5 MOST POWERFUL DIESEL AUTO ENGINES EVER BUILT BY BMW

BMW has built a reputation for producing high-performance engines, from its iconic inline-four-cylinder engines, such as the 2.3-liter found in the E30 M3, to the elite V12s that powered a select few coveted models. Alongside these petrol engines, BMW has also created some of the most powerful and reliable diesel engines in the industry, including the famous M57, which had a production span of 13 years and came in multiple variants.

In this post, we take a closer look at the most powerful diesel auto engines BMW has developed, showcasing their robust engineering and high-performance output. If you’re on the hunt for a powerful, long-lasting engine for your BMW, these diesel engines are prime candidates.

The M51: BMW’s Early Diesel Engine

The M51 diesel engine, produced from 1991 to 2000, was a pioneering inline-six that may not have been the most powerful but was advanced for its time. It played a significant role in establishing BMW’s diesel engine lineup, powering a range of models including the 5 Series, 7 Series, and the Land Rover Range Rover 2.5 DSE during the 1990s.

This 2.5-liter engine utilized direct fuel injection, a technology that was still relatively new during the early 1990s. Some versions of the M51 were equipped with an intercooler, which increased power to 134 horsepower—close to the output of the 2007 Isuzu D-Max’s diesel engine, which had the same displacement.

The M57: A Milestone in Diesel Performance

The M57 engine replaced the M51 in the late 1990s, marking a significant leap forward in diesel technology. Known for its excellent performance and reliability, the M57 was used in various BMW cars and SUVs, starting with the 2009 BMW 335d. The M57 came in different sizes, ranging from 2.5 liters to 3.0 liters, producing between 148 and 282 horsepower and up to 428 pound-feet of torque in the twin-turbo, 3.0-liter version.

The 2009 BMW 335d, powered by the M57, became known for its impressive acceleration, going from 0-60 mph in just 5.7 seconds, and completing the quarter-mile in the low 14-second range. With aftermarket modifications like improved software, injectors, and turbochargers, M57-equipped cars can push more than 700 horsepower, all while retaining their durable stock components.

The M67: BMW’s V8 Diesel Powerhouse

The M67 series marked BMW’s entry into high-performance V8 diesel engines, produced from the late 1990s to the mid-2000s. The engine came in several versions, with displacements ranging from 3.9 to 4.4 liters, and was used in the 7 Series. The most powerful M67 variant, the D44, generated 329 horsepower and a hefty 552 pound-feet of torque.

The 745d, equipped with the M67 engine, was capable of reaching 0-60 mph in 5.8 seconds, despite weighing nearly 4,500 pounds. Its top speed was limited to 155 mph, while offering fuel efficiency of 18.4 mpg in the city and 34.6 mpg on the highway.

The M550d: BMW’s Groundbreaking Quad-Turbo Diesel

The M550d xDrive is a standout in BMW’s diesel lineup. Produced from 2017 to 2020, the G30 model of this sedan featured a 3.0-liter inline-six diesel engine with four turbochargers, delivering 400 horsepower and 561 pound-feet of torque. This setup allowed the M550d to accelerate from 0-60 mph in just 4.4 seconds, placing it among the fastest diesel-powered vehicles ever made.

The four turbochargers weren’t just for show—they helped eliminate turbo lag, providing smooth and consistent power throughout the rev range. Two smaller turbos managed low-end power, while the larger pair took over at higher engine speeds, making this engine one of the most innovative and powerful six-cylinder diesels ever produced. Its fuel economy remained strong, exceeding 45 mpg on average.

The N74 V12: A Final Diesel Beast

BMW’s V12 diesel engines were as powerful as they were rare, with the N74 standing out as one of the last of its kind. This engine powered select 7 Series and Rolls-Royce models, including the 2022 M760i, which was the final BMW to feature a V12 engine before the shift toward electrification.

The N74 diesel engine packed advanced features like double VANOS variable valve timing, direct injection, and twin turbochargers. This powertrain produced a massive 601 horsepower, channeled through an eight-speed automatic transmission and BMW’s xDrive system. The M760i, powered by the N74, could reach 0-60 mph in a blistering 3.6 seconds, a performance that rivaled many supercars.

