F15 Diesel Guidance

[F87 S55]

Just bought an AW 2018 F15 Diesel with 21k miles from Braman BMW in Miami. I am flying this weekend to pick it up and drive back with my wife. 30 year BMW owner, first diesel. So, since I will be driving almost 1500 miles of highway, and not knowing what the previous owner used for fuel, I'm looking for advice. First, this X5 just passed the CPO certification and I requested a printout of the sheet from the Service Department. I see nothing about any engine or trans service at this time and it states almost 8k before the next service. I usually only go 4-5k on my oil.

My question is this, not knowing what fuel the guy who was leasing used, is there a recommended fuel system cleaner/treatment I should use during the long trip to potentially clean up the system, or am I being too anal about this?
I know to look for good fuel at only name brand stations, not places like 7-11 or anyplace that is filling up the underground tanks as it stirs up all the sediment. I will address the oil and other fluid items when I get home. Luckily is it still under factory warranty for a year and the CPO warranty for an additional year after that.

I wish I had a photo to share, but since I sent them the funds, they took down advertisement off the BMW CPO sales site. I will take some when i get it home. It is Alpine White with the Terra Brown Dakota interior and Poplar Grain wood trim, Heated Comfort seats and wheel, Y-Spoke 451 wheels and LED Adaptive. I have a 2005 Highland Green Metallic 4.4i Sport that this will replace, so familiar with the platform.

Thanks for any advice.

[atwal187]

Ride out your factory warranty. Once it is done slap on a fuel filter kit to save that cp4 and or upgrade to the revised one . As for fuel treatment. Run some hotshots diesel extreme every so often and use hotshots EDT LX4 , can use it every tank just to keep ur fuel system lubricated well. You have low mileage so just keep ur fuel change/ fuel filter at a good amount not the bmw recommended intervals.

[nje39m5]

^^
This. I ran a bottle per year through mine when I had it (1/2every 6 months) and it still pulled like a freight train to the day I turned it in. Still miss the torque of the diesel. Thanks a lot VAG group for ruining diesel for everyone.

Hot Shot's Secret P040416Z Diesel... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00IUGFZE2...p_mob_ap_share

[F87 S55]

Thank you Atwal187 and nje39m5 for the advice. I will probably stop and pick up some Hot Shots for the 1500 mile return trip. Seems like the perfect conditions for either cleaning it up, or maintaining whats already been done. I can't imagine there is terrible buildup in only 22k miles, but I don't know. A $20 bottle of cleaner sounds like cheap comfort and a good regimen to start.

Guessing I have a lot to learn in the coming years. I appreciate it.

[asus.trans05]

Appreciate the tip, just ordered one and plan to use it every 6 months

[F87 S55]

Originally Posted by asus.trans05

Appreciate the tip, just ordered one and plan to use it every 6 months

As an FYI, no need to order, unless you really want to, as the Hot Shot products are available at AutoZone, Advanced Auto, O'Reillys, Walmart and other parts stores. Best of luck !!!

[devlinsky]

Another kind-of-piece-of-mind advice:

Once a month have a stable and above the 60mph drive that lasts longer, than 30-40 minutes - that will let your DPF regenerate by burning soot and ash from inside.

Best scenario - get Carly or something similar, where you can force the car into "regenerative drive" mode.

And - as you said - stick to the best fuel you can find around. This, given the US fuel quality, is critical.

[CatalinP]

Regeneration process burns soot but not ash. Ash is collected into DPF and will eventually clogg it. That's the time for a new one.
Regeneration is done at any speed or load of the engine, if there are no DME errors and you have sufficient fuel remaining in the tank.

[devlinsky]

That's very interesting, thank you!

Does chemical cleaning of the DPF (either by injecting anti carbon liquids by sensor hole before DPF or by commercial companies "wash" process) help remove the ash and does indeed unclog it?

My car is at 150k miles (little over 250kkm) and while Carly indicates marginal amount of soot and ash (single grams) I suspect it might have something to do with cold start rpm floating/wobble.

2014 M50d
Diesel
Runs only on Shell Vpower diesel

[atwal187]

OP : Join the North American bmw diesel owners group on Facebook if you want more information regarding n57 or m57 diesels . Will help you on your journey. And yes you won't have much build up at 22k .

[CatalinP]

Originally Posted by devlinsky

That's very interesting, thank you!

Does chemical cleaning of the DPF (either by injecting anti carbon liquids by sensor hole before DPF or by commercial companies "wash" process) help remove the ash and does indeed unclog it?

My car is at 150k miles (little over 250kkm) and while Carly indicates marginal amount of soot and ash (single grams) I suspect it might have something to do with cold start rpm floating/wobble.

2014 M50d
Diesel
Runs only on Shell Vpower diesel

I have no experience with these cleaning methods for the DPF. I am at 180k km now. When my DPF will be clogged, I will replace it with a new one. It's a small price considering the mileage.

