X5 35i vs 50i Regrets?

[alphaod]

I look at my gas mileage and I think, maybe I should have gone with the diesel. The torque on the diesel is great so I think I would be happy with that.

Then I put the petal down, maybe not.

But I never would consider the six banger gas model.

[deedlebag]

The main two concerns I have is...
1. Obviously price from all sides. But I can live with the extra money with a big smile on my face. But, I just have to figure out with my driving habits, if I'm going to actually be able to reap the benefits of the 50i.

2. The reliability factor. I'm glad that most of the individuals that have chimed in on this post that have the 50i have had very little or zero problems. But the mileage that have been reported is also very low (yes I understand everyone has a new car so naturally many people do not have high mileage yet). Realiability is the biggest concern I have because of my current vehicle. I have a 2012 F150 that was great for 32,000 miles. Then I had the engine blow up on me and the truck was in the shop for 6 weeks waiting on a swap. That plus a few other problems have made reliability my biggest concern.

[jiggz]

Lots of good points have already been made here...it really just comes down to what will make you most happy IMO.

I'm still in an E70 (50i) and drive almost entirely in city traffic, but once my CPO expires I'll be looking for an F15, and will again get the 50i, no doubt about it. I drove a 35i twice before making a purchase, and it honestly was quicker than I thought it would be. But still nothing like the 50i. Also much prefer the V8 engine/exhaust note. And FWIW I'm at 42K miles and not a single issue.

[Roundown]

Originally Posted by deedlebag

The main two concerns I have is...
1. Obviously price from all sides. But I can live with the extra money with a big smile on my face. But, I just have to figure out with my driving habits, if I'm going to actually be able to reap the benefits of the 50i.

2. The reliability factor. I'm glad that most of the individuals that have chimed in on this post that have the 50i have had very little or zero problems. But the mileage that have been reported is also very low (yes I understand everyone has a new car so naturally many people do not have high mileage yet). Realiability is the biggest concern I have because of my current vehicle. I have a 2012 F150 that was great for 32,000 miles. Then I had the engine blow up on me and the truck was in the shop for 6 weeks waiting on a swap. That plus a few other problems have made reliability my biggest concern.

N63 in the F15 has been in service since fall of 2013. There are plenty of high mileage owners out there. If there were systemic issues with this generation (which is not the same spec as the F11/E70), this forum would be littered with threads suggesting as much.

I hear a lot of 35i owners rationalizing a very rational choice. N55 is a smooth, amply powerful motor in the F15... It's also less expensive, gets better mileage and insures slightly better.

But.... it's not more fun and it feels a bit like a Honda Pilot after you drive a 50i.

If you can swing it, get the V8. If you can't, consider the forthcoming G01 X3 40i, will also be quite quick.

[Terp335]

Originally Posted by Roundown

N63 in the F15 has been in service since fall of 2013. There are plenty of high mileage owners out there. If there were systemic issues with this generation (which is not the same spec as the F11/E70), this forum would be littered with threads suggesting as much.

I hear a lot of 35i owners rationalizing a very rational choice. N55 is a smooth, amply powerful motor in the F15... It's also less expensive, gets better mileage and insures slightly better.

But.... it's not more fun and it feels a bit like a Honda Pilot after you drive a 50i.

If you can swing it, get the V8. If you can't, consider the forthcoming G01 X3 40i, will also be quite quick.

Coming from and MDX it neither feels like a Pilot OR an MDX. It's not even close.

[ano0oj]

Live/work in Houston as well with a 50i. It's loads of fun on the country roads and overtaking people with ease. I think the 35i is plenty good for anyone who likes relaxed driving, but if you like to step on the pedal even a little, then the 35i becomes a little underwhelming.

[P1]

The 50i is in a different league. Had one as a loaner. Could not stop mashing on the pedal.

[deedlebag]

Well with all of the positive feedback about the 50i, I may have to just move a few things around and go that route haha

[2016sx5]

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 guy at momentum really talked me out of the V8. Was there trading
a 13 diesel with 15,000 miles. Diesel issue because seldom drove
enough to get the motor warmed up. Along with all the diesel problems.

Yeah I posted that sure liked the V8 sound, but like he said will you ever
really hear it. LOL So left with a 35i S drive. Was a good move for
me. Its going on 4 month 900 miles. Would only have 400 if didn't
have to make 3 trips back to BMW to deliver the title, car orientation,
and tags. If you will get out on the road even the grand parkway said
get the 50i. Finding the 6 is all need for way I drive.

