it's much better than that and very slick/smooth.
Harry did a review on the 45e...although was 3 years ago now.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k15n6QAe8cE
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k15n6QAe8cE
rix said:
Other half is in the market for replacing her f pace. It's been an ok car, only leaving us stranded once (JLR cheapo alternator belt) but have always regretted buying the 2.0d rather than 3.0.
Anyway, X5 seems like a great all rounder. I currently have a m340i so a big fan of the B58 hence the 50e appeal, which is basically a B58 plus electric plug in motor & small battery. Although saying that, had an e60 535d in the past and that was hugely impressive if less soulful.
Current plan is that the m340i will be chopped in for an A110 but thats tbc.
Oh yeah, we tow (a caravan!) too, so that is a factor. Diesel for torque, hybrid for extra towcar mass.
The X5 looks like an amazing all rounder to me. Based on extensive YouTube research, in the diesel corner we have Joe Achilles as enthusiastic advocate, and in the PHEV corner, Mr ESR - both making a strong case for either!
50e is a bit more expensive, slightly offset by bigger discount and air ride (which we would want) as standard.
In preferred spec, including discount, 40d comes in at 74,254, 50e at 76,130. I've not got PCP quotes yet.
What would be your choice?
IMO the 50e doesn't make any sense unless it’s for BIK reasons.Anyway, X5 seems like a great all rounder. I currently have a m340i so a big fan of the B58 hence the 50e appeal, which is basically a B58 plus electric plug in motor & small battery. Although saying that, had an e60 535d in the past and that was hugely impressive if less soulful.
Current plan is that the m340i will be chopped in for an A110 but thats tbc.
Oh yeah, we tow (a caravan!) too, so that is a factor. Diesel for torque, hybrid for extra towcar mass.
The X5 looks like an amazing all rounder to me. Based on extensive YouTube research, in the diesel corner we have Joe Achilles as enthusiastic advocate, and in the PHEV corner, Mr ESR - both making a strong case for either!
50e is a bit more expensive, slightly offset by bigger discount and air ride (which we would want) as standard.
In preferred spec, including discount, 40d comes in at 74,254, 50e at 76,130. I've not got PCP quotes yet.
What would be your choice?
Once the battery is dead on a long journey, the MPG will be terrible. Range will also be poor due to small tank. Apparently you can get close to 700 miles from the 30d and up to 40mpg.
You’d also be carrying around 200kg of dead battery weight for the rest of the journey effecting both handling and mpg.
Unless you have an EV tariff giving cheap off peak rates, the cost of charging isn’t going to be much cheaper then diesel.
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