You are hereArizona
Arizona
Road Test: BMW X5 xDrive 35d
Yes, this is the diesel
Let me begin my review of the X5 Diesel with this: I'm not much of an SUV driver. I'd much rather drive a car, preferably one with a sporty nature. But I don't think I'm an atypical enthusiast. You know what I mean. It's much more fun to drive a car, even with just a hint of performance, rather than a truck or SUV.
The American market has struggled to accept diesel's, unless it's a pickup truck. The low-end torque makes diesel power ideal for towing trailers and hauling loads.
But when I heard I'd have access to a BMW X5 for a few days, I hate to admit it but I got excited. I have, of course, read a lot about the X5 and BMW's take on the world of SUV's. But I have never driven one, plus this was a diesel. Would driving a diesel be any different than a gasoline powered car or truck? What about the noise? And just how "green" would it prove to be?
What about today's diesels?
Some years ago, U.S. auto makers introduced buyers to diesel-powered cars with mixed results. Those 70's era Oldsmobile's and Cadillac's emitted such a clatter that it startled most potential buyers to dash the thought of better mileage for smoother running and quieter rides. Still land yachts, just not so noisy.
Any previous opinions I held regarding today's diesel vehicles were quickly dashed with this X5. Diesel engines have come a long way and BMW has done much to quell consumers fears about engine clatter and smelly exhaust.
Can you tell its a diesel? Well aside from the X5's graphics, you can when accelerating from a standing start. But the engine is at full grunt doing the job of getting the car up to speed. But standing outside the X5 as it idled or when at cruising speed, it was quiet and smooth.
The diesel X5 comes in two forms, the xDrive 30d or 35d. Each is powered by a turbocharged 3-liter in-line six, with the 35d bestowed with twin-turbos. The 30d has 235 horsepower and the 35d with 286.
BMW's diesel produces a hefty 425 lb-ft of torque at a low 1750 rpm. It accelerates to 60 mph in 6.7 seconds, impressive for a 5111-lb SUV. For those wondering about mileage, the EPA rates the diesel X5 at 19 mpg city and 26 mpg highway. I easily achieved these numbers, particularly on the highway where my local freeways are relatively flat.
The X5's handling easily rivals many "sports" sedans and is a ball to drive. The low end torque powers it through corners quite nicely and makes you think you're driving something other than a heavy SUV. Fun, yes, but the weight will catch up with you with a nod to understeer that is easily controlled and expected.
Electronic gadgetry
Hallelujah, I was able to pair my iPhone with iDrive! Or, more specifically, with the Communications center of BMW's disputed entertainment hub. I wasn't so successful with the 3 Series I tested not long ago so I was pleasantly surprised by my success this time around.
What I was disappointed with was the quality of the system itself. The iDrive control knob is nicely weighted and feels like it should be linked to a grade-A entertainment system. Unfortunately, the expected BMW quality ended there. The other buttons used to access the system were a hard plastic that didn't mesh well with nearby surfaces. The BMW standards guide may need a revisit.
I did find the iDrive system easy to navigate. BMW has taken much heat over the system since it was introduced and has simplified it. To those ends, they may have let the on-screen graphics suffer. A visual update is needed, especially in the age of computer gamers and hybrid "greenness" measuring dash displays.
How about the competition?
You can see how the diesel X5 faired against it's competition in this comparison published by Motor Trend. Based on their results, Motor Trend favors Volkswagen's Touareg TDI.
You benefit from German engineering in both the BMW and VW, but the Touareg seemingly wins out with a better designed interior. You want your time behind the wheel to be a great experience, not only in driving dynamics but in the quality of the environment. BMW may be lacking here, but first hand experience will be your best guide.
Any true-blue BMW fans out there? What do you think of a diesel BMW, particularly an SUV? Is it high time American buyers accept diesel, particularly with its miles per gallon advantage? Or will the higher showroom sticker price turn buyers away, not to mention the higher cost at the pump? Let me know what you think, especially if you are an X5 owner.
Gooding & Company Scottsdale Auction
If your fortunate enough to live in or visit the Phoenix area shortly after the new year, your always in for a car enthusiasts treat. The auction houses have begun announcing their upcoming events, with some truly fantastic cars set to cross the block.
Gooding & Company recently introduced their 2010 Scottsdale Auction with five one-of-a-kind European cars for sale.
The consignments include a winning 1956 Jaguar D-Type, a rare Pinin Farina 1959 Ferrari 250 GT Series I Cabriolet, a beautiful 1956 Maserati A6G/54 Berlinetta, Hollywood’s 1934 Hispano-Suiza J-12 T68 Cabriolet and a 1932 Alfa Romeo 6C 1750.
