Bee Emm double you Diesel.

Wheels on Fire...

John LINDGREN


A Diesel BMW! Are You Kidding Me?

Roughly 40 percent of all the BMWs sold globally last year were diesel’s. Even the Euro-skeptical automobile loving North Americans are now buying the German luxury ueber diesels. No more rattling, or smoking oil burners. Today’s diesels sedans are clean, quiet, frugal, and powerful high-tech common rail machines.

Phuket Post recently tested the first Bavarian Motor Works diesel, the BMW 520d. As the metallic badge on the trunk indicates: 5 is the model: the 5-series; 20d is the engine size: 2.000 cc and the stands d for diesel, (the engine version named after the German inventor Doktor Rudolf Diesel).

Our demo unit was collected from the BMW head quarters at All Season's M-tower opposite the US ambassador’s residence on Wireless road. First impression is the lean, cool styling, the design definitely not Teutonic but more Californian; muscular fit and trimmed. The Bayerische Motoren Werke - BMW brand image is instantly recognizable: the aggressive front with the aerodynamic rounded white glass headlights, the iconic chrome lined BMW twin kidney grille. There is a touch of the predator look which is further accentuated by the short, shark fin shaped antenna on the roof.

The body is aerodynamically sculpted; a high flowing waistline and the bulging wheel arches housing the large, no-nonsense 17-inch aluminium wheels. The 520d is a full size executive saloon positioned in the BMW line-up between the compact entry level junior executive 3-series and the long, luxury, CEO cum president limousine 7-series.

Driving impressions: In the cockpit I instantly became a pilot! Not just a driver, perfectly fitted into the deliciously scented premium leather upholstery. Surrounded by dials, meters, gauges and a BMW badge in the centre of the firm and perfect multifunction steering wheel. A fine marriage of form and function. And the often joked about idrive info-tainment center was a piece of cake to operate and user friendly like an Ipod. Just click-press-turn and you everything on the 6.5-inch screen located on the centre console: FM radio, CD-tracks and pertinent driving / engine information and the best FM radio dial, by far. Our music selection during the test drive: “Disco Sucks CD Collection” ABBA; "Dancing Queen", Boney M; "Rasputin" and "Hot Stuff" plus Mary Poppins, Pokahontas and the Lion King for our daughter.

On the grey tarmac to the green hinterlands of Khampeng Phet province in the North West along the new smooth four-lane high speed Nakhon Sawan Autobahn the 520d was flying like a racing machine. Glorious raw torque power. This engine is a blast. A tap on the accelerator. Swooosshhh! A deep spine tingling sensation and the crimson speedometer going 100... 150... 180... 200 kilometers per hour. Accompanied by the BMW unmistakable high pitched mechanical engine note.

This turbocharged, inter-cooler powered German wunderwerk with 163 horse power on tap is connected to a seamless, chocolate latte smooth six-speed automatic gearbox. Passing the slow, medium slow and dead slow vehicles was a pure exhilaration until my skateboarding daughter said: Daddy, you're going too fast (185 kph) - again! Approaching the distant traffic lights. The brakes. A light tap. Yes! Supremely accurate, razor sharp and reassuring. The 520d is a safe car as the alphabet soup indicates: ABS, DBC, DST, DTC and of course EDB Electronic Brake Force Distribution system including stability, traction and anti-lock brake systems. The works.

And now the the truly amazing fuel consumption: 14.5 kilometer per litre! Only half tank 35 litres to reach Khampeng Phet, Khasikorn Thai Bank intersection opposite Siriporns ”Aroy Noodleshop” 410 kilometers from Krungtheep Mahanakhorn (Bangkok). Full tank (70 liters) will take you all the way to the North, Chiang Mai ( Sawadee – Chaoo”). No refueling!

Verdict: BMW 520d is the “ultimate (Diesel) driving machine” currently available in Thailand. And the best looking luxury diesel saloon, too. Sticker price? A cool TBH 3,6 million.

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