road and track I think said new 3 series BMW has a diesel option- strong and fast, good mileage, BUT to meet emissions it carries a tank of Urea liquid which is injected over 15000 miles, when it runs out you get 3 or 4 warnings then car will not run at all. BMW guy said "well you will be in at the dealership getting the 15000 miles service so no problem--- Oh yeah?????

Isn't Urea plural for urine?????

I read about that a few months back.

It acts like some kind of catalytic converter on the diesel. A new emission device that without it would not be allowed to drive on the open road. More efficient engine with different exhaust byproducts or something like that.

Anyone know how much the 15k mile service is?

I think I read that Ford has the same thing on their F series diesel pick up or will very soon. It would certainly be a cost saver if one could refill the container, oh, let's just say naturally.

What does it cost to refill every 15,000 miles?

And can you just pee in the urea tank by yourself?

You can or soon will be able to buy the stuff at truck stops. All those semi's need it.

It shouldn't take long to start flowing.

SCR has been used in thermal power stations for an age, so it shouldn't take long for it to start slipping out of that production.

People have been bypassing smog devices just months after they get invented.

I am willing to bet $100 that within 1 year, someone will shut off their urea system.

I really have nothing against urea, it will be available at truck stops at competitive prices in 2.5 gal jugs within 1 yr since all the truck mfgs except Navistar are going to it.
I do have a big problem with EGR because it degrades the longevity of the engine and the oil. And it INCREASES particulate production.
And I don't like DPF either because it costs fuel.
So I took the EGR cooler off my 05 Unimog which returns it to Euro III emission levels and economy.
If you own a $60K BMW X5 35d, the cost of urea shouldn't be too burdensome.

Charlie

Please do not feed the "BMW drivers are [censored]" joke. BMW owners can be cost-conscious, too, you know.

Not wanting to spoil the party here, I don't think urinating into the urea reservoir will be a good idea. Urine contains other chemicals extracted from your blood stream. As well, the concentration of Urea, a chemical compound, in the solution Urine varies greatly even for the same individual in a given day.

"Urine is a transparent solution that can range from colorless to amber but is usually a pale yellow. Urine is an aqueous solution of approximately 95% water, with the remaining percentages being metabolic wastes such as urea, dissolved salts, and organic compounds. Fluid and materials being filtered by the kidneys, destined to become urine, come from the blood or interstitial fluid."

Wikipedia - Urine

The hacks will find a way to disable it. Hacks always do.

"Urea system" sounds expensive.
"Over-engineered Teutonic urea system" on a German car sounds finincially fatal.

I so much prefer the urea system over heavy EGR rates. That's what fatal for engines; just wait and see what happens to 07-09 US mfg'd pickup diesels as they age.
Or, for that matter, just poke around a Powerstroke forum.
Or read what kind of stuff happens to post 06 6.7L Cummins on TDR etc.
It's not coincidence that Cummins, Mack/Volvo and everyone lese in the world except Navistar have followed Mercedes/Detroit Diesel and jettisoned ultraheavy EGR for 2010 in favor of urea.

Charlie