X5 35i vs 50i Regrets?

[deedlebag]

I am about to pull the trigger but I am hung up on the 35i vs 50i topic. Everything in me says to get the 35i for many reasons, and yet I am still drawn to the 50i. I live/commute in the greater Houston, TX area and most of my driving I am sitting in traffic of some sort.

So I just wanted to reach out and ask the 35i owners if they regret not purchasing the 50i? In the same aspect, if any 50i owners can chime in if they regret not getting the 35i?

If I do go with the 35i I do plan to have the MPPK added before I even take delivery.

Thank you for your input

[Terp335]

Originally Posted by deedlebag

I am about to pull the trigger but I am hung up on the 35i vs 50i topic. Everything in me says to get the 35i for many reasons, and yet I am still drawn to the 50i. I live/commute in the greater Houston, TX area and most of my driving I am sitting in traffic of some sort.

So I just wanted to reach out and ask the 35i owners if they regret not purchasing the 50i? In the same aspect, if any 50i owners can chime in if they regret not getting the 35i?

If I do go with the 35i I do plan to have the MPPK added before I even take delivery.

Thank you for your input

The power in the 50i is extremely addicting. It was hard for me to not get that engine after test driving it. Given the reliability issues with the previous generation of the 50i, I found it hard to justify getting it unless I was going to lease the vehicle. Many on this forum went through the same dilemma and came out on the other side with the 35i and mppk. If it were me and I were deciding between those two engines I'd rank them this way:

Lease = 50i
Buy = 35i + mppk

[Winn]

I test drove both over the past few months before purchasing a used 50i. No regrets. Gas mileage can be ok or terrible depending on how you drive it. The 35i is plenty fast for a SUV of this size, but the 50i brings it to a whole new level.

[deedlebag]

Originally Posted by Terp335

The power in the 50i is extremely addicting. It was hard for me to not get that engine after test driving it. Given the reliability issues with the previous generation of the 50i, I found it hard to justify getting it unless I was going to lease the vehicle. Many on this forum went through the same dilemma and came out on the other side with the 35i and mppk. If it were me and I were deciding between those two engines I'd rank them this way:

Lease = 50i
Buy = 35i + mppk

I appreciate your opinion on the subject. I will be purchasing the vehicle (not a fan of leasing for personal reasons). I have seen the reliability problems on the forums on the past 50i. I was just hoping that they may be all worked out by now. Given the cheaper payment, better fuel economy, cheaper insurance, and "hopefully@" more reliability I should buy the 35i. Buuuuuuut something about the v8 is so intriguing haha.

[Neuera09]

I bought a 35i then added an mppk tune and I am loving it. Absolutely no regrets with the decision. It's for family outing and such so the 35i was perfect. I considered the X5M but could not justify the cost. Will it be your daily driving vehicle?

[deedlebag]

Originally Posted by Winn

I test drove both over the past few months before purchasing a used 50i. No regrets. Gas mileage can be ok or terrible depending on how you drive it. The 35i is plenty fast for a SUV of this size, but the 50i brings it to a whole new level.

Yea I've seen a couple used 50i around me. I've highly considered on but the options on them were not anything that I wanted haha.

[deedlebag]

Originally Posted by Neuera09

I bought a 35i then added an mppk tune and I am loving it. Absolutely no regrets with the decision. It's for family outing and such so the 35i was perfect. I considered the X5M but could not justify the cost. Will it be your daily driving vehicle?

Yes this will be my daily driver. I have a 2012 F150 platinum that I will be getting rid of. I love the options on the truck but driving a lifted truck in the city becomes a pain. The only feature I will truly miss is the remote start. The remote start is so damn useful in the Houston, TX heat.

[Alan l.]

Originally Posted by Terp335

Lease = 50i
Buy = 35i + mppk

I agree with this completely.

Alan

[Chef NOLA]

Had a 3.0 in an E53, and now a 3.5 in the F15 (actually have driven their 6 cyls since mid 80's) . Love both engines - plenty of power for all around driving, good fuel economy, long term reliability. Straight 6 is BMW's strong suit - can't go wrong...Chef K

[imtheant]

I just sold my E70 50i and bought a 16' 35i. I miss the power, pull and roar of the V8. Miss it ALOT. No matter what you do to tune or modify the 35i, it just doesn't have the rock behind it like the 50i. With that being said, there were SOOOO many problems with the N63 engines that the 35i is such a more practical choice that overall its a smarter buy. I have heard that there are members already having issues with the 50i engine on the new models as well.

