35d or 50i can't decide??????

[plake]

Ready to pull the trigger on a X5 order out, on the fence about the diesel or the 50i. I drove both and the thrill of the big V8 is just exciting, is it practical however. It is a gas hog, my test ride showed terrible mileage. I also pull a 4500lb boat and the diesel might be better suited to tow. I am V8 one day and diesel the next. Anyone else been there?

[Cavman]

Currently own a 2013 50i M-Sport and have a 2015 35d on order.

The 50i is great fun to drive when extreme acceleration is demanded but the mileage is just awful.

The F15 is supposed to be 1-2mpg better on the highway, but our combined mileage since purchase is 15.6mpg and that's about 35% highway / 65% city. Also, it is driven very conservatively to try to get good mileage, and 15.6 is the avg after 30 months of ownership. Only get 300miles per fill-up which is also annoying.

Having driven the F15 35d, it has a very similar performance feel to the 50i because we mainly drive below 3500 RPMs anyway. The maximum torque actually kicks on at a lower point (1500 RPMs vs 2000 RPMs for the 50i) in the 35d.

Our 50i does have the M-Performance pack that tunes the engine on the E70 to the same specs (445hp and 480 lb/ft) as the F15, although the F15 is 170lbs lighter. So the performance package may also be a slight negative contributor to MPG.

Not towing anything, but the 35d will obviously be a champ in that capacity as well.

The 8-speed automatic (vs 6 speed in the E70 35d) in the new F15 35d seems to really help noise, MPG and overall feel. Did NOT like the E70 35d. You could tell that car was a diesel. The F15 35d is actually quieter upon startup and idle than my 50i E70. Wife didn't even know the F15 was a diesel when we she stood behind the car inside the dealer's enclosed garage.

And the 35d should be less expensive than a 50i similarly equipped.

Again, just one person's opinion, but this current 50i owner has ordered a 35d.

Good luck in your decision.

[sbkim]

I guess that all depends on what you value the most - sporty driving or gas economy. Do you drive enough to make a significant difference? I can't get over how quick 50i felt.

[EIGHTLUG]

We have 5,000 miles +/- on our 35d. With the 8 speed, it has torque on demand, and it seems to always be in the right gear. I put a speed warning @ 100 MPH, the passing power is so smooth! With mixed driving, we average from 650 to 750 per tank, depending on the hwy to city ratio. Never, have I once wanted the gas guzzling 50i. If I want to burn copious amounts of gas, in luxury, I have the Range Rover for that...

[Kzang]

In my opinion a lot of the gas mileage claims from D owners are over inflated... I've seen this on the E70 forums too over the past several years. With that said.. if you want a fun drive get the 50i, if you want a more economical yet also fun drive get the diesel.

[HansRobert]

Originally Posted by Kzang

In my opinion a lot of the gas mileage claims from D owners are over inflated... I've seen this on the E70 forums too over the past several years. With that said.. if you want a fun drive get the 50i, if you want a more economical yet also fun drive get the diesel.

I think this comment pretty well sums it up! Personally I chose the "d"!

[cy07]

I was in the same dilemma and finally chose the 50i at the end. I think the most important question is how many miles are you going to put on the car annually? Is this a weekend car with occasional road trip or a daily commuter to work?

For us who put on less than 12k miles a year, 50i came out on top as it is just so much fun to drive, and mpg is still ok to live with. I have owned many v8 cars though the years so at worst the gas consumption will just be the same as others.

Diesel is a great choice and power delivery is smooth without much clattering, but don't let anyone fool you, 50i is in a different league of power. Unless you're commuting 50 plus miles per day, the mpg probably isn't too much concern at this price range vehicles anyway.

Can't go wrong either way.

[barcelona]

IMO, diesel is best suited for warmer climates and long drives, like the 18 wheelers.

Pro & Con of each.
http://www.autocar.co.uk/forum/whats...trol-vs-diesel

[cy07]

Originally Posted by EIGHTLUG

We have 5,000 miles +/- on our 35d. With the 8 speed, it has torque on demand, and it seems to always be in the right gear. I put a speed warning @ 100 MPH, the passing power is so smooth! With mixed driving, we average from 650 to 750 per tank, depending on the hwy to city ratio. Never, have I once wanted the gas guzzling 50i. If I want to burn copious amounts of gas, in luxury, I have the Range Rover for that...

