As if certain BMW M Division fans weren't struggling enough at the prospect of a whole range turbocharged M cars, here's another nugget that's going to cause a bit of controversy: it looks as though diesel power could be heading for M cars.
Well, sort of. A document purporting to be a supplier label for brake pads has hit the internet, and appears to list something called an M550dX (in saloon and estate form) among a whole ream of other BMW model nomenclatures.

Now, as far as we're aware, '50d' refers to the new 3.0-litre tri-turbo (yes, you read that right) straight-six diesel that is already certain to be heading for the X6 and BMW 7-series next year and which is expected to be unveiled officially at the Frankfurt show this September.

This unit could produce up to 395bhp (and no doubt a shedload of torque), so perhaps it's only fair that, should it find its way into a 5-series, it would get some M Division recognition. Judging by the badging, this is not going to be a full-house 'M' model, but it does look to us as though it will be a bit more than just an M Sport package.

That little 'x' also intrigues us - because that means four-wheel drive...

So the first diesel M car, then? Well, probably not quite - but the oil-burning M certainly looks to be a step closer.

I'm sorry, but the only way I can really communicate this is through the art of internet posting.




I have so much want right now.

I'm imagining a 5 series, 3 litre straight six, tri turbo 4x4.
That's gonna shift some.

ohhhhh

but mroe importantly.... will it run on veg oil ?

This was inevitable, i've been thinking of a Diesel M for a while, and now diesel engines perform well and the introduction of them on Gumball, Bullrun etc

I've been thinking about a 330 for a while anyway....

just don't really need one right now so don't see much point in getting one.... yet....

Get one for me and i'll pay you back!

I'd go back to a 325 given the chance, a 330 would be nice! This Skoda does my head in

Whats wrong the Skoda?

I understand that the previous model 3 series (before the E92 i think it is?) the 330d was pretty close to the M3 in real world performance.

The only problem I foresee is that it just won't have the "urge" of a petrol M car or the noise it makes at high revs, it'll just be turbo whine and wastegate chatter

pah... I love turbo diesel noise


my/niges old one sounded a bit like a train if you stood next to it and reved it.... but from the inside... with a bit of turbo kick it sounded awesome :-)


straight 6 = win for diesels in my opinion too... 3rd gear would pull hard from 20mph to 80mph (which is good when you don;t have the rev range of a petrol)

crusing at 70mph was ~2k revs and hardly touching the pedal :-)

The old BMW we had was lovely to drive for exactly those reasons, especially on the motorway.