Currently reading: More power and greater economy for BMW 5-series diesels
New-generation oil-burning four-cylinder engine provides added performance and economy to Munich's executive class saloon

The strong-selling BMW 518d and BMW 520d models have undergone a series of mild running changes which are due to take effect from September 2014 for delivery in the UK.

Key among the modifications brought to the popular executive class saloon and estate is a new-generation turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder diesel engine that is claimed to provide improvements to performance, fuel economy and CO2 emissions.

The B47 designated unit, first unveiled in the facelifted BMW X3, uses the latest common rail injector technology, endowing the reworked 518d with 148bhp and 295lb ft of torque – an increase of 7bhp and 15lb ft on the existing model.

The 520d’s reserves have been boosted by 6bhp to 187bhp, with torque increasing by a similar 15lb ft to the same 295lb ft as the 518d.

Allied to the new engine is a reworked version of BMW’s eight-speed automatic gearbox, which is claimed to bring further fuel savings.

A six-speed manual remains standard on both models. BMW’s official performance claims give the 518d and 520d saloon respective 0-62mph times of 9.5sec and 7.9sec in combination with the optional automatic gearbox, with the 518d and 520d Touring put at 9.9sec and 8.1sec.

At a claimed 65.7mpg and 114g/km, the 518d saloon improves on today’s model by 3.0mpg and 5g/km in automatic guise, with the new 518d Touring recording a combined cycle figure of 61.4mpg.

The 520d saloon is claimed to offer even greater fuel savings. Its 68.9mpg and 109g/km betters today’s model by 6.2mpg and 10g/km when running the revised automatic gearbox. Meanwhile, the 520d Touring is rated at the same 61.4mpg as the 518d Touring.

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Citytiger 16 May 2014

Volvo S80

D4 181bhp, 104g/km and 70.6mpg..
fadyady 16 May 2014

Paper tiger

More power, greater economy combined with minuscule emissions. Impressive stuff. On paper at least. When will the mighty Germans let the European Drive Cycle reflect real-life driving? If ever!
bomb 16 May 2014

fadyady wrote:When will the

fadyady wrote:

When will the mighty Germans let the European Drive Cycle reflect real-life driving? If ever!

Do the Germans have their own test or something?

fadyady 18 May 2014

The new EDC test

bomb wrote:
fadyady wrote:

When will the mighty Germans let the European Drive Cycle reflect real-life driving? If ever!

Do the Germans have their own test or something?

Following persistent criticism of the EDC tests failure to reflect real-life driving conditions (in cases more than 30 miles off) the new tests are planned to tackle this growing discrepancy and the German car makers are trying to delay it's enforcement. I didn't make it up. This matter has been reported. I made the comment given the overwhelming German car makers' control of the European market and the car makers association. Perhaps I should have added car makers in my original comment to avoid it being seen as nationalistic in any way.

Roadster 16 May 2014

Less power than Jaguar

Jaguar's marginally larger 2.2 litre diesel in the XF produces 197bhp. No great inroads made by BMW, still lagging behind Jaguar on the engine front.
Will86 16 May 2014

Roadster wrote:Jaguar's

Roadster wrote:

Jaguar's marginally larger 2.2 litre diesel in the XF produces 197bhp. No great inroads made by BMW, still lagging behind Jaguar on the engine front.

Roadster, you make me laugh. I hope you're just joking but I fear you're not. The XF may have more power but it's slower to 60mph and only does 54.3mpg whilst emitting 139g/km CO2. Hardly impressive figures. The only thing really wrong with BMW's current diesels is their refinement. Hopefully these new engines have addressed that.

Leslie Brook 16 May 2014

Roadster wrote:Jaguar's

Roadster wrote:

Jaguar's marginally larger 2.2 litre diesel in the XF produces 197bhp. No great inroads made by BMW, still lagging behind Jaguar on the engine front.

Jaguar's 2.2 is 10% larger than BMW's 2.0 litre. Thus the BMW has a higher specific output. In theory if it was a 2.2 it would produce 207.7bhp

Paul Bearer 16 May 2014

The 525d has the same engine

The 525d has the same engine but with 215hp.
Smilerforce 16 May 2014

Roadster wrote:Jaguar's

Roadster wrote:

Jaguar's marginally larger 2.2 litre diesel in the XF produces 197bhp. No great inroads made by BMW, still lagging behind Jaguar on the engine front.

Hit your jaguar sales targets this week? You are comedy gold. German Gold obviously... as Jaguar Gold is seriously lagging behind on the Carat Front.

Citytiger 17 May 2014

Smilerforce wrote:Roadster

Smilerforce wrote:
Roadster wrote:

Jaguar's marginally larger 2.2 litre diesel in the XF produces 197bhp. No great inroads made by BMW, still lagging behind Jaguar on the engine front.

Hit your jaguar sales targets this week? You are comedy gold. German Gold obviously... as Jaguar Gold is seriously lagging behind on the Carat Front.

Its not even Jaguars engine, its a PSA/Ford one..