[devlinsky]

Originally Posted by CatalinP

I have no experience with these cleaning methods for the DPF. I am at 180k km now. When my DPF will be clogged, I will replace it with a new one. It's a small price considering the mileage.

As far as I remember, the price for DPF (just the part, no labour) was around 2k EUR, total was around 2.8-3k EUR. Cleaning is around 350 EUR, worth the shot in my opinion.

[CatalinP]

At 3000 EUR, if it lasts 250.000Km, that is about 0.01 EUR per kilometer. Well worth it.

[chazbsalvo]

Yes- I have a 2015 X5D- love the car, tremendous acceleration, superb handling awesome vehicle. At 70K the repairs started $5,000 for a new diesel tank replacement and other repairs. Today $4,000 for a diesel filter, sensor, and complete fuel injector replacements (all 6). That's $9K in two months.

[mefferso]

F87 S55 , i'd consider this additional fuel filter and water separator.

https://www.tunemyeuro.com/tme-fuel-...separator-kit/

[atwal187]

^ use this fill prevent ur whole fuel system from grenading and will only need you to replace the low pressure fuel pump

[Xolinlevh]

Originally Posted by atwal187

^ use this fill prevent ur whole fuel system from grenading and will only need you to replace the low pressure fuel pump

FYI a new listing is going up in the next ~week for a new mounting option. The F15 mounting does not work if you have DHP and theres a new version coming which is made for those with DHP

[KRS_SN]

Originally Posted by chazbsalvo

Yes- I have a 2015 X5D- love the car, tremendous acceleration, superb handling awesome vehicle. At 70K the repairs started $5,000 for a new diesel tank replacement and other repairs. Today $4,000 for a diesel filter, sensor, and complete fuel injector replacements (all 6). That's $9K in two months.

mine is 69500 miles now your post worries me

[Assassin]

I've been driving 3.0l BMW diesels for 20 years and NEVER had a dpf clog. Its quite simple, no diesel with a dpf likes lots of short little journeys all the time. They thrive on being worked quite hard and periodic long journeys. The dpf regenerates automatically when certain criteria are met. It needs to be at running temperature and travelling consisently for a period of time and crucially must have a certain fuel level at the time. I can't remember the exact amount but probably over half a tank as the regen uses more fuel when operating and sometimes you see motor run a little warmer for a short period or hear the process completing when you park / switch off. This is all normal. I have tried fuel additives etc and them defintely help the engine sound a little less clackity but didn't seem to impact regens at all. Put simply these engines love a good workout and if you are worried about tickets etc simply drive a few miles on a journey in manual mode and keep the revs up a little. Garages will advise dpf cleaning etc to make extra $ all the time....... just give a periodic thrashing.... job done!

[F87 S55]

Originally Posted by Assassin

I've been driving 3.0l BMW diesels for 20 years and NEVER had a dpf clog. Its quite simple, no diesel with a dpf likes lots of short little journeys all the time. They thrive on being worked quite hard and periodic long journeys. The dpf regenerates automatically when certain criteria are met. It needs to be at running temperature and travelling consisently for a period of time and crucially must have a certain fuel level at the time. I can't remember the exact amount but probably over half a tank as the regen uses more fuel when operating and sometimes you see motor run a little warmer for a short period or hear the process completing when you park / switch off. This is all normal. I have tried fuel additives etc and them defintely help the engine sound a little less clackity but didn't seem to impact regens at all. Put simply these engines love a good workout and if you are worried about tickets etc simply drive a few miles on a journey in manual mode and keep the revs up a little. Garages will advise dpf cleaning etc to make extra $ all the time....... just give a periodic thrashing.... job done!

I believe they call it the "Italian tune-up". Many vehicles can benefit from a little "thrashing" as you stated. In the owners manual of my 1991 E34 M5 is states, and I quote, "Once the engine oil has reach operating temp, drive in a spirited manner". I have always remembered that and I generally follow directions!!!....

[InsipidMonkey]

Originally Posted by Xolinlevh

FYI a new listing is going up in the next ~week for a new mounting option. The F15 mounting does not work if you have DHP and theres a new version coming which is made for those with DHP

Any updates on this? I have a fully loaded F15 with DHP and haven't found anything about an alternate mounting location. I may hold off on installing until the HPFP recall is completed though.

Also, thoughts on 1 micron vs 3 micron filter?

[atwal187]

Originally Posted by InsipidMonkey

Any updates on this? I have a fully loaded F15 with DHP and haven't found anything about an alternate mounting location. I may hold off on installing until the HPFP recall is completed though.

Also, thoughts on 1 micron vs 3 micron filter?

Go to tune my euro website . It will give you all the info you need as to which micron filter you need
And when the updated fitment one for DHP will be available