Over 29,250 2006-2007 5-series, 6-series, and X5 SUV’s are being recalled by BMW. The vehicles have a static electricity problem that causes the V8 engine to stall while on the road.
The problem involves the engine’s electronic control unit, when temperatures are below freezing and humidity is low, according to a NHTSA defect report. Under those conditions, an electrostatic discharge can occur at pipes that deliver fuel to the engine’s injectors, causing the control unit to malfunction.
BMW is making a stand and joining the competition in the diesel world by making a luxury 520d turbo-diesel sedan, which is set to arrive in November of this year. The 520d will be using the high-torque, four-cylinder turbo-diesel engine that boasts powerful and spirited performance along with ultra-low fuel consumption and exhaust emissions.
With its second-generation common rail fuel injection and variable-geometry turbocharger, the 520d engine produces 125 kW at a relaxed 4,000 rpm, as well as a surging 340 Nm of torque that is available from as low as 1,750 rpm to provide impressive pulling power. Equipped as standard with BMW’s six-speed automatic transmission and capable of accelerating from zero to 100 km/h in 8.6 seconds, the new 520d is endowed with the sporting all-round performance that is central to the BMW philosophy.
After being able to show off their BlueTec-equipped diesel six-cylinder engine at the Detroit Auto Show, BMW has indicated that they would be installing oil-burners in their US offerings in the year 2008. Before the opening of the Geneva Motor Show BMW CEO Dr. Norbert Reithofer reaffirmed that diesels would be available in US-market BMWs beginning with the X5 and 5-series models.
Diesel engines make up about forty percent of BMW’s sales worldwide, but are currently unavailable here in the United States. He also stated that the mild hybrid system they are jointly developing with DaimlerChrysler would be on sale in about two years time.