X5 > RRS any day for me.

[Nkbm82]

I have to respectfully disagree with Cavman, the 35d doesn't even come close to the 50i performance feel. My 50i has better acceleration than a Maserati Gran Turismo...yes I was bad and tested it.

[EIGHTLUG]

Originally Posted by cy07

X5 > RRS any day for me.

The X5 is pretty pitiful, off road. I also don't have any girlie Land Rovers, i.e. RRS.

[cy07]

Originally Posted by EIGHTLUG

The X5 is pretty pitiful, off road. I also don't have any girlie Land Rovers, i.e. RRS.

Nothing girlie about RRS, its fast and sporty. Range Rover is way too big for me and doesn't even come close in handling. Maybe when we actually have more than 2 in household.

Of course you don't have land Rover you drive 35D LOL.

Who really off road anyway?

[Propofoln]

Originally Posted by cy07

Nothing girlie about RRS, its fast and sporty. Range Rover is way too big for me and doesn't even come close in handling. Maybe when we actually have more than 2 in household.

Of course you don't have land Rover you drive 35D LOL.

Who really off road anyway?

eightlug lives in Denver. He prob does quite a bit

[midwest 340xi 6sp]

If you can afford it, go V8...I've had em under the hood on X6 50i, E39 540 and E92 M3...

And as much as I liked my E70 35d, nothing as visceral and sexy as a V8

[MattBianco]

"D". For all the good reasons mentioned by many here.

It is impressively quiet for a diesel. I am very impressed with the performance and have to say, I enjoy it more than my CLK500 convertible.

Something to be said for the 500-600 mile range, especially if you are towing.

[Mathme]

1250 miles on my d now. Round trip from the Bay Area to Lake Tahoe got 32 mpg. Average around town is 27. The diesel pulls great. I've had both v6 and v8 in the past, the d is right there for torque as my past v8s. I'll be towing 5300lbs of boat beginning Labor Day weekend. When it comes to towing you can't beat a diesel.

[patrobX5]

Originally Posted by Midwest X6

If you can afford it, go V8...I've had em under the hood on X6 50i, E39 540 and E92 M3...

And as much as I liked my E70 35d, nothing as visceral and sexy as a V8

I agree as well

[sbkim]

Originally Posted by scnick82

I have to respectfully disagree with Cavman, the 35d doesn't even come close to the 50i performance feel. My 50i has better acceleration than a Maserati Gran Turismo...yes I was bad and tested it.

Yep, it felt faster than 650 xi coupe!

[plake]

I am thinking the diesel is the right choice for me. I tow a boat, not all the time, but when I do the diesel will probably tow nicer. The V8 thrill is hard to pass on but I do put a few miles on each year and not that I couldn't pay for the gas the diesel is making more sense plus its less expensive to buy, 12K right off the start. I did drive the 35d and it is a new diesel engine for this year, very quiet and smooth. It does have low end torque and most of the time you are in those lower RPM ranges. The V8 really shines at higher RPM's. Hope I don't regret it.

[sbkim]

We test drove 2014 VW Touareg TDI and it felt quicker than 2015 x5D. May be 2015 will feel faster given the "update" to tranny.

[plake]

Originally Posted by sbkim

We test drove 2014 VW Touareg TDI and it felt quicker than 2015 x5D. May be 2015 will feel faster given the "update" to tranny.

I have a 2011 Touareg TDI, the 35d felt quicker to me but I know they increased the power on the TDI after 2011 somewhere. Thinking 240HP now vs mine less. Not sure about the torque but think its the same.

[ch1731]

I went the 35d route myself. Was in the same decision mode for quite awhile though. The deciding factor for me was the towing ability. I now tow a 7500lb travel trailer that is 27.5 ft long. The "d" has no problems pulling it and there is a certain satisfaction passing pickup trucks going up the hills.

My real life mileage with a 50/50 split of highway and city is about 27 and drops to 16 when towing. At the end of the day its an SAV and not a sports car so I bought the engine that suited me and I could not be happier.

Good Luck and I am sure whichever one you chose you will be happy.

Clay