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RESALE VALUE OF THE MAZDA CX-5: HOW QUICK HAS THE SUV DEPRECIATED?

by George Mensah 2025-11-15

The Mazda CX-5 has been one of Mazda’s most influential models since its debut in 2012. Now entering its third generation with the 2026 model year, this compact SUV remains at the heart of the brand’s global success. Over 4.5 million units have been sold worldwide, of which 1.6 million were purchased in the United States, thus easily making it one of Mazda’s most successful nameplates.

But for many shoppers, especially in the used market, one major question remains: How well does the Mazda CX-5 hold its value over time?

Depreciation Breakdown: How Much Value Does a Mazda CX-5 Lose?

The resale value largely depends on the level of depreciation-the natural decline in a vehicle’s worth as time and mileage pile up. While CarEdge data indicates that the CX-5 holds its value relatively well for its class, it still depreciates more quickly than many of its top competitors.

Two-Year-Old Mazda CX-5

Average Depreciation: $12,963

Value Retained: 66.57%

Estimated Resale Value: $25,815

Mileage Assumption: 27,000 miles total (13,500 per year)

Five-Year-Old Mazda CX-5

Average Depreciation: $16,217

Value Retained: 58.18%

Estimated Resale Value: $22,561

Mileage Assumption: 67,500 miles total

These numbers suggest that while the CX-5 retains decent value, it nevertheless surrenders a significant portion of its value within the first five-year period, which is typically where most vehicles lose their value the fastest.

What Influences Depreciation Beyond Age and Mileage?

While time and mileage are the primary drivers of depreciation, several other factors play a major role in how much a used CX-5 is worth:

History of maintenance

The better choice will always be a well-maintained CX-5.

Consistent oil changes

Scheduled services according to Mazda’s recommendations

Proper care for brakes, tires, and fluids

Complete service records can help your vehicle sell more quickly and bring a better sale price.

Type of Driving

A car that does a lot of highway driving is often easier on the vehicle than constant stop-and-go city driving. A CX-5 that has spent its entire life doing long road trips might show less wear than one used to commute daily.

History of Accidents

Clean CarFax or AutoCheck reports greatly increase resale value.

Trim Level and Features

Higher trims, such as the Grand Touring or Signature, especially those with premium packages, will generally retain value better than their base-model brethren.

How the CX-5 Stacks Up Against Its Rivals

The compact SUV segment is highly competitive, with vehicles like the Toyota RAV4, Honda CR-V, and Subaru Forester always ranking near the very top in resale value. Here’s how the CX-5 compares:

After 2 Years

Toyota RAV4: 83.52% retained

Honda CR-V: 78.77%

Subaru Forester: 77.20%

Mazda CX-5: 66.57%

After 5 Years

Toyota RAV4: 69.42% retained

Honda CR-V: 67.01%

Subaru Forester: 65.98%

Mazda CX-5: 58.18%

These figures indicate that the CX-5 depreciates more quickly than its most popular rivals. For buyers, this is actually a good thing – used CX-5 models usually sell for less than similarly-equipped RAV4s or CR-Vs.

For sellers, though, the lower resale value means they may not recover as much of their investment when it’s time to move on.

The Bottom Line: Who Benefits Most?

Buyers: Buyers benefit by paying lower used prices because of higher depreciation.

Sellers: See resale returns lower than that of CR-V and RAV4 owners.

Simply stated, high depreciation works in the buyer’s favor, while strong resale value benefits the seller. Knowing which side you’re on helps you make the smartest financial decision.

Looking Ahead: The 2026 Mazda CX-5

Mazda is getting ready to introduce the highly anticipated third-generation CX-5 for the 2026 model year. Early reports indicate that

Refined design inspired by the CX-60 and CX-70

Updated safety and entertainment technology

More efficient powertrains

Improved handling and comfort These upgrades might be worth considering for shoppers who are torn between buying used or waiting for the latest model.

Cars

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by George Mensah 2025-10-29

Generative AI has moved from specialist interest to part of daily life — transforming all from entertainment to the workplace. From AI-generated art, deepfakes, and intelligent chatbots capable of talking like humans, AI is now part of modern life. Yet with technology racing ahead, so do fears it will spin out of control.