Gooding & Company will hold its auction event at the Scottsdale Fashion Square Mall on Saturday, January 23, 2010, beginning at 11 a.m.
The Five
Beginning with the 1956 Jaguar D-Type Sports Racer, chassis XKD528 began its racing career in 1956 with driver Pearce “Pete” Woods at popular racing events throughout California. A podium finisher at Santa Barbara, Bakersfield, Palm Springs, Riverside, Paramount Ranch and Pomona, XKD528 retired to street car status in 1964. Since then, it has been featured in countless magazine articles and proudly rallied in the Colorado Grand, Terry Larsen’s C & D-Type Rally, and Copperstate 1000. Following a recent comprehensive restoration, the Sports Racer will be offered for sale in its original appearance of cream over blue.
"According to Jaguar historian Andrew Whyte, this Jaguar D-Type Sports Racer’s victory at the Pomona Six-Hour Enduro in November 1958 is widely considered the last big win for a D-Type in the US," says David Gooding, founder and president of Gooding & Company.
The 1959 Ferrari 250 GT Series 1 Cabriolet may be best known as one of only 40 Series 1 Pinin Farina Cabriolets ever built, the last car of its kind to wear the famous covered headlights. At one time, this car was a daily driver for Marion Chinetti, the wife of legendary Italian race car driver Luigi Chinetti. Gooding & Company expects this Ferrari to be a bright star in Arizona this January.
David Gooding said, "This is the first time a Series 1 Cabriolet has been presented at auction in many years and Gooding and Company are honored to be representing it."
The 1956 Maserati A6G/54 Berlinetta, with coachwork by Allemano, was originally owned by Giulio Dubbini of Padua, Italy, a renowned collector of significant Italian racing cars. One of only 15 examples of Allemano-bodied Maseratis built in 1956, this rare gran turisimo retains most of its original components, including its Verde Suro (Mackeral Green) livery, original coachwork and matching-numbers engine. The A6G/54 is estimated to sell for $375,000 - $450,000.
Formerly the property of Alfa Romeo enthusiast Ralph Stein, this 1932 Alfa Romeo 6C 1750 Series V Gran Sport is a comprehensively-documented touring car that has participated in some of world’s most renowned events including the Mille Miglia Storica, Colorado Grand Rally, Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, and Laguna Seca’s Monterey Historic Races. It is being offered for sale with accompanying reports from experts Angela Cherrett and John Boer, FIVA paperwork, original bumper and engine components, and an extensive file of receipts from Jim Stokes’ comprehensive mechanical work that included the build of a Vittorio Jana-designed, supercharged twin-cam engine.
“From the moment we climbed into the car and slid into the low bench seat, it was apparent that the Alfa was a true driver’s car,” says David Gooding.
One of only nine original-bodied open J-12s in existence and also one of the most attractive, this 1934 Hispano-Suiza J-12 T68 Cabriolet became famous when it appeared in the popular 1979 James Bond film, Moonraker, starring Roger Moore. This car is one of only 120 twelve-cylinder models ever built and with a massive engine displacement of nearly 9.5 liters, it has been enjoyed by its owner for thirty years. During this time together, the owner toured numerous Hispano-Suiza rallies around the world as well as CCCA CARavans and the Colorado Grand. One of the most coveted of all classics ever built, this car is eligible to be shown at every major classic car event in the world.
If you were a money-no-object collector, is there any car listed or pictured here that you would just have to own? I love the little blue Porsche but I'm also a fanatic for the classic 356 models. Let me know what you think with a comment below.
Photos by Hugh Hamilton © 2009 Courtesy of Gooding & Company
Successful fundraiser for Wheels of Wellness
Not unlike the Concorso Arizona I attended a couple of months ago, this past Sunday's Wheels of Wellness proved to be a great event and a successful fundraiser for The Wellness Community.
Following my preview post from last week, the Wheels of Wellness not only benefited from great weather but from an outstanding collection of classic race cars.
Wheels of Wellness raised $15,000 for The Wellness Community, benefiting their cancer support and education programs.
I have posted additional photos to Ridestory on Flickr. It was amazing to see all of these cars together, in one place.
2nd Annual Wheels of Wellness event this weekend
Social event for car aficionados
Arizona has become quite the mecca for automotive enthusiasts in January as a long line of incredible events begins, with this weekends Wheels of Wellness kicking it off.
This 2nd Annual event will feature an amazing collection of race cars with a history spanning more than 70 years. It's a rare and valuable group of American and European race cars valued at nearly $80 million.
