Buying Advice: 2016 vs 2018 xDrive35i

[3002 tii]

Long time Bimmer owner here (past cars listed off to be left of my sig) looking for some buying advice on a used X5. I’ve narrrowed it down to 2 choices, both are N55, xDrive, M sport with similar options.

1. 2016, Black Sapphire, 1-owner with only 30k miles
   vs.
2. 2018, Carbon Black, 2-owners with 50k miles

The ‘16 is $3k cheaper despite the lower mileage. The ‘18 however as you know comes with ID6 and CarPlay. I’m more partial to CB over BSM, but the real draw is NBT EVO. Am I crazy a considering a higher mileage car just because it has OEM CarPlay?

I know NBT EVO 6 can be retrofitted for less than the $3k difference, but from what I gather, you still can’t use the OEM navigation, which is something I’d like to retain in case my phone dies or has no signal. Or you can but the cost & effort really narrows the price gap.

As for motor, would you opt for the lower mileage ‘16 or go with the higher mileage ‘18 which arguably might be more reliable since it was the last year run for the F15?

[X5guyinRI]

2016. Lower miles. Lower cost. No exterior differences. Then retrofit it with a touch screen android unit for CarPlay, Netflix, etc..for $500.

[stocktree]

Are they optioned the same? Use a bmw vin decoder to set the options on each.

[3002 tii]

Originally Posted by stocktree

Are they optioned the same? Use a bmw vin decoder to set the options on each.

Yes they are

[e90Jeet]

Originally Posted by 3002 tii

Yes they are

I would prefer 2016. Single owner cars are usually better maintained - not saying that 2nd owner doesn’t care. Also 30k vs 50k is significant. No brainier, if every other options are same.

[Chocolat]

I sort of agree with everybody else but I think that if you have full records for the '18, go for that instead. I got my '15 at 60k and now just passed 108k with no major issues.

[Qsilver7]

Seeing that the oe navigation is important to you…I’d go with the 2018 since it still has the working oe BMW Connected services. If the cell phone services go down again like the AT&T fiasco the other day…then you will still have the oe navigation system…or if we get any future attacks on the communication grid…again, your oe navigations will be unaffected since they are uploaded to the hard drive and not coming from an external source.

Plus the ‘18 is your preferred ext color.

[shimmy23]

The N55 seems to be a reliable engine, so 30k - 50k doesn't mean much... especially if the 18' is the color you want and has carplay.

IMO, OEM nav always sucks.

[3002 tii]

Originally Posted by Qsilver7

Seeing that the oe navigation is important to you…I’d go with the 2018 since it still has the working oe BMW Connected services. If the cell phone services go down again like the AT&T fiasco the other day…then you will still have the oe navigation system…or if we get any future attacks on the communication grid…again, your oe navigations will be unaffected since they are uploaded to the hard drive and not coming from an external source.

Plus the ‘18 is your preferred ext color.

Yea that’s why it’s not such an obvious choice. Had BSM before, nothing wrong but always wanted CB. But more I think about it, the more I think I value lower mileage & and solid maintenance history.

[RED_Y_]

I would go for 2018, N55 is decent engine and extra 20K miles in my opinion is not that big of a deal, but you get connected drive services, NBT6, and it is 2 years younger.

[musa]

I wouldn't base a decision solely over 20k mileage difference. To put things into perspective, that's about 3 oil changes. It's not much of a difference in these vehicles. I DIY my vehicles and I can tell you that for a fact, so don't be stuck-up on mileage. If you have the maintenance records of the higher mileage vehicle and it has better options, I'd go for that. Consider also the interior condition of the newer vehicle. If everything checks out on the 2018, I'd go for that one despite the higher mileage.

[JDAURIA]

Links on both vehicles?

[3002 tii]

Originally Posted by musa

I wouldn't base a decision solely over 20k mileage difference. To put things into perspective, that's about 3 oil changes. It's not much of a difference in these vehicles. I DIY my vehicles and I can tell you that for a fact, so don't be stuck-up on mileage. If you have the maintenance records of the higher mileage vehicle and it has better options, I'd go for that. Consider also the interior condition of the newer vehicle. If everything checks out on the 2018, I'd go for that one despite the higher mileage.

Saw the 2018, was rougher than pictures showed. A lot of paint imperfections, brakes would need to be replaced within 5-10k and the motor sounded buzzy, nothing like my old F25 X3 n55.

