The history of the BMW quad-turbo diesels in the M50d models is coming to an end. Even though there is no official BMW announcement, our sister magazine Bimmertoday reports that the 400 hp six-cylinder diesel will come to a stop in 2020. A worthy successor is not planned and instead the almost 70 hp weaker TwinTurbo diesel from the 40d models will take on the role of the top diesel in the future.
The marvelous engine was used in the BMW M550d Sedan and Touring, as well as the 750d and 750Ld Sedan, and more recently by the M50d versions of the BMW X5, X6 and X7. The BMW quad-turbo diesel has been at the top of the BMW diesel portfolio since its launch in 2016. With 400 hp and 760 Newton meters of torque, it enables performance that was reserved only a few years ago for sports cars with powerful petrol engines.
For example, the BMW M550d xDrive Sedan G30, using the most powerful expansion stage of the BMW B57 engine, runs from 0 to 100 km/h in just 4.4 seconds. Despite the impressive performance, the quad-turbo diesel was quite fuel efficient as well. The ratio of performance to consumption is excellent for diesel unit, even in the M550d model which has a standard consumption of 6.1 to 6.3 liters per 100 km.
But the stringent exhaust regulations, and more upcoming changes to the CO2 fleet emissions in the UE, have put a big hurdle in front of these type of engines. While the M50i models are used worldwide, the M50d quad-turbos are mostly available in Europe.
BMW Sees Internal Combustion Engines Still Going for a Couple Decades
It remains to be seen what the future of diesels will be. To reach the 400 horsepower potential, BMW might have to resume to electrified diesels one day. With the instantaneous response of the electric motor, the hybrid combination could be a great next step for BMW in the diesel world.
If you don’t want to speculate on possible drives of the future, you shouldn’t wait too long: The time window in which the BMW M550d, 750d and the M50d variants of the large X models can still be ordered is quickly closing.
Has anyone more information about the reliablility on 3 and 4 Turbo Diesel setups? Some time ago i was wondering why M550d were so ceap on the used car market and i was listening a mechanic rambling about the tri turbo being very hard to maintain and diagnose. They seem to be very complex and unreliable.
the m550d engine is awesome…i have one that has 80,000 kilometers already on an x5, never had a problem with it…however i am done with Bmw, this will be the last Bmw i’ll ever own and not because it’s bad…it’s a great one actually..but i noticed others are better, i will be jumping on Tesla’s boat as soon as they release the model Y…i tested several Tesla models and i know now that the future is electric
I will buy a Tesla, too. I could not care less about BMW anymore.
Me too but why Tesla, when there are a lot more cheaper electric cars out there. The future will be fun :)
Range, acceleration, drive train, tech, Superchargers, wireless software updates… There are other EVs, but not anything like Tesla currently.
I know the engine from 750d. A 400hp/ 760 Nm diesel power. But in the 7 Series… it felt like it could handle more torque and more hp. At least 430hp and 800 Nm.
Save the M550d.
The engine is electronically limited to 400hp in order to save the gearbox , this engine could produce easily 450-500hp and 850-900 NM with other software.
BMW seems to be fed up with diesels which is a understandable. In the North American market or China they are pretty much unknown. In Europe emissions regulations will kill them off or make them uneconomical to develop, produce and sell.
Here in Europa is full with X7 M50d , X5 M50d, M550d, adn 750d, people prefer it over biturbo engines, because they are a lot more quicker and use the same amount of fuel at the same time, or even less!!! Because the quad turbo has enough torque and power at very low rpm, and in the real world it works between 1000-2000 rpm . A friend of mine has 2019 M550d xDrive,and when we pushed the car on highway with 160km/h (100mph) it shows consumption of 6.3 liters per 100km. This is insane for such a powerful and heavy machine!
With just turbo expense to replace is scary. Engines are becoming so complex for emissions.