Purchasing a 2015 X5. 50i or 35i?

[Denali]

Thinking about buying a late model used car. I like the X5 and I like the 35i, but for a few more buck, can get a little more snap with a 50i, V8. Don't need the power from an M.

But a BMW Dealer told me that the 50i has unreliability issues and should think about getting a 35i instead.

I plan to keep the Bimmer a long time and he felt reliably started failing at around 100k miles

Your opinion?

Bill in Atlanta

[Maverik259]

Originally Posted by Denali

Thinking about buying a late model used car. I like the X5 and I like the 35i, but for a few more buck, can get a little more snap with a 50i, V8. Don't need the power from an M.

But a BMW Dealer told me that the 50i has unreliability issues and should think about getting a 35i instead.

I plan to keep the Bimmer a long time and he felt reliably started failing at around 100k miles

Your opinion?

Bill in Atlanta

Search please. Covered soooo many times. And very few people with mileage close to 100k on the V8 so your sales guy has an agenda of course with that statement. But yes as everyone knows the i6 is BMW bread and butter but there are way more good reports than bad on the 63TU engine in the X5. Mine included. Would get an extended warranty either way to be safe with any high cost German manufacturer

[menelaos]

I suggest you do extensive research, including on this forum.
There are some good options out there.
Look at every car individually, compare and contrast.
Good luck!

[firstbimmer]

N55 is one of the most reliable engines bmw has made.

[Wavy]

If I could afford it I would have gotten the 8. With the same equipment, my f16 would have stickered for about 85k. I chipped my n55 and it now has nice pep. I'm very satisfied.

[Chadmatic]

Originally Posted by Denali

I plan to keep the Bimmer a long time and he felt reliably started failing at around 100k miles

Your opinion?

Bill in Atlanta

It's a pretty easy decision, all you need to ask yourself is which engine would you rather be financially liable for when the mileage starts piling up and the warranty runs out.

[sj22]

Why not get a CPO 50i?

[sbinshihon]

50i CPO. If you care anything about performance.

[DuSh]

You are in Atlanta, you care about reliability and you are asking which one to get = 35i

Just my opinion man

[perry8912]

If reliability is you big concern, don’t look at bimmer at all. After 100k miles, there will be many things break, not just engine.....
But yes, 35i will give you less trouble than 50i.

[dwissing]

I had the V8 in my X6 and now have it again in my X5. After having the extra power, I just couldn't bring myself to buy an X5 with the smaller engine.

Keep in mind that the V8 came with more things standard too, like multi-contour seats.

Some who buy the 35i regret not getting the 50i, but I don't think anyone with a 50i wishes they got a 35i.

[Kzang]

Being a BMW owner for the past 10 years...

If I had to do it again.. 50i V8
If I was leasing new 50i V8
If I was buying new 50i V8
If I was buying used 35i i6

[boyce89976]

I bought a '14 50i CPO with about 14k miles on it two years ago. I just crossed 50k miles and have had ZERO mechanical issues so far. I don't even have the excessive oil burn issue which seems to be popular here.

[menelaos]

Originally Posted by Kzang

Being a BMW owner for the past 10 years...

If I had to do it again.. 50i V8
If I was leasing new 50i V8
If I was buying new 50i V8
If I was buying used 35i i6

Interesting "if" sequence!
Am sure most of us would prefer 50 V8, but question is what you can afford!

[Kzang]

Originally Posted by boyce89976

I bought a '14 50i CPO with about 14k miles on it two years ago. I just crossed 50k miles and have had ZERO mechanical issues so far. I don't even have the excessive oil burn issue which seems to be popular here.

The thing is.. if you have a "perfect" 50i then consider yourself lucky... based upon all the issues posted on this forum and the other Bimmerfest forums it is common knowledge that the 50i is not as reliable as the i6. This has been going on for the past 7+ years.. Your one experience does not mean every other 50i will be just as lucky.

[Kzang]

Originally Posted by menelaos

Interesting "if" sequence!
Am sure most of us would prefer 50 V8, but question is what you can afford!

Price was certainly a valid consideration in choosing the engine.. I've probably spent well enough on mods to come very close if not equal the cost differences for a new 50i. Then again if I got a 50i I'd probably drive a stock X5 lol.

[menelaos]

Originally Posted by Kzang

Price was certainly a valid consideration in choosing the engine.. I've probably spent well enough on mods to come very close if not equal the cost differences for a new 50i. Then again if I got a 50i I'd probably drive a stock X5 lol.

Indeed, no MPE or money left for extras!

[mpapa01]

Just picked this up and I can tell you that knowing the 50i was out there, no chance I was getting the 35i. Gotta have more cowbell!!!!

[crackerjack15]

I've had both and currently 50i. You need to drive each one. 6cyl is more than adequate, but 50i is a beast! To give you an idea... It is a touch faster than a 2015-2017 stock mustang GT. I know because I own one. So if you want a sports car in an suv. 50i. I've had zero issues. 36k miles so far. If you want to be able to go over 130mph make sure to get one that had the 20" wheels optioned.

[Maverik259]

50i for life if you care about performance. 35i will Never come close to be honest. Especially once you chip it for $350 with all the guys dumping their Rafe chips for a dme tune.

And please don't listen to everyone saying the 50i "isn't reliable." It is! Even the 35i has issues. And yes while it may be "more reliable" it doesn't mean the 50i isn't.

50i = want performance (especially chipped)
35i = just want a people carrier that is, as some here call it, "peppy" it's no slouch but it's no 50i.

[boyce89976]

Originally Posted by Kzang

The thing is.. if you have a "perfect" 50i then consider yourself lucky... based upon all the issues posted on this forum and the other Bimmerfest forums it is common knowledge that the 50i is not as reliable as the i6. This has been going on for the past 7+ years.. Your one experience does not mean every other 50i will be just as lucky.

I'm certainly not suggesting my experience relates to all 50i's. I even noted one of the issues that seems prevalent here!

Also never said mine was perfect. I've had a multitude of little annoyances (rear deck creak, driver's window creak, lumbar cushion replaced, driver's seat ventilation fan replaced... I guess technically those last two are "mechanical", but since the OP was asking about engine related reliability...)

[perry8912]

Originally Posted by crackerjack15

I've had both and currently 50i. You need to drive each one. 6cyl is more than adequate, but 50i is a beast! To give you an idea... It is a touch faster than a 2015-2017 stock mustang GT. I know because I own one. So if you want a sports car in an suv. 50i. I've had zero issues. 36k miles so far. If you want to be able to go over 130mph make sure to get one that had the 20" wheels optioned.

Really? Faster than a mustang GT? RWD vs AWD?