Will check out the 2016 this weekend.

[FCX5]

Originally Posted by 3002 tii

Long time Bimmer owner here (past cars listed off to be left of my sig) looking for some buying advice on a used X5. I’ve narrrowed it down to 2 choices, both are N55, xDrive, M sport with similar options.

2016, Black Sapphire, 1-owner with only 30k miles
vs.
2018, Carbon Black, 2-owners with 50k miles

The ‘16 is $3k cheaper despite the lower mileage. The ‘18 however as you know comes with ID6 and CarPlay. I’m more partial to CB over BSM, but the real draw is NBT EVO. Am I crazy a considering a higher mileage car just because it has OEM CarPlay?

I know NBT EVO 6 can be retrofitted for less than the $3k difference, but from what I gather, you still can’t use the OEM navigation, which is something I’d like to retain in case my phone dies or has no signal. Or you can but the cost & effort really narrows the price gap.

As for motor, would you opt for the lower mileage ‘16 or go with the higher mileage ‘18 which arguably might be more reliable since it was the last year run for the F15?

To me CarPlay is a must have. Also after market Android systems are not great. The UI is laggy…I’d get the 2018. To me my current 2018 is at 50K miles. It is a 50i. I don’t see any difference between 30k and 50k. Although, single owner has an advantage. In my case, OE
CarPlay is a must have. Plus 2016 does not get map updates or any connected service which you get on the 2018.

[Qsilver7]

Originally Posted by FCX5

Plus 2016 does not get map updates or any connected service which you get on the 2018.

You can get map updates on the 2016 (or any CIC/NBT iDrive setup that was 2G/3G)...just not OTA (over the air). There are multiple ways...you can download the maps & FSC code for free if you are Tech savvy...or purchase the one-time or Life-Time FSC code & updated maps on a thumbdrive.

[musa]

Originally Posted by Qsilver7

You can get map updates on the 2016 (or any CIC/NBT iDrive setup that was 2G/3G)...just not OTA (over the air). There are multiple ways...you can download the maps & FSC code for free if you are Tech savvy...or purchase the one-time or Life-Time FSC code & updated maps on a thumbdrive.

I have 2015 F86. Where's the download link for the maps & FSC code? I'm tech savvy.

[Xolinlevh]

Originally Posted by 3002 tii

I know NBT EVO 6 can be retrofitted for less than the $3k difference, but from what I gather, you still can’t use the OEM navigation, which is something I’d like to retain in case my phone dies or has no signal. Or you can but the cost & effort really narrows the price gap.

I did the ID6 retrofit into my 2015 so I've got the touch screen, full carplay, all OEM. I love it. Highly recommend. Did it for maybe $1500. You are correct that the OEM nav stops working with the retrofit, but you can buy emulator adaptors that plug in, or go all in and retrofit the 4G. I'm gonna do that eventually, but thats another ~$2k

[LovemyBMWX5]

I know you said the 2018 was in rougher shape, but I would recommend to keep looking then. If I were to be on the hunt for an F15, I’d be on the lookout for 2018 only as the last generation/year.

[JDAURIA]

Originally Posted by LovemyBMWX5

I know you said the 2018 was in rougher shape, but I would recommend to keep looking then. If I were to be on the hunt for an F15, I’d be on the lookout for 2018 only as the last generation/year.

Why would he exclusively look at 2018s? There was no LCI for F15s. Sounds like there were some slight changes/updates to infotainment system options (CarPlay), but to my knowledge all the options were the same across all model years?

[3002 tii]

Originally Posted by JDAURIA

Why would he exclusively look at 2018s? There was no LCI for F15s. Sounds like there were some slight changes/updates to infotainment system options (CarPlay), but to my knowledge all the options were the same across all model years?

Last year anything is always more desirable because all the bugs were worked out and BMW will sometimes include extra stuff depending on the package like 6WB cluster.

[WagenLights.com]

I would choose 2018 car.

- better resell value
- less maintenance

[tlow98]

Originally Posted by WagenLights.com

I would choose 2018 car.

- better resell value
- less maintenance

Newer car has more mileage and is right at the point where it should get plugs, trans fluid, TC oil.

Therefor more upfront maintenance. Resale value of a same gen models isn’t that drastic…