The unique fundraising event is designed to help raise awareness of The Wellness Community, a national organization that provides more than 100 free programs monthly to anyone whose life is touched by cancer. Wheels of Wellness will be held on the grounds of The Wellness Community’s 1908 home and one-acre campus in downtown Phoenix.
Using cars to raise awareness
The list of cars set to appear at this years fund raiser is incredible:
•'63 Ferrari 250 GTO; GT-class winner, Paris Grand Prix
•'63 Corvette Grand Sport (chassis 002), one of five factory-built racers by Zora Arkus Duntov
•'53 Alfa Romeo 6C 3000 CM, raced by Jo Bonnier
•'62 Ferrari 250 GTO; 2nd overall, 1st in GT class at Sebring 1962
•'68 Ford GT40 Mk II (#1074); Monza 1000K winner, Gulf team car
•'54 Jaguar D-Type; factory Le Mans entry driven by Stirling Moss
•'66 Holman/Moody Ford Galaxie stock car raced by Fred Lorenzen
•'60 Camoradi Team Corvette; raced at Le Mans
•'65 Shelby GT 350; AZ hillclimb period history
•'58 Factory team Austin-Healey Bugeye Sprite, Sebring class winner history
•'90 Chevrolet Lumina Winston Cup car raced by Davey Allison
•'57 Townsend Typhoon; AZ-built special, period racing history
•'58 Lister-Jaguar "Knobbly", Briggs Cunningham Team car raced by Ed Crawford
•'64 Brabham BT-8, raced in period by Denis Hulme
•'58 Echidna Special, one of three built by Minnesota homebuilt fabricators
•'01 Riley & Scott Mk IIIc; ex-Dyson team car raced by James Weaver
•'58 Joe Hunt Magneto Spl.; 2nd in USAC championship 1958
•'69 Mustang Boss 302; Peter Revson's Shelby factory Trans-Am car
•'49 Fiat Topolino; finished 4th in class @ Mille Miglia in Italy
•'37 Maserati 6CM Monoposto Voiturette, pre-war Grand Prix racer
•'81 Porsche 935; IMSA championship with John Paul Jr.
•'35 Miller-Ford Novi Winfield V8, finished 3rd at 1939 Indy 500
The two 250 GTOs listed above are part of the original 36 Ferrari's ever built. Chassis No. 3387 was entered in the 1962 Sebring 12 Hours by Luigi Chinetti’s North American Racing Team for Phil Hill and Olivier Gendebien, where it finished second overall and won the GT class. Chassis No. 3607 was owned by Count Volpi’s Scuderia Serenissima and later Jacques Swaters’ Ecurie Francorchamps. In the hands of Annie Soisbault, the Marquess de Montaigu, 3607 was first in the GT class at the 1965 Paris Grand Prix at Montlhery.
What's nice about events such as these is the opportunity for true car enthusiasts to get up close and personal to some incredible cars and raise money for a worthwhile cause. It's certainly a feel good event for all.
2008 Concorso Arizona
This past weekend I took advantage of the great Arizona weather and attended the 2008 Concorso Arizona. Hosted by the Ferrari Club of America-Desert Region, it took place in Scottsdale at the el Pedregal Marketplace at the The Boulders Resort. In brief, the event was an Italian car lover's dream.
The Concorso offered an assortment of classic and current model Ferrari's, as well as many Lamborghini Diablo's, Gallardo's and Murciélago's. In addition, there were more than a few De Tomaso Pantera's, incredibly restored inside and out.
Capping off the day was seeing a rare Bugatti Veyron up close and in person. As a car nut, I've read countless articles about the car but have never seen one. It was an incredible experience, especially when the car's massive 16-cylinder engine was fired up!
There were a total of 83 cars on display, including a Ferrari 250 GT Pininfarina and a black Ferrari Enzo, which is one of only three in the world. The Enzo was chosen by spectator vote as the 2008 People's Choice Award. Many of the cars shown were valued at over $1.5 million.
Best in Show went to a 1984 Ferrari BB 512i. Also known as the Berlinetta Boxer, the 512 is one of my teenage favorites, seemingly stripped from the pages of Road and Track or Car and Driver magazines. Unfortunately, the rear deck was closed and I couldn't take a peek at the 5-liter flat-12.
Money raised from the weekend event goes to Ronald McDonald House Charities of Phoenix, helping families who need help while their child is in Phoenix for surgery or other medical conditions.
If you click through to read this post, I've posted a few photos I took while I was there.
Let me know what some of your favorite Italian exotics are, whether it be a model from today or a classic from sometime in the past.