Now, a new generation of scientists, business leaders, and celebrities are calling for a slowdown on the next frontier: AI superintelligence — a form of artificial intelligence that potentially could surpass human intellectual ability in almost every dimension.

The Pushback: A Global Call to Slow Down AI Development

A collection of public personalities — such as Virgin Group creator Richard Branson, Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, actor Joseph Gordon-Levitt, and musician will.i.am — signed a new open letter called the “Statement on Superintelligence.”

The warning asks developers and businesses racing towards state-of-the-art AI systems, including OpenAI and Elon Musk’s xAI, to delay the magnitude of massive AI projects until there is a “broad scientific consensus that it will be done safely and controllably” and a “strong public buy-in” to support it.

Notably among them are two of the leading AI researchers, who are also cofounders of modern machine learning. The movement is thus quite heavily weighted.

“We must ensure that AI is serving humanity, and not vice versa,” the letter demands, threatening dire consequences in the event of runaway progress.

What Is AI Superintelligence — and Why Does It Worry Experts?

In order to understand the alarm, defining what AI superintelligence really is, is essential. Superintelligent AI, according to IBM, is a system which not only matches but far exceeds human intelligence — capable of reasoning, learning, and solving problems for itself in every respect, free of human control.

Contrary to current AI systems such as ChatGPT or Gemini, whose boundaries and data sets are defined, superintelligent AI would be continuously learning and evolving, rewriting its own code to increase efficiency and capability. Such recursive enhancement could make it almost impossible to contain.

“A true superintelligence would no longer need human oversight,” said Stuart Russell, an AI researcher at UC Berkeley. “At that point, its goals might diverge from ours — and we’d have no way to stop it.”

The Risks: From Job Losses to Existential Threats

The possible dangers of AI superintelligence go much beyond job automation or misinformation. The threat is mentioned by experts as the possibility of AI systems executing on their own in pursuit of ends that are in conflict with human values or safety.

Some of the highest threats:

Massive Job Displacement – AI already revolutionizes industries, but an entirely automated self-enhancing system could eliminate entire professions, ranging from programmers to creative professionals.

Loss of Human Control – The moment an AI begins to be smarter than the people who create it, it might be beyond control.

Weaponization and Surveillance – AI might be utilized by governments or corporations for total surveillance or robot war.

Existential Risk – In the worst-case scenario, a rogue AI with goals of its own would view humankind as an obstacle — one which scientists describe as a “digital doomsday.”.

Even if these ideas sound like science fiction, specialists argue that rejection of them would be naively dangerous. History has shown that humanity always underestimated the capabilities of its own inventions — from nuclear energy to biotechnology.

Increasing Public Alarm and Demand for Regulation

Public sentiment is shifting rapidly. A 2025 Pew Research Center survey found that 67% of Americans now support greater government regulation of AI, up from 42% two years earlier. The European Union has already legislatively signed the AI Act into law, establishing the globe’s first extensive regulatory framework for artificial intelligence, while U.S. lawmakers are determining how to follow.

Tech giants, however, are still racing ahead. OpenAI, xAI, Google DeepMind, and Anthropic are investing billions in “next-generation” AI models that could approach or surpass human-level reasoning.

“We’re in an AI arms race, and everyone wants to be first — but that could also mean being first to make a catastrophic mistake,” warned Richard Branson in a recent statement.

Is It Already Too Late to Stop?

Until now, actual AI superintelligence is still theoretical, although most experts foresee that it might arise in the next two decades if trends continue. The question is not whether or when it will happen, but whether human civilization will be prepared — morally, technically, and legally — when it does.

“The clock is ticking,” declared Yoshua Bengio. “We still have time to make this technology safe. But not much.”

The Bottom Line: Humanity at a Crossroads

The debate over AI superintelligence is no longer confined to labs or tech circles — it has become a global conversation about the future of humanity itself. As generative AI becomes ubiquitous, the next phase could redefine civilization in ways we’re only beginning to imagine.

Whether the Statement on Superintelligence does indeed result in change is yet to be known. But this much is definite: the world has finally realized that the latest technology human beings have ever come up with has the potential to be the most deadly — unless we can learn how to control it before it controls us.

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