[viperdoc]

I think it just depends on how you want to drive the car. I live in San Antonio and my commute is 35 -45 minutes. I wanted better gas mileage, and comfort, but a car that had enough power that when I needed to pass someone or get onto the highway from an onramp there were no issues. I can the 35i fit all those requirements and more. It might be more fun to drive, but I am growing out of the urge to drive a 5000 lb vehicle the way the 50 can be driven.

[mnx5er]

Tough decision OP and I agree with the other comments. I've had both and in the end prefer the 35i. It came down to my driving patterns. Commutes are usually in traffic and rarely can I enjoy the engine. My only nitpick with the 35i is at lower speeds where it doesn't feel as strong as I'd like, even with sport mode. The 50i takes care of that, but it's a minor issue. I'm also concerned about the reliability of the 50i in the long run.

[kanvas]

I'm too much of a V8 lover to settle for anything less. I test drove the 35i before and it's mighty quick and very competent, but it doesnt offer the same thrill the 50i does.

For those hesitating on buying the 50i, I just hit 20k miles today and not a single issue (sans minor break-in period hiccups, which needed no visit to the dealership). I might be speaking too early; 20k miles is still relatively new. Or, I might just be lucky so far. I worry too many prospective buyers are hesitant to go for the 50i, but just know that there are also plenty of satisfied 50i owners out there. A buddy of mine also has a MY14 50i with almost 30k miles and running just fine so far

[deedlebag]

I appreciate all of the input from everyone. I am glad to hear that the majority of the 35i owners are more than happy with their decision. I suppose that I am some how fishing for a valid reason to buy the 50i, but I cannot seem to find one haha.

[Sharp_Cai]

My BMW service advisor told me before I made my mind for X5 purchase - "5.0i is a piece of shit, you will come back more often to see me and not happy with the problems."

[deedlebag]

Originally Posted by Sharp_Cai

My BMW service advisor told me before I made my mind for X5 purchase - "5.0i is a piece of shit, you will come back more often to see me and not happy with the problems."

That's good to know. I think the best way I can avoid buying a 50i is to stay out of the drivers seat. I know me, and if I spend too long in the 50i I will put the practical point of view of the purchase behind me haha.

[BMWSRT]

No issues here either. Currently at 15000 miles. My E70 V8 had 98000 miles and no issues as well

[mynameisplayer]

Get the 50i ! How cheap is your fuel in the US?! I pay $5.18 USD/gal for premium 98 in Australia, and I still had to have a 50i after driving one.

[MysticBlue]

I test drove the 35i and was underwhelmed. I ordered a 50i without even test driving one. I do not regret it. I absolutely know I would have regretted getting the 35i every time I drove it. btw, 15k miles and not a single problem. Not a single issue.

[kanvas]

Originally Posted by BMWSRT

No issues here either. Currently at 15000 miles. My E70 V8 had 98000 miles and no issues as well

Good to hear you had a positive experience with your E70 considering that the previous generation V8 engine was known for its fare share of issues. I hope the technical update for the F15 V8 engine fixed many of those past issues.

[spike5150]

We have 2 MY15 X5's. Wife's is 35i with Dinan tune. Mine is 50i. 35i just can't compare. I'm at 23,000 miles with no engine issues. 35i can't throw your shoulders back.

But, 35i is a great engine and you can't really go wrong either way.

[Kzang]

If I was debating against the diesel, then in a heartbeat I would choose the 35i with MPPK without a doubt. I'm not really interested in driving the X5 in Eco pro mode to save fuel or get cheap thrills from getting 500 miles to a tank. Those kind of drivers are totally different than what I am as far as enthusiasts concerned.

If I was choosing between the 35i and 50i and based upon what I know now with my 35i, I would gladly pick the 50i. Only thing is the almost $10k difference would hurt me with cosmetic mods that I would have added if I've chosen the 35i. I just can't drive around a factory stock looking X5 no matter what kind of HP is in it. That is my honest truth.
However as I have heard and understand many time, there is no replacement for displacement.