Will say if want to feel power, have a C6 Corvette and a 15 GMC V8 and
a retro bird. So can find the V8 rumble in one of the garages LOL LOL

[Joshualmarley]

We have the 35d in Houston and Love it!

[RR-NYC]

I would have gotten an X5M at the time if I could find one within 1000 miles of Miami but there wasn't one to be found.

I ended up choosing the 35i because it would become my wife's car once I found my M3 replacement. Since I still drive the X5, I now regret not getting the 50i

[TallTrees]

The 50i will be a much harder resale, especially if gas prices go back up.

[X5R35]

I had a E65 and E70 both with the V8 N62, great motor with lots of power, only downside was MPG and if you intend on keeping it long term you may have what I feel is a common issue with N62 based motors, 1. alternator bracket O-ring leaking/failing (pretty much pours oil) and 2. the O-rings leaking on the coolant transfer line from the front of the block to the rear, I heard it was pricey to repair but I guess that's all relative. The issues I had with the N62 motors was one of the reasons I went with the N57 3.5. in the F15. Also I looooooove turbo aspirated motors, the motor as is has enough power for spirited driving in the area I live, and I'm sure I will love it even more once I do the mppk and mpe.

[Alan l.]

The MPG factor isn't as big as one would expect between the 35i and 50i. I had both F10 535xi and 550i and I was averaging 13mpg and 11mpg respectfully. I was also getting about 13mpg out of my F15 MPPK 35i on average and now my X5M is about the same. Maybe if you do a lot of long distance highway driving the inline 6 can stretch the mpg further but under normal NYC traffic conditions the difference almost nothing.

Alan

[deedlebag]

Originally Posted by Alan l.

The MPG factor isn't as big as one would expect between the 35i and 50i. I had both F10 535xi and 550i and I was averaging 13mpg and 11mpg respectfully. I was also getting about 13mpg out of my F15 MPPK 35i on average and now my X5M is about the same. Maybe if you do a lot of long distance highway driving the inline 6 can stretch the mpg further but under normal NYC traffic conditions the difference almost nothing.

Alan

Yes it seems that the MPG variable is not nearly as relevant as I thought, at least not for myself. I do drive a lifted truck right now that averages 13-15 mixed driving. The only difference is now filling up with premium. I was under the assumption that the gap between the pros and cons between the 35i and 50i was much greater but it seems that if I can stomach the upfront cost, I will "more likely" be happier with the 50i.

The next step for me is getting serious with a dealer now. I have kicked the tires once but now I need to move to the next step. I've never been a fan of ordering a vehicle due to you can usually get a better deal on one that's sitting right in front of you. However, there are none anywhere in the southern U.S. that are equipped with the m-suspension. From everything that I've read on this forum, that is the one feature most people swear by. I've seen multiple post saying that, if you don't get any other option, at least get that.

[double_j]

Get the V8. The 6 is a good engine but once you have a hankering for a V8, nothing else will satisfy. The power & noise is absolutely addictive and you will not regret it once you have the pedal down.

Besides - who knows how much longer we'll be able to get 8 cylinder engines in normal passenger cars? Strike while the iron is hot.

I had a X3 35i before the X5 and averaged about 22.4 mpg on my commute (65/35 highway/heavy traffic). I'm getting 19.4 mpg with the X5 50i. If you can afford the car, the small difference in gas costs won't break you.

No issues with reliability thus far but I only have 12K miles. That said, that's what warranties are for. Drive it like you stole it so if it breaks it'll happen during the warranty period.

[ano0oj]

oh and a cold start in the V8 sounds

[imtheant]

Get the 50i. My MPG on my 50i vs my 35i is nearly identical. V8 is so worth it.

[XBimmer1]

Mine is 50i with almost 8000 trouble free miles now, I love it. Get the 50i you won't regret it!

[sandwi54]

I also got the 50i because I didn't think 35i would satisfy me, given that I drive my F80 M3 all day and am used to the 400ish lb torque. 50i is so addicting to drive.

[kanvas]

Two words: cold start. You've got to hear it in person though.

[bjcarls]

9000 miles and going strong.
I took at ~2100 mile road trip this winter and averaged 21.7 mpg at 76.2 mph average. I thought that was damn strong for a 50i.